do i need a torque arm on my kona stinky?

[mikhogl]

The bike looks strong but what about this area? Is it going to break if i put a rear motor with 1000-1500w

 

[MadRhino]

Yep, any alu frame need steel dropouts or torque arm. The Stinky is good for that because it has bolted on dropouts, the real job is to make steel dropouts to replace them.

 

[dogman dan]

Agree. Only on steel will I run without a torque arm or similar device. And even then only for 1000w or less.

Good choice though, looks perfect for fabricating something.

 

[biohazardman]

Lets put it another way. Do you want to gamble with your life and physical well being? A torque arm is cheap insurance that the cataclysmic life changing incident that could happen, won't. Torque arms and brake switches that cut the motor power are required safety equipment for many of us. Save your body and you bike for under $30 quite a good deal if you ask me.

 

[mikhogl]

okok. thanks for your anserws. Ill make steel dropouts, it is going to add some weight but thats ok. About the brake switches? can i use them with my hydraulic brakes. I have hayes brakes on my bike. where can i buy the handels with brakeswitches?

best regards

 

[dogman dan]

You'd have to add your own switches to the handles in that case. Maybe just substitute an easy to get at kill switch?

 

[MadRhino]

Magura makes an in-line switch for Bionix It is easily adaptable to any hydro brake, and you can change the switch connector to match your controller.

http://www.ebike-easy.com/products/Bicycle-Parts/BionX-Press-Switch-for-Magura-brakes.html

 

[thewmatusmoloki]

I bought one of those inline magura pressure brake switches, took it down to a LBS guy that does lots of hydraulic brakes to get it fitted.

I couldn't get it fitted to my hayes stroker's because they use brake fluid and the seal's on the switches are only good for magura blood or mineral oil apparently.

One would need magura or shimano brakes to use the magura pressure switch. Not sure about the other brand brakes.

 

[Wolfy]

Check out Tektro they sell hydraulic brake compnonents for e-bike :wink:

http://www.tektro.com/_english/01_products/00_prolist.php

 

[jimw1960]

I don't think anyone is telling you that you need to make steel dropouts. I think the point is that you need EITHER steel dropouts OR torque arms. Lots of folks run motors on aluminum dropouts with torque arms. And, as aluminum dropouts to, those ones on the stinky look pretty beefy. As for brake switches, I don't use them, but I have a key switch in easy reach.

 

[Wolfy]

A panic button on the handlebars maybe right at the thumb when hand is on the brake.
Thinking a switch might take split second too long?????

 

[Ypedal]

depends on how you get that 1000~1500w imo.... at 48v 20 amps.. i would not bother... but if you have a 40 amp + controller.. then yeah.. torque arms a good idea .