Completely new and seeking input/direction

[poken1151]

Are there any thoughts on: https://bafangusadirect.com/product...MIx6vyx7HM2QIVjLjACh3FTw96EAAYASAAEgKXbfD_BwE

I was also on Aliexpress for a 1000W motor... but for now, yes, I'll see about test driving each of these options. Very excited to get this going.

 

[Dewey]

Are there any thoughts on: https://bafangusadirect.com/product...MIx6vyx7HM2QIVjLjACh3FTw96EAAYASAAEgKXbfD_BwE

That's likely just an English web page for a Chinese retailer, I strongly advise you go with a reputable US based retailer like California Ebike, Luna Cycle, etc.

 

[JoePah]

Are there any thoughts on: https://bafangusadirect.com/product...MIx6vyx7HM2QIVjLjACh3FTw96EAAYASAAEgKXbfD_BwE

I was also on Aliexpress for a 1000W motor... but for now, yes, I'll see about test driving each of these options. Very excited to get this going.

You won’t find anything more reliable than a direct drive hub motor. There are a lot of stories with BaFang mid drives. Check Endless Sphere website

 

[Dewey]

You won’t find anything more reliable than a direct drive hub motor. There are a lot of stories with BaFang mid drives. Check Endless Sphere website

I appreciate ES owner Justin Lemire-Elmore's explanations for his stance on hub motors and rated power and his Grin Tech website is a mine of helpful information about hub motor systems, particularly his motor simulator, and the awesome products he sells: torque sensors, LiGo ebike batteries for air travel, programmable Cycle Analyst controller, statorade, etc.

 

[poken1151]

@Dewey and @JoePah , reason number 5 on that link from Lemire has solidified me sticking to the hubs. My original want was at least an option for regenerative breaking, and not being able to easily go that route's a deal breaker for me.

A quick search has a lot of hypothesis and todo's but I'm not looking for a summer project to that degree.

 

[poken1151]

Also, @JoePah , seems ElectricRider is in the midst of selling off as well. So the company's changing hands.

 

[poken1151]

@J.R. was taking a look at your suggestion here: https://www.ebikekit.com/collection...roducts/e-bikekit-heavy-duty-rear-lithium-48v

Do you know what is meant by nominal vs peak for the motor? It's a 500-1000W jump, I like the 1000, but don't like the 500. Does this matter too much?

 

[poken1151]

I think.... I'm somewhere between:
(Link Removed - No Longer Exists)

and

https://www.ebikekit.com/products/e-bikekit-heavy-duty-front-lithium-48v

Both with the highest battery options so about 1500$ total.

I was looking about https://em3ev.com/ as suggested, but as mentioned, it's a little more complex for me to pick with my knowledge.

Final Thoughts?

 

[J.R.]

@J.R. was taking a look at your suggestion here: https://www.ebikekit.com/collection...roducts/e-bikekit-heavy-duty-rear-lithium-48v

Do you know what is meant by nominal vs peak for the motor? It's a 500-1000W jump, I like the 1000, but don't like the 500. Does this matter too much?

Checkout this thread:

https://electricbikereview.com/forums/threads/ebike-kit-review.4414/

And:

https://electricbikereview.com/forums/threads/ebike-kit-updated.13768/

I live at the top of a huge 2.2 mile hill that culminates in an 18% grade. On that hill I watched @Shoestring pedaling easy at 15 mph and I think he peaked at 1030 watts. Maybe he'll chime in with the tag I just made. E-BikeKits are solid performers. I don't promote many brands or models, but I like @Shoestring's build.

Some bikes claim 750 watts, but never come close to 1k. The devil is in the details. I've also seen many here very pleased with Bafang's BBS02. You can't argue with the success of what Bafang has built.

Lastly, whatever you buy or build, get the best battery you can afford. If you ride like a lot of us do, you'll never regret that.

 

[JoePah]

I think.... I'm somewhere between:
(Link Removed - No Longer Exists)

and

https://www.ebikekit.com/products/e-bikekit-heavy-duty-front-lithium-48v

Both with the highest battery options so about 1500$ total.

I was looking about https://em3ev.com/ as suggested, but as mentioned, it's a little more complex for me to pick with my knowledge.

Final Thoughts?

Go for it dude!

IMO get a direct drive motor rear wheel (not a gear drive) and a battery that is around 48v 20ah with a 40 amp controller. You should find that combo more than adequate for your needs and simple operation. 36v would also be fine but a little slower.

 

[tomjasz]

Lunacycle and their forums go out of there way with the owners support to belittle this forum and Court. Enough of a reason for me to stay far away.

 

[poken1151]

Question, any of you familiar with the items on Amazon? Wondering why the costs seem so low for the kits listed there, is it purely because there's no battery? Would these be a safe bet? Admittedly it looks way more appetizing than 15000$. What am I missing?

Ex: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_...g&field-keywords=26"+Rear+Wheel+48V+1000W+kit

 

[tomjasz]

Question, any of you familiar with the items on Amazon? Wondering why the costs seem so low for the kits listed there, is it purely because there's no battery? Would these be a safe bet? Admittedly it looks way more appetizing than 15000$. What am I missing?

Ex: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=sporting&field-keywords=26"+Rear+Wheel+48V+1000W+kit

all copies and clones of other designs. Absolute bottom of the heap. Lots of them out there. At least with Prime a bit of protection. Often these wheel should immediately go to a bike shop to have spokes checked and wheels trued. Kit does not include torque arms, THEY ARE A MUST. It could last several thousand miles it could last a week.

"Please contact the seller directly for warranty information for this product. You may also be able to find warranty information on the manufacturer’s website."

In other words, cross your fingers warranty service.

 

[tomjasz]

If you want a kit talk to us about what bike you want to convert, and what a realistic budget is.

 

[tomjasz]

about $550 for the same parts but a 9 Continent(quality) motor, proper spokes, wheel, controller, brake levers, throttle, etc.

 

[poken1151]

Hi All,

Just wanted to update. Over the weekend I put in an order for:
https://www.ebikekit.com/products/e-bikekit-heavy-duty-rear-lithium-48v

Rear with 20Ah battery and 7-speed. Found a discount code witch basically removed the tax/delivery fees. So came up about 1489. Should ship out in a few days I'm told.

I'll move on over to the next forum once I (inevitably) get stuck setting it up.

Thanks to all of you who replied and gave me your input. Truly appreciate the knowledge.

 

[tomjasz]

Hi All,

Just wanted to update. Over the weekend I put in an order for:
https://www.ebikekit.com/products/e-bikekit-heavy-duty-rear-lithium-48v

Rear with 20Ah battery and 7-speed. Found a discount code witch basically removed the tax/delivery fees. So came up about 1489. Should ship out in a few days I'm told.

I'll move on over to the next forum once I (inevitably) get stuck setting it up.

Thanks to all of you who replied and gave me your input. Truly appreciate the knowledge.

Jason Kraft and his group are first class. A very good, reliable and easily repairable motor! I've installed several for customers. They are very happy. AND batteries are shipped legally and all above board!

 

[John from Connecticut]

From what I've seen from kits, you won't save much (any?) money over buying a purpose-built ebike. A purpose-built ebike should have frame/components designed to handle higher speed/weight of an ebike. Plus kits have zip-ties everywhere - cables are either too long/short and they look amateurish to my eyes - you don't have to settle for that. You're not a feather-weight rider and need a bigger motor/battery. I'm similar height/less weight- the 500w motors I tested seemed underpowered - quickly ruled out kits as didn't see value-for-money vs the hassle of building a kit. Do a search for ebikes near your price range and I suspect you'll come to similar conclusion as I did.

Hello,
I'm not going to pretend I have any e-bike design knowledge, just a few gut feelings. I ride a Trek XM700 + and it's built
like a tank... For reference the bike is here...

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/...tric-hybrid-bikes/xm700/xm700/p/1982140-2018/

There's a line in the XM700+ specification run down that reads.....

"This bike has a maximum total weight limit (combined weight of bicycle, rider, and cargo) of 300 pounds (136 kg). "

Most of the conversations on this thread have been about motor, power etc as it should be. I'm concerned about stopping.
I've never had a bike with disc brakes, it took me a little time to learn the correct way to 'use' disc brakes on a long steep decent as to
avoid heat fade and this is on a bike designed by some of the best bicycle engineers in the business.

As mentioned by others the frame stress on an ebike is significant. If Trek limits there maximum combined weight to 300 pounds
on the XM 700+ which is rock solid where does that leave us 'backyard builders ? And yes, to save the skeptics the bother of bringing
up that the 300 pounds came out of the Trek Legal department. I'm absolutely not suggesting for someone shouldn't go the kit route.
In this specific potential retrofit, with the weight limits expressed, braking and safety would be paramount on my mind...Just a thought.

John from CT

 

[tomjasz]

Hello,
I'm not going to pretend I have any e-bike design knowledge, just a few gut feelings. I ride a Trek XM700 + and it's built
like a tank... For reference the bike is here...

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/...tric-hybrid-bikes/xm700/xm700/p/1982140-2018/

There's a line in the XM700+ specification run down that reads.....

"This bike has a maximum total weight limit (combined weight of bicycle, rider, and cargo) of 300 pounds (136 kg). "

Most of the conversations on this thread have been about motor, power etc as it should be. I'm concerned about stopping.
I've never had a bike with disc brakes, it took me a little time to learn the correct way to 'use' disc brakes on a long steep decent as to
avoid heat fade and this is on a bike designed by some of the best bicycle engineers in the business.

As mentioned by others the frame stress on an ebike is significant. If Trek limits there maximum combined weight to 300 pounds
on the XM 700+ which is rock solid where does that leave us 'backyard builders ? And yes, to save the skeptics the bother of bringing
up that the 300 pounds came out of the Trek Legal department. I'm absolutely not suggesting for someone shouldn't go the kit route.
In this specific potential retrofit, with the weight limits expressed, braking and safety would be paramount on my mind...Just a thought.

John from CT

Some of us learned that speed isn't everything and a nice sub 20MPH motor kit with KoolStop electric bike pads passed my brake testing on the MSF course. (motorcycle safety foundation) IMO once over 20MPH all bets are off unless one moves to a 3-4 piston Magura or better hydraulic systems. Lots of poor choices by kit builders.

 

[poken1151]

That's a good note John. I specifically got my bike as well for the expected weight limit (I'm pretty heavy) so It should be good to go with me and the added components. But breaking is a good point, part of this is that I wanted to implement regenerative breaking, if anyone has a good direction on that based on my final decision, I'd gladly take it.