agharder@hotmai

I really want to build an electric bike, but am overwhelmed by options and scared that I will accidentally build a fire hazard. Thus, I'm leaning towards a kit. Can somebody suggest one that would be a good match:

I just want to commute to school (16 miles roundtrip) with a few hills
I weigh 110 lbs. and want my bike to be as light as possible for lugging up stairs
Want to go at least 20mph
Hope to spend $700 or less
Little/no noise.

I thought about Bionx, but just can't justify spending that much on a bike I have never test-ridden. Or, if anyone is from the Boston area, do you know of any bike shop that can help with either building one from scratch or installing a kit? I've tried my best to find something with no luck.

thanks a lot,
Amy

Lowell_

https://66.216.117.91/Crystalyte_Jour...urney-rear.htm

This kit will do what you're asking for, and the removable battery pack can be taken with you easily. Being 110lbs will be a huge advantage up the hills

The Bionx systems are very nice, but are spendy for the power you get. I rode a P350 and PL350 over the weekend and I love having the pedal assist without having to use the throttle. The PL350 bike felt lighter than a downhill mountain bike, which is awesome for an ebike. Stairs would definitely not be a problem.

What kind of bike do you have to convert?

agharder@hotmai

Wow, thanks so much for responding. I don't actually have a bike yet to convert. I was thinking of picking something up on Craigslist... Any suggestions on type of bike (mountain, road, hybrid)? I like to by comfy Are there any advantages of having front vs. rear wheel mount? Again, thank you SO much for replying. I'm pretty excited to ditch my car, but lack of info has been keeping me back...

ag

lyen

I'd just you to get a folding mountain/road hybrid such as the Dahon Matrix with 26" wheelies. This bike has suspension to keep to comfortable & you can put it in a car's trunk when folded. This is also something that I want to get with a motor as well. The other suggestion I have is the Dahon Jetstream with dual suspension. It's also lighter & smaller.

jondoh

when dragging things upstairs you can have an issue with the size as well as weight. a folder or bike with 20" wheels will help you with size but as far as weight goes, you're probably going to have to be willing to make separate trips for the batteries. A standard crystalyte install is around 50+ lbs (35+lbs for the bike and 15+ lbs for the motor kit). Lead Acid batteries for 36 volts is usually around 30lbs.

I'm also working on a folding bike. I already have nice lithium batteries that weight 15 lbs and will give me about 20 miles range at about 20 mph (it costs $700 by itself). The folding bike is around $400 brand new and the motor, controller and throttle is another $400. The bike + motor i expect to weigh in at around 40+ lbs.

So there you go. To save weight on batteries, $700 buys 15 lbs weight savings. $400 for a 10 lbs weight savings on a folding bike. There is a geared, brushless hub motor made by bmc that weighs around 7 or 8 lbs instead of the gearless, brushless 15 lbs made by crystalyte but that's a $200 premium.

The7

If you want an economic folding ebike, get Schwinn AL1020 in Canada (CAD 599 when on sale) or Izip EZGO in USA (USD 499)
They are identical.
An extra 12V12Ah battery could added to the stock 24V 12AH to raise the stock speed of 15mph to 22mph.
The extra battery would cost CAD 45 or USD 40.

The ebike weighs 39lb without battery and 68lb with 36V battery.
So you could remove the battery and carry the 39lb ebike upstair.