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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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[Deleted User]

unkel wrote: »

Yep, 32km/h is a far sweeter speed. The yanks got that one right.

Obviously if you do a home conversion, you could make it go 40km/h. Or 50. Or 100

85 km/hr was enough for me

unkel

Yep, 32km/h is a far sweeter speed. The yanks got that one right.

Obviously if you do a home conversion, you could make it go 40km/h. Or 50. Or 100

Mr.David

unkel wrote: »

That means the motor can produce a lot more than 250W and thus the bike is not road legal

Nice one

Haha legal shmegal

It’s very easy to just change it back to Ireland region on the app if it was ever needed

I would find 25 to be too slow, 32 up a hill just makes all the difference

Mr.David

banchang wrote: »

That's an import ? How did you get it under Bike2Work ?

Import yeah just ordered it direct. Couldn’t avail of bike 2 work but from looking around I couldn’t find another elec bike that would have same net cost (so 2750 gross) that I preferred

conor_mc

banchang wrote: »

That's an import ? How did you get it under Bike2Work ?

Don’t think being an import is the issue, your employer can buy a bike from anywhere just so long as they pay for it (as opposed to refund you). If they use bike2work scheme, my understanding is that VanMoof can now set this up for you with split invoice (1500 to employer/scheme, balance to you with link to online cc payment).

unkel

Mr.David wrote: »

One positive is in the app you can select your region. And can select US which increases top speed to 32kph.

Range is pretty good I get about 75km on a charge on full assistance mode.

That means the motor can produce a lot more than 250W and thus the bike is not road legal

Nice one

banchang

Mr.David wrote: »

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

That's an import ? How did you get it under Bike2Work ?

Mr.David

unkel wrote: »

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.

One positive is in the app you can select your region. And can select US which increases top speed to 32kph.

Range is pretty good I get about 75km on a charge on full assistance mode.

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.

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.

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.

banchang

IamtheWalrus wrote: »

Evans Cycles

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

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

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: »

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

Yes. Saved a bomb.

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

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

IamtheWalrus

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

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.

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 .

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.

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

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.

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

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

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 ?

[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. :-)

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]

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

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