Cost Comparison: Electric Bike Kit Build vs Turnkey EBikes

[bowriver]

For $70 more than the yes kit I can get the MAC 10T. It comes with the throttle I want, and a good controller and rim. If I shell out a bit more dough now it could mean that I don't have to upgrade/replace the kit for a couple years. Now I am searching for an affordable 48V 10Ah LiFePO4, and is has proven very difficult. I am considering the HKpower one on eBay. As with most things, there are proponents and opposition to this supplier. But the facts are that there are many people who are happy with them, and only a few who have bad experiences. It may be somewhat of a gamble, but I have yet to find a better 48V 10Ah LiFePO4 shipped to Canada for under $300 USD.

 

[wesnewell]

I must have missed him wanting to climb mountains. I certainly don't have any experience with that. But since I do weigh considerably more than the average rider and there are lots of short hills where I live between 2 lakes, I do know something about that. I started with a 500W motor rated at 380rpm and it just wouldn't cut the mustard on the hills for me. Bogged down way too much with a 30A controller. Worked considerably better after shunt mod to 45A, but still lacked the speed I wanted on the flats. I would only do about 25mph. The 470rpm 1000W motor is a good all around choice.

 

[dogman dan]

Well, if you take any of it to Banff, you'll fry it. I was about 8 years old when I saw Banff, and I was quite impressed.

In town, you can very likely still ride ok on whatever you can find that's cheap, and still does 1000w.

Still recommending the slowest rpm dd from EM3ev. But I'm the weird outcast here on this forum, liking a slow motor, and even horrors, riding less than 20 mph. I do have mountains. I can do a 7 mile ride from my driveway, and be 2000' higher. It's a puny mountain, 8% max grade. But climbing it tells you what 3 miles continuous does to motors, particularly on a day that the weather is 110F.

On to the battery. You wont find an affordable 10 ah lifepo4 that will put out 30 amps. But a 15 ah lifepo4 will be enough for a 20-25 amps controller.

What you want will cost more than you have. Period. You might look into lico, which I nearly never recommend to newbs. But it's cheap, and 10 ah will run a 40 amps controller.

The battery is still the bitch that kills us. Either we have one we abuse, one that's more dangerous, or one that we pay too much for.

 

[bowriver]

I just won this eBay auction: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/281204490039?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 $260 shipped to Canada is a good deal. Its a 2C LiFePo4 so it will give a max of 20A. I haven't purchased the rear wheel kit yet, but I still think the MAC 10T is my best option. I understand that it wont take me up extreme climbs in Banff, but that is not the main focus of this build. I want a good all-round bike that can get groceries, go to school/work, visit my friends, and occasionally take to Banff for moderately steep trail rides. I think this is a good match for my needs and budget. I want to thank everyone who has posted here, you have been very helpful and informative. I will post pictures and details of my build and will give feedback on quality of the kit and battery.

 

[dogman dan]

Better get a small controller then. That battery will struggle to provide 15 amps. If you are lucky, you will get 7 ah of real world capacity. No 30 amps controller for you now.

They have a pretty sketchy reputation. But, as soon as you can scrape up the cash, you can parallel connect a second similar size battery.

Pedal like hell up the hills, you need to keep that thing below 10 amps discharge.

Still a good choice on the kit, lot of happy people getting up steeper hills on the 10t mac. It should do you fine, and later on you can get a real battery for it.

 

[bowriver]

I got the 25A controller, smallest size at EM3ev. I will use a seatpost rack with foam lined lockable metal tool box for the battery case. I will need to carry groceries up front on a handlebar basket for weight distribution. Overall I think I have a good kit and battery for the price. I will need to upgrade the battery later, but hopefully I can get a year of use before I need/want to upgrade.

 

[bowriver]

I need help with my final decision. Now that I know which battery I am using ( I bought from eBay a Vpower 48V 10Ah LiFePo4 with 15A continuous 20A max discharge) I need help with final kit purchase. I tried to place an order with EM3ev, but they are very slow in responding to questions 3+ days, so I am reevaluating my choice. All prices below include shipping to my door.

BMS Battery Kit $311.00 shipped by FedEx http://www.bmsbattery.com/ebike-kits/529-q11-48v1kw-front-driving-hub-motor-e-bike-conversion-kit.html

EM3ev Mac10T kit $437.00 Slow sea shipping http://em3ev.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=36&product_id=55

BikeBerry / Yescomusa kit $390.00 Shipped from USA http://www.bikeberry.com/brushless-electric-bicycle-motor-48v-1000w-rear-wheel-6-gear-hub.html

GoldenMotor Pro 901 kit $350.00 Shipped from Canada http://www.goldenmotor.ca/products/26-Inch-Rear-PRO-901-Conversion-Kit.html

Please vote for what you think is the best choice. Thanks again for all your help.

 

[cal3thousand]

Don't base your ebike decision on a couple days lag since this bike will be with you for longer than that.

In my opionion, the Mac kit is the best value and quality. The Golden motor is a nice quality setup as well, but I HATE the look of the motor. And the MAC outperforms it.

 

[bowriver]

Thanks, cal3thousand.

The look of the Pro901 is not an issue for me. I I bought a steel frame hardtail mountain bike (Iron Horse) because some of the ES members said my aluminum frame bike would not be strong enough.