Recumbent conversion

[grover]

My favorite bike to ride is my recumbent, however since I moved to an area were it is hilly, recumbent biking is a challenge, even with 27 speeds. I did a conversion on my other bike, but just saw my poor recumbent in the corner of the garage begging for me to ride it. So... I decided to convert my BikeE recumbent to an Ebike-BikeE. The BikeE company went out of business many years ago, but they are decent comfortable semi-sit up recumbent.
I used an Ebikeling 20" 500w geared hub (w/ 8 speed freewheel) for the conversion. The controller fit nicely in the rear beam, and used a sling bag attached to rear seat for the battery. The conversion looks very inconspicuous, however the bike is VERY rear heavy, but don't really notice a difference from before.
I've rode it a couple of times, and now will be my go to bike. My wife thinks I look silly riding it, but it is a comfortable ride.
I like having the geared hub because I do like to ride without assist, and kick the PAS on when needed for the hills. What is really cool is that I can also throttle down and feels like I'm riding a chopper.

 

[Safarirv]

My favorite bike to ride is my recumbent, however since I moved to an area were it is hilly, recumbent biking is a challenge, even with 27 speeds. I did a conversion on my other bike, but just saw my poor recumbent in the corner of the garage begging for me to ride it. So... I decided to convert my BikeE recumbent to an Ebike-BikeE. The BikeE company went out of business many years ago, but they are decent comfortable semi-sit up recumbent.
I used an Ebikeling 20" 500w geared hub (w/ 8 speed freewheel) for the conversion. The controller fit nicely in the rear beam, and used a sling bag attached to rear seat for the battery. The conversion looks very inconspicuous, however the bike is VERY rear heavy, but don't really notice a difference from before.
I've rode it a couple of times, and now will be my go to bike. My wife thinks I look silly riding it, but it is a comfortable ride.
I like having the geared hub because I do like to ride without assist, and kick the PAS on when needed for the hills. What is really cool is that I can also throttle down and feels like I'm riding a chopper.

Grover...nice job! I am about to do the same on my BikeE. Any tips on the conversion? I will be my first time doing a DIY e-Bike. Thanks !

 

[Safarirv]

This is the kit I have coming ,I believe it is the same one you put in the BikeE

Amazon.com : EBIKELING Ebike Conversion Kit 36V 500W 20" Geared Waterproof Electric Bike Conversion Kit - Ebike Kit - Hub Motor Kit S830 LCD Display (Rear/LCD/Thumb) : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : EBIKELING Ebike Conversion Kit 36V 500W 20" Geared Waterproof Electric Bike Conversion Kit - Ebike Kit - Hub Motor Kit S830 LCD Display (Rear/LCD/Thumb) : Sports & Outdoors

amzn.to

 

[grover]

This is the kit I have coming ,I believe it is the same one you put in the BikeE

Amazon.com : EBIKELING Ebike Conversion Kit 36V 500W 20" Geared Waterproof Electric Bike Conversion Kit - Ebike Kit - Hub Motor Kit S830 LCD Display (Rear/LCD/Thumb) : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : EBIKELING Ebike Conversion Kit 36V 500W 20" Geared Waterproof Electric Bike Conversion Kit - Ebike Kit - Hub Motor Kit S830 LCD Display (Rear/LCD/Thumb) : Sports & Outdoors

amzn.to

Yes, that is the same kit.
Looks like you have the same model BikeE that I have.
It is pretty straight forward install, but here are a some tips:
- The cassette "free wheel" that is on your BikeE won't fit, it is too wide. I would get a 7-speed or 8-speed cassette. I bought and 8-speed by Ebikeling off of Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08GHHCZ5T/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1&psc=1
it works well, may have to adjust the Sram derailer a bit, and you lose 1 speed, but you don't need 9 with electric bike
- get the easy install PAS sensor from Ebikeling also, the one that comes with the kit won't work. Even with the easy-install you need some JB-weld "plastic weld" to attach the sensor to the frame, and cut out the inside of the plastic magnet wheel. : https://ebikeling.com/collections/e...-pas-pedal-assist-sensor-for-electric-bicycle

contact me back if you have more questions.
Also I would buy direct from Ebikeling for all the parts. They have free shipping and may be able work something out with exchanging the PAS sensors. They are excellent to work with direct, and will take care of you.

- Lance

 

[Safarirv]

Yes, that is the same kit.
Looks like you have the same model BikeE that I have.
It is pretty straight forward install, but here are a some tips:
- The cassette "free wheel" that is on your BikeE won't fit, it is too wide. I would get a 7-speed or 8-speed cassette. I bought and 8-speed by Ebikeling off of Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08GHHCZ5T/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1&psc=1
it works well, may have to adjust the Sram derailer a bit, and you lose 1 speed, but you don't need 9 with electric bike
- get the easy install PAS sensor from Ebikeling also, the one that comes with the kit won't work. Even with the easy-install you need some JB-weld "plastic weld" to attach the sensor to the frame, and cut out the inside of the plastic magnet wheel. : https://ebikeling.com/collections/e...-pas-pedal-assist-sensor-for-electric-bicycle

contact me back if you have more questions.
Also I would buy direct from Ebikeling for all the parts. They have free shipping and may be able work something out with exchanging the PAS sensors. They are excellent to work with direct, and will take care of you.

- Lance

Well thanks so much Lance. The cassette looks like it comes with the kit, if I am not mistaken. Or is it the wrong size?
I will look into the easy install PAS sensor. Appreciate your time in this. How is your bike holding up, and what size battery did you go with?
Mike WG7D

 

[grover]

Well thanks so much Lance. The cassette looks like it comes with the kit, if I am not mistaken. Or is it the wrong size?
I will look into the easy install PAS sensor. Appreciate your time in this. How is your bike holding up, and what size battery did you go with?
Mike WG7D

yes, the cassette does come with it, but it is the 7 speed, and if I remember the sRam derailer on the BikeE's can handle 8 or 9 speed. I think with the 7 speed derailer will tend to skip. You could try it, but I would be careful not to tighten the freewheel too much, that way you can switch out the cassette more easy.
I went with a 48v 12ah battery off of Ebay This was an off brand, but I figure if it lasts 1 more than half the time of a LG or Panasonic, I would be perfectly fine, since I paid half the amount. Also I figure I can buy 2 of them, and switch them out if I go for a long ride. after a couple hundred miles on the battery, they are holding up quite well!
My BikeE is holding up great. I go faster than my 26" cruiser with a 750W geared. going up hill also has more power.

 

[Safarirv]

yes, the cassette does come with it, but it is the 7 speed, and if I remember the sRam derailer on the BikeE's can handle 8 or 9 speed. I think with the 7 speed derailer will tend to skip. You could try it, but I would be careful not to tighten the freewheel too much, that way you can switch out the cassette more easy.
I went with a 48v 12ah battery off of Ebay This was an off brand, but I figure if it lasts 1 more than half the time of a LG or Panasonic, I would be perfectly fine, since I paid half the amount. Also I figure I can buy 2 of them, and switch them out if I go for a long ride. after a couple hundred miles on the battery, they are holding up quite well!
My BikeE is holding up great. I go faster than my 26" cruiser with a 750W geared. going up hill also has more power.

Thanks Lance. I will take your advice and be careful not to tighten the freewheel too much. Sounds like it is quite the performer! Congrats! I sure appreciate your helpful tips.

 

[grover]

Also… you might want to buy a

SCHUCK 130X Throttle, Waterproof from Amazon​

Because EBikeling has a right hand throttle, and the shifter which you use most will be on the right hand. The Shuck is designed to be right or left. It doesn’t cost very much. First see how the EBikeling one works for you first.

 

[Safarirv]

Also… you might want to buy a

SCHUCK 130X Throttle, Waterproof from Amazon​

Because EBikeling has a right hand throttle, and the shifter which you use most will be on the right hand. The Shuck is designed to be right or left. It doesn’t cost very much. First see how the EBikeling one works for you first.

Thanks! Is that the throttle use use?

 

[Safarirv]

Thanks! Is that the throttle use use?

This one with the round connector I assume? https://amzn.to/35NCoa6

 

[grover]

Yes.
That is a waterproof connector- all EBikeling kits have waterproof connectors, which is nice in case you get rained upon

 

[grover]

On another note:
If you ever have the Risse shock go out on your BikeE, you can put a mountain bike spring shock in its place. Those Risse shocks can be expensive, and it also cost a bit to have them rebuilt.
I replaced mine with a spring shock several years ago and it's been working nice

 

[Safarirv]

On another note:
If you ever have the Risse shock go out on your BikeE, you can put a mountain bike spring shock in its place. Those Risse shocks can be expensive, and it also cost a bit to have them rebuilt.
I replaced mine with a spring shock several years ago and it's been working nice

Good tip. That shock is still working at this point, but will look into that when it fails for sure.

 

[harryS]

Hi Safarirv. Didn't I just watch a youtube video where WG7D and his two brothers rode the Hiawatha?

FYI, my first conversion was the Ebikeling geared 500W motor in 2015. A reliable kit, even though I have other conversions since then, Motor has never been off the bike (no flat tires, knock on wood), and it powers up and runs whenever I take it out. My only gripe with him is that on his later kits with LCD displays, he uses a crappy model that won't show speed when coasting, and I don't like the PAS. My last kit from him, I used a different display/controller, but I have bought four from him.

 

[Safarirv]

Hi Safarirv. Didn't I just watch a youtube video where WG7D and his two brothers rode the Hiawatha?

FYI, my first conversion was the Ebikeling geared 500W motor in 2015. A reliable kit, even though I have other conversions since then, Motor has never been off the bike (no flat tires, knock on wood), and it powers up and runs whenever I take it out. My only gripe with him is that on his later kits with LCD displays, he uses a crappy model that won't show speed when coasting, and I don't like the PAS. My last kit from him, I used a different display/controller, but I have bought four from him.

Yep, that was us. I was on the Himiway and the controller went out...that thing is too heavy to pedal a long way..Still waiting on parts to get that one repaired, then I will sell it.
My back will feel better with the recumbent, for sure. Looking forward to the build, hope to have it done before our trip on July 3 the kit comes in June 28th, so it may be tight if I run into any problems. I sure appreciate your help and I will post some pics of the build when done. Mike WG7D

 

[grover]

harryS is right about PAS. It would be nice to program the increment levels. That is my biggest gripe, however the kit is solid and decent price, plus the company does a nice job of support. Speedometer is annoying, but I have.a cell phone app that does bike speed and maps your route. Check it out - it’s called solo trip

 

[Safarirv]

harryS is right about PAS. It would be nice to program the increment levels. That is my biggest gripe, however the kit is solid and decent price, plus the company does a nice job of support. Speedometer is annoying, but I have.a cell phone app that does bike speed and maps your route. Check it out - it’s called solo trip

Thanks...Oops,I thought I was responding to you, Lance. Sorry harryS ! ...I looked up the solo app, looks like it's for Apple. I have a Samsung android phone, but there may be a similar app like that out there.

 

[Safarirv]

harryS is right about PAS. It would be nice to program the increment levels. That is my biggest gripe, however the kit is solid and decent price, plus the company does a nice job of support. Speedometer is annoying, but I have.a cell phone app that does bike speed and maps your route. Check it out - it’s called solo trip

Lance...another question if you don't mind.. Looking at your photos, it looks like you routed your throttle and brake wires through the square tube frame and
then drilled a hole for passage? Thanks! Mike

 

[grover]

I don't mind the questions at all, keep them coming if you have more.
I did drill a hole on the top of the frame for the display/throttle, but on the rear end I shoved the controller inside the square frame. It is a tight fit, and you may have to spread it a bit with a screw driver. I then zip tied it for security. All the wires are nicely packed inside the frame. For the motor wire, just zipped tied it up the fork and inserted into the same hole as the brake/derailer wires then back to the controller.
There are some many wires coming down from the handlebar, make sure you wrap them up and keep them away from the peddle.

 

[grover]

let me know how the 7-speed works for you with that sRam 2.0 derailer.
My 8 speed probably needs some adjustment, but I find the gears that work for me and just stay with it.