Manufacturers/Dealers to Gravitate Towards

[docnjoj]

Sid Gowdy makes semi-kit tadpole trikes [url]americantricruiser2000[/url] that are reasonable in cost and easy to assemble!! Great to modify also!
otherDoc

[philf]

I've personally been satisfied with the stuff I got from Golden Motor (I've got three of their kits and all continue to work flawlessly) - but I had low expectations going in, and am self-supporting. It didn't faze me that I would have to immediately toss the cheesy rim you get with one of their wheel kits and re-lace the motor into something decent, and although it raised an eyebrow when the first battery charger smoked the second I plugged it in to a battery (ALL of the chargers I received were wired with polarity reversed to what the rest of the system expected), even this didn't bother me as I'd moved away from SLAs by the time I got to the third kit (I fixed the fried charger and changed the polarity on the other two - they all work perfectly).

Anyways, I know others have posted about poor service/response from GM, hence the real reason for the post... It looks like GM are trying to improve their support. Have a look at this post from their forum, in response to a new poster who is having some trouble:



Had to snicker... this response was to a fellow who has only just posted to the GM forum... When I first read it, I wasn't expected to trip over a word like "honorific", and instead read it as "horrific". Had me aghast for a second before I read it again

[kazbluesky]

Great!! Maybe I'll give TOM a call and ask him for the 95 dollars they still owe me and ask him if he can re-wire from a 1,000 miles away the junk second hand battery they sent me. If I had plugged that battery into the kit I have now it would have blew it immediately!!!!!!!!!!!

I love the electric bike I have now. I use it for work and biking along the river at the weekend (my boy or girl on the cross bar). I'm having a great time and feeling fitter and healthier than I have in years. I think this ebike movement is a great way to go. I want to promote it and say good things about it and have it catch on - but you cant reward a company that has cheated many many people. There are so many companies out there who do the right, honest thing from the very beginning. ebikes.ca Ampedbikes Ping - there are lots out there with good reps - why put your head on the block with a company with a proven BAD track record ?

If you think I have an axe to grind you're right, but dont just listen to me, go to the forum

http://goldenmotor.com/SMF/index.php?board=1.0

and just read......

1 new guy in customer service is no reason to forget what they have done in the past and CERTAINLY not lead you to gravitate towards them.

[JinbaIttai]

I was all ready to write a clever retort about the gm forum.
It would have mentioned how most first time forum posters there are good for nothing but for sourcing viagra/cialis, etc.

But it looks they cleaned up all the spam in that forum.

You'll have to wait until next week I suppose.

[Toshi]

Another happy ebikes.ca customer here.

[ecowheelz]

Hello Forum Members,

I've been an active member on several other popular e-bike forums for a while now, but surprisinly just found endless-sphere. After lurking for about an hour, I noticed some extremely knowledgable members with a huge amount experience and expertise. I'm excited to share and learn from you all! I wanted to take a minute and introduce myself but couldn't find an appropriate topic - so admin, feel free to move this post to the appropriate location.

My partner and I founded eCo Wheelz, Inc. about 6 months ago and have been running a new retail store / website which specializes in electric bikes and scooters in Plymouth, Michigan. Unlike many online dealers or "dropshippers", we actually have a physical retail store where we assemble and service everything we sell. We also answer our phones and respond to every email we recieve! Please check us out at: http://www.eco-wheelz.com

I like to think of myself as an e-bike and industry expert, but after reading some of your posts - it's obvious I've still got lots to learn! I look forward to interacting and learning as much as I can on endless-sphere! Hopefully I can use some of my knowledge and expertise to help others as well...

[Pelsepup]

My first post here so don't shoot me.

This should be the best topic to post my question.

Can people suggest good Lifepo4-battery sellers on Ebay for me ?

Ping, Cammy CC, power_battery_a123, other ones ?

[PetersReviews]

I think Ping has the best reputation here. Right now he's building me a new 36v 20ah battery! I'll write a review when I get it.

My first post here so don't shoot me.

This should be the best topic to post my question.

Can people suggest good Lifepo4-battery sellers on Ebay for me ?

Ping, Cammy CC, power_battery_a123, other ones ?

[Gordon]

My first post here so don't shoot me.

This should be the best topic to post my question.

Can people suggest good Lifepo4-battery sellers on Ebay for me ?

Ping, Cammy CC, power_battery_a123, other ones ?

I bought a CammyCC battery. 36v 15ah. The 2 amp charger fried when I plugged it in. Cammy would have sent me another 2amp charger but instead suggested his 5 amp model. I paid the difference. I am a somewhat satisfied customer.
If you order from Cammy I would suggest the 5 amp charger.

Come to find out the original 2 amp charger had the connector wired reverse polarity from the way the battery side is wired.
S*** happens.

I have not as yet had the chance to give the battery a good workout.

[BlackburnPete]

I recommend Juergen at Acclivity Solutions in Ottawa Ontario, Canada.
Juergen genuinely cares about his customers and he will tailor your solution to meet your needs.
He helped my put a Crystalyte 404 with a 20A controller on a Sun EZ-3 trike for my wife.
We power the trike with a 36V 20Ah NiMH battery. The installation is flawless.

I have just ordered a Crystalyte 405 kit with the same battery for my Evox LE and I can hardly wait to put it all together.

http://www.acclivity.ca
http://www.ridemore.ca

I have recommended Juergen's services to several friends who are also happy with their bikes!

[nicobie]

I recommend AmpedBikes.

Located in the US, and genuinely concerned about his product.

And a damn good price too.

I don't know about that...

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=9164

Please be aware that your warranty is void at ampedbikes.com if you change any connectors on the kit even though its been reported here and else where that some crimps are bad and sometimes melt the plastic.

The owner also seems to be going through a bit of a meltdown. I was banned on his forum for asking if ampedbikes would pick up the tab for shipping both ways for a kit that melted connectors. I'd post a link, but am not allowed on anymore.

WTF ?

Nick

[Vim]

Hi Nick!

I think there's been a misunderstanding and a lot of it is my fault!
I recommended in some posts changing phase wire bullet connectors because mine got hot and melted together after I went to 48 volts. What I should have made clear was - They work fine at 36v, and I waited until the 3 month warranty ran out before I went to 48v and changed any connectors.
I think I gave you and others the impression they're an issue or inherent flaw with the kit at the recommended 36v which they're not. Some new customers read my posts and changed their connectors which voided their warranties and put Danny on the spot when they had wiring issues, which I regret. The motors are factory rated and stamped on the side cover 36v 500w, so AmpedBikes or any other vendor shouldn't be expected to trouble shoot a kit or warranty a motor that was modified from it's sold condition or run at a higher voltage than recommended.
If ever a bad controller or whatever popped up, Danny always honors his warranty by troubleshooting the issue or sending a new part or even a whole kit. But when people mucked them up doing bad crimping jobs with all different kinds of connectors he couldn't warranty that, which is understandable.

These kits are great. Just run them as sold at the recommended voltage and wait until your warranty runs out before you modify them and you'll be covered til then.

I apologize for the misunderstanding!

[kazbluesky]

Hi Nicobie, I have always had good things to say about Ampedbikes, but I must say the reaction to your post (and banning ??) is over the top. I honestly can't figure out what the fuss is about.

http://www.ampedbikes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=308

You made a valid point about what if the the plugs were defective. Also (let's face it) the plugs on all these ebike kits are big white clunky monstrosities - that's why we change them out for Andersons and the like.

Your posts have been helpful there. Silly to ban you. Oh well....

Still, look on the bright side, you'll be able to post here more often now!!

This being said, I still think Danny's 36v rear Ampedbike kit is a great kit.

These misunderstandings happen I guess......still sucks though...

[dogman]

I wanted to let a bit of time go by before posting this, but I think it is safe to say High Tech Bikes can be highly reccomended. Obviously I am biased since he gave me a great price on a kit as a beta tester, but after a few months, there has been nothing negative from other customers. Terry is very willing to openly discuss the real capabilites of his products with a refreshing lack of overblown range and speed claims.

Currently his package deal on a lifepo4 and front aotema kit may be the best deal on the net for a long range commuter. hightekbikes.com

[chet]

Jason at E-Bikekit.com. Good product, fast shipping, quick response to questions.

[kriskros]

just bought a bafang front mount from Holmes hobbies John is a good man to deale with very helpfull..... he added a steel gear to the planetaries for me cost with rhyno lite rim $300.00us

[miro13car]

I definitely want to recommend Lithum Batteries Australia.
Owner and EEnginer is Armin Pauza, I bought 2 VMS electronics boards from him.
It is hard to believe but after my whining that spring is so close need to finish my pack Armin sent me boards EVEN BEFORE getting any money /Pypal/ from me.
After all that drama on this forum with LifeBatt USA I feel uncomfortable to deal with them.
I own LBatt pack 36V10Ah which I decided to rebuild, move to another custom-made box and needed parts.
I found Armin who cares about small DIY person, answered patiently all my e-mails.
He one of very, very few if any who would sell you just one cell for evaluation.
And Armin deals with big projects , still cares about small guy.
I know I would use BMI cells any battery project.
BMI cells are identical to Lbatt cells , so I am riding on BMI cells also.
Miroslaw

[Ricochet]

A newbie needing to scratch an itch for a motor on my Rans V2 recumbent, I read this thread, as well as most of the rest concerned with electric bike motors. A great education, for sure. I communicated with several on the recommended list, found most were quite responsive, but chose, and most highly recommend, Morgan, of Cycle 9 (www.Cycle9.com). Cycle 9 was as responsive and informative as the best, but the tie breaker for me was they had the motor I wanted and are located in the U.S--gotta do what I can for our economy.

Turns out choosing Cycle 9 was a great decision. If I had a question in selecting components they had an answer for me almost immediately, seemingly regardless of the time of day. A HUGE surprise was they followed up after the sale, several times. First to see if I had received the kit, then to see if I had questions about its installation, and finally to see if I was happy with it. Never have I experienced that before.

I have no doubt others will receive the same customer care. Simply outstanding.

[NewCTRider]

Hi current endless-sphere users

I recently have been "lurking" through your threads, for a few days, trying to get the best info from the web on e-bikes, manufactures, looked at yahoo videos, the extreme starter moters on bikes in china, etc., insane but all fantatasic! You guys are the best source I've found, and really have got me excited to jump into this. thank you so much for putting your ideas out there. It really helps that you guys share that personal info.

Anyway, enough smoke up your A$$, but thanks!, the info here is the best.

I currently work in manufacturing, CNC, CAD/CAM, manufacturing. I got hooked into MTB riding from some time in Utah, ride a MTB in Connecticut now. etc.

From all I've read, you guys gave links to such as "chain drive" from Sweden, Currie, BMC, Crystalye, on and on. great info, and narrowed my search.

I'm looking and am going to "Try" to fit a Crystalyte 5305, "Brute", onto a "Speialized Crosstrail", 700cc, rear mount. I know what I want at this point towards the motor and rim, Crystalyte rear rimmed, visited the Crystalye site, want the better Mosfetts, etc., I thought after getting the 76 Volt high amp contoller, basic set-up, get it mounted etc., then I eithier go heavy with lead acid, or high tech/High cost Li.

Main question, where can I get the best cost (Or best deal) on a Brute rimmed at 700c? Quality more important then price.

Please help, I also have a few Machine shops, CNC equipped, for brackets, torque bars, etc., I am planning on doing this set-up, rugged, fast, not a "Micky Mouse" set-up.

[Drunkskunk]

Welcome to the forum NewCTRider.

I'll warn you now, We don't sugar coat answers here.

And here's why I warned you. The Crosstrail is a fine bike, I looked at one my self. But its Not a Mountian bike, its a hybrid, and its going to suck @ss with a 5305. Trying to stick that 25 pound monster into the Crosstrail's spindly lightweight frame is like trying to shove a Hemi V8 into a Geo Metro. Only bad things can happen.

it "might" have been ok if you were using a 5302, and trying to use the light weight Crosstrail's frame to replace a full on road bike frame for a pure speed road machine, but you're not. the 5305 is a torque motor, ment for power at low speeds. You can bend seat stays on the Hybrid frames with just pedal power on trails, and pedal power is equivilent to 150-200 watts. a 5305 is rated at 750 wats at cruising speed, and can make several thousand watts of power on accelertation. Think pretzle.

You need a true mountian bike frame. Something ment for a 29" wheel if you want to run a 700c, as the tiny tire of a hybrid isn't going to be able to put down the power of a 5305. I had some traction problems with a 4012 on a 700cX38 wheel, and the 4012 is the 5303's little brother.

As for lead acid batteries, Don't bother with them and a 5305 motor. they might be fine for a 250-350 watt motor just to try it out for a season, but they just won't be able to keep up with a 750 watt motor unless you serioulsy choke back the power of the motor, and if you do thast, whats the point of having a 25 pound motor?

You might want to make a new post in ther forum, were others can chime in with recomendations to get you what you want without hijacking this thread too bad.
your battery, Bike, and motor don't match, but if you pick one and a list of expectations for it, we can help get something together.

[NewCTRider]

Thanks Drunkskunk

After taking a close look at the bike in general, dropouts, alloy "cast", etc. and some info from some tech posts, etc., I can see how that would rip this bike to shredds! Costly Mistake!, (plus swallow the pill the guy sold me nothing special for a bike, walked in clueless, but it got me riding) thanks for the honest heads up. I'm gonna keep looking at the info you guys keep posting, try to keep getting info., B4 anything. I was really blown away looking at the diff., set-ups and video's you guys post, really impressed with whats possible.( If done right) Plus this is the 1st summer I'm really riding at length (most days now), since a long time and thats helping just getting me in better shape, I'm on the other side of 40, and just doing < 10m trips a day, foot power has got me hooked on riding, plus feeling great.

Thanks for the welcome, and I appreciate your advice and won't get the thread off trak, thanks! I'll deffinity hit you up 4 advice again.

[bart_dood]

Hi, I'm new to the forum. I ordered my bike parts before I found this place. I ordered a 750W rear hub motor and a controller from golden motor, I was a little worried that it would arrive used or broken but it came in the mail after 6 business days, a little plastic piece on the motor was damaged in shipping but the rest of it looks fine. I will try firing it up tonight and report back with any problems. I'll also be posting photos of my bike project.

edit:

I took a vid of my motor running, everything seems fine on it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9Y-qJyUbNY

thanks!

bart

[fabiograssi]

And what anout Kenny at crystalyte.com?
Any comments?

[aaronski]

A newbie needing to scratch an itch for a motor on my Rans V2 recumbent, I read this thread, as well as most of the rest concerned with electric bike motors. A great education, for sure. I communicated with several on the recommended list, found most were quite responsive, but chose, and most highly recommend, Morgan, of Cycle 9 (http://www.Cycle9.com). Cycle 9 was as responsive and informative as the best, but the tie breaker for me was they had the motor I wanted and are located in the U.S--gotta do what I can for our economy.

Turns out choosing Cycle 9 was a great decision. If I had a question in selecting components they had an answer for me almost immediately, seemingly regardless of the time of day. A HUGE surprise was they followed up after the sale, several times. First to see if I had received the kit, then to see if I had questions about its installation, and finally to see if I was happy with it. Never have I experienced that before.

I have no doubt others will receive the same customer care. Simply outstanding.

Seconded. I emailed 2 companies asking about my particular circumstance. One replied with a link to their faq page, but Morgan at cycle9.com replied addressing my needs completely. After speaking with her at length about torque and weight and hill grade and temperature and how their motors actually worked under conditions similar to mine I felt like I had a really good grasp of what I was getting. I got the kit and everything is pre-wired with nice Anderson connectors and works great.

[mn_scot]

I second the recommendation of Jason at E-Bikekit.com. Good product, fast shipping, quick response to questions.

I got the 500 W Brushless Motor, Controller and the 36V SLA package for $404, including shipping. There was a $75 off sale for the 4th of July. Jason called me within 30 minutes after I emailed him a question about his kit before I bought it. It was after 11 pm on the east coast where he's based. I haven't had any problems, so I can't comment on customer support.

The kit works good. I'm about 215 lbs and it will haul me up the hills just fine. I usually pedal on the hills because the motor starts to struggle and I'll slow down a few mph. I'm able to make it the 5 miles to work without breaking a sweat in about 16-20 minutes depending on the lights. I'm contemplating upgrading to 48 volts.

I just measured how much it costs to charge up my batteries after a round trip(~10 miles). It takes 0.24 KWH or about a 2 cents.

Typical speed on flat ground: ~21 mph

Best of all, riding to work is fun and I'm getting some excercise.