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The eBike thread

unkel

A quick look seems that this doesn't really seem to fit in the cycling forum. So starting a thread here about all things eBike

I'll get the ball rolling. I have zero experience with eBikes. But I was going to build myself a battery anyway, for various reasons (like in bringing with me in my EV as a "petrol can")

I'm going to buy a solderless kit to make the battery (with 18650 cells I have removed from dead / old laptop batteries). This kit cah handle 20A max, and I would like the battery pack to produce 1kW constant. P=V*I so 1000W = 50V * 20A

This dictates that my battery needs to be nominal 48V (was thinking of making a 24V battery pack, but that won't be able to charge my car)

A quick browse on eBay and Amazon shows that you could buy a powerful 1000W bike conversion kit with everything needed except the battery for about GBP120 (a bit more from Amazon but peace of mind)

What to buy though, front wheel or rear wheel kit? Pros and cons? Any other advice?

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Dempo1

howardmarks wrote: »

Pedelecs i.e. 25kmph limited are available on the scheme. Limit is €1500 now too

Hmmm, interesting, I'll have to check this out, thanks for that

unkel

fuse wrote: »

I'd say you'd want to spend minimum of 1k to get something that's ready to go off the shelf. The rad power bikes seem to be great value for money - this is their base model - https://radpowerbikes.eu/products/radmission-electric-metro-bike

That's a decent deal. Rad power are good bikes, I've seen a few reviews of them.

SCOL

Pswpower have a good selection of 48V 'Hairon' batteries with chargers. Be sure to get 48v. with a Bafang 750w from

http://www.pswpower.com

[Deleted User]

howardmarks wrote: »

Pedelecs i.e. 25kmph limited are available on the scheme. Limit is €1500 now too

It's really funny because the e-scooters can go faster and no one cares yet ebikes are limited to ridiculously low limits.

fuse

Dempo1 wrote: »

I wasn't sure Electric Bikes with assist were covered under this scheme? To be honest if it was I'd avail but primary use will be personal rather than work related

There's no questioning whatsoever on the nature of use of the bike so it's well worth going for.

fuse

SCOL wrote: »

Pswpower have a good selection of 48V 'Hairon' batteries with chargers. Be sure to get 48v. with a Bafang 750w from

http://www.pswpower.com

Important to note that this wouldn't be road legal.
You're limited to 250w motor / 25kph assissted if you want to still be classified a regular cyclist right?

SCOL

fuse wrote: »

Important to note that this wouldn't be road legal.
You're limited to 250w motor / 25kph assissted if you want to still be classified a regular cyclist right?

You are correct.

I've never cycled a 250w motor / 25kph assissted. I have a 45Km round trip
and the extra watts comes in handy on lazy days I don't need to peddle. I have a big hill for the last 8km.

Thargor

Would any of the experts know if one of these bikes would be a good candidate for conversion to ebike or is there not enough clearance etc?

https://archive.trekbikes.com/ie/en/2012/Trek/4500_disc#/ie/en/2012/Trek/4500_disc/details

Whether for mid drive or a rear hub. Would it be a difficult job to do myself? Im fairly handy with bikes (bicycles). Id be looking at something quick for long range riding/some trails.

unkel

I can't see why not. Mid drives are tricky though as many modern bottom brackets are not suitable for Bafang mid motors. Have a good read over this thread and you will get all your answers

Here's my latest converted bike with a powerful rear wheel drive setup:

Shameless plug: it's for sale here:

Linky

[Deleted User]

No torque arms Unkel?

Steel frame ? Low power ?

I wouldn’t advice using a hub motor without torque arm. On aluminium frame I wouldn’t trust the supplied torque washer if it even came with one.

What amp controller and voltage ?

unkel

Deleted User wrote: »

No torque arms Unkel?

Steel frame ? Low power ?

I wouldn’t advice using a hub motor without torque arm. On aluminium frame I wouldn’t trust the supplied torque washer if it even came with one.

What amp controller and voltage ?

Ah no, this is only a lowish power setup. Battery is just 36V, can't remember controller but might be either 12A or 15A, so about 600W at most. That said, I call it low power but it is still about twice the power you get from the lame eBikes they sell you in shops. My 16 year old neighbour and all his pals loved this bike!

If it was a keeper for use by myself, I'd hook it up to my own 52V pack, fully charged at near 59V and use a 30-35A controller for 2000W

And yes, then I would definitely need torque arms

[Deleted User]

Run 64 volt and 80 amps battery and see the performance, thats what I did through one of those small direct drive motors it was insane around 8kw peak. I did have to upgrade the motor phase wires though well worth it though. :-)

banchang

I can’t see a Sticky on this thread covering this, but I’m looking to buy an e-bike under Bike to Work scheme - wanted to spend under eur2,000.

I see a lot of this thread is about conversions, but I wanted to buy a good e-bike.

Looking for recommendations please ?

unkel

banchang wrote: »

a lot of this thread is about conversions, but I wanted to buy a good e-bike.

I hope you're not suggesting that a bike converted to an eBike is not a good eBike?

All eBikes you buy in shops have to be road legal, which makes them very slow and under powered. That, and the fact that some of them are eye-wateringly expensive has most of us convert a bike rather than buying one off the shelf...

If you still want to buy one, I'd suggest you go to your local bike shop and ask for advice

padjocollins

i like the ride1up.com bikes and currently am drooling over this
https://www.prioritybicycles.com/products/current
https://electrek.co/2020/10/02/priority-bicycles-just-launched-the-most-affordable-gates-belt-mid-drive-e-bike-yet/

I wish i was handy like a lot of posters in this thread. it must be so satisfying to roll your own for a fraction of the price. someday maybe.

unkel

It really is very easy to do, padjocollins. Particularly if you buy a kit like from Yose power which was linked here regularly. Everything is just click and play.

banchang

unkel wrote: »

I hope you're not suggesting that a bike converted to an eBike is not a good eBike?

All eBikes you buy in shops have to be road legal, which makes them very slow and under powered. That, and the fact that some of them are eye-wateringly expensive has most of us convert a bike rather than buying one off the shelf...

If you still want to buy one, I'd suggest you go to your local bike shop and ask for advice

Thanks - very helpful.

unkel

padjocollins wrote: »

i like the ride1up.com bikes and currently am drooling over this
https://www.prioritybicycles.com/products/current
https://electrek.co/2020/10/02/priority-bicycles-just-launched-the-most-affordable-gates-belt-mid-drive-e-bike-yet/

I wish i was handy like a lot of posters in this thread. it must be so satisfying to roll your own for a fraction of the price. someday maybe.

And just to let you know, that bike is not road legal in the EU. Not that any Garda would know though.

padjocollins

unkel wrote: »

And just to let you know, that bike is not road legal in the EU. Not that any Garda would know though.

you're right but wouldn't you just need to get it insured and have plates for it to make it legal . pain in the ass but yeagh, if you're going to be cycling say over 30kmh on cycle lanes, you are risking a collision . As far as i'm aware if you use anything over 250wh pedelec bike at 25kmh , you're not allowed cycle on bicycle lanes, you're basically a car/moped. open to correction .

padjocollins

unkel wrote: »

It really is very easy to do, padjocollins. Particularly if you buy a kit like from Yose power which was linked here regularly. Everything is just click and play.

I'm interested to learn. I enjoy learning new things. I'm ok if i have good guides and youtube videos. slow but steady slogger.

IamtheWalrus

I'm a Brompton Electric user. Very impressed so far. Heavy but expected that. Zips along nicely (urban user).

John Hutton

IamtheWalrus wrote: »

I'm a Brompton Electric user. Very impressed so far. Heavy but expected that. Zips along nicely (urban user).

Expensive though. Did you get that through Bike 2 work? I have a regular brompton which I love

unkel

padjocollins wrote: »

you're right but wouldn't you just need to get it insured and have plates for it to make it legal . pain in the ass but yeagh, if you're going to be cycling say over 30kmh on cycle lanes, you are risking a collision . As far as i'm aware if you use anything over 250wh pedelec bike at 25kmh , you're not allowed cycle on bicycle lanes, you're basically a car/moped. open to correction .

Correct. You need motor tax, insurance, a helmet and a driving license for it

IamtheWalrus

John Hutton wrote: »

Expensive though. Did you get that through Bike 2 work? I have a regular brompton which I love

Yes. Saved a bomb.

John Hutton

IamtheWalrus wrote: »

Yes. Saved a bomb.

I've been working from since March so I don't really need this.... but I am so tempted. Where did you buy it from?

IamtheWalrus

John Hutton wrote: »

I've been working from since March so I don't really need this.... but I am so tempted. Where did you buy it from?

Evans Cycles

banchang

IamtheWalrus wrote: »

Evans Cycles

Does a UK import thru Evans qualify for Bike 2 Work ?

banchang

padjocollins wrote: »

i like the ride1up.com bikes and currently am drooling over this
https://www.prioritybicycles.com/products/current
https://electrek.co/2020/10/02/priority-bicycles-just-launched-the-most-affordable-gates-belt-mid-drive-e-bike-yet/

I wish i was handy like a lot of posters in this thread. it must be so satisfying to roll your own for a fraction of the price. someday maybe.

I'm the same - hence my request for advice from this community for e-bike recommendations which qualify for Bike2Work.

Mr.David

banchang wrote: »

I can’t see a Sticky on this thread covering this, but I’m looking to buy an e-bike under Bike to Work scheme - wanted to spend under eur2,000.

I see a lot of this thread is about conversions, but I wanted to buy a good e-bike.

Looking for recommendations please ?

I bought a VanMoof s3 and love it, happy to answer any questions.

unkel

They sure look like a cool eBike. And from under €2k is pretty reasonable, although the performance is pretty poor, but I guess it would have to be, for a fully legal pedelec. The battery size at 0.5kWh is not the worst.