E-bike Hub (or otherwise) Motors - Where to buy them

[knightmb]

I'm trying to put together a list that I can sticky up in the forums here that have links to buy hub motors. I've been on the search for a good deal on hub motors and a lot of companies that I purchase from in the US here make me wait about a month before they contact me to tell me they quit keeping "X" brand of hub motor in stock and give me a refund. It's been kind of frustrating for me, so any info that anyone has would be greatly appreciated.

This is what I have so far. I would have about 4 more to add to this list, but either they went out of business or don't carry hub motors anymore

1. Lots of selection of kits and motors here.
   http://www.poweridestore.com
   
2. weRelectrified.com sells Wilderness Energy kits and brushed motors.
   http://www.werelectrified.com/extramotor.html
   
3. Rabbittool.com seems to sell hubs and other stuff.
   http://www.rabbittool.com/frames/frelcwhl.html
   
4. Electricrider.com has Crystalyte Hubs, Kits, other parts
   http://www.electricrider.com/crystalyte/parts.htm
   
5. ebikes of Canada carries a wide variety of Crystalyte hub motors, advanced batteries, and electronic accessories
   http://www.ebikes.ca/store.shtml
   
6. Non hub motors that uses the derailer 4 gearing
   http://www.cyclone-usa.com
   
7. Store that sells both WE and Crystalyte hub motors (and parts)
   http://www.bernsonev.com
   
8. Store that sells Go-Hub kit (and parts)
   http://www.largoscooters.com

[Elmweaver]

weRelectrified.com sells Wilderness Energy kits and brushed motors.
http://www.werelectrified.com/extramotor.html

Rabbittool.com seems to sell hubs and other stuff.
http://www.rabbittool.com/frames/frelcwhl.html

Electricrider.com has Crystalyte Hubs, Kits, other parts
http://www.electricrider.com/crystalyte/parts.htm

ebikes of canada carries a wide variety of Crystalyte hub motors, advanced batteries, and electronic accessories
http://www.ebikes.ca/store.shtml

[29a]

here's non hub motors that uses the derrailier 4 gearing

http://www.cyclone-usa.com/

[knightmb]

Found another store that sells both WE and Crystalyte hub motors (and parts)

https://www.bernsonev.com/index.php

[Mathurin]

Well, I can't recommend bothering with kingsmotorbikes.com...

[knightmb]

Well, I can't recommend bothering with kingsmotorbikes.com...

Bad experience or have they gone out of business?

[Mathurin]

Ah, well it was truly painfull to deal with the guy. Sometimes I got the impression he couldn't understand english, and a few times he said he would do stuff and didn't.

[D-Man]

.

[fechter]

Here's one:
http://www.thesuperkids.com/electricbikes.html

I can't vouch for the company and have no experiece with them, but they do have that nice BMC geared brushless hub motor.

[D-Man]

This place lists the currie drive kits and has all the optional gears and sprockets, and also has the 36-48 volt motors that you won't have to air cool. They have some hub motor kits too and electric bikes. What I don't get is why they always say "out of stock" on the USPD kit. It seems to be a permanent sign. Haven't called them to find out though. Anyone know?

http://www.evdeals.com

[Stevil_Knevil]

Several months ago, I spent a few days studying the Rabbittool site; spec'ing their brushless hub motors with gear reduction, and the rest of the kit for a project that I am working on.

After mathing-out the desired voltage, speed, range and wheel options for my application -complete with prices- I contacted Rabbittool to inquire about availability of this list of components that I had compiled.

I discovered that they had sold all of their patents to Sanyo more than a year ago.

After deciding to follow the rabbit into the hole, I contacted Sanyos' North American representative that was responsible for this project. After several emails back and forth, and a couple of phone conversations, I have this advice to offer. Unless you are ready to purchase >10,000 units ..don't bother chasing this rabbit.

Here is a unique pedal-assist application for a hub motor, but it's not mounted where you might think it would be. The Stokemonkey..
http://cleverchimp.com/
..is designed to work with the Xtracycle addition. It's essentially an electric augmentation kit that can ONLY work with/compliment *yet another* conversion. I think it's pretty hip, though.

-S

[Lowell]

While it looks interesting, I think the $1350 price tag for 430 peak watts is a little steep.

[Stevil_Knevil]

Yep, costy.. don't forget to add a sturdy bicycle, plus another 400 bux for the Xtracycle attachment to bolt the Stokemonkey kit to- http://www.xtracycle.com/freeradical-hi ... e-p-2.html

It certainly seems stupid-expensive, yet it has enabled many folks to go totally car-free. I better stop there before going any further off-topic.


-S

[amjones]

D-man, according to Scott at evdeals, Currie has stopped making the USPD kits. Dunno why he keeps it on the web site...

This place lists the currie drive kits and has all the optional gears and sprockets, and also has the 36-48 volt motors that you won't have to air cool. They have some hub motor kits too and electric bikes. What I don't get is why they always say "out of stock" on the USPD kit. It seems to be a permanent sign. Haven't called them to find out though. Anyone know?

http://www.evdeals.com

[D-Man]

Thats too bad. Seemed like a good kit.

[safe]

This is the first time I noticed this area on the messageboard. This was one of the questions I posted elsewhere:

"What's the cheapest 500W - 1000W Hub Motor around?"

Seems that you will always pay from TWO to about SIX times as much for a hub motor compared to a "cheapo" Unite motor. What you can gain in performance you lose in price.

The best price seems to be the $159 hub motor. (not bad at all) I wonder if it could be purchased for less if you don't buy the rim and spokes? Could I use any controller for this?

[amjones]

Scott at evdeals still sells parts for the USPD, in fact you can put together a complete USPD kit from parts, but it'll cost more than the $450 the kit was going for. (I'm thinking about doing this...)

[amjones]

Scott at evdeals still sells parts for the USPD, in fact you can put together a complete USPD kit from parts, but it'll cost more than the $450 the kit was going for. (I'm thinking about doing this...)

[color=blue] I wonder how long the individual parts will last or maybe those are gone too.

[Mathurin]

Well I gotta add Velectris to this topic, since they now sell internationally.


I've compiled some info from their forums regarding the Phantom hub motor:
http://www.velectris.com/forum_en/viewtopic.php?id=4

And you can buy it from the shop page here:
http://www.velectris.com/catalog/phantom-kit-p-98.html


They've also got the Super Phantom, there's not yet much feedback about it
on the forums though, so FWIW may as well look at the shop's description...

[Mathurin]

Well, it seems Brett White holds the 36v MY1018's! It looks like the ones he sells come with some kinda mounting bracket.
http://www.users.bigpond.com/solarbbq/newproducts.htm



The 24v version can be had for 20usd less at TNC scooters:
http://tncscooters.com/product.php?sku=106105

[lfairban]

I have been collection so much info on e-bike kits that I had to put it in talbes:

http://home.roadrunner.com/~LFAIRBAN/Electric%20Bike%20Kits.html

If you go quick, you can be one of the first ten people to visit the site.

[gogo]

Ran across this place while surfing the web, seems to be out of Three Rivers, MI.
http://www.wattcycle.com

They sell Crystalyte motors and kits. I know nothing about them other than what I saw of their website.

[chizno]

Hey Gogo - thanks for posting a link to our website. We are from a small town here in Southwest Michigan and decided to get into the business because there is really nothing like what we're selling here (some of the bikes out there that come pre-assembled are close to $2,000 and aren't even close to the quality or the SPEED of what you can get when you build your own. We're selling e-bike kits or just plain Crystalyte hub motors at wattcycle.com. We also just added some electric scooters and mopeds to our site as well. I'm the owner and can answer just about any question anyone may have about the kits, batteries, watts, or any random questions you may have.

Also, we're holding a contest to see who can come up with the coolest EWV (Electric Winter Vehicle). You can read more about it on our blog: http://www.wattcycle.com/2008/11/21/the-electric-winter-vehicle-challenge/
The challenge is basically to create your own electric winter vehicle using at least an electric hub motor. The Crystalyte motors are really torque-y and have the potential to produce some screaming snow machines. So far, we've had ZERO entries!! Amazing to me because I know that there are some really insanely smart people out there who are probably doing something like this already. Since we don't have a lot of money and we're doing this just for the fun of it, the first and only prize is an iPod Touch, but props from everyone as well as the satisfaction of making something that lots of people could use is worth a lot more.

Anyway, check it out if you want.

[BungaEBiker]

Ok, here goes. I looked through the threads and this appears to be the closeist to the topic of my questions. I am a larger fellah and am wondering what kind of motor I should get. I have seen several different style's and all have merits and some do not. With your own experiences what kind of motor would a large(ish) guy in the rage of 350lbs need to get around in an area that is much like San Francisco? Not as much to look at but hills that would make your neck sore. The hills I usually see are in the 15 to 20 degree range and there is one (I call the gear box killer) that is about a 30 degree. I don't go up that one much. About 95% of my travel will be up 15 to 25 degree hills so I need something pretty hefty and not afraid of a workout. I can honestly say that almost all of the motors I have seen are good for distance and some are good for speed, My goal is to get to and from work every day using this motor. Its a 30 minute bus ride now and about one and a quarter hours, or there abouts, walking. Currently I am torn between a trike or a recumbent. when all my finances are in place is when i will make that decision. the trike would either be a Schwinn Meridian or an action bent tango recumbent. i have looked at both and like them both. all depends on my mood when the cash is in the pocket. that also lead to some other questions about voltage and such but that will be dependent on the motor. I am thinking of either a 36v or 48v system, I already have my eye on a regen controller that comes in both ranges. I have also decided on a battery, Nickle Metal Hydride. Its cheaper and Lithium and better then SLA. Any hints, advice or suggestions are encouraged.

[chizno]

I'd go with a motor that has more torque than high-end speed like the Crystalyte Brute. The Brute has lots of torque and will help you get started and definitely get you up hills.
http://www.wattcycle.com/shop/home.php?cat=260

I'd say that building a 3-wheeler would be great because of the ability to hold more batteries and whatever else you may need to carry (definitely go with the 48 V system in whatever battery you decide). Go with the front hub motor and you'll be on your way with an easy installation too.

Good luck!