Converting a bike to an electric bike?

[paulastar]

Sorry folks, I'm back again. Thank you all so much for your help, it's been so very helpful!

I've now got an offer of a normal mountain bike that is the perfect size, just needs a new tyre - so wondering about kits. Or even buying a new bike and having it converted. I've seen a perfect bike too, 15" frame with 28" wheels.

How much are the kits? Can they be added to any bike? Are they easy enough to fit? (not that I could do it, coz as well as being short, I'm blonde too lol) . Can you get a professional to fit a kit for you?? And anything else you can think of ...........

Thanks again - in advance!

 

[allen-uk]

Paula:

I asked this question (from a slightly different angle) a week or two back, so the answers might be interesting:

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/6000-professional-bike-converters.html

My conclusion was that although it was certainly possible, and many had done it before me, it was way beyond my current mechanical capabilities (older and more quickly bored with things...). There are professionals out there who'll convert your bike for you, but not that many of them.

But you ask about doing-it-yourself. Worth a go, whatever colour your hair, as long as you've got a good shed and a friendly local bike shop to help solve problems!


Allen.

 

[flecc]

You can read online a review of several e-bike kits from Velovision magazine. The kits are the Tongxin Nano, Alien, Heinzmann, Sunstar and BionX

Reviews link
.

 

[paulastar]

Thanks for your help - don't think I'll be going for the conversion after reading the feedback.

Back to searching for a decent looking electric bike (street cred!), with decent power, etc, etc, for someone 5'2".

Any further suggestions are always welcome!!!!

 

[allen-uk]

Depends on price to some extent, Paula.

Pop across to a current thread:
http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/6089-what-best-budget-electric-bike.html
for some more ideas, although Chris's spec is for a 'budget' bike.

All I'd say about the 5'2" business is: if you're thinking of a Kalkhoff, then RIDE one first. They are MUCH bigger than you'd expect, and the size chart on their web-site didn't work for me (5'10", but the one leg doesn't help).

Allen.

 

[Chief eZee Power]

eZee Chopper

This is designed as a city compact bike for people who wish to havce flat foot on the ground when they stop, or for person height of 5' but still good for the 6 1/2'. The min. saddle height is just 30" , check it with Onbike Ltd.

Awesome power / torque , Shimano Nexus 7 internal gear hub, and extremely well balanced.

W W Ching

 

[eddieo]

The wisper 806 might be a good fit

Or the 806 Alpino

 

[Phil the drill]

The wisper 806 might be a good fit

Eddieo, I guess you like bonfire night?
Phil

 

[eddieo]

Eddieo, I guess you like bonfire night?
Phil

someone PM'd me last week regards our experience with the 705, and as they were petite I suggested the same to them.......They make sense IMO with the benefit of folding and the peace of mind that wisper ownership brings with the now near legendary wisper support (head down now and helmet on can feel the heat from here!lol)

 

[paulastar]

Shimano Nexus 7 internal gear hub

Have you got a link doe that Chief? Can't seem to find it!

 

[eddieo]

eZee Chopper Electric Bike

(My 806/806 Alpino recommendation's are a lot lighter and have a two year warranty)

 

[flecc]

eZee Chopper Electric Bike

(My 806/806 Alpino recommendation's are a lot lighter and have a two year warranty)

But to fully inform, if in a hilly area the eZee Chopper is the champion hill climber, easily outclassing any other legal e-bike in that respect. However it's power assist is limited to 13 mph, so if in a more average area, the 806 models would probably be preferred.
.

 

[eddieo]

YouTube - Wisper Electric Bike unbeatable!!!


Gives you the chance to see the bike in action......the title is not mine lol

 

[flecc]

I'm speaking of steep hills Eddie, that's a gentle slope.

I'd ride up that on a Quando without pedalling!
.

 

[eddieo]

I'm speaking of steep hills Eddie, that's a gentle slope.

I'd ride up that on a Quando without pedalling!
.

steep hills? just ride around them

when I looked for a link for Paula, 50 cycles came up first (ex distributor) and they have the chopper at over 28kg, Onbike now have it at 25 something....has it been on a diet

 

[flecc]

steep hills? just ride around them

when I looked for a link for Paula, 50 cycles came up first (ex distributor) and they have the chopper at over 28kg, Onbike now have it at 25 something....has it been on a diet

It is a bit over 25 kilos with it's 37 volt 14 Ah (518 Wh) battery, years ago it was a bit heavier with the NiMh batteries then of course

The 806 models have a much smaller 9 Ah battery and the weight of 19.5 kilos is for the old one with the 24 volt battery. Now all the 806 models are 36 volt 9 Ah (324 Wh) that weight may need to be updated.
.

 

[Blew it]

Thanks for your help - don't think I'll be going for the conversion after reading the feedback.

Back to searching for a decent looking electric bike (street cred!), with decent power, etc, etc, for someone 5'2".

Any further suggestions are always welcome!!!!

The type of frame you should look for is the compressed diamond. Recently, I customized a machine built around this type of frame for a rider who is barely 5' 1". Not a very confident rider, he prefers a tip-toe touchdown whilst still seated.

In this photo of the machine, a tall seatpost was fitted so that I could complete the final adjustments to the road gearing, hence the temporary fitting of the chainwheel.

These frames have attractive sculptured top and down tubes. There are a number of machines of this type currently available. I should mention that some machines using this frame have unusually tall batteries which prevent the saddle from lowering fully. The machine you need to aim for is one where the battery top is level with the seat tube.

Like this one

EDIT: I am not recommending the machine on the Ebay link, it is just to show how the battery height can effect the saddle position

Happy hunting
Bob

 

[Wisper Bikes]

YouTube - Wisper Electric Bike unbeatable!!!


Gives you the chance to see the bike in action......the title is not mine lol

Thanks Eddie, I just LOVE that film! Well done Anthony!

All the best

David