The Mother of all DIY Mid Drive Kits? Lightning Rods

[JoePah]

The creator, Mike, first started with upgrading parts from the Bafang mid drive kit.. By the time he was done only the motor was left (this is not a knock on Bafang, because the Endless Sphere guys are famous for abusing everything to destruction). So he created his own mid drive kit, which really is just the motor, BB, primary and secondary reduction gears and the crank... Two versions, up to 8 kW..lol

http://www.lightningrodev.com/kits/index.html

 

[Lightning Rods]

Hi Joe- Thanks for the mention. I started with the GNG kit. The Bafang kit has a much smaller motor and it's all one unit, like a component stereo with turntable, cassette deck, CD player, etc. I don't even use the GNG motor any longer. In looking for a motor supplier in China I found two nearly identical motors. One is 10% wider and heavier (more magnets and copper) and the other is twice as big.

 

[Shea N Encinitas]

Any photos of completed bikes (your website teased)? Even works in progress, dirty shop, xerox copy of a polaroid would suffice. Does indeed sound like a nice kit in the spirit of DIY, and DI-better! Cheers, -S

 

[Lightning Rods]

Here's Dennis P's bike with my kit on it:

 

[Lightning Rods]

Here's a tricky installation. A new Kona Stinky with a 73mm BB that has a curving front downtube. Most mid drives won't fit a frame like this. I make a special extended lower mount bracket that fits the curving frame tubes.

 

[Lightning Rods]

This is another install on a Giant DH Comp with a 100mm wide BB. This bike also needed an extended lower bracket.

 

[Lenny]

Hi Joe- Thanks for the mention. I started with the GNG kit. The Bafang kit has a much smaller motor and it's all one unit, like a component stereo with turntable, cassette deck, CD player, etc. I don't even use the GNG motor any longer. In looking for a motor supplier in China I found two nearly identical motors. One is 10% wider and heavier (more magnets and copper) and the other is twice as big.

Mike,
We are one of the largest E-bike retailers in the nation and every week, we get several customers asking us about off-road conversions
This could be a potential kit for those customers.
Our tech expert @lilrich1959 (Rich) would love to have one of these kits on our stock bike. Give him a call at 608-477-0483 and perhaps we could setup a joint venture of some kind in the future.


Crazy Lenny's E-bikes
https://www.crazylennysebikes.com/