Hi guys

[Yamdude]

Thought i'd join this forum as I've developed an interest in ebikes and need somewhere to ask questions to acquire more knowledge about them.
I've been a lifelong biker (as in motorcycles) and still am, but have recently returned to cycling, but due to a disability that can be debilitating at times, I feel electric assistance would help me to keep cycling as part of my essential fitness regime.
I currently have a Carrera Crossfire Hybrid and i'm very happy with the bike. Its extremely comfortable for me and fits me perfectly, so I would like to keep this bike and a conversion seems the best option..... if a kit will fit ok to this bike.
Thanks in advance for any help and guidance you can give me.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Wlcome

Everything looks quite straightforward for conversion except that the Sram changers make it difficult to fit a throttle. Saneagle's Kraken has the same changers. We managed to get a small thumb throttle on, but we had to cut some of it away and re-route the cable out of a different part of the body.

You should look at some of the other conversions that people have done to get an idea of what type of batteries there are and how to locate them. Finally, you have to make decisions on how much power/speed/distance you want bearing in mind legal issues.

 

[trex]

Two solutions: 8-Fun BBS01 (discussed to death on this forum) and the XOFO with built-in torque sensor like on the Woosh TS.

Both are neat - only the LCD to be added to the handlebar.

The XOFO has a slight edge, the XFLK motor contains both speed (replacing magnet and sensor wire) and torque sensor (replacing throttle) only one cable connecting the motor to the controller, then on to the King Meter type LCD.

XOFO website:
XFL Model 2013 new year hub motor watt 24v/36/48v 250w for rear use with integrate torque sensor, View hub motor watt, Product Details from Suzhou Xiongfeng Motor Co., Ltd. on Alibaba.com

Woosh TS:

The Sirocco Sport-TS | Electric Bikes from Woosh

 

[Yamdude]

Wlcome

Everything looks quite straightforward for conversion except that the Sram changers make it difficult to fit a throttle. Saneagle's Kraken has the same changers. We managed to get a small thumb throttle on, but we had to cut some of it away and re-route the cable out of a different part of the body.

You should look at some of the other conversions that people have done to get an idea of what type of batteries there are and how to locate them. Finally, you have to make decisions on how much power/speed/distance you want bearing in mind legal issues.

Hi d8veh.... not sure if the Sram shifters are the same, I have the Shimano EZ-Fire shifters. But if I can only fit a thumb throttle its no big deal.
The bike is only used for pleasure and exercise so big range per charge isn't an issue, not sure about power yet. No steep hils where I live, so mostly on the flat with the odd long gradient.
I like the look of the bottle batteries to keep the weight central and low. The main concern I have is whether the forks will clear a front hub motor, especially the left side where the disc bolts are on the motor.... can these be removed from the motor ?... as a disc isn't needed as my bike has rim brakes.
I've currently been looking at the Cyclotricity kit and the 8fun kit.

 

[Yamdude]

Two solutions: 8-Fun BBS01 (discussed to death on this forum) and the XOFO with built-in torque sensor like on the Woosh TS.

Both are neat - only the LCD to be added to the handlebar.

The XOFO has a slight edge, the XFLK motor contains both speed (replacing magnet and sensor wire) and torque sensor (replacing throttle) only one cable connecting the motor to the controller, then on to the King Meter type LCD.

XOFO website:
XFL Model 2013 new year hub motor watt 24v/36/48v 250w for rear use with integrate torque sensor, View hub motor watt, Product Details from Suzhou Xiongfeng Motor Co., Ltd. on Alibaba.com

Woosh TS:

The Sirocco Sport-TS | Electric Bikes from Woosh

Thanks for that option. I didn't know about that motor and I like the look of it ...... although i'm not sure I want to order different parts from China..... i'd rather a complete kit from a uk supplier.

 

[RobF]

Thanks for that option. I didn't know about that motor and I like the look of it ...... although i'm not sure I want to order different parts from China..... i'd rather a complete kit from a uk supplier.

Your Carrera is a good, sturdy budget bike - even snobby cyclists like them.

It's a good prospect for conversion, not least because it fits you and you like it.

On t'other hand, buying a complete kit from a UK supplier is not the cheapest way to go.

You don't fancy buying piecemeal from China, so I think you should consider a new bike.

The Woosh Scirocco Sport linked earlier might suit, and the bottom line at £725 might not be a lot more than a UK kit on your Carrera.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Hi d8veh.... not sure if the Sram shifters are the same, I have the Shimano EZ-Fire shifters.

That complicates things. Most UK kits include brake levers with the cut-off switches, which you can't fit without getting new gear-changers. You need a kit with the in-line brake sensors. The only UK one that I know that has them is the Oxydrive kit. The Oxydrive lit is pretty good. It has the Dapu motor, bottle battery with Samsung high-discharge cells, and all the wiring is plug-and-play.

The next thing is that it's virtually impossible to fit a throttle with those changers, so you need to think of a solution.

 

[Yamdude]

I'm sure the Scirocco is a good bike and its a very good price, but an 18" frame just isn't big enough for me. I'm 6'2" and need a 20/21" frame, not only for my height but to also have a longer reach to the bars. I'm simply too cramped on smaller frames. I'm not too keen on mountain bikes with 26" wheels either, a hybrid with 700c wheels rolls much better on the road.
I'm still open to suggestions on ready built ebikes though...... but most of what I've seen that would suit my requirements are outta my budget.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

The new Woosh Sirocco Big Bear would be the one for you. It has a 20" frame and the high power motor as well, which ill make hills nice and easy.
The Sirocco Big Bear | Electric Bikes from Woosh

 

[Yamdude]

That complicates things. Most UK kits include brake levers with the cut-off switches, which you can't fit without getting new gear-changers. You need a kit with the in-line brake sensors. The only UK one that I know that has them is the Oxydrive kit. The Oxydrive lit is pretty good. It has the Dapu motor, bottle battery with Samsung high-discharge cells, and all the wiring is plug-and-play.

The next thing is that it's virtually impossible to fit a throttle with those changers, so you need to think of a solution.

Yes I already knew that the brake cut out switches wouldn't fit and i'm prepared to do without them.

I reckon the throttle could be used with these changers, I would just put it on the left right next to the grip and just move the combined brake/gear changer along a bit. I've already tried repositioning it and can still work it fine. Its the gear changer on the right that is mainly used anyway.

 

[Yamdude]

The new Woosh Sirocco Big Bear would be the one for you. It has a 20" frame and the high power motor as well, which ill make hills nice and easy.
The Sirocco Big Bear | Electric Bikes from Woosh

Again, i'm sure its a good bike, but a) I don't like the way it looks, and b) more importantly, its way too heavy at 28 kilos.
My Carrera weighs 14.5 kilos, with a kit added I should be a tad over 20 kilos. This weight is around the max I want.

 

[Yamdude]

The only bike I've seen that's in my budget, looks right, has the right frame size and isn't too heavy is the Burisch large with 700c wheels. This is currently £900.
Although I haven't researched it enough to know whether its that good as an ebike.

 

[alvinchip]

im interested in the woosh sirocco and the carrera crossfire e. im pulled more towards the sirocco as it has the 15Ah battery and a throttle as well as 21 gear system. its only the hydraulic disk brakes on the carrera that better. im confused as they are of a similar price, yet the woosh comes with so much more, which leads to the question, is there anything about the quality of bikes that seperate them? is the carrera of higher quality/ better frame? it seems like the woosh may be a converted bike. the features of the sirocco draw me in more but the carrera looks like of good quality

 

[D8ve]

The carrera has Halfords quality service and pricing structure. Along with the overheads.
Woosh are a small firm selling budget but good quality( tough) bikes.
They have a good reputation here. The carrera was excellent value when it was around £740 with multi discounts.