Adding electric to Yuba Mundo

[steelhead]

Greetings all.
I'm new to this forum. Apologies if this has been discussed a lot. I tried searching but was a bit overwhelmed...probably because I'm a complete newb to this technology. I'm not much of a biker, but I'm fairly competent at figuring out electrical stuff when forced to. I'm also not afraid to fabricate and paint outside the lines.

That said, what I'm really looking for are some ideas for adding an electric hub to my Yuba Mundo (cargo bike).
http://yubaride.com/yubashop/product.php?id_product=65

Yuba actually sells an off-the-shelf kit for $1500, but I'm guessing (hoping) there's a way to DIY with similar performance for less $$. And honestly, despite my usual adventurism with technology, I'm not looking for a new hobby (too many already), so I'm not ready to tied up in nuance, and would like to keep this as simple as possible.

So here's the questions:
1. Can I beat this kit on price and/or perfomance by being a little creative? This is cost prohibitive for me..its also sold out for now (like the old joke about restaurants "the food is inedible and portions are too small'). http://yubaride.com/yubashop/product.php?id_product=60
2. Are there any obvious "kit" alternatives that I should consider?

Criteria:
a. Only really need electric assist for a couple steep hills per day. Don't need much for rest of commute.
b. Not looking to break any speed records, just help get 250lbs (me, heavy bike, kid, stuff) up a mile of steep.

Any thoughts welcome. cheers


(moderator edit: moved to Ebike General Discussion out of E-Bike Reviews & Testing as it is not a review or a test.)

 

[Alttransbikes]

Howdy, new to posting in this forum also (though been reading a few years) so I thought no better way to stimulate conversation than for another lowly noob to chime in and offer advice. j/k

Actually your post caught my eye because of my long time interest in cargo bikes, the Mundo being one of them, and the feasibility of adding power assist of some kind to utility bikes in general. Just off the top I'd say the kit you linked could easily be bettered and at a better price (especially considering it looks like it's no longer being offered). I won't be so presumptuous to suggest a better alternative to you at this point (not wanting to cross that humble noob line in the sand, lol) but I think at this stage of your (our) development the mantra will be to readreadread (and post on the appropriate page) All the best with your project, cargo bikes IMO are and can be a great platform and welcome recipient of a little power assist. BTW, have you seen this thread ?: http://www.endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=36959

 

[mark5]

Howdy, new to posting in this forum also (though been reading a few years) so I thought no better way to stimulate conversation than for another lowly noob to chime in and offer advice.

Alttransbikes, just wanted to say that I enjoyed reading your posts in the motoredbike forum and your blog--you're sure not a noob.

 

[ohzee]

There are quite a few electric yuba's on here.. teklek's is probably the best looking one imo.

http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=36959&hilit=yuba+mundo

I also have a 5404 on my yuba and so far I am pretty happy with it.. started with a mid drive , but just
did not have the power I required.

Welcome to the board.

 

[Alttransbikes]

Howdy, new to posting in this forum also (though been reading a few years) so I thought no better way to stimulate conversation than for another lowly noob to chime in and offer advice.

Alttransbikes, just wanted to say that I enjoyed reading your posts in the motoredbike forum and your blog--you're sure not a noob.

Hey Mark, thanks for saying Hi and to encroach no further onto steelhead's thread than say that I've begun to see the light .....da 'lectric one of course ; - )

 

[spinningmagnets]

Welcome, here's a thread about longtail cargobikes, it has several Yuba build threads linked in it. As far as kits, I would plan on 48V at a minimum, and the rest depends on how fast you want to go, how steep your hills are, how heavy your cargo is, and how big your budget is. Best of luck!

"Factory Longtail Cargobikes"
http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=32220&p=466763#p466763

 

[Samd]

These guys have done a fair bit of research locally.
http://www.cargocycles.com.au/bikes/yuba-mundo-cargo-bike

TIP: Update your status to show your location. You'll get local help!