First foray into electric bikes, need advice

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by ME_Andy

9 speeds on the rear wheel might be an issue because the chain will need to be thinner. Looks like a helluva deal though

I imagine I can probably replace the chain, and the new wheel has its own gears. I'll go take a look at it.

[Ecky]

ME_Andy, do you think the 9 speed cassette from the bike I linked will likely fit on an ebike wheel? Would that be a possible solution?

Edit: I could conceivably go with a front wheel kit instead.

[ME_Andy]

Doing some googling... It looks like you'd be OK without any modifications because a 9-speed chain is close enough to fit a 7-speed cassette.

6-speed, 7-speed, 8-speed, 9-speed, 10-speed, 11-speed?
9 Speed Chain on 8 Speed Cassette

[Ecky]

Further reading has me eyeing geared hub motors now - not because they provide more torque at low speeds, but because they're supposed to be more efficient, and thus give a bit more range from the same watt-hours. They also allow (almost) resistance-free freewheeling, and are lighter and have a greater portion of their rotating mass closer to the hub.

The downside seems to be that I will eventually wear and destroy the (replaceable) nylon gears, especially if I am going to be carrying much weight.

I'm looking at these kits:

2014 New 36V 500W Geared Front Wheel EBike Conversion Kits Water Proof Cables | eBay

36V 350W Geared 26" Front Rear Ebikeling Electric Bicycle Conversion Kit EBike | eBay

24V 500W Geared 26" Front Rear Ebikeling Electric Bicycle Conversion Kit EBike | eBay

EDIT: This is the cheapest option, might try it out. I wonder, 36v or 48v though?

http://www.elifebike.com/peng/iview....-5S-Q4CQ.2MJWP

[Grant-53]

The gears might be replaced with metal units after the originals wear or break. Since motor torque is based on current and the number of wire turns of the motor it may be to your advantage to install a switch to go between a series and parallel arrangement of the batteries. Higher voltages may allow for higher rpm and smaller diameter cables. A great deal depends on the capabilities of the controller. My guess is that 48v would be a good place to start. I have seen systems that range from 6v antique tractors to 72v motorcycles for DC motors.

[California98Civic]

A great site for builds is ebikes.ca ... it has a speed/torque/range calculator.

I have a top cruising speed of 22 or 23 mph. I got the 500-1000watt geared eZee motor from ebikes.ca and bought my 14ahr battery for $480 locally. An ebike shop owner/builder in town looked at the bike and praised the choice to spend extra for the eZee motor. Amazingly, he admitted that the motors he sells and that you get on ebay are from places in China without reliable quality control, but eZee is a noted brand in Europe and they do better, he says. My motor, prelaced into a new wheel, was $550 with tire, shipped.

I could have built cheaper, but I want the bike to be reliable for heavy use for a long time. Since June 10, 823 miles.

No suspension. Converted a roadbike I already owned. 44lbs total weight

Spend for thorn resistant tires. It sucks to get stuck 11 miles from home.

James

[ME_Andy]

Did you ever go anywhere with this, Ecky?

[Ecky]

It's on hold until spring, looks like. My transportation needs are presently taken care of, but it's still on my wish list.

[veloman]

Geared hub motors are more efficient if you are riding in hilly terrain or have constant stop and go. But a direct drive is more efficient at cruising speeds. ebikes.ca has a motor simulator to compare efficiencies.

[Ecky]

The weather is getting better, and I have some time to look into this again, plus I scored a spare hybrid battery and want to try using some of the NiMH cells in an eBike project.

Bafang ebike kit-

I notice there's a new revision of the Bafang BPM, but nothing has changed in any of the specs I've read. There are also the QQ motors.

Going to do some reading and thinking.