how easy is it to make an E bike out of a conversion kit?

[Deleted member 4366]

You need to consider your long term intentions with this bike conversion. If they are to use it as a commuting work horse, you would be wise to invest more in decent quality kit, especially a kit which comes with a good battery.

Keep in mind that there are no bargains and that to buy cheap usually involves buying twice. You could end up suffering two cheap kits / batteries when you could have been enjoying one very capable quality kit for the same price.

I have no affiliation with any particular brand.

The principle is right, but it doesn't work in practice with kits. The "quality" (expensive) kits are just as unreliable as the cheaper ones, if not more so. The only real difference is how much real warranty and after-sales support you get. The problem is that with small quantity production, it's difficult to confirm that a product is properly developed, and difficult to implement secure quality controls in production. Kits that have mass produced cheap Chinese components are more likely to be reliable. If they do go wrong, replacement parts are readily available and cheap. In all the bikes I've built, I've never had a motor, controller or battery fail or wear out, although I've seen them fail on other peoples bikes. My original Sunlova was sold, and the guy took the electric bits to convert his Landrover bike. The parts are still working.

There's some dodgy suppliers selling poorly made batteries. I personally don't like the gaffa taped ones of more than 10aH with large arrays of small cylindrical cells, but any cased battery is worth a punt and any battery from the established suppliers like BMSBattery, Greenbikekit, BTN (aliexpress), etc.

 

[Cyclezee]

I'm only assuming that my bike is covered on household insurance, but this thread has brompted me that it is something that I should look into.

Sorry but, being brompted.....is that an assault with Brompton or being carved up by CWAH

 

[Cyclezee]

The principle is right, but it doesn't work in practice with kits. The "quality" (expensive) kits are just as unreliable as the cheaper ones, if not more so. The only real difference is how much real warranty and after-sales support you get. The problem is that with small quantity production, it's difficult to confirm that a product is properly developed, and difficult to implement secure quality controls in production. Kits that have mass produced cheap Chinese components are more likely to be reliable. If they do go wrong, replacement parts are readily available and cheap. In all the bikes I've built, I've never had a motor, controller or battery fail or wear out, although I've seen them fail on other peoples bikes. My original Sunlova was sold, and the guy took the electric bits to convert his Landrover bike. The parts are still working.

There's some dodgy suppliers selling poorly made batteries. I personally don't like the gaffa taped ones of more than 10aH with large arrays of small cylindrical cells, but any cased battery is worth a punt and any battery from the established suppliers like BMSBattery, Greenbikekit, BTN (aliexpress), etc.

Phew, thank goodness we sell cheap value for money kits, who can disagree with d8veh's evidence based research

 

[banbury frank]

Hi John

I disagree you DONT sell CHEAP Kits In my opinion you sell the Best Quality solidly made kits in the 250 watt range

With Great Sales support and great Warranty


Frank

 

[Cyclezee]

Hi John

I disagree you DONT sell CHEAP Kits In my opinion you sell the Best Quality solidly made kits in the 250 watt range

With Great Sales support and great Warranty


Frank

Stop it Frank, I'm blushing

 

[cwah]

I'm now only considering cylindrical cells for their flexibility. I can shape them to the bike form factor, get the exact capacity I need and I KNOW what are the cells used in the pack as I've tested them.

I'd only consider bottle or ready made battery pack if I seriously lack time.

The battery pack now sold by BMSBattery are not up to the new 18650 cells capacity standards as even their lightweight low C rate pack top at 140wh/kg max. Actually, I won't consider any cell below 185wh/kg. So even lipo are done for me.

I just ordered from them, and no battery pack has been purchased.

 

[bayrider]

found this item for the giant boulder bike I have

what do you think of this kit and enough power to just kick in when doing inclines and hills or headwinds or both 8Fun 26 "/700C Ebike Electric Bike Conversion Kit 36V 250W - 8F28F36B
36V Lithium (Panasonic Cells) Water Bottle Type Battery found on 8 fun website are there continental retailer alternatives if so web links please I am trying to get away from pannier mounted systems and would much prefer attached to frame upright or where bottle cage is mounted