Ebay Ebike Kits

[Jordysport]

As above, was first considering a golden motor but its £800 for the 1000W 48V kit (Magic Pie) but the ones on ebay are £500 considerably cheaper is there anything to look out for or to avoid with these ebay sellers.. was looking at something like this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1000W-Hub-Motor-48V-10AH-Lithium-Ion-Electric-Bike-kit-/390254850493?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5add0071bd
would like to see 30mph and a range of about 10miles Thanks

 

[DAND214]

Yes it lloks like a golden hub.
But the numbers listed are out to lunch.

It says charger 52v too low and the voltage discharged to 32.5 which will kill the cells.

Poor information so can't tell if it's worth anything.

One other thing is that the seller has low sale numbers. NEW seller? Jewlery and watches? It's a sideline business not a ebike dealer.
Dan

 

[Jordysport]

Hmm ok well...is it best to fork out for the extra cash for the Magic Pie or there is this option:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/48V-10AH-Electric-Bicycle-bike-Lithium-Ion-Battery-/390256619453?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item5add1b6fbd

and

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Electric-bicycle-kit-48V-1000W-E-BIKE-RETROFIT-KITS-New-/170557520621?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27b6053aed

and what about performance as i would like 30Mph... thanks for your help

 

[Jordysport]

Also can the magic pie take a maximum of 48v or can they be used at higher voltages?, i know the timing can be advanced on series motors but i assume this can't be done on a PM motor?
thanks

 

[DAND214]

Not sure on the Pie, the problem is the controller is in the hub. There a bunch of good kits out there to chose from. You might look at ebikekit.com, there in the states but not sure who carries them there.
I have Golden hubs, Conhis, 9c, bMC and the problem with all of them at times is the controller. Since they are not in the hub it's much easier to repair.
I cannot condem the Magic Pie as don't have one. There are a bunch of posts on ES about them but I haven't taken the time to read them.
As for the battery, I wouldn't get anything less than a 15ah pack on a 1000w hub really a 20ah would be much better.
Dan

 

[jbond]

Look on the Goldenmotor forums and that may persuade you to look at other options. One of the biggest problems seems to be the wheel lacing. The big motor means the spoke-rim angle really stresses the spoke nipples. It's a shame Alien bikes won't mix and match kits because the GM wheel with an external controller and a 48v LiOn battery is quite attractive. They're version uses lead-acid batteries which you should avoid. Worth asking them again. As for the price, Alien are good to deal with and good on warranty which is going to be a pain on a no-name Hong Kong supplier. By the time you've paid tax and import duty one pound = one dollar is not far off.

High power means high price and lots of DIY. There's no real getting round that when most of the market in the EU is geared towards EU regulations. If you're really planning on >30mph, I hope you're base bicycle is up to it. With all the weight and the speed, I'd want to be careful the bicycle is up to it.

You might try asking on pedelecs.co.uk for a more local ("local"!) viewpoint.

As an aside, it's annoying the ebay suppliers and many of the industry suppliers are so bad at describing exactly what you're getting. If it's a Tongxin, Bafang, GoldenMotor motor, then why not say so and quote the exact model. If it's a Phylion battery again, why not say so.

 

[FMB42]

Look on the Goldenmotor forums and that may persuade you to look at other options. One of the biggest problems seems to be the wheel lacing. The big motor means the spoke-rim angle really stresses the spoke nipples.

Exactly jbond.

I purchased a GM DD kit from Yescom.com (very good Ebay seller btw). However, I've yet to install this kit because of the spoke angle issue. Some rim "work" will definitely be needed before I attempt to run this kit.

 

[Jordysport]

Firstly thanks guys for the advice and help, so:

1) spoke issues with hub motors, danger of wheel locking on Golden motors, and controller issues,

therefore what are peoples thoughts on a non hub motor obiously lots of people have done this such as this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1200-Watt-Electric-Bike-Kit-Motor-Ebike-Hub-Alternative-/270652576660?pt=UK_AudioElectronicsVideo_Video_TelevisionSetTopBoxes&hash=item3f04269394

and then my headway supplier can get a 48v 20ah pack with bms and charger for £400 or i could buy the block ones that are used in the kits, or make a custom A123 or headway system,, but then problems with bms, could anyone advisse/
thanks again.

 

[DAND214]

I have not used a Headway pack but ES sure likes them. 48v 20ah is a great pack. Price sounds very good also.
As for non hub kits I cannot say. Have not tried a non-hub setup. Some rave about them and some don't. The hub is easyest to setup but not the only way to go. Being first go at Ebikes I would go HUB setup. The front hub is the easyest to install but also the easiest to destroy if not installed properly.
I'm also with "jbond" on the strengh of the bike with higher power. Be careful on the bike you pick and be sure if you go with a front hub the fork is steel and you should use TOURQE arms.
I would get the Headway pack and look at http://www.e-bikekit.com/ kits. Don't know what shipping would be but it's a great hub motor. Also they are great on support. Maybe they can tell you where to get it at home.
Dan

 

[Jordysport]

I have not used a Headway pack but ES sure likes them. 48v 20ah is a great pack. Price sounds very good also.
As for non hub kits I cannot say. Have not tried a non-hub setup. Some rave about them and some don't. The hub is easyest to setup but not the only way to go. Being first go at Ebikes I would go HUB setup. The front hub is the easyest to install but also the easiest to destroy if not installed properly.
I'm also with "jbond" on the strengh of the bike with higher power. Be careful on the bike you pick and be sure if you go with a front hub the fork is steel and you should use TOURQE arms.
I would get the Headway pack and look at http://www.e-bikekit.com/ kits. Don't know what shipping would be but it's a great hub motor. Also they are great on support. Maybe they can tell you where to get it at home.
Dan

Well its a Saracen Awol Full suspension bike (mechanical front disc brake- hence no Front hub wheel conversion??) its about 7 years old in great condition (will get pics) looking at the kit on offer on ebay it looks like it just mounts to the bottom arm of the chassis, obiously some customisation may be needed but it looks a well engineered setup, only concern with it is the torque action but i can just put in a torque bar i suppose, and 60kph sounds terrifying just as i like it

I must admit the headway pack 48v 20ah with bms, case and charger all for $580 (china price) + delivery + import duty is pretty good, and its uneconomical to import from yankville i looked into it when starting my EV car project. so its pretty much what i can get here in europe.

Thanks
jordan

 

[jbond]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1200-Watt-Electric-Bike-Kit-Motor-Ebike-Hub-Alternative-/270652576660?pt=UK_AudioElectronicsVideo_Video_TelevisionSetTopBoxes&hash=item3f04269394

Well, well. A UK supplier of Cyclone kits. Suggest you do a search on ES for Cyclone and see what you think.

 

[Jordysport]

Tried searching but nothing similar came up.. have you a link??

 

[jbond]

Tried searching but nothing similar came up.. have you a link??

Err, just search for cyclone? http://endless-sphere.com/forums/search.php?keywords=cyclone

I have no experience, but I've heard, noisy, un-water-proofed, unreliable, mounting point damages frames. YMMV. There are also advantages and disadvantages to driving through the same chain and gear you're pedaling through.

 

[Jordysport]

hmm this sounds alot like catch 22, dammed if you do and dammed if you don't.

So a hub motor NOT made by Golden motor i am looking for... external controller, and the headway pack. sound about right? btw i am only 60kg so its not like i will need alot of power, but woulld like 30-40mph.

 

[neptronix]

looking for cheap stuff? check out what cell_man has for sale here on the forums.

eBay stuff is real questionable. Golden Motor stuff is already questionable.. potential big waste of $.

 

[Jordysport]

looking for cheap stuff? check out what cell_man has for sale here on the forums.

eBay stuff is real questionable. Golden Motor stuff is already questionable.. potential big waste of $.

Ok thanks, but the biggest problem is i am from England, so the import tax and VAT and delivery is extortionate (3.7%+(import duty) 20% VAT and delivery well about £150. so you can see how it adds up. which is why i am trying to source from the UK. will see if his stuff is financially viable. thanks

 

[Jeremy Harris]

I've bought a lot of stuff from China and the US (I'm in the UK too). Whether you get hit for VAT and duty is pot luck, so far I'd say that I've ended up getting charged for around 30% of the packages that have arrived. As an example, I bought a hub motor, controller and CA from Justin at ebikes.ca and ended up paying VAT, duty and a hefty handling charge, but then I bought the best part of £1000 worth of Headway cells direct from Headway and ended up paying no tax or duty, they just turned up at my door in a big crate. I've just bought some LiPo packs from HK, both shipments have come through without getting caught for charges.

The choice of shipping company seems significant. In my experience I always get hit with high charges from UPS and FedEx, but often get away without charges from EMS or USPS. I have a sneaking suspicion that both UPS and FedEx treat customs clearance as another way to make money, so will charge on pretty much anything so that they can 'earn' their handling fee. EMS and USPS are handled here in the UK by Royal Mail/Parcelforce, who don't have the same rip-off mentality that governs the other companies.

FWIW, I've rarely been charged import duty, even when VAT and a handling charged has been levied. My advice would be to ask the vendor to ship using EMS and then keep your fingers crossed that the package gets through without being randomly selected for charges...................

Jeremy

PS: VAT is still 17.5% at the moment, not 20%

 

[Jordysport]

I've bought a lot of stuff from China and the US (I'm in the UK too). Whether you get hit for VAT and duty is pot luck, so far I'd say that I've ended up getting charged for around 30% of the packages that have arrived. As an example, I bought a hub motor, controller and CA from Justin at ebikes.ca and ended up paying VAT, duty and a hefty handling charge, but then I bought the best part of £1000 worth of Headway cells direct from Headway and ended up paying no tax or duty, they just turned up at my door in a big crate. I've just bought some LiPo packs from HK, both shipments have come through without getting caught for charges.

The choice of shipping company seems significant. In my experience I always get hit with high charges from UPS and FedEx, but often get away without charges from EMS or USPS. I have a sneaking suspicion that both UPS and FedEx treat customs clearance as another way to make money, so will charge on pretty much anything so that they can 'earn' their handling fee. EMS and USPS are handled here in the UK by Royal Mail/Parcelforce, who don't have the same rip-off mentality that governs the other companies.

FWIW, I've rarely been charged import duty, even when VAT and a handling charged has been levied. My advice would be to ask the vendor to ship using EMS and then keep your fingers crossed that the package gets through without being randomly selected for charges...................

Jeremy

PS: VAT is still 17.5% at the moment, not 20%

Thats very good to know cheers!, was waiting to see if a brit noticed that lol, but when i am purchasing it will be 20%

just noticed cell_man is in china so its no different if it goes US or UK,

Cheers.

 

[DAND214]

I think the concern on Golden Motors is the PIE frt hub lock up.
Not the standard hubs.
As listed Cell_man has been a good source.
Dan

 

[kriskros]

consider a Puma [geared]motor...i get 40kph on a trike with only 36v 20amp battery... i think cell man has them... trike and me combined about 220lbs

 

[Spacey]

I have a spare Magic Pie Motor that is good for 24mph on 48v, only bad thing with them was the internal controller which is why I ordered two of them without internal controllers. Very good motors for torque and 23 to 24mph speeds, used with a decent controller like the Infineon controllers there is no issue with them.

Happy to sell one or both to you if you like. I've personally gone with 9C as I like to go faster than 30mph, but the Magic Pie did not cane my battery pack as hard lol.

Private mail me if you want one of them, I also build complete bikes to order.

looking for cheap stuff? check out what cell_man has for sale here on the forums.

eBay stuff is real questionable. Golden Motor stuff is already questionable.. potential big waste of $.

Ok thanks, but the biggest problem is i am from England, so the import tax and VAT and delivery is extortionate (3.7%+(import duty) 20% VAT and delivery well about £150. so you can see how it adds up. which is why i am trying to source from the UK. will see if his stuff is financially viable. thanks

 

[The Mighty Volt]

I've bought a lot of stuff from China and the US (I'm in the UK too). Whether you get hit for VAT and duty is pot luck, so far I'd say that I've ended up getting charged for around 30% of the packages that have arrived. As an example, I bought a hub motor, controller and CA from Justin at ebikes.ca and ended up paying VAT, duty and a hefty handling charge, but then I bought the best part of £1000 worth of Headway cells direct from Headway and ended up paying no tax or duty, they just turned up at my door in a big crate. I've just bought some LiPo packs from HK, both shipments have come through without getting caught for charges.

The choice of shipping company seems significant. In my experience I always get hit with high charges from UPS and FedEx, but often get away without charges from EMS or USPS. I have a sneaking suspicion that both UPS and FedEx treat customs clearance as another way to make money, so will charge on pretty much anything so that they can 'earn' their handling fee. EMS and USPS are handled here in the UK by Royal Mail/Parcelforce, who don't have the same rip-off mentality that governs the other companies.

FWIW, I've rarely been charged import duty, even when VAT and a handling charged has been levied. My advice would be to ask the vendor to ship using EMS and then keep your fingers crossed that the package gets through without being randomly selected for charges...................

Jeremy



PS: VAT is still 17.5% at the moment, not 20%

That very much reflects my experience. UPS is guaranteed loss as is DHL. USPS, EMS and Hobbyking seems to come through OK.

Not to mention my by now infamous run in with an entire Government Dept over a bloody $50 meanwell switcher.

 

[neptronix]

Not to mention my by now infamous run in with an entire Government Dept over a bloody $50 meanwell switcher.

... i gotta hear this story

 

[kmxtornado]

Yes it lloks like a golden hub.
But the numbers listed are out to lunch.

It says charger 52v too low and the voltage discharged to 32.5 which will kill the cells.

Poor information so can't tell if it's worth anything.

One other thing is that the seller has low sale numbers. NEW seller? Jewlery and watches? It's a sideline business not a ebike dealer.
Dan

I have that same concern about YescomUSA, but they seem to have tons of good reviews from you guys. Thoughts on that?

 

[auraslip]

My thoughts https://sites.google.com/site/shelbyelectro/ebike-components/kits/ebay-kits

Cell-man is the way to go. Ebay is a crapshoot