First time conversion with a bike friday(q100h)

[Securityguy]

I currently have a bike Friday diamond llama that I want to convert. Current setup:

53 front 15 rear with a rohloff

I was looking at the q100h at 36v to keep the weight low. Mainly want help up a few steep hills around me. I think the steepest is 6-8 percent for about a mile. I can get up it currently but it’s a slog. For the 20 inch wheel size Bms recommends the high rpm which is around 300. Anyone have any opinions on this? Also any suggestions on the controller? I weigh about 190 pounds and the bike is at 32 pounds.

 

[dogman dan]

Front hub of course, with the IGH in back. It will work, but the smallest motors will still struggle some on the steeper hills, resulting in less efficiency, which translates into less range, and hotter motor at the top. But in 20" wheel, and your weight, it will work. It won't melt the motor.

You might consider just going to a larger geared hub motor, the 2 pounds more weight will mean it turns more of the same 36v into motion on the hills, so its more efficient on that long hill, as well as heating up less due to better efficiency. You get a lot for the extra 2 or 3 pounds of motor weight, that weight is mostly more copper winding, which means better hill performance, and longer range in the end.

If you wear out your chains fast pedaling so hard all the time, then you need only the smallest motor. Its always my assumption I'm talking to normal people, who pedal up about 100w, and don't stretch their chains in a season.

 

[Securityguy]

Front hub of course, with the IGH in back. It will work, but the smallest motors will still struggle some on the steeper hills, resulting in less efficiency, which translates into less range, and hotter motor at the top. But in 20" wheel, and your weight, it will work. It won't melt the motor.

You might consider just going to a larger geared hub motor, the 2 pounds more weight will mean it turns more of the same 36v into motion on the hills, so its more efficient on that long hill, as well as heating up less due to better efficiency. You get a lot for the extra 2 or 3 pounds of motor weight, that weight is mostly more copper winding, which means better hill performance, and longer range in the end.

If you wear out your chains fast pedaling so hard all the time, then you need only the smallest motor. Its always my assumption I'm talking to normal people, who pedal up about 100w, and don't stretch their chains in a season.

Thanks. What would be the next size up for front motor you would recommend?

As for the rpm is the 260 recommended also? Seems like a good balance.

 

[docw009]

I use the Q100H 260 rpm as rear drive on two 20" folders and front drive on a 20" minivello. If you want to ensure power, the Q128H is the next size up. I weighed in the Q100H's at 4.8 pounds bare. I have a Q128, but didn't weigh it. Seven pounds is probably right, as it weighs 8.0 pounds in a 26" rim (no tire).

If you buy from BMSbattery, I saw a picture of their 20" wheel with motor. They used a radial (no cross) lacing pattern. I laced my own. Single cross, all spoke ends facing out. Mine are better. I like KT controllers. I use a 20A sine wave model, but with a Q128, the 22A and 25A models would be good, along with an LCD3 controller. Electronics should be under $100.

I'm not too worried about a 250W motor on the alloy forks on my minivello. I have double torque arms. I've marked the axle nuts. They haven't moved in 500 miles of riding. We have no hills. Causeway bridges in Florida are the steepest inclines we ride, and there we worry more about winds or cars blowing us over the railing.

Most people don't ride folders very fast. Neither do we. About 15 mph, and we use less than 10 WH/mile. A 36V10AH pack is an effective 300-330 WH. I've mounted a bottle battery on mine, across the hinge. My wife's bike uses a battery in the bag on the rack.

 

[Securityguy]

I use the Q100H 260 rpm as rear drive on two 20" folders and front drive on a 20" minivello. If you want to ensure power, the Q128H is the next size up. I weighed in the Q100H's at 4.8 pounds bare. I have a Q128, but didn't weigh it. Seven pounds is probably right, as it weighs 8.0 pounds in a 26" rim (no tire).

If you buy from BMSbattery, I saw a picture of their 20" wheel with motor. They used a radial (no cross) lacing pattern. I laced my own. Single cross, all spoke ends facing out. Mine are better. I like KT controllers. I use a 20A sine wave model, but with a Q128, the 22A and 25A models would be good, along with an LCD3 controller. Electronics should be under $100.

I'm not too worried about a 250W motor on the alloy forks on my minivello. I have double torque arms. I've marked the axle nuts. They haven't moved in 500 miles of riding. We have no hills. Causeway bridges in Florida are the steepest inclines we ride, and there we worry more about winds or cars blowing us over the railing.

Most people don't ride folders very fast. Neither do we. About 15 mph, and we use less than 10 WH/mile. A 36V10AH pack is an effective 300-330 WH. I've mounted a bottle battery on mine, across the hinge. My wife's bike uses a battery in the bag on the rack.

P1160692.jpg

Thanks. I am stuck with a front hub so will probably go with the q100h for now. Looking at bms I can get a bottle battery with integrated controller. Looks like the s06s would be the better choice correct? Also I am having a hard time finding the weights of the batteries on bms. What does yours weigh?

 

[docw009]

This one is from Unit Pack Power, 30 cells, 10S-3P 36V 10.5AH and my scale says 3.6 pounds. . THey make a 20 cell version that's only 6AH, and is shorter.


Q100H

 

[dogman dan]

Stick with the lower power motor, 350w, if you will use a very small battery. The larger 500w rated motors will typically come with 20 amps controllers, that need more like a 10-15 ah battery. Which will cost more, and weigh more.

I just assumed you were planning on a battery of 10 ah or larger, when I suggested the larger motors.