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Old 03-09-2008, 10:28 PM   #1 (permalink)
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e-bike ideas request

I am looking for a way to convert my mountain bike (a devinci chameleon) to an e-bike so I can avoid using my car as much as possible during the summer.

I'm looking for something in the 15 miles range with a good top speed (25-30 mph).

I will need to be able to remove/reinstall all of this fairly easily as I want tu use the bike also for recreation.

My budget for this project is $300.

Thanks!

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Old 03-09-2008, 10:35 PM   #2 (permalink)
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couldn't you make it like a moped, just electric? you can pedal when you want, or you can just ride electric?

Maybe Bennelson has something about it, even though he created a gas motorcycle to electric, he still made an electric bike. So he probably knows about where to get such parts and etc.

Good luck
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Old 03-10-2008, 12:09 AM   #3 (permalink)
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That is a tall order to fill, you want a quickly removed electric drive train that costs $300 or less, and can go 25-30mph... wow, good luck!

For about $300 you can get a cheap toy kids electric bike with a low quality motor, normaly already on a cheap kids bike, but you could swap the parts over to the bike of your choice, lots of people do it! they should give you a top speed of 10-15mph (17mph with a small child), and claimed range of 10 miles, but range is a governed by the number of batteries.

$450 you can get a ZAP bike kit, but that will only give you a 15mph top speed and an 10-15 mile range depending on hills, of course you can add a 2nd battery and double your range, but not your top speed, the big advantage of this kit is that you can easily remove the battery, then completely disconnect the electric motor from the wheel, altho it's still attached to the bike, of course this is a disadvantage as well because it's an inefficient drive train to have friction drive like this, but it only leaves about 6 pounds of extra weight on your bike when you want a "normal" bike.

$450-550 can get you a Sparrow it has a 22-26mph top speed (depending on if you get a 36V or 48V kit) and about a 10-13 mile range, but you can add more batteries, these kits are the lowest quality that I would ever recommend to someone, they have a hub motor, that means fewer parts and less wear, of course to remove one of these kits you would have to swap wheels, remove wiring, remove the batteries, and if you want a nice clean looking e-bike, it takes time to get the wiring and controls attached to firmly to the frame.
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Old 03-10-2008, 12:22 AM   #4 (permalink)
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Ditto the above points.

It's a lot to ask for $300.

I'd also consider revising your goals, especially the top speed goals. Any motorized bike capable of over 20mph is subject to the same licensing restrictions as motorcycles. Plus 30mph on a bike is flat hauling-you know what.

A hub motor would be fairly easy to remove quickly, just disconnect the wires and swap your wheel. Then you'd have battery removal to worry about.
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Old 03-10-2008, 12:33 AM   #5 (permalink)
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Check the law in your area as leagle top speed varies, I'm allowed 30mph top speed in my entire state, on an electric bicycle while being powered (it's ok to coast, or pedal faster then that without power), it is often the same speed that mopeds in your state are allowed.
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Old 03-10-2008, 08:20 AM   #6 (permalink)
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Here in Quebec there is no top speed restriction on electric assisted bicycles. All I need is a sticker on the motor stating the maximum power output and rpm at the shaft.

I'm in pretty good shape, last summer I frequently did over 25 mph with my set of 1.5" slicks at 75 psi on my commute to work. The only problem is that I was sweating a lot and had to take a shower and change at work. This is exactly why I am looking at e-assist. I'd like to get the same speed, but have the motor do half the work, so I don't need to change when I get to work.

I need to rule out the hub motor as I have disk brakes. I like the ZAP idea, it could work ok.

Just so you know, I was planning to go the DIY route.
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Old 03-10-2008, 10:31 AM   #7 (permalink)
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I lucked out and got a Chinese hubmotor for $35.
Of course the controller was about $120 and I spend almost $200 on batteries + Cruise Control+ Better brakes + Round Rim (Chinese one was scary at speed) + Better brakes . . . . .
It CAN be done for $300 But you will have to get some lucky buys and DO SLA Batteries (LOVE my NiMh).
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Old 03-10-2008, 10:52 AM   #8 (permalink)
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some of the higher end hub motors have threads for a disc brake spider to thread on, and the reason I recommended a hub motor is that they are the best option, the motors are much more efficient, they don't have the wear of a friction roller, chain, belt, or gear box, hub motors normally give you better range and higher speed for a given battery size, and fewer batteries save both weight and money.
Another rout you can take is basically building a Bob trailer (single wheels bicycle trailer) that has the battery and motor, and the only part you would then have on your regular bike would be the throttle, this is going to make the whole rig a bit heavier, but it's going to open up your options for motors, and batteries and keep your center of gravity lower.
I like to build things my self as well, and have built a number of electric bikes in the last 10 or more years, I have an old ZAP electric bike kit, a small pile of other 24v and 36v 1/4hp-1/3hp electric motors, and a Crystalyte Phoenix hub motor, because I want a truble free electric bike, and the 25+mph top speed is really nice, but of course I was willing to spend more then your entire budget just on the electric motor, then do the same thing again with a Lithium battery pack, and am building it on to it's very own frame, keeping these heavy components off my light weight bicycle.

so tasdrouille, what are your ideas on how to build an electric bike?

Last edited by Ryland; 03-10-2008 at 11:03 AM..
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Old 03-10-2008, 01:38 PM   #9 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tasdrouille View Post
I need to rule out the hub motor as I have disk brakes. I like the ZAP idea, it could work ok.
.
Amazing! I have disc brakes on all 3 wheels of my velomobile- Electric Sierra Cycles hub motor. Too new to be inexpensive: but a heckuvalot cheaper than many cars are these days!

Zap was good answering my question about an EV velomobile they had in 2005 (Aerorider) but when they discontinued it- they froze up. They did not reply about their Xebra or a newer 3 wheel EV. Just a thought about Zap service if needed.

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Old 03-10-2008, 10:18 PM   #10 (permalink)
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Check out this site.
http://www.neodymics.com/
An acquaintance of mine has been working on this for a couple years. Not sure if he is ready to go to market yet. Pricing is quit a bit higher than what you are looking for but the quick swap is sweet.
JJ

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