Electric Bikes - Nano Motor - a breakthrough?

I read the new issue of A to B (http://www.atob.org.uk) this week. They did an in depth review of a bike available in Britain called the Nano Brompton. It's a regular 3 speed folding Brompton L3 bike fitted with a new motor - the Nano (http://nano-motor.co.uk/).

These guys have been reviewing electric bikes and folding bikes for years now and are generally pretty skeptical. The total weight (including battery) is 18.8 kg (41.3 pounds). The motor+battery is about 11.6 lbs. They suggested other Brompton models (the 52LX) that would bring the weight down to 12.8 kg (28.1 lbs)

The lithium polymer battery was rated for 266 Wh.

The amazing thing is that they rode this bike, with pedalling and motor assist, for 47.9 miles at an average speed of 13.4 mph. And, just as I'd want, the motor responds to slowing speed on hill climbs by contributing more power with it's peak power tuned to around 10 mph. The bike climbed reasonable hills at over 13 mph and could do steep ones (16%) at 7-8 mph.

This sounds like a pretty big breakthrough in range. A to B was very surprised by this result. It's more than twice what their favorite electric bike of all time (the Giant Lafree/Lite) can do. And the bike, with motor and battery, is still light enough to ride without assist.

Anyone have any experience with this Nano motor?

I created pretty much exactly the same thread a day ago wanting to know the same thing, anyone ever used one of these things? I could not find the review though, do you have a link perhaps. It looks like an incredible peice of engineering, and a 2 1/2 lb motor that can put out 350 watts is incredible. Do you have any idea if they reviewed the 160rpm or the 290rpm model?

The review is behind their subscription wall, so I can't link to it directly. My message above has a link to their site if you'd like to check it out. A to B (http://www.atob.org.uk)has very detailed reviews of electric and folding bikes, but they only talk about what's available in the UK market.

I asked the same question over on endless-sphere. They say the Nano is a rebranded version of the Chinese Tongxin motor that will also be used in the Schwinn electrics due out any time now. The reviews there are mixed. A couple of resellers who had problems with Tongxin were complaining and claimed that the motors are not very durable. Others said they'd run them fine for a couple years without problems.

You can see the whole thread here (http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=340).

It looks like an incredible peice of engineering, and a 2 1/2 lb motor that can put out 350 watts is incredible. Do you have any idea if they reviewed the 160rpm or the 290rpm model?
It's 2.3 kg = 5 pounds ;)

Presumably, the 260 rpm one for the 16" wheels of the Brompton.

hmm... looks similar to the sparc from sram ?!? (at least when it comes to weight)

sparc weights also 2.4kg
a 5gear-sram-hub included (which alone would be around 1kg)
but power is limited to 250watt i think

has the nano a free-spinning unit included ? or is there additional resistance when driving without motor-power ?

hmm... looks similar to the sparc from sram ?!? (at least when it comes to weight)

sparc weights also 2.4kg
a 5gear-sram-hub included (which alone would be around 1kg)
but power is limited to 250watt i think

has the nano a free-spinning unit included ? or is there additional resistance when driving without motor-power ?
I think it free wheels when not in use. I saw reference to that on the Mr Motivator site. He sells them and has created a kit for the Brompton. The nano has a peak power of 345 watts and I think a steady output rather lower in keeping with the spirit of the UK law on these matters ( I think it is possibly slightly over the stated power, but meets the speed limits.

http://www.nano-motor.co.uk/files/e-go_nano_hub_motor_kit%202005.pdf

http://www.nano-motor.co.uk/brompton/

The amazing thing is that they rode this bike, with pedalling and motor assist, for 47.9 miles at an average speed of 13.4 mph. And, just as I'd want, the motor responds to slowing speed on hill climbs by contributing more power with it's peak power tuned to around 10 mph. The bike climbed reasonable hills at over 13 mph and could do steep ones (16%) at 7-8 mph.
.................................................................................................... ...............
QUOTE] The amazing thing is a semi healthy person can eaisly pedal a road bike 13.4 mph for 50 miles without a motor or batteries.

The amazing thing is a semi healthy person can eaisly pedal a road bike 13.4 mph for 50 miles without a motor or batteries.

And in addition to that Randy, 3 healthy team Mavic riders can show you their rear tires on the way to the top of the volcano too!

Robbie

Any idea how heavy other electric hub motors are in comparison?

Hubmotors are virtually never the most efficient solution, but they more than make up for that by opening the door to ebiking to a wider audience due to the simpler installation. I say they are viable as it's always better to get more people involved in ebiking than not. They are best used in territory that isn't extremely hilly. To get specific weights for various hubmotors, try these sites.

http://www.texaselectricbikes.com/catalog/electric-bike-motors-contr-c-37.html

www.evsolutions.net

www.evdeals.com

Good luck!

Robbie

12 LEVELS OF PARTICIPATION
http://www.speedace.info/dell_computers_winston_solar_challenge.htm

(1) Race participants must choose to participate in one of three divisions of racing:

CLASSIC DIVISION - Classic Division retains all the rules and regulations set out in this race booklet. No hub motors can be used. Solar cells must be rated below 16% efficiency.

OPEN DIVISION - Open Division provides teams the option to implement new, more costly technologies within their solar car design or vary the dimensions of their solar car. If a team uses a hub motor, or utilizes terrestrial or space-grade solar cells that have a rated efficiency of 16% or above, they must enter the Open Division. The size limitations of the solar array remain the same, however, individual solar cells may be less than 100 square centimeters. The list price for all bare solar cells must be less than $10/watt; teams may pay extra for cutting, tabbing, or lamination of cells. The limitations on type and weight of batteries remain the same.

And in addition to that Randy, 3 healthy team Mavic riders can show you their rear tires on the way to the top of the volcano too!

Robbie

what is going on with all this bickering and people taking swipes at each other (or at least at randy) in a way that doesn't seem to have anything to do with the topic? I heard the story about the volcano race, which was strange. what about the references to lies? whats your relation to randy, and why does this keep coming up?

what is going on with all this bickering and people taking swipes at each other (or at least at randy) in a way that doesn't seem to have anything to do with the topic? I heard the story about the volcano race, which was strange. what about the references to lies? whats your relation to randy, and why does this keep coming up?

I can't wait for Robbie to answer this you, you...
COme on Robbie let him have it, it's so funny when you keep doing it, everybody is just rolling on the floor it's so darn funny!

I can't wait for Robbie to answer this you, you...
COme on Robbie let him have it, it's so funny when you keep doing it, everybody is just rolling on the floor it's so darn funny!

I assume you are joking here - about it being amusing I mean. I expect that most people come here to find out technical facts and ways of making ebikes work, like I do. While all of the protagonists in these 'argument' know far far more than I do about electric propulsion, and ALL have given me a lot of info, I'm sorry to have to pick through the manure heap looking for the good bits. If that seems rude, I'm sorry, but it is the metaphore that springs to mind.

Interesting... Though the very low top speed is a deal-breaker for me. I pedal over 15mph all the time, so this motor wouldn't help me very much!

How well does it freewheel? Does it roll as well as a regular wheel or is there a slight resistance like most hub motors have?