akrenits
10 mW
Hi ES,
Been lurking for a while and it's time for me to start my first build. I am planning on ordering parts this weekend, so any thoughts that save me time, money, and failure are greatly appreciated. I am new to all of this, so pointing out flaws and explaining alternatives would be great. I know most of you would caution me about going full suspension for my first build, however this is the only bike I own and I need it for next school year. I have questions for each part listed and also a few at the end. Thanks so much everyone! Looking forward to contributing to ES in the future.
Before we begin, I'm pretty well stuck on having a middrive, unless you really believe a hub will get me up long, near unclimbable steep slopes without overheating. Even so, please tell me where I have compatibility issues with my parts below:
About Me
- My Weight: 160lbs
- My Bike: 26" Full Suspension, GT XCR2000, Approx 25lbs
- First Year Mechanical Engineering Student
- Live in California, but not worried about legalities ("Off Road Use Only" is what we call it around here right?)
- Pretty good machining ability/access
Goals: Going to be using it as a commuter, as well as a steep incline off-roader
- Top Speed at least 35mph
- Mountain Climbing at least 5mph
- Range at least 15 miles on relatively flat ground, without pedaling
- Optional: Cruise Control
- Classicly, Cheap as possible!
- Not too worried about weight/bulk, I plan on building custom mounts for everything.
To my understanding, the most efficient way to achieve what is essentially a lightweight dirtbike is to go Mid-Drive and run it through a freewheel front crank to take advantage of the bike's own gearing. That would also not interfere with my suspension. Don't really like the Hub Motor shenanigans: seems a bit hard to service, less torque, my dropouts won't fit the power I'm looking for.
Before I list my current ideas for parts, please let me know if there are similar, cheaper, or otherwise preferable parts I should be aware of!
Proposed Parts
- Motor, Controller, Throttle, Cruise Control: http://www.cyclone-tw.com/order-motors.htm
- Motor: Non-Geared 840W-2000W without controller - $139
- The 840W refers to the continuous rating? 2000 for temporary maximum?
- What are the dimensions? Can't find them anywhere.
- Do I want a geared motor or nah?
- Non-geared means more reliable long term?
- Do the non-geared come with a freewheel? Can't tell. If not, will that make pedalling unassisted difficult?
- Controller: 36-72V 40A - $38
- Compatibility for any monitoring system in a future upgrade?
- Throttle: Half Hand, Keyed, with voltage display - $29
- Thoughts on the half-hand style? Comfortable? Will it interfere when mountain riding/climbing?
- The key will help avoid some turd wasting my battery when locked up, correct?
- The voltage readout will basically be my battery monitor correct?
- I think I would prefer the thumb throttle if there is potential for a cheap, easy auxiliary monitoring system, any suggestions that are compatible?
- Cruise Control
- Since I'll be changing gears often with the mid-drive setup, would it be helpful at all?
- Battery: https://bmsbattery.com/ebike-battery/663-high-c-rate-polymer-lifepo4-battery-heat-shrink-battery-pack-battery.html#/335-voltage_capacity-48v_10ah
- OR, 2 of these in series, giving me 72v: https://bmsbattery.com/ebike-battery/663-high-c-rate-polymer-lifepo4-battery-heat-shrink-battery-pack-battery.html#/7-voltage_capacity-36v_10ah
- Monitor System: CA is a bit out of budget, looking for the cheapest compatible option, if one exists? Desiring the essentials (Voltage, Amps, maybe AH used)
- Quick explanation of how to install your suggestion?
- Front Freewheel: http://www.sickbikeparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=178
- Is this strong enough to take 1.5kw during climbs or do I need this stronger one: http://www.sickbikeparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=62
- How big a freewheel should I use for the drive sprocket, or should I sacrifice one of the 3 existing front sprockets?
- Are there any complicated aspects of installing/modifying the front crank for this purpose?
- I'll need to get threaded cranks, correct?
- Chain: Regular old bike chain? or should I go with something beefy for the drive chain like #40? Obviously the regular bike chain must remain for the rear derailleur's sake.
Other Questions
- A regen system is impossible with my type of mid-drive set up? I know its not efficient, simply curious to save my rim brakes on long downhills.
- Are there any incompatibilities between my parts?
- What kind of connectors will I need? Especially to go from battery to controller? Most everything else will come with long enough, compatible cords right?
Thanks for reading and for your help everyone, trying to order parts this weekend, greatly appreciating all replies.
Been lurking for a while and it's time for me to start my first build. I am planning on ordering parts this weekend, so any thoughts that save me time, money, and failure are greatly appreciated. I am new to all of this, so pointing out flaws and explaining alternatives would be great. I know most of you would caution me about going full suspension for my first build, however this is the only bike I own and I need it for next school year. I have questions for each part listed and also a few at the end. Thanks so much everyone! Looking forward to contributing to ES in the future.
Before we begin, I'm pretty well stuck on having a middrive, unless you really believe a hub will get me up long, near unclimbable steep slopes without overheating. Even so, please tell me where I have compatibility issues with my parts below:
About Me
- My Weight: 160lbs
- My Bike: 26" Full Suspension, GT XCR2000, Approx 25lbs
- First Year Mechanical Engineering Student
- Live in California, but not worried about legalities ("Off Road Use Only" is what we call it around here right?)
- Pretty good machining ability/access
Goals: Going to be using it as a commuter, as well as a steep incline off-roader
- Top Speed at least 35mph
- Mountain Climbing at least 5mph
- Range at least 15 miles on relatively flat ground, without pedaling
- Optional: Cruise Control
- Classicly, Cheap as possible!
- Not too worried about weight/bulk, I plan on building custom mounts for everything.
To my understanding, the most efficient way to achieve what is essentially a lightweight dirtbike is to go Mid-Drive and run it through a freewheel front crank to take advantage of the bike's own gearing. That would also not interfere with my suspension. Don't really like the Hub Motor shenanigans: seems a bit hard to service, less torque, my dropouts won't fit the power I'm looking for.
Before I list my current ideas for parts, please let me know if there are similar, cheaper, or otherwise preferable parts I should be aware of!
Proposed Parts
- Motor, Controller, Throttle, Cruise Control: http://www.cyclone-tw.com/order-motors.htm
- Motor: Non-Geared 840W-2000W without controller - $139
- The 840W refers to the continuous rating? 2000 for temporary maximum?
- What are the dimensions? Can't find them anywhere.
- Do I want a geared motor or nah?
- Non-geared means more reliable long term?
- Do the non-geared come with a freewheel? Can't tell. If not, will that make pedalling unassisted difficult?
- Controller: 36-72V 40A - $38
- Compatibility for any monitoring system in a future upgrade?
- Throttle: Half Hand, Keyed, with voltage display - $29
- Thoughts on the half-hand style? Comfortable? Will it interfere when mountain riding/climbing?
- The key will help avoid some turd wasting my battery when locked up, correct?
- The voltage readout will basically be my battery monitor correct?
- I think I would prefer the thumb throttle if there is potential for a cheap, easy auxiliary monitoring system, any suggestions that are compatible?
- Cruise Control
- Since I'll be changing gears often with the mid-drive setup, would it be helpful at all?
- Battery: https://bmsbattery.com/ebike-battery/663-high-c-rate-polymer-lifepo4-battery-heat-shrink-battery-pack-battery.html#/335-voltage_capacity-48v_10ah
- OR, 2 of these in series, giving me 72v: https://bmsbattery.com/ebike-battery/663-high-c-rate-polymer-lifepo4-battery-heat-shrink-battery-pack-battery.html#/7-voltage_capacity-36v_10ah
- Monitor System: CA is a bit out of budget, looking for the cheapest compatible option, if one exists? Desiring the essentials (Voltage, Amps, maybe AH used)
- Quick explanation of how to install your suggestion?
- Front Freewheel: http://www.sickbikeparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=178
- Is this strong enough to take 1.5kw during climbs or do I need this stronger one: http://www.sickbikeparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=62
- How big a freewheel should I use for the drive sprocket, or should I sacrifice one of the 3 existing front sprockets?
- Are there any complicated aspects of installing/modifying the front crank for this purpose?
- I'll need to get threaded cranks, correct?
- Chain: Regular old bike chain? or should I go with something beefy for the drive chain like #40? Obviously the regular bike chain must remain for the rear derailleur's sake.
Other Questions
- A regen system is impossible with my type of mid-drive set up? I know its not efficient, simply curious to save my rim brakes on long downhills.
- Are there any incompatibilities between my parts?
- What kind of connectors will I need? Especially to go from battery to controller? Most everything else will come with long enough, compatible cords right?
Thanks for reading and for your help everyone, trying to order parts this weekend, greatly appreciating all replies.