Electric Bikes - Bionx System hub bearings

Hi Everyone, I'm new to the forum. I've been pondering getting an Ebike for about a year now. I've been riding a bicycle as exercise and a hobby and i'd like to go to the next level and commute to and from work. My route to work has some hills that would be nice to have some help on, specially after working a 10 hour shift.

The Bionx system i am focusing on is the PL-350. I don't plan to ride during the winter months, save the Bionx system form salt residue exposure. Generally i will be logging 6800km a year. I was wondering if anyone has logged that much on their bionx system and would anyone happen to know the Time Till Overhaul on the hub bearings for the 350 motor? Thanks in advance!

Ps. Thanks to Lowell for the Stewardson way vid. and the ride down lougheed. Just watching those vids answered some general questions i had about ebiking.

I've never opened a Bionx hub, but I would imagine the bearings to be oversized for the loads they carry. If you did have a problem, they should be easy to change with just a gear puller.

http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=-6234539405906772307

Here's a bit of off roading with my bike, except the bike liked it a lot better than my crappy camera...

I don't think replacing the bearings will be a problem, i bet they are a standard #'s. I can't see them going through the cost of having an "OEM" size. I was going to re-bearing the rear hub and replace the frt hub (complete) every 2 years (hopefully the motor will at least last that long), to be on the safe side. Just trying to figure out if this is too extended or excessive.

Neat Vid, I take it vibration isn't too much of a problem with your system??? I looked at the crystalyte system. It's a lot cheaper then the Bionx. But i kind of wondered about the quality control. Although the upgradeabilty and modability of the crystalyte system is excellent. I got to get into that! For a work commuter though i plan to go with a Bionx. It's a nice neat, light and compact package (although you pay for it!). As a side project i would like to build one of my other bikes with a crystalyte motor etc. May i ask what type of setup you have on that bike in the vid? Bike make, model, battery pack lay up, controler etc..

Generally i will be logging 6800km a year.
Vow. That is a lot of km on an ebike for a year.
So look for a direct-drive brushless hub motor system which will give the less maintenance.

Yes it is a lot of Km. That's why i'm trying to get a maint program going. Performing general maint on the side of the road sucks. It's way better to be proactive then reactive. I am going to email bionx and ask what the TTF is on the PL-350 motor, bearings etc. I'll bet 10-1 they brush me off with some BS and hype..lol. We'll see i guess..

I looked at the crystalyte system. It's a lot cheaper then the Bionx.
Yes, if you go for the basic Xlyte with SLA battery.

If you upgrade with NiMH battery, battery box and the DrainBrainl, then the cost will come close to the basic BionX.