Best e-bike or add on?
 

Which one is the best, within a reasonable price range, either a add on kit or complete bike. I would sacrifice some range for top speed around 35 mph.

I think Virginia still allows them to go unlicensed without DMV fees that are getting ludicrous.

regards
mech

I went and test rode an E-Bike recently.

It was a lot of money ($5K here), and really heavy (25kg+).

Since I already have an 11kg MTB I'd probably only add around 5kg with a DIY conversion and it would cost a fraction of an off the shelf bike.

Depending on exact specs, (for most of the world 250W is the legal power limit) you'll spend about $1000 on a quality conversion, but unlike an off the shelf model, you won't be stuck with anything proprietary that you can't later fix or upgrade yourself.

You can also start with a bike you already have or a cheapy you've picked up that needs work.

Unless the rules have changed in the last ten years the Feds limited motor power output to 750 watts and a maximum flat land speed of 24 mph to be considered a bicycle in the U.S.

I built a kit version in 2006 with a 750 W hub motor that would go 30 mph pretty easily. Just rarely ran it that hard. Powered it off two 36 V Dewalt battery packs connected in series for a 72 volt system. Still runs but I don't use it much any more. The good thing about the hub motor is that is has minimum maintenance. Bad thing, fairly heavy. I hear they are much lighter now for the same power output.

My total original cost was under $1000 including the motor, controller, batteries, and bike. Bought a used Gary Fisher mountain bike because I figured I would need a heavy duty frame to handle the power. I was right.

I'd probably try an inline motor if I were to build a new one because they are lighter weight for the same power output. But then there is more maintenance, alignment concerns and mounting issues. Nothing major, just things that need to be considered.
JJ

I built mine. about 1400 dollars maybe. 44lbs. 14ahr litium battery. 750watt motor. It'll go 20 miles motor only. max motor-only speed 22 mph. 36 volt system. mine is a roadbike with MTB front forks (for the motor). A bike with close to this combination of range and speed and weight that my neighbor bought was 2500 bucks. But he has lots of proprietary stuff and he complains about the 42 tooth top gear. The aluminum road bike frame I used has a 52 tooth top gear. His bike is prettier, but I think my capacities are stronger. The only bikes I have seen that are actually lighter than mine and have my range and power or better start at $7,000.

I hope that's helpful. I did a thread on the build here at EM too.

I need to go back and read that thread, thanks.

regards
mech

Kit is the best value. I paid about $1000 for my 1000w motor and 48v 15Ah LiFePO4 battery. Bike cost is up to you. A full suspension mountain bike would probably be best for those speeds. Max speed I can get is 32MPH, but I'm on the smaller side. I can theoretically go 25-30 miles on a charge at 28MPH (never ran it all the way out).

The federal power and speed limits for ebikes are generally considered to be meant for manufacturers of complete ebikes. Check your local laws and don't ride like a hooligan and you shouldn't have any issues.

48V 1000W Electric E Bike Bicycle Pedal Assist 13AH Samsung Battery Seagull | eBay

How about this one?

regards
mech

Can't find much about it on Endless Sphere, but what I can find points to it at least not being terrible. You could do better building one yourself for that much. You could also do much worse for a prebuilt. Probably not a bad one to go with if you don't feel like tinkering with it as much (hopefully).

One thing to note is that it looks like the one you linked to works off of sensing pedal movement to act as the throttle (PAS). Some of the seller's other bikes don't mention having PAS, so I assume they have a throttle. There's no mention of the linked one having a throttle in addition to the PAS. I've never ridden one with PAS, so I can't comment on what it's like. I would contact the seller to see what options there are.

No real hurry here, I'll keep an eye out for some reviews. I like the name brand components especially the battery, but the listed battery cycle life seems short. Listed top speed of 28 mph would be fine especially if it was without pedal assist.

I've seen some signs of improvement in quality in Chinese made products, otherwise I would not even consider either an add on or factory built. The 30 day return policy, as long as it starts upon receipt of the bike would work well enough for a decent quality review.

Based on what I have read about building your own, personally the difference in price and the compounding of reliability issues with building from components, including my habitually bad luck when making purchases, makes me seriously consider this option.

Another factor is the only way out of my neighborhood is route 143, which drops from 55 mph, just east of me to 45 mph for 2 more miles to the west make me want something that has power and speed.

Considering the $300 it would cost to license and insure any motorcycle, I like the e bike option.

regards
mech

http://sc01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1z51mLX...pg_220x220.jpg

$150

This could be you:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyq35dpPj40

I decided to buy a 28mm Mxus hub motor and controller from Kinaye Motorsports since he ships free in the USA but I see he isn't listing the small motor any more. Here is the big 45 mm motor but these are so big that you have to use a single cog in the back.
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MXUS 3000W "Economy" Kit – Kinaye Motorsports
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Mxus is one of the new darlings of manufacturers along with Leafbike since they are using the much finer .35mm laminations in their motors which make them more efficient.
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Electric bike motor | eBike conversion kit | Brushless hub motor - Leaf
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Kinaye also talked about custom packs but I don't see them listed now. 72V would be nice if you want to run 40 mph once in a while but you can also do it on 48V with the right motor.
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Luna Cycle also seems to be pretty stable and would be much better than ebay or Amazon for support.
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Ebike Kit 1000 watt Waterproof Connectors Hub Motor Conversion - Luna Cycle
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Of course ebike.ca is the founding father of kit sales and does the best independant testing. The new NineC motors are nice.
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Motor Simulator - Tools
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Read endless-sphere to learn all about ebikes.
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https://endless-sphere.com/
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Goldenmotor.ca <--- with the exchange rate at the moment, it might be worth buying north of the border. I'd be buying from them were I in the market for one. Different models and power levels to choose from under $500 (battery extra)

When you see things like bent spokes in any advertisement it makes me very suspect of any real quality components. Personally I would prefer one piece wheels with tubeless tires, even some of the smallest motorcycle tires would be more confidence inspiring on a 45 mph downhill run.

$700 for the kit (with twisted spokes)
$500 for the battery

That's too close to the $1599 price with the 30 day no questions return (return freight due), especially considering the fact that component built brings in exponentially greater issues, possibly unresolvable and a bunch of expensive junk for your money. Basically you pay return freight for a 30 day test drive assuming the seller is there when you return the product.

I can wait indefinitely. Maybe now that GM is going to import a SUV to the US from China we can see how well that works for the General. Seems to me like a mistake.

My Mirage was built in Thailand, which to me is completely different than China. The quality so far at 13k + miles is as good as anything I have seen, including my 84 CRX built in Japan with a serious wiring harness defect from the factory or my Maxima with a casting flaw in the engine block that allowed coolant to leak out, that I fixed by drilling a hole in the block, tapping it and putting a 5mm bolt in the former hole.

regards
mech