Electric Bikes - Please, I need some help...

I am considering converting my bike with an electric bike kit and have been lurking around the Electric bike portion of BikeForums for a while and I need some help. As the weather turns better here in NC, I would like to take my 5 mile commute on a bike instead of in my car.

I have found tons of information online about different motors, different batteries and how none of the kits live up to what their manufacturers quote, as far as distance and speed. I am a bit overwhelmed and unable to find information that will help me solve my particular situation.

My situation: I am just over 300lbs. I would like to ride my bike to work which is 5 miles with moderate hills. I am not looking for a kit that will push me at great speed, for hours on end, I just want a little help as I am not in the physical condition (yet) to do this commute on my own. My hope is to get to the point where i would barely have to use the motor.

Any help you can provide would be helpful. Of course, the cheaper the solution the better. Thanks.

Phil

With a short and moderate commute like yours, I believe most ebikes will work for you as long as the bike can take your weight. We have short steep hills here, I weigh 200lbs and carry cargo and I figure for batteries, 1 ah per mile I want to travel and I am fine. I don't have any specific ebikes to recommend because I have a fairly expensive Ecospeed on my recumbent. If you like recumbents, I would recommend a used BikeE (AT) and a kit from Electroportal. I'm sure you will get lots of cheaper recommendations here. Good luck on your ride and thanks for going green.

I would suggest you contact the nice folks at ebikes.ca. I bought an eZee kit from them and have been happy with the kit and the interaction with ebike.ca. BTW, I am 250 lbs and the eZee front hub motors moves me with no problems.

I assume you are looking to build rather than buy a pre-built model. You will definitely need a Clydesdale bike to start with, one that is built for heavier athletes. Torque will be more important than top end speed. More windings mean more torque and less top speed, so, for example, the Cylite 5305 (five loops) would be better than the 5302(two loops). Check out the Hub Motor Simulator at http://www.ebikes.ca/simulator/ for a comparison of several motors. I have heard the geared hub motors such as the BMC have great torque. You may also wish to look at "mid-drive" motors that drive through the chain or front sprocket. See my "Electric Bike Kits" page at http://home.roadrunner.com/~LFAIRBAN/Electric%20Bike%20Kits.html. Mid-drive system are harder to install.

Most kit system should give you a reasonable level of assist for a 10 mile round trip even though they advertise a 20 mile range.

I installed a Bionx pl350 on my Diamond Back hybrid 700X40 tires. I weigh 220lbs, but often pull my son on a TREK tag along bike which increases the total weight 331lbs and the Bionx handles it fine and I get about 15-20 miles range depending on the terrain.

Hills suck the power if you use a lot of assist. I also ride 5 miles to work and it's fairly hilly and I get home with some power to spare. I do 2 very short, steep sections that are only about 50 yards long, but even with full assist they're tough to get up at first because they also are very sudden inclines.

If you have any of those kind of hills, don't be discouraged because once you build up some more muscle or oomph of your own, it will be much easier.

I'm pleased so far with the Bionx and I've had it about 9 months with no problems. However, it's a bit pricey. I paid $1500 dollars for the lithium battery model.

Whichever you choose, it's a great idea for your health and I wish you the best of luck.

If you have any of those kind of hills, don't be discouraged because once you build up some more muscle or oomph of your own, it will be much easier.
Whichever you choose, it's a great idea for your health and I wish you the best of luck.

That's been my experience as well. The amount of training I can do on a bicycle is endless and there are so many rewards! :thumb:

I think this one will fit your needs

http://cgi.ebay.com/Complete-E-Bike-Kit-w-LiFePo4-Battery-has-everything_W0QQitemZ190296675565QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?hash=item190296675565&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262

their kit comes with lifepo4 battery and very easy to install.

I think this one will fit your needs

http://cgi.ebay.com/Complete-E-Bike-Kit-w-LiFePo4-Battery-has-everything_W0QQitemZ190296675565QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?hash=item190296675565&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262

their kit comes with lifepo4 battery and very easy to install.

Does anyone kmow anything about this item or the company selling it. Sounds interesting.

Does anyone kmow anything about this item or the company selling it. Sounds interesting.

Hi you could call Steve by 770-309-6737, he is the owner of this company and their kit's motor is bl type with planetary gear, most complete kit available on the market now. their company web is here https://www.worldwideelectricbikes.com/. Good luck!

I think this one will fit your needs

http://cgi.ebay.com/Complete-E-Bike-Kit-w-LiFePo4-Battery-has-everything_W0QQitemZ190296675565QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?hash=item190296675565&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262

their kit comes with lifepo4 battery and very easy to install.

I am amazed by that price. Does that include the LiFePo4 battery?

I am also curious about the internal 3 gears. How does that work? Does it shift on it's own, like an automatic transmission?

Have anyone tried this one?

I'm just asking because I may switch set-ups altogether when my Bionx battery dies. (Hopefully, that won't be for another year or more.)

I am amazed by that price. Does that include the LiFePo4 battery?

I am also curious about the internal 3 gears. How does that work? Does it shift on it's own, like an automatic transmission?

Have anyone tried this one?

I'm just asking because I may switch set-ups altogether when my Bionx battery dies. (Hopefully, that won't be for another year or more.)

yes their battery is included, the gears is controlled by a switch as the photo, rider could choose "L" "M" or "H" for low, medium or high speed. This design is for obtaing more torque or more speeds by different terrian.

My scooter was advertised at carrying 240-LBs...
From owning it..I figure that should have read 160-LBs...
I was weighing in at 220-LBs..when I bought it..
I needed to diet down to 200-LBs..to keep riding it..I was wrecking my rear tire...
===
I would suggest you get some of that pound-age...off..
I stopped eating meat(basically)..
I eat chicken once per month..the rest is like I'm a farm animal..
I even nicknamed myseld El Caballo...
===
I would say..I'm doing much better at 200-LBs.