Just finished the build of my first S-750 frame. This first one is for my wife who does not like high speed or high power … so there is nothing impressive on that front. Here are the important specs:
Frame: Tidalforce S-750 with accessories (from JD)
Motor: BMC V1 built onto an Alex DX32 rim (By JohnRobHolmes) with BMC 20A controller
Front wheel: Rhyno Lite
Tires: Maxxis Hookworms
Battery: Headway 12S pack from EVComponents (BMS removed)
Front fork: Rockshox Judy (Ebay – Used)
Cycle Analyst: YES!!! (Stand Alone)
I’ve taken in for 5 break-in rides so far and the bike is coming together. The bike goes 20MPH on the flat with no pedaling. This is my 1st geared hub motor and I like it … and this will be my standard for my next build (but at higher power … probably the BMC V3 from Ilia). The thing I like best is not pedaling against the EMF of the motor. Makes a little more noise but not a bother to me at all.
One work for the ride on this bike: SWEET. It rides very smoothly thanks to the hookworms and the sold frame. The hookworms corner phenomenally. These tires are fat and round so when the bike is leaned it feels no different than the flats.
This was my first bike build ever (I didn’t even know what a headset was before I started). Issues in the build:
1) This being my first bike build, it was painfully slow. I spent a lot of time on the Internet researching and buying. The biggest pain was getting the spacers and washers right for the rear wheel (had to buy the C-Washer from Justin and ebikes.ca) and getting the brakes to work on these HUMONGOUS REAR RIM AND TIRE. I started out with the V Brakes for the rear, then changed to disc (couldn’t get to fit and then back to V brakes … which is where I am now.
2) I also had a small problem with the lacing of the rear wheel. It was not dished properly so I had to dish it a little to keep the tire from rubbing against the rim. There is about ¼â€ between the rim and the tire on this beast.
3) Battery: like others have noted, I have had some issues with this pack. As I mentioned, I removed the BMS immediately. Based on my previous BMS problems, I decided to run unprotected but took the following precautions:
a) I wired in some connectors so that I could use a Cellog8 (see photo) to quickly monitor individual cell voltages.
b) I am using a Cycle Analyst (CA) to monitor the pack voltage. I have “calibrated†the CA to know that if my pack goes below 36V under a 2C load, I need to watch out. Normal voltage on my pack (from the CA) is about 39.5 under no load (after I have burned off .2 or .3 AH), 37.5 under 1C and 36.5 under 2C. Anything “significantly†below this is cause for concern. I learned this strategy from my 48V Headway pack (16S). My recommendation: know your pack.
c) Maximum discharge is 2C and so far, I have not gone more than 6AH on the pack (according to my CA). So, I have not stressed this pack.
d) I spent 2 weeks “playing†with the pack (off the bike, on the bench/kitchen table): charging/discharging … so I am beginning to know this pack pretty well. I have a couple of cells that I suspect may be weak … but the jury is still out. I will put a separate post about what I have learned about the battery pack.
Here is the approximate damage:
1) Bike frame and parts from JD: $175
2) Additional parts: $150
3) Motor/controller/throttle: $325 (Ebay)
4) Rear wheel build with tire: $150
5) Front wheel with tire and disc brakes: $150
6) Battery: $275
7) Charger/Cycle Analyst/Charger: in stock
So, I think I am just north of $1,200 for this setup … $1,500 if you include all the stuff I had “in stockâ€Â. All prices include shipping, taxes, etc.
Good decisions:
Upgraded kick stand
Geared hub motor
Maxxis Hookworms
Cycle Analyst (an absolute MUST)
Bad decisions:
Purchased a few extra parts from JD that I didn’t need (cartridge, front V brakes).
I’m sure there are some others … but I won’t know them for another 3 to 6 months.
Right now I am quite happy. The wife has taken it for a couple of rides and likes it as well … but has NO IDEA when the CA says or does.
I’m not 100% finished as I need to clean up the cables in the back.
Frame: Tidalforce S-750 with accessories (from JD)
Motor: BMC V1 built onto an Alex DX32 rim (By JohnRobHolmes) with BMC 20A controller
Front wheel: Rhyno Lite
Tires: Maxxis Hookworms
Battery: Headway 12S pack from EVComponents (BMS removed)
Front fork: Rockshox Judy (Ebay – Used)
Cycle Analyst: YES!!! (Stand Alone)
I’ve taken in for 5 break-in rides so far and the bike is coming together. The bike goes 20MPH on the flat with no pedaling. This is my 1st geared hub motor and I like it … and this will be my standard for my next build (but at higher power … probably the BMC V3 from Ilia). The thing I like best is not pedaling against the EMF of the motor. Makes a little more noise but not a bother to me at all.
One work for the ride on this bike: SWEET. It rides very smoothly thanks to the hookworms and the sold frame. The hookworms corner phenomenally. These tires are fat and round so when the bike is leaned it feels no different than the flats.
This was my first bike build ever (I didn’t even know what a headset was before I started). Issues in the build:
1) This being my first bike build, it was painfully slow. I spent a lot of time on the Internet researching and buying. The biggest pain was getting the spacers and washers right for the rear wheel (had to buy the C-Washer from Justin and ebikes.ca) and getting the brakes to work on these HUMONGOUS REAR RIM AND TIRE. I started out with the V Brakes for the rear, then changed to disc (couldn’t get to fit and then back to V brakes … which is where I am now.
2) I also had a small problem with the lacing of the rear wheel. It was not dished properly so I had to dish it a little to keep the tire from rubbing against the rim. There is about ¼â€ between the rim and the tire on this beast.
3) Battery: like others have noted, I have had some issues with this pack. As I mentioned, I removed the BMS immediately. Based on my previous BMS problems, I decided to run unprotected but took the following precautions:
a) I wired in some connectors so that I could use a Cellog8 (see photo) to quickly monitor individual cell voltages.
b) I am using a Cycle Analyst (CA) to monitor the pack voltage. I have “calibrated†the CA to know that if my pack goes below 36V under a 2C load, I need to watch out. Normal voltage on my pack (from the CA) is about 39.5 under no load (after I have burned off .2 or .3 AH), 37.5 under 1C and 36.5 under 2C. Anything “significantly†below this is cause for concern. I learned this strategy from my 48V Headway pack (16S). My recommendation: know your pack.
c) Maximum discharge is 2C and so far, I have not gone more than 6AH on the pack (according to my CA). So, I have not stressed this pack.
d) I spent 2 weeks “playing†with the pack (off the bike, on the bench/kitchen table): charging/discharging … so I am beginning to know this pack pretty well. I have a couple of cells that I suspect may be weak … but the jury is still out. I will put a separate post about what I have learned about the battery pack.
Here is the approximate damage:
1) Bike frame and parts from JD: $175
2) Additional parts: $150
3) Motor/controller/throttle: $325 (Ebay)
4) Rear wheel build with tire: $150
5) Front wheel with tire and disc brakes: $150
6) Battery: $275
7) Charger/Cycle Analyst/Charger: in stock
So, I think I am just north of $1,200 for this setup … $1,500 if you include all the stuff I had “in stockâ€Â. All prices include shipping, taxes, etc.
Good decisions:
Upgraded kick stand
Geared hub motor
Maxxis Hookworms
Cycle Analyst (an absolute MUST)
Bad decisions:
Purchased a few extra parts from JD that I didn’t need (cartridge, front V brakes).
I’m sure there are some others … but I won’t know them for another 3 to 6 months.
Right now I am quite happy. The wife has taken it for a couple of rides and likes it as well … but has NO IDEA when the CA says or does.
I’m not 100% finished as I need to clean up the cables in the back.