EBike Candidate

[MeanGene36542]

I've currently own a Prodeco Tech Phantom V3, 36v, 16Ah which has exceeded my expectations over the last 9 months and 3k+ miles. Now of course I want more. I'm not interested in "hot rodding," but I'd like the ability to do occasional spurts into the mid/upper 20's and most importantly I'd like the capability of 50 mile range @ 20MPH avg give or take. I've looked on the used market locally for: 26 or 700 rims, front susp/hard tail, 48t or larger chain ring (I like to pedal too), disc brakes. I haven't had any luck so I'm now considering a new Treck DS 8.3 with all of these features. Any comments?

I'm also looking at a Grim kit with 9C DD motor (I'm in flatland along the Gulf Coast), 25 amp controller, V3 CA, etc. I'd like to have PAS... but I think I'll keep that option open for the future. I'm not ready to drill into the BB at this point! As far as batteries go I'm looking at EM3ev for the largest pack I can fit within the triangle frame. Any comments or suggestions... keep it civil please

Thanks in advance- Gene

 

[wesnewell]

If you're going to build a new bike, then one of these ebay kits will fit your needs. But you'll need about 1KW battery pack for a 50 mile range.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/48V1000W-26-Rear-Wheel-Electric-Bicycle-LCD-Display-Motor-Kit-E-Bike-Conversion-/231366585509
I'd use 25ah of 12s rc lipo, but any 25ah 48V battery pack will get you 50 miles easy.

 

[dogman dan]

The new 9c at Grin cyclery is a nice looking motor for sure. Takes a 9 speed cassette now! You should easily have 30+ mph with a 48v battery and the 6x10 winding.

Wes has is just about right on how big a battery you need. 1000 watt hours would be the minimum, that's 48v 20 ah. But I think to really have 50 mile range at 20 mph you kind of need 25 ah. Or you need to be a hell of a pedaler If it's totally flat where you ride, 1000wh might be enough. Where I live, I need more like 1250 wh. To make 50 miles on 1000wh, you have to hit 20 watt hours per mile. So once you have a battery, you can decide by your wh/mi how big your second battery will have to be for the 50 mile day.

Get the biggest EM3ev triangle battery you can fit, then look to carry the rest in a bag on a rear rack on those very long rides. No real need to have all 25 ah in one battery. So you could do 48v 12ah or more in the triangle, giving you plenty of range for many rides, and some speed. The second pack you use less could be anything, another 48v EM3ev square pack, some cheap lifepo4, some cheap lipo, whatever. The second pack could even be 36v, since you won't need more than 20 mph on those longer rides.

Put it all on a good solid bike you like, and if it has a 42 tooth crank, just change it to a 48.

 

[wesnewell]

Assuming your model has the 500W motor, increasing the battery to 48V on your Prodeco should increase your top speed at least 5 mph without putting too much stress on the motor.

 

[dogman dan]

True. I know nothing about their (prodeco) controller, but slap a 48v 40 amps controller on that bike, add a big battery, and it will be clicking along real nice, and taking off from a stop sign great.

you can get self learning controllers now, that make the controller swap a breeze.

On the other hand, nothing wrong with the "I need another bike" concept either. :wink: The number of bikes I need is the number of bikes I have plus one. Especially if the new bike is a better quality frame, and much more comfortable to ride.

 

[MeanGene36542]

Upgrading my existing bike was actually my first thought. I tried to inquire with the manufacturer (Prodeco) who opted not to reply to my email. No surprise there, they have horrendous customer service. A dealer advised that all of my existing electrics, motor, battery, throttle, controller, wiring etc. were "36v" and incompatible. Obviously that is untrue, at least to some degree. In the end, its a pretty good bike as is and I'll keep it as a spare / friend loaner.

Keep the comments coming, I appreciate all! Any thoughts on the latest 9C motor vs. latest Cryst? They seem pretty much the same now... yes? I live in flatland... as in my biggest hill is a bridge over the ICW! Seems like DD is the best way to go?

 

[wesnewell]

Any of these 48V 1000W kits will more than meet your needs as far as speeds and power go. For a 50 mile range @ 20mph you will need a 25ah 48V battery pack.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/Sporting-Goods-/888/i.html?_from=R40|R40&_nkw=48v+1000w+rear&LH_PrefLoc=1
As for a bike, any with steel dropouts.

 

[MeanGene36542]

I've also considered simply adding additional Ah to my existing bike. Obviously this would not increase my max MPH, but it could give me avg speeds in the upper teens for 50 miles. It certainly would be the most cost effective and simplest way to go. I currently have 36v w/ 16Ah LiFEPO4 on a rear rack. Can I mix chemistries, e.g. add a frame mounted Li Ion 10S 6P, 29E cells, 36V, 16.5Ah? Can they be combined in parallel and/or used independently without issue?

 

[dogman dan]

Well, yeah, incompatible with prodeco or any shop touching it with a ten foot pole after you modify it. So sure, it can make good sense to leave that bike stock. Especially if you still have use for it as it is now.

We are ES, we modify stuff and void the warranty with no thought at all about it the day it arrives.

The prodeco motor can do 40 mph if you want that. 48v 40 amps, 2000w would get you very snappy riding to at least 30 mph, with very little risk of ever melting down the motor. You might need to upgrade the wires to the point where they enter the motor though.

But again, you could hardly go wrong with Grins new 9c motor, or their HS motor, and their best 36-72v controller. Pricy sure, but lots of room to try more power later.