Frame designed as ebike; where to find?

[pizark]

I'm tempted to buy a complete factory e-bike just because I want the frame.

I like the fact that there is already a spot behind the tube the seat-post runs through, in front of the rear wheel. I'd like to just buy the frame itself and not deal with paying for a weak motor & battery I'll never use anyways. Does anyone know where to find just a frame?

I saw a few on ebay (complete bikes) made by Kismo (Kysmo?) and greenewheels. Even some of the currie frames would work.

Anyways, any input would be appreciated.

 

[AussieJester]

I think it would workout cheaper to buy a gasless mig off ebay and make your own frame OR modify an existing non-electric bike frame. Theres a HEAP of online video tutorials showing you how to weld (its really not that difficult) I got a new mig off ebay not so long ago for under 300 bucks delivered. If you picked up some old frames cheap or FREE (which is very doable in this day) you could quite easily chop a few up to make one that suited your needs and be ALOT better off financially PLUS have another handy tool in your garage for use on other things in the future... My two cents...best of luck either way matey

 

[vanilla ice]

Selling off the offensive bits would not make up the difference? Hrms, maybe not. Even if I had a welding machine I'd rather start from an already made for me frame!

 

[Zoot Katz]

Maybe place an advertisement locally offering to buy non-functioning e-bikes.
I'd think that there are plenty of them sitting around after their owners got a quote for the repairs or attempted it themselves and are now selling basket cases.

 

[wasp]

if your in canada you can pickup the schwinn izip from canadian tire
when they go on sale you can pickup a working ebike for 350...jmo

 

[dogman dan]

Some of the factory frames for ebikes are longer than normal, meaning it can't be put on most bus bike racks. If that matters to you. It can get more important as soon as you break down.

 

[Kurt]

I don't see the point if you just want the space behind the seat for a battery. Its not much room for anything more than 24v 10ah of battery that usually comes with this kind of factory ebike so you will end up putting your battery's in another spot anyhow.Not to mention the gear train and brake components are usually very cheep and nasty.

I do see a need for a different style of frame when it comes to ebikes and the main concern is battery storage .

Kurt.

 

[Gregory]

I agree with zoot katz, there must be heaps of barely used, dead SLA battery bikes out there just waiting to be upgraded.
Advertise, ask around at LBS, council verge collections, classifieds etc

 

[marty]

http://www.iloveebikes.com

 

[GTA1]

What would be good is if I can find a builder / or a custom built frame for a e-bike that is engineered from the ground up to be a powered vehicle frame.

That is to say, designed by a decent motorcycle frame engineer that from the word go, allow the frame / wheel / suspension / brakes to handle a maximum of 2kw plus pedal power max.

The frame will need a really good suspension system with forks and shock(s) that have low striction, tires that are "all weather" grade that ideally, are DOT approved tires.

Dry weight (before batteries) of perhaps 100lbs, which means good quality hydroformed and welded aluminum alloy frame, light motorcycle grade disk brakes included.

Loaded weight of say, 350lbs max, allowing for between 50 to 100lbs in batteries and other gear, and a modest weight rider.

The real fun is how to engineer such a frame to handle both front and rear or either motor driven.... that is hard to do.

 

[dogman dan]

Look for Hal in the ebike photos section. He designed a great frame, and built a bunch of em, that sold faster than the newest Iphones. Maybe he will build some more?

 

[TylerDurden]

You can try CL via advanced google search:

"Results 1 - 100 of about 1,370 from craigslist.org for "electric bike" "

Check in your area for any that have crippled batteries.

 

[lcyn]

Here are some nice frames for sale on Endless Sphere


http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=10748

 

[GTA1]

Thanks to everyone who responded to my post.