I am contemplating building up an electric bike from a cheap kit off e-bay.
We have had Powabykes for the last 5+ years and my old Euro bike is getting quite tired after hundreds of miles of use. We recently sold on my wifes Powabyke Shopper as the front weight continued to cause safety concerns and accidents at low speed (front wheel tucks under too easily and topples heavy bike over). Additionally she had problems lifting it up and down kerbs due to the weight of the thing. Anyway, that's not why I am posting, I plan to get her a new fully built Alien bike and she should then be ok.
The bike I'm thinking about is as a project to learn from really. I'll keep the Euro for now and when I have a better practical understanding I'll go for a better spec piece of kit. I have no interest in buying an off-the-shelf bike for myself.
I have a decent non-suspension Giant mountain bike, fitted with road pattern tyres and it is this that i'm looking at using.
However I have concerns that maybe you can help me with:
To keep the cost down at this stage (and because I have them anyway) I'm looking to use 3 off, 12ah, SLA batteries - to give 36v. Ok so far.
Tonight I have strapped these three batteries to the rack on the Giant and I am concerned! I can hardly lift the back of the bike up! I weigh 90kg as well - will the rear wheel stand all the weight? All that said I have just cycled up and down the road without noticing the weight from an actual usage perspective. I'm just worried about the bike!
I was intially thinking about a front hub motor (500w for off-road use). Now I'm thinking about a rear hub motor because I'm reasoning that they must be using heavy spokes, heavier rims etc????? Is this wishful thinking?
Should I be thinking about a full suspension bike instead (to soften the impact on the rim, spokes, rack mounting bolts, rack etc)?
The rear motor would also have attractions on simplifying the wiring / neater installation as well wouldn't it?
Will 3 off, 12ah SLA batteries be good for a 500w motor?
Thanks, Dave
We have had Powabykes for the last 5+ years and my old Euro bike is getting quite tired after hundreds of miles of use. We recently sold on my wifes Powabyke Shopper as the front weight continued to cause safety concerns and accidents at low speed (front wheel tucks under too easily and topples heavy bike over). Additionally she had problems lifting it up and down kerbs due to the weight of the thing. Anyway, that's not why I am posting, I plan to get her a new fully built Alien bike and she should then be ok.
The bike I'm thinking about is as a project to learn from really. I'll keep the Euro for now and when I have a better practical understanding I'll go for a better spec piece of kit. I have no interest in buying an off-the-shelf bike for myself.
I have a decent non-suspension Giant mountain bike, fitted with road pattern tyres and it is this that i'm looking at using.
However I have concerns that maybe you can help me with:
To keep the cost down at this stage (and because I have them anyway) I'm looking to use 3 off, 12ah, SLA batteries - to give 36v. Ok so far.
Tonight I have strapped these three batteries to the rack on the Giant and I am concerned! I can hardly lift the back of the bike up! I weigh 90kg as well - will the rear wheel stand all the weight? All that said I have just cycled up and down the road without noticing the weight from an actual usage perspective. I'm just worried about the bike!
I was intially thinking about a front hub motor (500w for off-road use). Now I'm thinking about a rear hub motor because I'm reasoning that they must be using heavy spokes, heavier rims etc????? Is this wishful thinking?
Should I be thinking about a full suspension bike instead (to soften the impact on the rim, spokes, rack mounting bolts, rack etc)?
The rear motor would also have attractions on simplifying the wiring / neater installation as well wouldn't it?
Will 3 off, 12ah SLA batteries be good for a 500w motor?
Thanks, Dave
