So here is the situation...
My wife and I are at different fitness levels. As a way to give both of us a workout I am looking to convert my Giant mountain bike to an e-bike and I will ride with her on my road bike. The idea is for her to get in a workout as well so no need to go 1000w. I figure that a 250-350w on level one will give her a reason to pedal and make it tough for me to keep up on the road bike. On the days we are not biking together I plan on finding reasons for myself to ride the e-bike.
Based on my research so far this is a good thing because 250-350w front hub motors are simplest to install and have been mass produced to the point that they are cost effective for what you get. Good thing because my wife is hesitant to spend any large chunk of the family budget on this project.
Now the quest is to find a quality kit at the best price. Looked at a few US based companies (the country I am in) and Ebay. i.e Luna Cycle's least expensive option is $950 shipped and Ebay's best is $750 shipped. So far the best source might be BMSBattery.com.
The BMSbattery.com price is $490 shipped after you upgrade to the LCD3 display. I chose 260rpm (instead of the 201 or 328 rpm) figuring it was the middle ground and remembering that this e-bike was supposed to pace a human powered road bike. But... there are a few sticking points (which is why I am hoping for the help of you enlightened folk of this website).
Here is one BMSbattery option as copied from there website:
Q100 250W-350W Front Driving V-Brake, Rim Brake, Disc Brake compatible Motor E-Bike Whole Kit with LED meter or LCD display Packing List:
1. A optional 16"~28" whole wheel. Assembled a double wall aluminum rim with 36pcs stainless steel spokes and brass nipples.
2. A pair of Brake Grip.
3. A PAS---Padel Pulse Assist Sensor.
4. A integrated S06P controller.
5. A new kind of bottle 36V10Ah Li_Ion battery pack.
6. A twist grid throttle or a Half Twist Throttle or a Thumb Level Throttle.you can leave a message about your choice , or we will send one of them randomly .
7. A LED meter or LCD display.
8. A speed sensor.
9. A Q100 front-driving motor.
Q100 250W-350W Front Driving Disc Brake, V-brake and rim brake compatible Motor E-Bike Kit Specification:
1. Voltage: 36V.
2. Brake type: For disc brake or rim brake
3. Connector: Sensorless Waterproof or Hall sensor and sensorless compatible or hall sensor waterproof plug.
4. A speed sensor inside the motor.
For $30 more you can get the Bafang 250w QSWXK5 or the Bafang 250w SWXU.
Unfortunately (as one might expect from a country an ocean away and with a language barrier) they have not responded to my email queries on upgrading the controller from the included square wave to a sine controller (S06S) for $6 more. I tried using Google translate English to Chinese hoping to make it easier for them to read but still didn't receive a response. That alone shouldn't be a deal killer for me, right?
The last question in my mind from bmsbattery.com's options is would I go for a Bafang motor. If so, which one (QSWXK5 or SWXU)
This is just my research. I am totally open to a different setup and source. Any suggestions?
My wife and I are at different fitness levels. As a way to give both of us a workout I am looking to convert my Giant mountain bike to an e-bike and I will ride with her on my road bike. The idea is for her to get in a workout as well so no need to go 1000w. I figure that a 250-350w on level one will give her a reason to pedal and make it tough for me to keep up on the road bike. On the days we are not biking together I plan on finding reasons for myself to ride the e-bike.
Based on my research so far this is a good thing because 250-350w front hub motors are simplest to install and have been mass produced to the point that they are cost effective for what you get. Good thing because my wife is hesitant to spend any large chunk of the family budget on this project.
Now the quest is to find a quality kit at the best price. Looked at a few US based companies (the country I am in) and Ebay. i.e Luna Cycle's least expensive option is $950 shipped and Ebay's best is $750 shipped. So far the best source might be BMSBattery.com.
The BMSbattery.com price is $490 shipped after you upgrade to the LCD3 display. I chose 260rpm (instead of the 201 or 328 rpm) figuring it was the middle ground and remembering that this e-bike was supposed to pace a human powered road bike. But... there are a few sticking points (which is why I am hoping for the help of you enlightened folk of this website).
Here is one BMSbattery option as copied from there website:
Q100 250W-350W Front Driving V-Brake, Rim Brake, Disc Brake compatible Motor E-Bike Whole Kit with LED meter or LCD display Packing List:
1. A optional 16"~28" whole wheel. Assembled a double wall aluminum rim with 36pcs stainless steel spokes and brass nipples.
2. A pair of Brake Grip.
3. A PAS---Padel Pulse Assist Sensor.
4. A integrated S06P controller.
5. A new kind of bottle 36V10Ah Li_Ion battery pack.
6. A twist grid throttle or a Half Twist Throttle or a Thumb Level Throttle.you can leave a message about your choice , or we will send one of them randomly .
7. A LED meter or LCD display.
8. A speed sensor.
9. A Q100 front-driving motor.
Q100 250W-350W Front Driving Disc Brake, V-brake and rim brake compatible Motor E-Bike Kit Specification:
1. Voltage: 36V.
2. Brake type: For disc brake or rim brake
3. Connector: Sensorless Waterproof or Hall sensor and sensorless compatible or hall sensor waterproof plug.
4. A speed sensor inside the motor.
For $30 more you can get the Bafang 250w QSWXK5 or the Bafang 250w SWXU.
Unfortunately (as one might expect from a country an ocean away and with a language barrier) they have not responded to my email queries on upgrading the controller from the included square wave to a sine controller (S06S) for $6 more. I tried using Google translate English to Chinese hoping to make it easier for them to read but still didn't receive a response. That alone shouldn't be a deal killer for me, right?
The last question in my mind from bmsbattery.com's options is would I go for a Bafang motor. If so, which one (QSWXK5 or SWXU)
This is just my research. I am totally open to a different setup and source. Any suggestions?