money not an issue quality is

[Ann M.]

If regenerative braking is one of your desires, rudym, you need to purchase a direct drive hub motor system. Golden Motor & Crystalyte (the Crown model) both make non-geared hub motor systems that are reliable, offer regen and have plenty of torque. With the Golden Motor Magic Pie systems the controller is integrated into the hub motor with cooling fins on the outside of the motor to help disperse heat. This makes it a little more simple to install since you won't have to wire in the controller. With the Crystalyte hub system, you do get choices for your controller which can be advantageous but requires a little more work for you.

Mid drive motors are all geared units so you can't do regen but the weight balance is nice and it's easier to fix a flat. I know many people grump here about fixing flats on hub motors; however, if you choose a better quality tire, like one of the Schwalbes that have superior tread mix and add a tire liner, then you are less likely to experience flats unless you ignore the tire pressure and end up with a pinch flat. Given that the hub motor adds a bit of weight to the wheel, a few extra ounces of protection won't make a major difference on performance or handling, particularly since you mention that most of your riding is going to be on streets.

If you want to go the DIY route, do your homework and watch videos by different people to avoid some of the difficulties during installation. And remember, there are competent ebike techs who could do the install for a modest fee or aid you. It's a good idea to make friends with a local shop or independent mechanic who specializes in ebikes

 

[rudym]

If regenerative braking is one of your desires, rudym, you need to purchase a direct drive hub motor system. Golden Motor & Crystalyte (the Crown model) both make non-geared hub motor systems that are reliable, offer regen and have plenty of torque. With the Golden Motor Magic Pie systems the controller is integrated into the hub motor with cooling fins on the outside of the motor to help disperse heat. This makes it a little more simple to install since you won't have to wire in the controller. With the Crystalyte hub system, you do get choices for your controller which can be advantageous but requires a little more work for you.

Mid drive motors are all geared units so you can't do regen but the weight balance is nice and it's easier to fix a flat. I know many people grump here about fixing flats on hub motors; however, if you choose a better quality tire, like one of the Schwalbes that have superior tread mix and add a tire liner, then you are less likely to experience flats unless you ignore the tire pressure and end up with a pinch flat. Given that the hub motor adds a bit of weight to the wheel, a few extra ounces of protection won't make a major difference on performance or handling, particularly since you mention that most of your riding is going to be on streets.

If you want to go the DIY route, do your homework and watch videos by different people to avoid some of the difficulties during installation. And remember, there are competent ebike techs who could do the install for a modest fee or aid you. It's a good idea to make friends with a local shop or independent mechanic who specializes in ebikes

Thank you - that is very helpful.

 

[elyhim]

Fear of the road after being hit drove me to singletracks, now I'm in love with the emtb's.

 

[Trail Cruiser]

(Link Removed - No Longer Exists)
So I'm seeing these things on ebay and wondering about them as well?

This is no light weight ebike. This is literally an electric motorcycle with pedals. This 23 Kw powered above 250 pounds supposedly "ebike" is capable above 60 mph.

Pushing your legs to pedal makes insignificant difference in the speed.

I think you will be better off with a dedicated electric motorcycle.

(Link Removed - No Longer Exists)

And then you will still have more than enough extra money to buy a premium exercise bike.

https://www.onepeloton.com/

 

[rudym]

Conversion kit is not for the faint of heart, is not for the unexperienced DIY in bicycle but also requires confidence in connecting electronic wires and components.

Not only that, you have to prepare your mind on spending countless hours in trial and error and improvising things so the bike as a whole can function. It's a never ending tweaking. And you still have an unreliable ebike as a whole.

Been there, done that and I would rather spend my extra few hundred dollars to get a factory assembled minus the headaches.

Sounds like some good advice. I appr

Fear of the road after being hit drove me to singletracks, now I'm in love with the emtb's.

I need the exercise I get riding a bike to work - and the joy I get from getting to and fro on two wheels.

 

[PowerMe]

I'm happy with my current ebike (Easy Motion Evo Street 2015 model), though it would be nice to have the most upgraded model with the more powerful 500w hub motor and a couple 48v batteries. If $$$ were no object then a 2nd ebike with a mid drive motor would be fun just for something different. After seeing Kalkoff's Image ebike, that would probably be something I'd enjoy very much (again if $$$ were no object).

 

[rudym]

I'm happy with my current ebike (Easy Motion Evo Street 2015 model), though it would be nice to have the most upgraded model with the more powerful 500w hub motor and a couple 48v batteries. If $$$ were no object then a 2nd ebike with a mid drive motor would be fun just for something different. After seeing Kalkoff's Image ebike, that would probably be something I'd enjoy very much (again if $$$ were no object).

Very nice recommendation! This will be perfect for my wife.

 

[rudym]

Stromer ebikes have regenerative braking off the shelf, no DIY, fully warrantied and serviced. As someone mentioned earlier, look at the ST2 model with the 983wh battery, the ST2s, or the ST5. Fast off the line, pulls like a 1960s muscle car to 28mph, goes about 100 miles on a charge, puts a smile on your face, built in GPS theft locator and cellular remote disable mode. It is probably the most sophisticated ebike on the road. Fantastic bikes, but pricey.

If money and common sense were no object, then I’d get a Thömus Lightrider MTB.

Very Nice and a chance to work on my German.

 

[Mattlow165]

Get a flx blade and be done with it if you want speed and realizability and great support

 

[Trail Cruiser]

Get a flx blade and be done with it if you want speed and realizability and great support

The FLX blade is a highly capable ebike but as a daily high speed commuter with a very powerful mid drive, you would be looking at frequently replacing the chain, every 800 miles or less.