lyen

Hello The Big Wheel! I have noticed that you are also on the Walmart ebike tread. The bike weights around 34lbs prior electrified. The total price is controller + motor $379, 2 x Nimh batteries $790, Throttle $45, rack $35, battery bag $45, transmission (gears/chain/freewheel assembly) $180. Total excluding the bike is $1474 + tax + shipping. You may want to get the cheapest Wally ebike, and buy a 3 x 12v batteries. Hook them is series along with the existing one that comes with the bike and get a 48v controller + throttle, then you are all set for much less.

lyen

Don, the LashOut transmission is the exact same one I use for my ebike #3. However, freewheel gearing was also modified. I have tried putting on multiple sprockets and the 48 tooth is the optimal balance between speed & torque on a bigger 700c rim + 25c tire. The only thing I don't like is that the transmission assebly + the adapter plate is heavy in addition to the motor mass. I wish BMC will make a better internal gear 600W hub motor without the Nylon gears one day. The 1000W hub motor may not have Nylon gears but draws too much current & will reduce the commute range using the same battery arrangement.

lyen

The Bafang motor is a nice one if you do not mind the internal nylon gearing system & if you do not mind spinning a hub motor in the wheel.

76Nish

Thanks, Recumelectric;

I hadn't known about the "zero-assist" mode before. Do I understand correctly that there is no drag from the motor in that mode?

What other brands would you consider to be "Bion-x type"? I was under the impression that Bion-x was the only mfgr with regen ability.

Thx.

76Nish

lucasgo

I've been following many of these threads, gaining as much insight as possible before dropping a lot of money on an ebike conversion. I figured I'd tack this as a comment on this thread instead of starting a new one...
Until a few months ago, I was dead-set on Bionx, just saving my pennies until I had enough. Then I read about the numerous problems with the new version and started re-researching other companies. Here are my needs and pros and cons of each type I consider... 15-20 miles per day, all weather conditions of upstate NY, 700c wheels w/ 7 gear, can store indoors at work so don't want something toooo heavy to get it up the stairs.
Looking at Bionx; good range, like the regen, like how simple it is. Don't like speed limit (have read this cannot be removed on the new version).
BMC: 600w rear-wheel high speed (V2?), love speed possibilities and interchangeable parts. Not sure about how weather-proof it is. Don't like that it would need more effort to install (?), don't like that I would lose my bike bag storage to the battery. I would use a 36v LiFePo battery.
Crystalite; sounds decent enough, but similar concerns with BMC. Is it a more reliable motor?
Can these all be trusted in rain and snow? How about cold weather? Can someone compare the magnetically-driven Bionx to the nylon gears in BMC? I want something that is going to last many years.
Thanks!

GTALuigi

i think you got that mixed up.
the old versions had problems, the new versions of bionX are problem free.

and i must say they survives some pretty drastic falls (don't ask it's embarrassing ), and still works just as new

Richard Solomon

I'm shopping for a new folding bike and a conversion kit. This has been a helpful thread, so thanks to all participants. I came across www.worldwideelectricbikes.com, and the prices seem too good to be true: $650 for a complete kit: 350 watt, 36 volt, LiFe battery, and wheel in 20, 24, or 26" sizes (plus controller, etc.), and $125 more for 500 watt and 48 volt. Do any of you have any experience, good or bad, with this business? Alternatively, any recommendations for a source which supplies a 20" wheel (because that's the size of the folder I prefer, at least for now)?
Thanks!
Richard

The Big Wheel

what about amped bike motors?

lucasgo

Sorry, I suppose I should have rephrased my issue with Bionx as I came across "issues". First, the random jumps to either full regen or full acceleration; are these caused by incorrect installation, faulty controller, or just a bizarre random chance? Second, not so much of a "problem" as "thing I don't like" my regular cruising pace is ~17-18mph and it sounds like the motor does not do much assist at that speed, unless you keep thumb on the throttle. I don't want a motor to become a hindrance to me when I start pacing cars in the 35mph downhill zone. Should I consider the Bionx PL500? It's been suggested that I stay away from it as it doesn't have the "hill climbing torque". I do have some hills to hit, but is it really that weak that it shouldn't be used on any hills? My flats make up more of my commute than uphills.
Thanks for any advice!

GTALuigi

If you got lots of hills (like me) stay with the PL 350
you'll burn the PL 500 if you use it wrong going up the hill.
Kinda learned that from the PL 350, now i know why they say the PL 500 is weak on hills.

I got mine installed on a MTB, and depending on the gear i'm riding on, and when the assist kicks in going up hill, you can tell (feel) the difference when it's right vs. wrong, and should change to the correct gear ASAP to prevent killing the motor.

Just think of the motor like your own leg, and how much power / gear you will normally use to go the same hill without the BionX.

once you get into a stable speed, you can change back into higher gear for top speed, assuming you can keep up the pedalling at the same phase without slowing down, else the motor will suffer again.

RE: regen issues
go into regen configuration menu 2002
set the regen to your favourite number.
On never models (mine) default from factory is 64, it gains a lot of power
i lowered it to 60 as recommended by other fellows BionX
on older models default from factory is 27 (weak) that doesn't gain back much power

going down a long 2~3 km hill, i was able to recharge 1 bar

make sure the magnet is set properly, and the wires are connected properly, i was having similar issues until i figure that out, one time my magnet was loose (the on on the break level), the other time, i kicked lose the wire by accident when getting on/off the bike.

re: full accel issues
you can set the sensitivity using menu option 0007
default from factory is 1.2
more is more sensible as in it kicks in more often, less will kick in less.

the trade off of kicking in too often, it consumes more battery power needlessly.

another thing that affects sensitivity is Accel 1 to 4
for normal riding Accel 2 or 3 is best, for going up hard very steep hill Accel 4

also you need to make sure the motor wheel was installed properly with the sensor facing down to the floor 90 degree to the 180 degree flat surface, else it'll get the wrong measurement senses.

you can unlock the speed by using menu option 3773 then you wont have to worry about it being a hindrance.

Have fun

vancamp

It's been widely reported that the new bunch of BionX (2009) do not allow the speed restriction to be removed by resetting option 3773.

GTALuigi

it works, mine is a brand new set of may 2009, waited forever to get it, because of the company ownership transition, manufacturing the new batch, etc.

Richard Solomon

Thanks for the responses; this is an interesting thread. Does anyone have any experience, good or bad, with the Amped motor and/or Ping battery? Do they fit together nicely?
Richard

JinbaIttai

A have a ping battery with an Ampedbikes kit. I think it's a great combination.

suncoast_dan

One more recommendation to add would be a newer Nine Continents hub motor - the magnet used is wider than most previous generations and it features a higher magnetic pole count. As such the torque & efficiency is very good, but you don't have any of the negatives associated with geared hub motors (nylon gears to wear, more drag when freewheeling, noise, etc.)

Also, as others have already said, a GOOD BIKE that you enjoy riding is a must. Start with a bike you love, add high quality electric components & you can't go wrong. The hub motors I mention above roll with VERY low resistance. Ride it like a normal pedal bike until you're ready for a boost, then roll on the throttle as much, or as little as you like!