Fat Bike High Power Motor options (3000W+)

[jonpad01]

Hey guys, I've been looking for a motor to put on a fat bike frame with 190mm rear dropout.

It seems that NBPower sells one on AliExpress, they replied to my email claiming the 5000w motor is 50H, can produce 120nm of torque, and the 3T version has a kv of 11.9, 4T version has a kv of 10.5, and they also sell a 5T. There is also a 3000w model that is 45H. These motors can use a 7 speed freewheel. The seller did claim that these are not QS motors, so I have no idea if they are worth the asking price, which is more than a QS motor on AliExpress if you don't count the shipping.

Has anyone tried one of these? Do you guys know who else is selling 3000w+ fat bike motors that can use a 7 speed freewheel, or cassette?

 

[Bullfrog]

I sent NBPower messages repeatedly asking who produces their motors and I could never get an answer. For that reason, I ended up going with a Leaf motor with a 35mm stator. It is probably some little mom and pop shop in China...that could or could not have decent quality, I couldn't find the answer.

If I ever want to run more power, I am seriously considering a Crystalyte H55100 motor. There is also a "UFO" series that is slightly different and uses the same stator...I think. The Crystalyte motors come in the current Stealth ebikes. IMO the QS205 is the most capable and best quality motor available if you are going to push the power limits on a bicycle. Make sure you improve your brakes along with the motor...I'd recommend hydraulic disc brakes and 203mm rotors as a bare minimum. Check you fork because it may have a maximum 180mm rotor...in that case I run a 180mm rotor up front and a 203mm in the rear.

 

[tdiggs]

Any reason you couldn’t go with a mid-drive kit? CYC X1 Pro Gen 4 advertises up to 250 Nm and 5,000 W. They can handle up to 120mm wide bottom brackets.

 

[E-HP]

Do you guys know who else is selling 3000w+ fat bike motors that can use a 7 speed freewheel, or cassette?

Only 2kW, but with some Statorade you could run three times that or more, while saving some weight.

26 inch 60V 2000W rear hub motor - Beach Snow Fat Tire bike conversion kit

Convert your 26 inch original beach bike to snow electric bike with leaf 26 inch 60V 2000W rear hub motor fat tire bike conversion kit.

www.leafbike.com

 

[jonpad01]

Any reason you couldn’t go with a mid-drive kit? CYC X1 Pro Gen 4 advertises up to 250 Nm and 5,000 W. They can handle up to 120mm wide bottom brackets.

This is wicked! Though it's pretty expensive.

Only 2kW, but with some Statorade you could run three times that or more, while saving some weight.

26 inch 60V 2000W rear hub motor - Beach Snow Fat Tire bike conversion kit

Convert your 26 inch original beach bike to snow electric bike with leaf 26 inch 60V 2000W rear hub motor fat tire bike conversion kit.

www.leafbike.com

I was looking at this one and it seems like a good option.


I did not realize that QS Motor sells the 205 with an option for 175mm dropout. I think I can put a 5 or 7 speed freewheel on it, though he claimed in the email that he has not heard of anyone doing that. I was able to put a 5 speed freewheel on the version with 150mm dropout using a round nut as a spacer. The axle on that side really isn't long enough though.

 

[NuclearDolomite]

Just purchased the 3000 watt NB power fat tire kit directly through Anne at NB power in China. They're able to insert a 190mm drop out when you purchase through them directly, rather than purchasing through Amazon that pulls off the shelf from their U.S. warehouse. Anne has made sure I get exactly what I want, giving me options for components that were not customizable on Amazon. Once we fine-tuned my order, she sent me a link to a paypal invoice that we paid; she has sent us picks and videos along the way for the last two days. I’ve attached a screenshot of her contact, although I recommend getting her WhatsApp address for seamless communication. Here’s a few things Ive learned to take into consideration throughout this process:

1.) You need to order through NB power directly to get wider 190mm axle
2.) That means $110 (30-day) or $185 (3-5-day) shipping on top of purchase. She gave me sixty bucks off battery and no sales tax, so it almost evens out.
3.) Their 80amp BMS battery for this kit comes ready to plug and play, priced similarly to other batteries at $630 “friend price” she said lol
4.) You’re able to choose the hardier waterproof controller connections with Anne that seem to be meant for tougher enduro kits rather than rinky dink plastic connections that look sloppy and cheap
5.) You need to opt for the double-layered wheel with holes in it if you’re going with 3000 watt kit. Regular no hole wheel isnt strong enough.

All together, a $1450 invoice got me a super clean kit with a sabvoton controller and an axle that fits my dolomite. She should he shipping it out tomorrow and has been great with comms the whole way. I highly recommend ordering through them directly. Great experience.

 

[E-HP]

3.) Their 80amp BMS battery for this kit comes ready to plug and play, priced similarly to other batteries at $630 “friend price” she said lol

Did she let you know what cells are used in their pack? Using the information they provide in their descriptions, the math doesn’t jive, so getting something in writing would be good to know what you should be getting.

 

[jonpad01]

Thanks for the info about the NBPowers motor, I did email some one and they were pretty straight forward, I asked if they were rebranding motors from QS Motor and he said no they were not. I'm not sure where they get thier motors from. In most of the photos there is only a single 12 gauge for each of the phase wires. QS Motors have dual 12 gauge wire for each of the phase wires.

I recieved my QS Motor with the axle that fits a 175mm dropout. My 5 speed freewheel fit on it but I had to fabricate a special spacer about 1/8" thick. So with a 5 speed freewheel it increases the dropout size to maybe 178mm. Since my frame is 190mm spacing, I decided to fabricate some torque arms out of a 1/4" A36 steel plate and use them as my spacers. That extra 12mm or so made it a perfect fit. I have to figure out how I am going to mount the rear brake caliper though.

 

[NuclearDolomite]

Thanks for the info about the NBPowers motor, I did email some one and they were pretty straight forward, I asked if they were rebranding motors from QS Motor and he said no they were not. I'm not sure where they get thier motors from. In most of the photos there is only a single 12 gauge for each of the phase wires. QS Motors have dual 12 gauge wire for each of the phase wires.

I recieved my QS Motor with the axle that fits a 175mm dropout. My 5 speed freewheel fit on it but I had to fabricate a special spacer about 1/8" thick. So with a 5 speed freewheel it increases the dropout size to maybe 178mm. Since my frame is 190mm spacing, I decided to fabricate some torque arms out of a 1/4" A36 steel plate and use them as my spacers. That extra 12mm or so made it a perfect fit. I have to figure out how I am going to mount the rear brake caliper though.

I’m trying to visualize of all this because i still can’t understand how you can make the axle wide enough to fit into 190mm drop outs, lol. Can you take a pic of how you accomplished this?

For your rear brake caliper, they make tubing bracket/adaptor brackets that mount on the rear tubing to attach brake calipers on bikes without the eyelets… (see pic) However, I get the feeling your axle situation/set-up might complicate that …

 

[NuclearDolomite]

Did she let you know what cells are used in their pack? Using the information they provide in their descriptions, the math doesn’t jive, so getting something in writing would be good to know what you should be getting.

Honestly, I really didn’t really get into all that with her for two or three reasons:

A). In researching affordable (non-premium) battery packs I have read nothing but good things about their 20ah 80amp bms continuous packs. I felt good about this proven combo of sabvoton 80amp controller and the 80amp continuous batteries NB power sells..

B.) My options were limited in that I could not justify the expense of a truly high quality 72v pack given the intended recreational use of this bike. One could easily spend $900 or more on a 72v pack comprised of premium cells, which I’m sure are worth every penny to those with a bigger budget.

C.) My limited low voltage knowledge prevents me from being able to appreciate the value of higher quality packs when confronted with the option to buy everything from the same vendor for a competitive price with intrinsic after sale support.

The math does not jive and i think its got something to do with the higher voltage requiring less amps to power the 3kw motor, or something, right? I thought the same thing too, that you would need at least a 40ah battery to power this 3000watt motor at 72v… I’m missing something though because the battery I purchased is great with this motor kit/controller.

 

[jonpad01]

I’m trying to visualize of all this because i still can’t understand how you can make the axle wide enough to fit into 190mm drop outs, lol. Can you take a pic of how you accomplished this?

For your rear brake caliper, they make tubing bracket/adaptor brackets that mount on the rear tubing to attach brake calipers on bikes without the eyelets… (see pic) However, I get the feeling your axle situation/set-up might complicate that …

 

[NuclearDolomite]

Very nice, @jonpad01

That’s what I would call a clean set-up that came from significant planning. I like your double torque arm situation and the fact you have so much meat left on the axle for extra goodies like foot rests n possibly even those disc brake brackets that seem to use an axle and frame tube for support. It might be worth seeing if you can slide one in there on the left side while still fitting the second left torque arm. I don’t know how much room you have to play with but it looks possible…

I have to ask… your dropouts dont look 190mm apart to me. I was imagining that you somehow extended the axle to fit a wider frame, but it looks like your dropouts must be closer together than 190mm since there is so much room left on the axle. I mean, not that it matters anymore since you have a solid fit and it looks great!

Mine ships out tomorrow and I’m stoked!

 

[MaxBicycleMax]

How did all of this go?