Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Electric Bikes
Reload this Page >

Are you willing...?

Notices
Electric Bikes Here's a place to discuss ebikes, from home grown to high-tech.

Are you willing...?

Old 06-12-08, 08:39 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Mike B.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Dodge City, KS.
Posts: 60

Bikes: Schwinn, World Avenue One

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Are you willing...?

Hello,

Are you willing to help a avid cyclist convert? Here is the bike I own https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...estore_ID=1366
It's a hell of a commuter and I really enjoy it.

Can any of you guys give me advice of what I'd need to do to convert my bike to an e-bike. Also an estimate as to the cost would sure be helpful.

Thanks!
Mike B. is offline  
Old 06-12-08, 10:57 PM
  #2  
put our Heads Together
 
cerewa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: southeast pennsylvania
Posts: 3,155

Bikes: a mountain bike with a cargo box on the back and aero bars on the front. an old well-worn dahon folding bike

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I expect E-bike setups that will work for you will cost at least $300. (But it looks like wheel size to match your bike is not available.) From there, you pay more to get more power, better range, lighter weight, more efficiency (meaning you get slightly more range or can pick a slightly smaller battery.) The cheapest you can go is going to get you a bike that is fine for power if you are riding on flat ground or if you pedal most of the time. Things start getting more expensive when you want to get more than 8 miles or so (no pedaling) of range or if you want a bike that's only a little heavier than a regular bike (doesn't matter that much really.)

The things you need are: motor, controller, throttle, battery, and charger. Typically anything that is described as an e-bike "kit" includes motor, controller, and throttle, and may include battery and charger.

By the way, the bike you own looks great, and I'm sure it will make a nice e-bike.

If you buy a hubmotor kit, be sure to pick one with the motor built in to a 700c wheel since that's what your bike is made for. FYI, most kits you will see for sale are hub kits.
cerewa is offline  
Old 06-14-08, 09:12 AM
  #3  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Mike B.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Dodge City, KS.
Posts: 60

Bikes: Schwinn, World Avenue One

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
cerewa,

Thanks for the info. I know I have alot of work yet to do before I decide.

BTW, I know alot of Quakers. For the most part they are good people, very good people!

Leaving today for Wash. D.C. for a week. Talk to ya later and thanks again!
Mike B. is offline  
Old 06-14-08, 03:42 PM
  #4  
Both Coasts...
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 299
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Great bike but couple things working against you for conversion. 700cc is the 1st hurdle for a hub motor. Next thing is an ebike barely needs 3 spds, let alone 24 spd.

You might be better off using a Cyclone BB drive - take advantage of all those gears and you don't have to monkey with your 700cc wheels.

I suggest you get to know Electric Rider on the other end of your state in Lawrence, KS. A 26" 36/48V Roadrunner setup would run about $600-700 respectively. Mind you, that's with heavy SLA batteries. $350-400 sans batteries and you won't be disappointed getting into Lithium - costly but excellent characteristics for ebikes. Make friends with RC airplane folks!

https://www.electricrider.com/index.htm

I like my ebikes to be 26" cruisers. Comfy seats, slightly feet forward, easy on/off. 3-5 spd internal hub gears at most - you got a motor, ya know?
BroadwayJoe is offline  
Old 06-14-08, 06:07 PM
  #5  
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 27
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I personally am a huge fan of good solid(if somewhat to heavy) gear less hub motors, that can be laced into any size wheel and you never have to worry about breaking a chain or snapping a gear. Quiet, stealthy and you have a massive amount of variability. a crystalyte 5 series can be used anywhere between 500 watts and 5000 watts and still hit peak efficiency. They don't say in that webpage what material the bike is made of, I assume aluminum so i should say anything over about 500 watts you will need torque arms even if you put it on the back wheel.

What kind of price range are you looking for and what kind of performance are you looking to achieve? You can go from what amounts to a light motorcycle down to a slow cruiser that requires you to pedal to get up the smallest of hills. Also a note on internal hub gears, I talked to the guys at my LBS about them and it was suggested that they wouldn't stand up to the strain of a motor, certainly this could be BS and I think ive seen a few people praising how reliable their hub gears are. It probably depends on the quality of the hub.

What kind of range are you hoping for and do you want to pedal primarily, or only as a booster when you want to?
hippiehunter is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.