BMC hub motor Ebike conversion kits from $400

[ebikes-sf]

Last updated on July, 24th 2010



CONTACT / ABOUT


I'm Ilia, I specialize in building custom ebikes including cargo bikes and selling ebike conversion kits based on BMC motors. My business name is Ebikes SF http://ebikessf.com located in San Francisco. I don't have a storefront but please stop by my residence in Japan Town and take one of demo ebikes for a test ride.

If you're new to ebikes and need advise or for any other questions contact me at support@ebikessf.com or 415 595 6417

OPTIONS FOR ALL KITS


$115 - wheel build, includes: labor, superstrong high quality Velocity Cliffhanger rim, high quality Wheelsmith spokes.

$25 - $30 6,7,8, or 9 speed freewheel

Available 1/4 turn hall sensor throttles: full twist, half twist, or thumb.

V3 KITS


$815 - V3 motor (black, rear only), 36-59V 50A controller (limited to 33A, CA-DP compatible), direct plugin Cycle Analyst calibrated to controller, throttle, power switch.


$459 - V3 motor only - $495

V2 KITS


$690 - V2 speed or torque motor (black, rear only), 24-72V 35A controller (must be limited to 20-25A), direct plugin Cycle Analyst calibrated to controller, throttle.


V1 KITS


$400 - V1 400W motor - front or rear (silver only), 24-72V 20A controller er, throttle.

$100 - add direct plugin cycle analyst


PAYMENT


Check or PayPal echeck - no fee

PayPal instant transfer - 3% fee

PayPal instant transfer from non US bank - 4% fee

PayPal ID paypal@ebikessf.com

SHIPPING


Complete wheels can only be shipped to US and Canada, all other items can ship worldwide.

[nicobie]

Hi llia,

I see you have decided on the components for your kit. Nice choices, especially including a CA with the kit. Looks like you have smoked the competition on price.

I'm liking the 600w BMC hub you sold me a while back a lot! It works great and has given me no problems even though I have beat the snot out of it (2350 max watts recorded on my watts-up meter).

How do you like the c-lite controller? Does it have the twitchy non-linear response like my 72v/30a and 48v/25a infineon both have? I might have to try one of yours if I can't get used to the one I have now.

For those who don't know of IIia, I have had a good experience doing business with him. He lives in the US and answers emails promptly.

Nick

[leamcorp]

What would be the cost for just the motor and spokes? or is this only comes in a package. Thanks

[dscline]

So, based on the speed estimates, I'm assuming this is the higher speed version of the 600w motor, as opposed to the higher torque version?

[Christobel931]

What would be the cost for just the motor and spokes? or is this only comes in a package. Thanks

X2 on this question..

[ebikes-sf]

Hi llia,

I see you have decided on the components for your kit. Nice choices, especially including a CA with the kit. Looks like you have smoked the competition on price.

I'm liking the 600w BMC hub you sold me a while back a lot! It works great and has given me no problems even though I have beat the snot out of it (2350 max watts recorded on my watts-up meter).

How do you like the c-lite controller? Does it have the twitchy non-linear response like my 72v/30a and 48v/25a infineon both have? I might have to try one of yours if I can't get used to the one I have now.

For those who don't know of IIia, I have had a good experience doing business with him. He lives in the US and answers emails promptly.

Nick

Nick, thanks for your comments!

Crystalyte controller has very smooth throttle response and very smooth start. I like it a lot.

[ebikes-sf]

So, based on the speed estimates, I'm assuming this is the higher speed version of the 600w motor, as opposed to the higher torque version?

Yes this is the speed version. I don't have any torque models.

[ebikes-sf]

If interested in buying components separately, please email ibrouk@hotmail.com for a quote - I don't want to compete with other sellers or manufacturers, just need to sell the excess inventory.

[tostino]

If interested in buying components separately, please email ibrouk@hotmail.com for a quote - I don't want to compete with other sellers or manufacturers, just need to sell the excess inventory.

Well just so you know, i've not seen many places marketing the BMC hubs outside of a kit. And if they are, the motor alone is $600-700.

Just my $.02

[nicobie]

Hi Illa,

What does the CA show as max amp draw with the 600w motor/ c-lite controller at 52v ?

Nick

[ebikes-sf]

Hi Illa,
What does the CA show as max amp draw with the 600w motor/ c-lite controller at 52v ?
Nick

Hi Nick,
I don't know of the top of my head. Next week (before July 4th), I'm going to post a bunch of videos, graphs, and datasheets with 600w speed motor performance test results at different amps, volts, hill grades, weights, etc... as well as comparative tests to gearless motors. This is something I was planing to do for a long time and I finally I have the resources to make it happen.

[nicobie]

Illa,

Have you had a chance to do some testing? I'm really curious about haw many amps these controller can handle.

Nick

[ebikes-sf]

Illa,

Have you had a chance to do some testing? I'm really curious about haw many amps these controller can handle.

Nick

Hi Nick,

I've gathered the test data, now I need to process it and transform to graphs and videos. Regarding amperage: at 36 and 48V, full throttle at all time, I see 33A when starting from a dead stop and it gradually drops to about 22-25A once full speed is reached.

I need about a week more to get results posted.

[jag]

I've gathered the test data, now I need to process it and transform to graphs and videos. Regarding amperage: at 36 and 48V, full throttle at all time, I see 33A when starting from a dead stop and it gradually drops to about 22-25A once full speed is reached.

I need about a week more to get results posted.

So sustained average power is then 22*48=1000W. How warm does the hub motor get after 30min-1h of riding at 1000W?

Does one have to be careful about overheating (e.g. not going up hills at full throttle)? Any smell/smoke?

[nicobie]

I have a different controller with the same motor and at 1000w for ½ mile the motor isn't even warm. I run mine @1500w all the time with no heat problems. Max watts shown on my watts-up is 2400

Nick

[Sacman]

Hi Illia & nicobe,

I just got a BMC 600W V2T (Torque Version) motor about 3 weeks ago to replace my Crystallyte 408 motor. I'm overvolting these motors and they both seem to take it fine. From what I observe the 408 seems to take the extra power a bit better. I'm running 84v and Crystallyte 35A controller and a Cycle Analyst.

Both motors have good and bad things about them, but the more I use this BMC motor ... the more I'm liking it. The BMC makes a bit more whirrring noise than the X'lyte 408 so it isn't as stealthy when I'm passing the Lycra riders on the bike trails. I do like being able to blip the throttle on the 408 and the bike jumps forward silently. Can't do that with the BMC. The gears whirrr pretty loud and eventually quiets down when you get to speed. But I'm getting used to the noise BMC and it's not sounding too loud like before.

The on the flats with no pedaling the BMC hits 34mph max @ 1800w ,the 408 hits 37mph @ 2100w. While climbing hils and accellerating from a stop, the peak power I've seen on the Cycle Analyst for both motors is 2800w on the BMC and 3900w on the 408. But in actuallity, when I listen to each of the motors strain the most comfortable I feel pushing the 408 to is 1800w sustained and only about 1200w sustained for the BMC. Keep in mind I'm still getting used to this BMC motor and it's gears. It could probably handle more but I'm taking it slow with it for now.

When I run my ebike this hard the controller usually feels warm but not hot. The 408 I've actually ran it till it felt hot (can't keep my hand on it for more than 5 seconds) but it still keeps going. I don't ever want to get the BMC motor that hot since it might melt the plastic gears.

Both motors can climb hills pretty well but the BMC seems a little more torquey and less strained doing so. Since the BMC freewheels I like that I can pedal the bike without the motor with less effort. I think I'm going to keep the BMC on the bike for now. The more I use it ...the more I like it.

[jag]

How's the BMC to Crystallyte when starting uphill?

My own geared to DD comparison is ezee 36V to 9C 2709 72V so not apples-apples.
The ezee delivers even and predictable power over its whole speed range (0-30km/h),
while the 9C really feels more powerful at higher speeds. Acceleration comes as a
kick at about 20km/h and is strong up to about 45km/h (max speed 50km/h)

At low speeds going uphill the 9C feels bogged down, consuming lots of amps, but not
making much forward thrust. This is not a problem in practice for me, since a little pedal
assist brings me to speed, and I can get up most hills around Edmonton at 25-30km/h,
right in the power band of the 9C.

[aaronski]

Hi llia,

I am about to purchase the V2-t BMC motor and am wondering about heat/power. I'm on the other side of the bay from you llia, over in Berkeley and live at the top of the hill(if you can call it that). In your experience, can it handle climbing that hill without killing me pedaling or the motor? I've heard about people cooking the gears, but it doesn't seem like it gets that hot out here, I'll be commuting from BART to the top of Grizzly Peak at about 8 pm daily.

P.S. I'd buy your kit and save about $200, but I want the V2-t version and the dealer I have been working with has been amazingly helpful. I figure a little loyalty is in order.

Thanks,
Aaronski

[Muad'dib]

Aaronski,

Keep us posted about how it does on that hill, it's a steep one. I read a thread about a guy going up the the labs everyday with a Crystalyte 5305, not sure if the BMC will be good for that.

[ebikes-sf]

Hi llia,
I am about to purchase the V2-t BMC motor and am wondering about heat/power. I'm on the other side of the bay from you llia, over in Berkeley and live at the top of the hill(if you can call it that). In your experience, can it handle climbing that hill without killing me pedaling or the motor? I've heard about people cooking the gears, but it doesn't seem like it gets that hot out here, I'll be commuting from BART to the top of Grizzly Peak at about 8 pm daily.
P.S. I'd buy your kit and save about $200, but I want the V2-t version and the dealer I have been working with has been amazingly helpful. I figure a little loyalty is in order.
Aaronski

Hi aaronski,

I never had 600w-S motor being hot, most of the time it's barely warm, but I never tested it going up steep hill for more than half a mile continiously, and weather here in SF rarely get's above 75. You're welcome to stop by and take my ebike with 600W-s motor for a test ride (415 595 6417), there are plenty of steep hills around. Also, I will have 600w-T motors in about 2-3 weeks if you or anyone else is interested.

[oatnet]

Also, I will have 600w-T motors in about 2-3 weeks if you or anyone else is interested.

Will you have access to the 1000w 'V3'/"Black Lightning"? The prices I've seen for it shock me (as vendor markup on BMCs usually does ) but your pricing seems reasonable. If you can supply the V3 with the same sort of markup you have on the V2, you could have an instant sale!

-JD

[aaronski]

I'll be testing this kit out up most of the Berkeley hills and I'll post my reports once I get the kit setup. I'll probably shoot some video as well.
-Aaronski

[ebikes-sf]

Will you have access to the 1000w 'V3'/"Black Lightning"? The prices I've seen for it shock me (as vendor markup on BMCs usually does ) but your pricing seems reasonable. If you can supply the V3 with the same sort of markup you have on the V2, you could have an instant sale!-JD

I will have a few 1Kw motors available in a week for $490 a piece.

[oatnet]

Will you have access to the 1000w 'V3'/"Black Lightning"? The prices I've seen for it shock me (as vendor markup on BMCs usually does ) but your pricing seems reasonable. If you can supply the V3 with the same sort of markup you have on the V2, you could have an instant sale!-JD

I will have a few 1Kw motors available in a week for $490 a piece.

PM Sent.

-JD

[Muad'dib]

Great price. What controller are you recommending with the 1000w? I hope everyone is aware that other BMC retailers are still experimenting to find a controller that functions with this new, untested motor: http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=11205&start=0&hilit=bmc+testing