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Converting normal bike to electric?

  • 25-05-2011 09:23PM
    #1
    quenching
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 1,076 ✭✭✭


    Is it possible to buy a kit or the relevant bits and pieces to convert a normal bike to a electrically assisted one? I see Cytronex sell what appear to be normal bikes which they have converted to electrically assisted versions with very little impact on the look of the bike. I have a Giant CRS Alliance that I use for commuting and someone I know has bought an electric bike which got me thinking about the possibilities of a conversion, I'm not at all sure I'd want to do it but how difficult would it be?


Comments

  • #2
    mgmt
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,361 ✭✭✭mgmt


    Yeah, you just buy a wheel hub motor and a battery.

    dsc_6637.jpg

    I'm sure if you do some research you can buy it off ebay for cheap enough.


  • #3
    quenching
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 1,076 ✭✭✭quenching


    mgmt wrote: »
    Yeah, you just buy a wheel hub motor and a battery.

    dsc_6637.jpg

    I'm sure if you do some research you can buy it off ebay for cheap enough.

    Thanks for that, seems about €500 would do the trick, and also more than double the weight of my bike! I presume that the hub motor could be used with a decent rim and the help of a wheel builder. These windy days and the hills on the way home make it tempting but I'd feel like I'd given up if I did it.


  • #4
    Beasty
    Administrators, Social & Fun Moderators, Sports Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 78,504 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭Beasty


    quenching wrote: »
    I'd feel like I'd given up if I did it.

    "Given up" barely describes it

    Seriously - half the fun of cycling is knowing you're pushing your boundaries and getting fitter - don't let those inner demons get to you, otherwise we may need to dispatch you here for a more sedentary lifestyle;)


  • #5
    quenching
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 1,076 ✭✭✭quenching


    Beasty wrote: »
    "Given up" barely describes it

    Seriously - half the fun of cycling is knowing you're pushing your boundaries and getting fitter - don't let those inner demons get to you, otherwise we may need to dispatch you here for a more sedentary lifestyle;)

    Well Beasty, after wasting half an hour over there and finding myself agreeing with a lot of whats posted I thought I'd check the age range poll at the top, turns out I'm older than 63% of the feckers already :D So maybe it is actually time to give up! Only kidding, I think I've a few years left in me yet but I still find the option of converting my regular bike to electric intriguing, apparently Cytronex will be selling a kit in August that can be fitted to most bikes and be as discreet as their own conversions. Combined with hub gears it would make a terrific commuter bike - for the lazy of course.


  • #6
    Beasty
    Administrators, Social & Fun Moderators, Sports Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 78,504 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭Beasty


    quenching wrote: »
    turns out I'm older than 63% of the feckers already :D
    In my book that makes you a kid - at least 86% of them are younger than me;)


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