Anyway to achieve these specs for less than 1000 dollars?

[beastcoast]

I see most kits either top out at 20mph or 28mph. 20 is a bit slower than I would like to ride, and I don't quite need 28. However, it seems that I must choose one speed because of the nature of the motors involved.

I weigh 220 pounds and would like to be able to travel 10-15 miles on a charge. I'm not ready to take a gamble and buy low-quality manufactured parts from some sketchy vendor to save money. I would like confidence knowing that I will receive components that will last some time. I don't mind buying the motor separate from the battery (lithium ion) and doing a bit of assembly myself.

It seems that 20mph for 10-15 miles and reliable parts is doable for less than 1000. I'd really really like the bike to go 25, but if I have to buy from shady vendors in order to achieve this, I will take the 20 (it should go faster than 20 with pedal assistance, right?). Thanks guys

 

[dnmun]

what shady vendors do you have in mind or is this just your imagination? how do you know a shady vendor from an illuminated vendor?

 

[beastcoast]

what shady vendors do you have in mind or is this just your imagination? how do you know a shady vendor from an illuminated vendor?

I don't have any previous dealings with any type of vendor, so I don't know. I'm coming to you experienced guys for suggestions. I just don't want to drop 300 dollars on a battery from China that craps out in a week and I get no response from the dealer.

 

[markz]

Go with a yescomusa kit, or a em3ev kit, or a ebikes.ca kit, or several others that are always recommended on here.
And be sure whatever you do, get the wheel and motor mounted and trued. Live and Learn!

 

[Sunder]

Go with a yescomusa kit, or a em3ev kit, or a ebikes.ca kit, or several others that are always recommended on here.
And be sure whatever you do, get the wheel and motor mounted and trued. Live and Learn!

I second the Em3ev endorsement. Ordered from them twice so far, and no problems, and complaints about them seem rare and unsubstantiated.

I've also ordered 5 times with BMS Battery, no problem any of the times, but complaints about them here are a bit more frequent and some seem substantiated.

For your target, I'd recommend a MAC 10T. It says 500w, but have been known to overdrive well over 2kw. At 48V, that will get you to your ~28mph on the flats - maybe subject to your weight and aero profile. It gets me above that, but I'm only 160lbs.

If you're willing to take some risk, the SWXH is designed for 350w, and is comfortable to 1kw without modification, or around 1500-1800w with oil cooling. The fast wind will get you to your desired speed at 48V as well. Long hills - especially in warm weather might be pushing it without modification.

Either motor you choose, 10Ah of 12S LiPo should be enough for your range, and not be arriving on empty every time (which shortens the life of the battery).

If you don't like the risk of LiPo, you might need a bit more LiFePo4, as the discharge rating on that is lower, and so you need a bigger capacity battery to avoid voltage sagging, and shortening the life of the battery. 20Ah would mean you're drawing at 1C, which is safe for LiFePo4 chemistries. LiFePo4 is more expensive than LiPo though.

 

[100volts+]

electricrider.com has been reliable for me but that was in 2011 they are located in tx but they are pricey

 

[MadRhino]

You'd be surprised at how fast you can go for 1000$, if you don't mind the rest.

To build a reliable bike for a heavy guy with a 1000$ budget is a little tight. Let's say you have the bicycle already, and it is feasable. Heavy guy = smaller wheel and bigger tire. Your requirements are easy to meet: slow winding DD hub in a 24" wheel, 12 fet controller, 4 bricks of RC Lipo (12s 2p), a 48v PSU, 4 battery monitors, hardware, controls and wiring... you should fit in 1000$, AND READ ABOUT RC LIPO MAINTENANCE.

 

[oobagooba]

48v 1865 good luck

 

[wesnewell]

Read this and fill in your location.
http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=66302

 

[dogman dan]

Very reliable kits from stellar vendors are out there for around $700 or less. Most already mentioned, but there is one other USA vendor I think is OK.

But the battery can be an issue if the budget absolutely must be kept to $1000, and you just spent $700 on the kit.

But that's a pretty arbitrary number, especially if your needs are for reliable daily ride to work and no fuss charging. $1200-1500 is a more realistic budget for a ride you count on to get to work. More money for a reliable plug in and forget battery, and quick availability of spare parts will be what you need for a commuter ridden 100+ miles a week.

But if you just ride for fun, why not go cheaper? Just buy one of the cheaper ebay kits if you just ride for pleasure, leaving plenty in the budget for the battery. The kit reliability is not that bad on the cheap stuff really. But you get a controller that might not last as long, less good service if there should be a problem with it right away, and usually an incredibly cheap rim and spokes. All this will be fine if your needs are not to get to work on time each and every day.

Re the speed, the kit won't cost that much more, if any, to go 25-30 mph. Many will run on 48v, whatever they call it, and go 27-28 mph, some even reach 30 mph. Depends on exactly which motor is in the kit.

But the go fast, AND go 10-15 miles sometimes is a problem. It simply costs more to go fast, than to go 20 mph. More watts means using up a battery fast! So for example, a 48v 10ah battery will run out pretty quick going 28 mph. Likely around 10-12 miles. So there goes 15 miles at that speed.

But no worry, just roll the throttle forward, and ride 20 mph when you need 15 miles. Ride 15 mph when you need 20-25 miles, and so on.

I'd say get something in a 48v kit, and at least a 48v 10 ah battery. Might cost you up to $1500, but that mostly depends on where you buy the stuff, and if you are willing to take on the risk and hassle of an RC type battery. Get something reliable and safe, for a ride to work IMO.

 

[wesnewell]

48v 1000w kit $200
10ah 12s lipo $150
Misc. $150
Yep, easily done on $500.
Reliable? I've got 4 years and 15K miles on mine.

 

[beastcoast]

48v 1000w kit $200
10ah 12s lipo $150
Misc. $150
Yep, easily done on $500.
Reliable? I've got 4 years and 15K miles on mine.

Ok if you can help me out with as to where to gather these components, I'll toss you some of my savings.

 

[Racer_X]

48v 1000w kit $200
10ah 12s lipo $150
Misc. $150
Yep, easily done on $500.
Reliable? I've got 4 years and 15K miles on mine.

The above is possible but it also depends on where you live.
If you live in Europe add a 25% tax on the above.

Have you read this and done this yet?

Read this and fill in your location.
http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=66302

 

[dogman dan]

Ok Wes, you are still running on all the original parts that came in your Yes kit right? Maybe I'm wrong, but didn't you chuck the original controller fairly quick? My highest mileage setup, from guess who, is still running on all its original parts 8,000 miles later.

Not disagreeing that he can get most of what he wants from a Yes kit. Yes kit + a great controller still cheaper than many other higher priced kits. Nothing wrong with the motors for sure. Very hard to wear out one of those DD motors.

Re the battery, I need a lot more information before I'll recommend lithium cobalt. (RC batteries) Does he have a place to store and charge that battery safely?

Yes kit + safer battery is a good idea. Perhaps a Cali battery, or one from EM3ev. He can do that for sure under $1000. Later on he can upgrade his controller, if he even needs it at all. I tend to get about a years use from the cheaper controllers, then something goes out on them.

But everything nicer, that definitely tends to cost more like $1500. Adding shit like a cycleanalyst, and a controller for a direct plug in CA. Or going with a higher priced vendor for the kit. I just thought he was putting reliability, safe battery, and good CS if something does go wrong high on his list. He can get all that for $1500. The Hobby king RC battery is cheap, but you are really on your own with that type of battery. I have a ton of that stuff, but got years of experience with ebikes before I would touch them.

Re location, we don't want your address, but at least tell us which continent. Use of mph makes me assume USA.

 

[dogman dan]

Ebay for the motor. I have no idea which vendor is best, or closest to you. Ignore all that ship from China if you are in the USA.

My search, 48v 1000w bike kit, turned up this guy on the top of the page. http://www.ebay.com/itm/26-Electric-Bicycle-Front-Wheel-Conversion-Kit-New-48V-1000W-E-Bike-Motor-Hub-/221691273393?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item339dd460b1

Cali battery here. http://california-ebike.com/product/48-volt-samsung-battery-pack-charger/ The 15 ah one.

Still under the budget, as long as the original controller lasts. Which could be years for you. Or not.

EM3ev batteries here. http://em3ev.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=35&product_id=132 Might cost about the same as Cali, shipped. He is in china, but you can definitely trust this vendor.

 

[wesnewell]

Yes, I went with a $35 72V controller after a couple of months so I could run higher voltages. But the stock controller is good to 63V tops (up to 15s rc lipo). And 12s works perfect on them.

 

[dogman dan]

I wasn't sure if your upgrade was because you wanted 72v, or if the controller had issues. Really cheap controllers I have had tend to last about a year, then start acting up. That's a year of riding then for sure, before he'd have any expectancy of needing a new controller. Not bad for 200 bucks!

 

[spinningmagnets]

I see most kits either top out at 20mph or 28mph. 20 is a bit slower than I would like to ride, and I don't quite need 28

Perhaps look for a kit where the vendor will sell you a wheel that is laced to a 24-inch rim? If you get the faster kit, the smaller rim might provide 25-MPH?

 

[beastcoast]

added location

 

[999zip999]

Screw the lipo battery thing. Just look up lipo fires on utube.
Get a plug and play battery and charger. EZ pezze.
Lipo you need a r/c charger, power supply, and to make a special wire harness. Taking apart battery to charger and or chargers cellog meter, lvc voltage alarms are all a must. Plus charging 4 batteries one at a time, then hooking and wiring them up again. So not a true quote of the price.
Wesenell please stop quoting this pie in the sky lipo quote. And the barbecue needed to charge and store lipo batteries.
Wesenell kit he talks is proven to work and a can't get any cheaper with free shipping.
Do you want to ride or have a battery hobby and give up your barbeque ?

 

[beastcoast]

I don't want a battery that fosters a risk of spontaneous combustion

 

[wesnewell]

Take your pick of one that has the features you want.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=48v+1000w+rear&rt=nc&LH_PrefLoc=1
Add a battery pack capable of a 30A output to it. Personally, all I will use is rc lipo. 10ah of 20C 12s with a 12s charger or bms will do what you want.

 

[dogman dan]

I don't hesitate a bit to recommend RC lipo to folks who have used it before in the hobby. But complete noobs can make poor choices unless they research lipo completely.

I haven't seen 4s packs as cheap as Wes got them lately, but they still pack a good bang for the buck. But you don't want to see them stored where they might burn a whole apartment block down.

Mostly though, it's just real nice to have a battery you can charge anywhere. No worries about charging at work, or in your garage. Good idea to think a bit about where you charge any battery. Don't put the charger on a pile of newspapers or the carpet, something fire resistant is good. A scrap of sheet rock, whatever won't burn like mad if the charger starts to spark.

ANY kind of battery can short and start a fire, so regardless of type, protect the wires, use good plugs, etc.

 

[beastcoast]

OK, I realize any type of battery can start a fire. But I'm looking for a battery with minimal risk, assuming I take the necessary precautions. When I ride the bike to work, I don't need it self-igniting and burning down the entire establishment.

How's this for a motor kit? http://www.amazon.com/48V1000W-Electric-Bicycle-Display-Conversion/dp/B00Q8JT9H2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1428424402&sr=8-2&keywords=48v+1000w+rear

 

[beastcoast]

Ok, will the above kit and one of these batteries help me achieve what I want? Which battery?

http://em3ev.com/store/index.php?route=product/category&path=35