Recumbent Bicycle Source
100 W
PREFACE: I'm looking to replace my existing MAC 350 Watt Front motor. I bought a kit from EM3EV in 2012. I've got about 3200 miles on it with no real problems, except sometimes it does stall out when starting from a stopped position (Meaning I hit the power and it's a no go until I start pedaling... sometimes hard). This is kind of annoying crossing intersections when I need power most. I'm not keen on trouble shooting it... maybe the hall sensors maybe the controller. Who knows? I'm thinking I should just replace it and move on. I don't have a shop or inclination to tear it apart.
I have 2 options which look good to me.
OPTION 1
The first is a newer model MAC Front Motor...536HF FRONT EBIKE HUB MOTOR
It is more powerful than my current MAC and also includes TWO really nice improvements.
1. The cable now exists from the housing (No worries sliding a torque arm over connectors)
2. The cable is short so I don't have to remove all the tie down points to the frame like my existing motor to fix a flat.
MAC LINK: http://www.macmotortech.com/ebike-hub-motor.html (They use a frame on the page so I can't link directly to the model).
OPTION 2
The second is the Bafang FM G010.250.D
Offers the same side exit cable and short length benefits. The Downside is it is not as powerful. Do I need the power? Not sure. I'm actually pretty happy with the 350 Watt Mac I have. But I am concerned about burning up the gears on steep climbs at slow speeds. The 350 Watt Mac I have now has not had a problem.
I'm not sure if EM3EV has the new Mac... I have an email out to see. It looks like Grin has the Bafang and I know they can build me a nice wheel complete with motor for about $300 with faster cheaper shipping to me in the USA.
http://www.szbaf.com/en/components/component/motor/fm-g01250d.html
AND NOW THE QUESTIONS:
Anyone have experience with either of these two motors?
Front motors work great for me, I like not messing with rear gearing (I do have a MAC 500 Watt rear on one of my bikes and it works great) or dishing issues. I'm pretty confident that EM3EV and GRIN know how to build a wheel where dishing isn't a problem, but front wheels just work well for me with the bonus of balancing out the bike with the battery on the rear rack. I don't ride off road and my typical speeds are 16mph average. But I do have the occasional hill to deal with... usually not longer than a few hundred yards, but they can get pretty step... 10% or so for maybe 100 to 200 yards in my regular loop.
I have 2 options which look good to me.
OPTION 1
The first is a newer model MAC Front Motor...536HF FRONT EBIKE HUB MOTOR
It is more powerful than my current MAC and also includes TWO really nice improvements.
1. The cable now exists from the housing (No worries sliding a torque arm over connectors)
2. The cable is short so I don't have to remove all the tie down points to the frame like my existing motor to fix a flat.
MAC LINK: http://www.macmotortech.com/ebike-hub-motor.html (They use a frame on the page so I can't link directly to the model).
OPTION 2
The second is the Bafang FM G010.250.D
Offers the same side exit cable and short length benefits. The Downside is it is not as powerful. Do I need the power? Not sure. I'm actually pretty happy with the 350 Watt Mac I have. But I am concerned about burning up the gears on steep climbs at slow speeds. The 350 Watt Mac I have now has not had a problem.
I'm not sure if EM3EV has the new Mac... I have an email out to see. It looks like Grin has the Bafang and I know they can build me a nice wheel complete with motor for about $300 with faster cheaper shipping to me in the USA.
http://www.szbaf.com/en/components/component/motor/fm-g01250d.html
AND NOW THE QUESTIONS:
Anyone have experience with either of these two motors?
Front motors work great for me, I like not messing with rear gearing (I do have a MAC 500 Watt rear on one of my bikes and it works great) or dishing issues. I'm pretty confident that EM3EV and GRIN know how to build a wheel where dishing isn't a problem, but front wheels just work well for me with the bonus of balancing out the bike with the battery on the rear rack. I don't ride off road and my typical speeds are 16mph average. But I do have the occasional hill to deal with... usually not longer than a few hundred yards, but they can get pretty step... 10% or so for maybe 100 to 200 yards in my regular loop.