New member, Advice needed on E-Fatbike

[RollingOnTheShouldersOfGiants]

Hello everyone at Endless Sphere

I have been lurking on the forum for a few months now, impressed with what you have all achieved I intended to get a cheap kit to try on my Orange hardtail bike, as an introduction, unfortunately this was stolen, but its not all bad, as I have just received this Fatbike as a gift. (added as attachment)?

My problem is, there is so much information on this forum, i often find myself reading threads that although interesting, just aren't relevant to me. I thought it would be best to just ask some opinions to point me in the right direction, or at least direct me to the appropriate threads.

Trying to source things in the UK to save on import costs if possible. I just want the best value possible without wasting money, on bad choices, or incompatible items.

INFO
Loc: Uk (north)
How Far: approx 25-30miles, any more is a bonus
How Fast:25- 30mph on bursts
Wgt of rider: 13stone (maybe 14 after xmas)

I was thinking along the lines of a brushless geared motor, rear wheel with instant start (not pedelec) with a battery to fit in the triangle.
I need to find the correct motor and to be able to have it laced somewhere in the UK.
Happy to lower speed for more torque.

I have approx £1000gbp and willing to go a few 100 higher if the benefits are right

Specs of bike

Frame: 18.5″ Hi-ten Steel Fat Frame with a 23.5″ Top Tube
Fork: Hi-Ten Straight Forks
Gear System: Shimano 21 Speed STI Button Shifter with Shimano Tourney TX Rear Derailleur, and a Shimano MF-TZ21 14-28T 21 Speed Freewheel
Chainset: Prowheel Chainset with a Sealed Bottom Bracket
Wheel Specification: Power Circle 3.5″ Width 36 Spoke Alloy Rims with Disc Ready Hubs: Front Hub 140mm, Rear Hub 180mm
Tyres: 26″ x 4.0″ Wanda Tyres
Brakes: Radius Mechanical Disc Brakes with 160mm Rotors
Steering: Zoom Alloy Oversize Riser Handlebar with an Alloy A-Head Stem and Locking Grips
Front Fork Type: Resistance Rubber (Medium Gear Non-damping)
Gears: 21 Speed
Frame Material: Aluminum Alloy
Brand Name: ENSOLEILLE
Load Capacity: 120kg
Net Weight: 16kg
Foldable: No
Rim Material: Aluminum Alloy
Fork Suspension: Yes
Stature: 150-180cm
Fork Material: Aluminum Alloy
Wheel Size: 26″
Gross Weight: 18kg
Length (m):1.68

Any help advice would be greatly appreciated before I spend my Xmas money on something sensible

 

[Chalo]

180mm rear wheel spacing is really going to limit your hub motor choices. You could use a 135mm rear wheel in the front, though.

 

[cjh]

If you are willing to sacrifice speed for torque the Xiongda double speed motor can be had to suit the 170mm rear dropout on a fat bike and work with a disc brake rear. Might work with 180mm too.

http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=58490

http://xiongdamotor.en.alibaba.com/productgrouplist-220560510/NEW_Double_speed_Motor.html

More money and you could get a fat bike ready version of the crank drive Bafang BBS01 or BBS02 from http://california-ebike.com/

http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=64437

There are other hub motors such as the 8Fun that are being used in fat bikes too. Of course you could always look at mid-drive options too.

 

[RollingOnTheShouldersOfGiants]

Thank you for the quick replies I have been looking at the options and the Bafang Mid Drive is standing out. I'm struggling to get prices on the others and my bike knowledge isn't brilliant

Bafang 48V 750W BBS02 Kit with Battery
- Battery 50V, 12.3Ah (22P) Tri. Pack & 5A Chg
- AC Plug Type UK

Approx £670 + might have to pay 20 % import tax.
Is there something I am missing or anything i have overlooked, as this still seems kind of cheap,maybe upgrade the battery?

http://em3ev.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=45&product_id=187

 

[Chalo]

Be certain that the bike frame and the mid-drive kit will be compatible. Fatbikes almost by definition use longer than normal bottom bracket shells, and most mid-drive kits are only installable on normal 68 to 73mm shells.

 

[RollingOnTheShouldersOfGiants]

Thanks for that, had a feeling that was too easy. The bottom bracket measures a width of 125mm which seems to be 25mm more than the average fatbike

 

[litespeed]

I'm sure the BB is 100mm and there is a company building a retro kit for the Bafang Mid drive that turns it into a 100 comparable kit. Cost more but it plug and play.

Tom

 

[cjh]

Thank you for the quick replies I have been looking at the options and the Bafang Mid Drive is standing out. I'm struggling to get prices on the others and my bike knowledge isn't brilliant

Bafang 48V 750W BBS02 Kit with Battery
- Battery 50V, 12.3Ah (22P) Tri. Pack & 5A Chg
- AC Plug Type UK

Approx £670 + might have to pay 20 % import tax.
Is there something I am missing or anything i have overlooked, as this still seems kind of cheap,maybe upgrade the battery?

http://em3ev.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=45&product_id=187

At this stage, only http://california-ebike.com/ modifies the BBS01/02 to suit a 100mm BB which is the most common fat bike BB width but there are other BB widths out there. You could always cut your BB down to 100mm.

Are you measuring just the shell?

 

[RollingOnTheShouldersOfGiants]

I was hoping I had measured it wrong last night so I checked it again with the lights on this time and its 120mm, just my luck because a ready made kit would be ideal.

I cant seem to find anywhere that will do them. Looks like so much fun too.

(edit) Yep measured it just how you have shown, I posted as you did.

 

[wesnewell]

I'm putting a rear MXUS 3000W hub motor on a 26" fat bike (Mongoose Dolomite). Hasn't been a major problem so far. I had to lace the motor into the wheel, but it fits nicely. Need a bunch of M6 washers to extend the rear brake calipers in. A couple of 14x1.5mm jam nuts on the inside of the rear drops work perfect for a nice secure mounting of the 220mm axle. Shouldn't be any major problems installing a hub motor on that bike either as long as you can squeeze the rear dropouts to 170mm. You'll need some longer caliper bolts and washers to make it fit right too.

 

[RollingOnTheShouldersOfGiants]

Thanks for that wesnewell.

After searching out for MXUS 3000w hub i came across this one already threaded into the wheel. As lacing might be a problem for me, already matches the bike too, seems almost too good to be true, there's always a catch
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/China-high-speed-3-kw-electric-car-hub-dc-motor-kits-3000w-motor-kits-3000w-motor/2042454592.html

Or the option of cutting down the BB as said by cjh in order to fit the bafang kit.

 

[dogman dan]

Nice that the muxus has a nice long axle.