El Steak Super-Commuter

Here's my finished winter project.

My goal was to have something comfortable, clean, elegant and FAST. Stealthy would have been nice, but unfortunately the 9c is not very quiet.

My Methods controller is software-limited at 100 Amps and I can run the motor in either 18s3p mode (75V max) or 24s2p (100V max). Because of my large wheel size (26") and too fast motor (10x6), I generally leave it in 18s3p config. With 75V I can reach 70km/h (43mph). With 100V I reach over 80kph (50mph). It pop wheelies with both voltages and climbs any hill I could find while accelerating

I spent a lot of time on the brakes. They are pretty much your only safety feature on a bike so you don't want to skip on them. This bike brakes really hard, no comparison with V brakes.

The decisions I made when building this bike were heavily based on information gathered from this site.

Here's the list of threads related to features on this bike:

Buying the TidalForce Frame: http://www.endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=10748
Installing a rear disk brake on the S-750 (my thread): http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=13722
Air cooling your hub: http://www.endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=9791
Upgrading your phase wires: http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=14580
Lipo battery basics: http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=9170
More essential Lipo Info: http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=10817
Method's 100V 100A controller: http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=13638
Fuses for the battery: http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15225
Motor selection for high voltage (my setup is not optimal - yet): http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=14711

All the specs and details are in the pictures.

I think you forgot to put the pictures.

That's a super clean build!

'Methods' controller, vented hubmotor, fat phase wires, lipo, hookworms, temp monitoring, beefy torque arms...you've brought together alot of great parts and recommendations from the forum and packaged it all very nicely.

Videos coming?

Holy Ribeyes Batman!

That is one of the cleanest builds I ever saw! I really like what you did with the wires, and the shrink wrapped connectors. You realize that if you bought all that from a vendor of pre built bikes the retail would be at least $2500? I bet you have a lot less than that in it.

I really like the bbq thermometer. How much do those run? Sensor actually in the motor? Guess it really hauls ass if you still need the thermometer with the hub ventilated! Bet they'd ticket the crap outa ya in Phoenix AZ! Or Florida.

Thanks guys.

dogman said:

You realize that if you bought all that from a vendor of pre built bikes the retail would be at least $2500? I bet you have a lot less than that in it.

Click to expand...

Less, but not that much unfortunately. The controller alone is 400$ and if you add in the 9 Lipo packs, charger and power supply, you're already over half that amount and you don't yet have a bike or motor...

dogman said:

I really like the bbq thermometer. How much do those run? Sensor actually in the motor?

Click to expand...

That thermometer is readily available on ebay from several vendor. You can get it shipped to your door for under 10$. I carefully cut the "probe" to get the thermistor out and then added teflon extension wires all the way to the inside of the motor. The sensor is installed very close to the winding inside the hub. There's a problem with that thermometer which I only discovered after it was all installed: it's got an annoying auto-shutoff feature after 10 minutes. Its not that big an issue for me because I know when I'm at risk of overheating the motor (long climbs, repeated hard acceleration). On fast WOT rides, the motor doesn't get too hot.

voicecoils said:

'Methods' controller, vented hubmotor, fat phase wires, lipo, hookworms, temp monitoring, beefy torque arms...you've brought together alot of great parts and recommendations from the forum and packaged it all very nicely.
Videos coming?

Click to expand...

Yes, its designed-by-ES in many ways. I added links at the top of all the threads I used for this build.

I don't think I'll make any video of me riding the bike. I watched a few clips of GTinDC riding in Washington and there's no way I can come up with something even remotely close to that

Congrats El_Steak,

Beautiful build. I'm envious. My build of the S-750 works well, but isn't nearly as beautiful as your amazing kit!

Ambrose

Wow, El_Steak that thing needs flames because that is one HOT ROD TidalForce!! 8) Also, can you tell me where you sourced that kickstand. I have noticed this bike is a bit tippy with the single and I think that is a logical upgrade to the bike.

I got the double stand directly from OatNet (http://www.endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=10748#p164988)

He was selling it 35$ with the frames. Check with him, he might have some left.

I had to add a 1/4" shim between the mounting bracket and frame because the Hookworm tires are too big and the stand would not reach the ground.

One very well realized e-bike. Best in show 8)

Funny when i'm at work i can't see the pictures, but at home i can see them.

Anyway very nice bike, very stealth too, it must be a rush to ride.

Yes, very nice build.

Although...the first time you get a flat rear tyre that nice heatshrinking on the connections will get cut to bits. A lizardskin works well in this application.



How did you get the disc on the 9C? I thought a disc wouldn't fit..

Disc brake install thread here:

http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=13722

Mark_A_W said:

the first time you get a flat rear tyre that nice heatshrinking on the connections will get cut to bits.

Click to expand...

The nice thing with the shrink wrap is that on top of the cosmetic and water proof benefits, it provides a pretty strong mechanical pressure on the connectors. Most of the problems I've had with my ebikes in the past where related to some sort of poor connection. Especially with those damn hall wires. I bought a whole batch of shrink tubing of all sizes on ebay, so removing the shrink wrap is not a bigger concern for me than cutting tie wraps.

With the rear rack, torque plates, disk brake and all, changing a flat on the rear wheel would be a biatch, so I invested a bit in preventive measures and bought some heavy-duty Down Hill tubes (thick stuff) and a Panaracer kevlar liner.

Mark_A_W said:

How did you get the disc on the 9C? I thought a disc wouldn't fit..

Click to expand...

The 9c is threaded on the left side so you can use "screw on" chinese disks (available from ebikes.ca and ebikekits) or you can buy this adapterand use any disk.

Fitting the 9c with disk brake on the tidal force frame was another story thought.

Nice work !!.. Where did you find the hookworm tires ?

The TF frames are awsome, i have 5 more in storage waiting for parts !

You should fire up the video cam !

I got lucky for the Hookworms. I found them on the 12th page of google results from a small trial bike web site.

The guy had only 2 and said he was stuck with them. He sold them 20$ cdn each.

He still lists them on his web page at the same price.

Here's the link: http://www.thetrialsinshop.com/wheels.html

Very tidy el steak.
Those tidal force frame are very nice, I'd be snapping up a few if I was in the US.

As voicecoils said you've taken all the best suggestions from the forum and incorporated them into one neat package.
My bike has very similar components and mods but the down side is I look like a suicide bomber riding it :lol:

El_Steak said:

Thanks guys.

dogman said:

You realize that if you bought all that from a vendor of pre built bikes the retail would be at least $2500? I bet you have a lot less than that in it.

Click to expand...

Less, but not that much unfortunately. The controller alone is 400$ and if you add in the 9 Lipo packs, charger and power supply, you're already over half that amount and you don't yet have a bike or motor...

dogman said:

I really like the bbq thermometer. How much do those run? Sensor actually in the motor?

Click to expand...

That thermometer is readily available on ebay from several vendor. You can get it shipped to your door for under 10$. I carefully cut the "probe" to get the thermistor out and then added teflon extension wires all the way to the inside of the motor. The sensor is installed very close to the winding inside the hub. There's a problem with that thermometer which I only discovered after it was all installed: it's got an annoying auto-shutoff feature after 10 minutes. Its not that big an issue for me because I know when I'm at risk of overheating the motor (long climbs, repeated hard acceleration). On fast WOT rides, the motor doesn't get too hot.

voicecoils said:

'Methods' controller, vented hubmotor, fat phase wires, lipo, hookworms, temp monitoring, beefy torque arms...you've brought together alot of great parts and recommendations from the forum and packaged it all very nicely.
Videos coming?

Click to expand...

Yes, its designed-by-ES in many ways. I added links at the top of all the threads I used for this build.

I don't think I'll make any video of me riding the bike. I watched a few clips of GTinDC riding in Washington and there's no way I can come up with something even remotely close to that

Click to expand...

I think i already saw BBQ thermometer in hub motor somewere else setup?

.. Nice build!.. clean, full upgrade, all components maximized!

Doc

A very neat and tidy bike. Well Done. Hate to sound very dull but what rear cassette are you running as getting 11 tooth cassette am finding to be difficult and as you rightly said you need a very small rear gear on a powerful e-bike due to speeds you travel at but still want to do some pedaling without super fast cadence.
Thanks and again, nice job

Salix said:

what rear cassette are you running as getting 11 tooth cassette am finding to be difficult and as you rightly said you need a very small rear gear on a powerful e-bike due to speeds

Click to expand...

Its a cheap chinese freewheel that I got from ebikes.ca. I don't see it listed on their web site anymore though. Methods has one listed for sale for 25$ on his page: http://www.deviantmethods.com/MethodsSalePage/Methods_Ebike_Stuff_For_Sale.html


Some people complained about the noise it makes, but you can fix that by oiling it properly. More info here: http://www.endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=14696 and here http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1468.

Nice Bike!

You really paid attention to the best ideas that ES has to offer. I honestly can't think of anything else that would make a ebike nicer (except maybe doing the CA amp limiting mod that you probably don't need anyway as you have the 3 speed throttle ).

I don't think you could find anything comparable on the market with 74V/15Ah and all the same features for less than $5k USD.

Good job. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks.

I'm happy with the bike so far, but I'm already thinking of many possible upgrades/mods. It's an expensive hobby

El_Steak said:

It's an expensive hobby

Click to expand...

You should try Studebakers some time!

El-steak, a first rate build! You have paid a lot of attention to the details throughout. I especially like the disk brakes front and rear. As fast as this bike will go, you better be able to stop it quick These Tidal Force frames really do make for some super nice ebikes! 74V - how do you keep it on the ground??

Can I ask you a question - how on earth did you mount your CA to the handlebars? I butchered a Kryptonite lock holder to *sort of* mount mine - could not find any useful info on that one.

Excellent build!

Mike

maxxis has to be making out like bandits on the ebike community I love them for urban assault too. I really like the sheathing on the wires. I'm really looking to make my build as clean as possible and I bet this is even cleaner than heatshrink for a large amount of wire.

P.S. I might have to follow suit and use a BBQ thermometer myself. Hope you don't mind...

I myself stole the BBQ thermometer idea from other members...

You might want to buy one without an auto-shutoff feature. Its annoying.

I searched a bit on the forum and tracked down the one that Doc uses. From what I can see, it has no auto shutoff feature and it has a programmable alarm that will ring whenever you exceed a certain temp. I might swap mine for that one.

Here it is:

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/2/OutdoorLiving/2/BBQsAccessories/GrillTopAccessories/PRD~0852086P/Stainless%252BSteel%252BDigital%252BBBQ%252BThermometer.jsp?locale=en