Choosing the bike

[Jim C]

Choosing the bike
I am not a stranger to motorized bikes, both gas and electric. I have built 3 two stroke gas bikes and a four stroke gas bike. I have built 2 of the old WE bikes on Schwinn's and owned an EGO cycle for several years. I just purchased a WE like motor to mount on my girlfriends Schwinn 3 wheeler only she has changed her mind and doesn't want it motorized. So I have to motorized something else and as I already have this nice 26 inch wheel motor I can't help but think "cruiser". I do not like the newer Chinese Schwinn's or any of the cheap Chinese cruisers because of the seat to handle bar ratio. I am looking for a bigger size bike maybe an old Schwinn or an Electra or Felt. I could and will do a handle bar change and could use a lean back seat post. Any suggestions?

 

[mlt34]

The Electra 8 is a great option as well as the townie. Surprisingly, a lot of department store cruisers are actually pretty good for ebike conversions because of the beefier steel dropouts (usually a result of not caring about weight savings rather than actually designing for higher strength) but regardless, it's an advantage for us ebike builders.

Is your motor a front or rear motor? that can help make the difference because a strong front motor needs a good strong fork otherwise you'll be in for some trouble with axle spinning. If it's a front, consider a nice torque arm from ebikes.ca or others.

 

[majornelson]

The Townie is a great bike to convert. 7 Speeds (which works well with most free wheel style electric bike hubs), cruiser style, easy drop in of a rear motor hub.

 

[DAND214]

Being a WE hub, it's a front hub. He also mentioned about a trike for his GF, so it's a frt hub.

Look for a good strong fork first then worry about the rest.

Is the hub brushed or brushless.

Dan

 

[majornelson]

Missed that. Good catch.,