Best kit for thorn raven fully loaded !

mitty

Pedelecer
Mar 12, 2007
41
0
Hi, looking for advice on best conversion for my thorn Raven rohloff.
Ideally I want a lightweight front motor kit enough torque to assist pushing up to 160kg (bike,panniers and myself )uphill when touring not so fussed about on the level assistance as I need some exercise !
Batteries in the bottle cages low in the frame maybe or split between the front set of panniers ?
Lightweight charger would be nice.
Range ? I hope to average 60km + a day but mixed gradients.
Easy to swap out for original wheel to use as normal bike would be useful too.
I did like the sound of the two speed xiongda but am open to suggestions
Budget up to £1000

Thanks Mitty
 

Woosh

Trade Member
May 19, 2012
19,406
16,387
Southend on Sea
wooshbikes.co.uk

mitty

Pedelecer
Mar 12, 2007
41
0
Thanks for the links. Am I right in thinking I can't use mid drive kit because my thorn bottom bracket rotates to tension the chain for the rohloff hub ? Also does anyone in Europe sell a xiongda kit like lunacyles in the states ?

Thanks again M
 

sjpt

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 8, 2018
3,642
2,652
Winchester
I'm using the Woosh XF07 as mentioned above on a tandem so quite a bit more than 150Kg; probably a bit above that for the two riders then 20Kg+ for the bike, plus any load (not usually huge except sometimes shopping). It is helping fine for hills around Winchester. Range here around 35 miles/55km on the 13Ah battery, you'd probably want the 17Ah hour one to be sure of your mileage.

It would be easy to swap out the front wheel and battery; you would still have quite a bit of cables/battery holder left.

The charger is around 1/2Kg.
 
Last edited:

peter.c

Esteemed Pedelecer
Apr 24, 2018
1,611
491
thurrock essex
Just a thought . My charge has the eccentric bottom bracket which turns to tension the chain
the bafang mid drive went in ok but required a sprung loaded chain tensioner
 

KirstinS

Esteemed Pedelecer
Apr 5, 2011
3,224
899
Brighton
Just a thought . My charge has the eccentric bottom bracket which turns to tension the chain
the bafang mid drive went in ok but required a sprung loaded chain tensioner
News to me, I didn't think you could even fit to an eccentric bb. Good to know as i Iove an alfine rear hub. On vertical drops as I have you end up fitting a tensioner anyway


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KirstinS

Esteemed Pedelecer
Apr 5, 2011
3,224
899
Brighton
Easy to swap out for original wheel to use as normal bike would be useful too.
I

Thanks Mitty
A very common requirement amongst first timers (including me)

However, no one ever actually does this as you are still left with all the rest of the gubbins (techie term ;) as others have pointed out

In reality I would suggest a better question is how easy will it be to cycle without power (because you don't want it or battery is flat)

imho a mid drive works best here (if you can use one). I think they are neater looking too. Your brilliant hub will cope with a lotmore than a mere legal 250w system so no worries there . I've been abusing an alfine 8 on a hardtail offroad for 1300miles so far without issues. Your rolhoff can handle a chunk more torque on paper .



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peter.c

Esteemed Pedelecer
Apr 24, 2018
1,611
491
thurrock essex
Has been ok since November I fitted ok before I read it was not possible to fit it.:rolleyes::D
Tried to fit to a cube hyde does not fit it all depends on the position of the tension lugs that tighten the bottom bracket:( just striped and cleaned and fitted a new wheel set nexus 8 inter
 

mitty

Pedelecer
Mar 12, 2007
41
0
Thanks again, so mid drive might be possible with a tensioner ? If so would I be getting significantly better range for the same battery weight ? Also any other pros/cons of mid drive with the rohloff, wear and tear,changing under load etc ? Which mid drives/batteries would most suit my touring needs.
Ps I live in cornwall so hills a plenty !
Cheers M
 

peter.c

Esteemed Pedelecer
Apr 24, 2018
1,611
491
thurrock essex
It will all depend on the type of bottom bracket and how it is tightened /adjusted the charge has two allen bolts and does not foul but the cube has 2 lugs that are in the way a pic might help
 

mitty

Pedelecer
Mar 12, 2007
41
0
Photos are from eBay but show the same model as my bike and show how the eccentric BB is tightened up
 

mitty

Pedelecer
Mar 12, 2007
41
0
Any thoughts on whether a mid drive could be mounted on to my bike ?
Also can the xiongda 2 speed be bought in Europe as a kit ?

Thanks again M
 

peter.c

Esteemed Pedelecer
Apr 24, 2018
1,611
491
thurrock essex
The bolts stick out way to far, do not think a mid drive will fit without serious modification :( the ones on the charge are further back and grub screws in full nuts, a machine shop might be to modify and relocate