You raise some good points. Whenever I've fitted one in the front, I've always re-profiled and deepened the drop-outs. Then I fit two properly fitting and anchored torque arms. It's very important that nothing puts pressure on the edge of the dimple in the drop-outs.

 

Personally, I think it's better to fit a rear motor when you go to that size, except if you have steel forks.

 

The fork width is normally OK, except that some 20" bikes have narrow forks.

 

You could borrow a controller from a Tornado, which should be about right.

 

When we exhibited at the Eden Project in Cornwall,there was a particularly sharp hairpin bend,a bit slippy. Despite warnings (peter,jack handy will remember) to come out of the hairpin slowly,several testers ended up in the daffodils!!!! These bikes were mainly rear drive,but I remember making a mental note that I wondered if we put a powerful motor in the front would that cause torque steer problems?

Unless others can convince me otherwise I think the BPM motor is best installed in the rear.

KudosDave

Hi KudosDave,

thanks for the info - I am in Irvine, about 25 miles south of Glasgow, and there doesn't seem to be any e-bike dealers around here (even the local Halfords looked at me funny when I mentioned e-bikes!), so a chance to ride one would be good, if it could be arranged with a dealer not to far from here?

One of our customers has just bought an Ebco EBike from Halfords, so I'm surprised they have not heard of them. It cost £999, is a step-through frame, and has a lovely finish, which I suppose it should, at £400 more than my Santana. It has a decent stand, steering stabiliser and many other features which I noticed and liked, but it was the finish that struck me, much like a Giant bike I see outside Asda on a regular basis. Hard to define, but it just looks 'right'. I am happy with my Santana, so the Big Bear should suit you as regards size. Very comfortable to ride.

If you want a donor bike, find one with disc brakes - or at least one with disc brake forks.

 

More info into the mix!

 

thanks d8veh, If I go the kit route, I'll look out for this.

 

Regards,

Shane

Hi Shane

I see you are entering the minefield of e- bikes!. I am a 64 year old overweight lady from the Peak district!! I have owned a Giant twist e bike for about 2 years, on the flat and slight hills it was fine, but uphill you have to pedal really fast to get any help, I have since been ill and had chemo so I have changed bikes. I am now the proud owner of a Juicy dutch style e bike and cannot fault it, I rode up hills in Buxton to try it out and bought one. It has never disappointed me in any way. Bob who owns the company couldn't be more helpfull and will answer any question you can put to him.

My comments are not technical but simply from experience and I hope they have been some help to you.

Nanny Ogg

 

Thank you, Nanny Ogg - experiences from owners are extremely valuable in helping me narrow down the right course of action for me.

 

Regards,

Shane

One of our customers has just bought an Ebco EBike from Halfords, so I'm surprised they have not heard of them. It cost £999, is a step-through frame, and has a lovely finish, which I suppose it should, at £400 more than my Santana. It has a decent stand, steering stabiliser and many other features which I noticed and liked, but it was the finish that struck me, much like a Giant bike I see outside Asda on a regular basis. Hard to define, but it just looks 'right'. I am happy with my Santana, so the Big Bear should suit you as regards size. Very comfortable to ride.

 

Chainring, I think it was more that the young (at 60, everybody under 30 looks like a schoolkid:D ) sales assistant wasn't clued up on all the products - I'm sure Halfords would get me one in if I ordered it.

I did look at the ebco bike, (UCL30), but it fell off the end of the list as the Woosh, Kudos and Ezee were discovered. They appear to have one in stock at the Paisley store (20 miles away), so I may take a trip up there and check it out. I have nothing against Halfords - like most chain stores, the experience varies with the staff:)

 

thanks for taking the time to reply, it is appreciated.

 

Regards,

Shane

When we exhibited at the Eden Project in Cornwall,there was a particularly sharp hairpin bend,a bit slippy. Despite warnings (peter,jack handy will remember) to come out of the hairpin slowly,several testers ended up in the daffodils!!!! These bikes were mainly rear drive,but I remember making a mental note that I wondered if we put a powerful motor in the front would that cause torque steer problems?

Unless others can convince me otherwise I think the BPM motor is best installed in the rear.

KudosDave

dave, we have discussed breaking spokes many times on this forum.

Broken spokes are a real pain for those who are affected by it. After the first spoke goes, the second will come faster, then the third etc.

The problem affects only rear hub drive. That's the important point, and the bigger power of the BPM motor aggravates the problem.You can see why Ezee bikes have front motors, their solution is very well proven.

There is only one way of reducing the risk of broken spokes if you have rear hub drive, that is to give the bike a rear suspension.

When we exhibited at the Eden Project in Cornwall,there was a particularly sharp hairpin bend,a bit slippy. Despite warnings (peter,jack handy will remember) to come out of the hairpin slowly,several testers ended up in the daffodils!!!!

If I remember correctly, the only chap that did a face-plant there was on a front-wheel drive bike: He was most embarassed, as he's an experienced cyclist.

You can see why Ezee bikes have front motors, their solution is very well proven.

Hi Trex,

 

Minor correction, not all eZee bikes have front motors and some have the option of either front or rear motor. Also eZee conversion kits are available with front or rear motors.

My personal preference is for FWD which in effect gives 2WD i.e. electric power to the front wheel and human power to the rear wheel.

Examples of rear motor eZee bikes

Shane

Not a selection only one bike but available to test in gourock at Phillips cycles. But a whisper hawk with discount to whoosh price levels for paint imperfection.

Worth a test ride and could be supporting your LBS.

I take it you mean the Freego Hawk ?

 

Wisper (no h) and Freego operate as a joint company now of course.

 

This is Hawk Whisper, a $30,000 dollar quarter horse, still good fun!

 

http://www.topnotchperformancehorses.com/assets/upload/Gregg%20&%20Hawk%20Smokin.jpg

Flecc with the correction. Freego hawk.

D8ve and flecc,

Contact details obtained - I'll give them a ring later today.

 

Many thanks for the info,

 

Regards,

Shane.

Regarding bikes with front hub motors, eZee have been making them for over 13 years, longer than any other manufacturer, they don't have problems with front forks even with their powerful eZee motors.

They have been tried and tested all over the world over the most demanding terrain and have taken everything that has been thrown at them.

it's kudosdave who peddles fear when he hasn't got a competitive product.

Ezee bikes are engineered, not assembled from a menu of parts like most.

Thanks to all for the information freely given.

 

Due to some unforeseen circumstances, the e-bike budget has to be used for other things just now, so I am going to do a lot more research, and barring even more unforeseen circumstances, be back again in the winter.

Let's hope the Scottish winter doesn't kill the "bike fever" for good:)

 

Thanks again to all of you,

 

Regards,

Shane

I'm a 62 year old reasonably unfit knacker and the Ezee Sprint is just the ticket.

Step through frame.

It is as tough as old boots and just keeps going.

Very comfortable ride with a bum-sized saddle.

Mine gets used mainly on roads but it will go across a field without any problems when it has to.

Can highly recommend Cyclezee from personal experience didn't buy my bike from them but the owner sold me a new battery and serviced the bike ( plus a free valet job).

Excellent job short turnaround and at very reasonable rates.

Factoring in how long I've had the bike it has cost less than a pound a week overall for maintenance and servicing costs so far.

Sure beats buying petrol!