themadhatter106
100 W
Hello Everyone,
I've been reading up for a few months, deciding how I would like to build my electric bike. I like the idea of commuting by bike to work and school, however, the distances and time constraints are a bit much so I decided to go electric. I tried to go for a stealth look for both anti-theft and to not be bothered by the cops. I am more than happy with my setup I have a 48v 20ah ping battery concealed in my Topeak MTX rear bag. It actually handles quite well for all of the weight in back of there. I welded up a metal bracket with padding on the sides and bolted it to the bottom plate of the bag that way the battery's weight is directly centered over the back tire.
View attachment 7
As you can see the 35a Infineon controller is bolted onto my Topeak super tourist rack. When I park my bike I am able to simply able to disconnect the battery from the controller, and bring the battery with me to charge wherever I am going or to just have with me so it won't get stolen, (since it is the single most expensive component on the bike). In the bag I also keep my cycle lumenator along with my rear led light which easily bolts on my bike if I have to ride in the night.
In the bag I'm also able to store all my rain gear in case I'm caught in a sudden shower, and a spare tube with co2 inflator just in case I get a flat tire. I actually had to modify the bag and cut out slots for the battery to expand into the two side compartments since the main one wasn't quite big enough, but it worked out well.
The bikes performance is better than I expected, I set the cycle analyist to a 30a limit for the ping. I have driven a distance of 39 miles while doing my range test. The BMS wasen't even cutting out at that point, but the bike was rather sluggish because the battery wen't over the voltage cliff so I just decided that was plenty of range for me, and went to go charge it. I would estimate the actual range to be in the low 40s. I'm always pedaling the bike for both exercise, stealth and maybe even a little better performance. The bike has a max speed of 33mph on the flats, however, I've gone as fast as 38 mph hot off the charger down a hill in my neighborhood. Normally keep the speed at or below 30mph when commuting.
However, I could use some advice, mainly on security. I like my bike and want to make sure I keep it. Right now I lock up my bike with a Kryptonyte New York Fahgettaboudit U-lock through the back wheel using the Sheldon Brown method. I also lock my front wheel and bottom half of my fork using an Onguard Bulldog u-lock. I take my rack bag with me. I'm not to concerned about someone stealing the bike as a whole because that Kryptonyte lock is really a beast, cant imagine someone breaking it without a power grinder or oxyacetylene torch, and how many bike thieves carry these things around? Very few. However, I am concerned with thieves stealing parts. I have already replaced my seat quick release with a bolt and replaced the thumb screw on my CA with a regular screw to "raise the bar" so to say. I was thinking of replacing my rack mount screws with security Torex screws, as well as maybe welding the bolts holding my controller so that it's permanently attached to my rack, at least someone would have to cut the screws in that tight place to steal it. Maybe even build a metal housing for my CA and weld it to my handle bars? Am I over reacting or are my thoughts justified? I ride to Lowell daily, not exactly the nicest town around.
Anyone had parts stolen off of their E-bikes?
I've been reading up for a few months, deciding how I would like to build my electric bike. I like the idea of commuting by bike to work and school, however, the distances and time constraints are a bit much so I decided to go electric. I tried to go for a stealth look for both anti-theft and to not be bothered by the cops. I am more than happy with my setup I have a 48v 20ah ping battery concealed in my Topeak MTX rear bag. It actually handles quite well for all of the weight in back of there. I welded up a metal bracket with padding on the sides and bolted it to the bottom plate of the bag that way the battery's weight is directly centered over the back tire.
View attachment 7
As you can see the 35a Infineon controller is bolted onto my Topeak super tourist rack. When I park my bike I am able to simply able to disconnect the battery from the controller, and bring the battery with me to charge wherever I am going or to just have with me so it won't get stolen, (since it is the single most expensive component on the bike). In the bag I also keep my cycle lumenator along with my rear led light which easily bolts on my bike if I have to ride in the night.
In the bag I'm also able to store all my rain gear in case I'm caught in a sudden shower, and a spare tube with co2 inflator just in case I get a flat tire. I actually had to modify the bag and cut out slots for the battery to expand into the two side compartments since the main one wasn't quite big enough, but it worked out well.
The bikes performance is better than I expected, I set the cycle analyist to a 30a limit for the ping. I have driven a distance of 39 miles while doing my range test. The BMS wasen't even cutting out at that point, but the bike was rather sluggish because the battery wen't over the voltage cliff so I just decided that was plenty of range for me, and went to go charge it. I would estimate the actual range to be in the low 40s. I'm always pedaling the bike for both exercise, stealth and maybe even a little better performance. The bike has a max speed of 33mph on the flats, however, I've gone as fast as 38 mph hot off the charger down a hill in my neighborhood. Normally keep the speed at or below 30mph when commuting.
However, I could use some advice, mainly on security. I like my bike and want to make sure I keep it. Right now I lock up my bike with a Kryptonyte New York Fahgettaboudit U-lock through the back wheel using the Sheldon Brown method. I also lock my front wheel and bottom half of my fork using an Onguard Bulldog u-lock. I take my rack bag with me. I'm not to concerned about someone stealing the bike as a whole because that Kryptonyte lock is really a beast, cant imagine someone breaking it without a power grinder or oxyacetylene torch, and how many bike thieves carry these things around? Very few. However, I am concerned with thieves stealing parts. I have already replaced my seat quick release with a bolt and replaced the thumb screw on my CA with a regular screw to "raise the bar" so to say. I was thinking of replacing my rack mount screws with security Torex screws, as well as maybe welding the bolts holding my controller so that it's permanently attached to my rack, at least someone would have to cut the screws in that tight place to steal it. Maybe even build a metal housing for my CA and weld it to my handle bars? Am I over reacting or are my thoughts justified? I ride to Lowell daily, not exactly the nicest town around.
Anyone had parts stolen off of their E-bikes?
Welcome to the sphere :wink:
