Help needed: first time build

[darbas]

Hey everyone,
I’m planning to build my first e-bike and could really use some advice. Here’s what I’m looking for:

Height: I’m 185 cm (6'1"), so I’ll need a frame that fits well. Any suggestions for used bikes or frames that would work?

Range & Speed Goals: I want to cover up to 120 km (75 miles) per charge and reach a speed of 60 km/h (37 mph).

Build Plan: I’m thinking of buying a frame or a used bike and then installing an electric conversion kit. Any tips on kits or motor types that would best suit these specs?

Gears: Would it be better to go for a single-gear setup or a multi-gear drivetrain for this kind of build?


I’d appreciate any recommendations on parts, kits, or general tips for getting started. Thanks in advance!

 

[darbas]

Hey everyone,
I’m planning to build my first e-bike and could really use some advice. Here’s what I’m looking for:

Height: I’m 185 cm (6'1"), so I’ll need a frame that fits well. Any suggestions for used bikes or frames that would work?

Range & Speed Goals: I want to cover up to 120 km (75 miles) per charge and reach a speed of 60 km/h (37 mph).

Build Plan: I’m thinking of buying a frame or a used bike and then installing an electric conversion kit. Any tips on kits or motor types that would best suit these specs?

Gears: Would it be better to go for a single-gear setup or a multi-gear drivetrain for this kind of build?


I’d appreciate any recommendations on parts, kits, or general tips for getting started. Thanks in advance!

 

[Diggs]

There is so much published in these forums and on YouTube that 90% of what your asking is already answered. Spend a few days going "down the rabbit hole" and you'll be better prepared.

 

[e-beach]

Look at some Giant Anthem 29er bikes for an idea of a tallish bike with a triangle big enough for the HUGE battery you are thinking about. The weight of the battery you are thinking about will be in the 50lb to 60lb range. That might mess with the suspension of the bike. Start thinking about a smaller battery and less range but carrying a battery charger with you.

 

[darbas]

Look at some Giant Anthem 29er bikes for an idea of a tallish bike with a triangle big enough for the HUGE battery you are thinking about. The weight of the battery you are thinking about will be in the 50lb to 60lb range. That might mess with the suspension of the bike. Start thinking about a smaller battery and less range but carrying a battery charger with you.

Thank you, good point, actually range is less important as it's mostly for 10-20 miles city rides.

 

[darbas]

There is so much published in these forums and on YouTube that 90% of what your asking is already answered. Spend a few days going "down the rabbit hole" and you'll be better prepared.

Yes I'm reading and exploring videos at same time. Won't mind to copy some easy and efficient builds with similar needs

 

[99t4]

This thread would be a good start. Have you read it yet?

DIY Newb FAQ?

I think I've read through all of the stickies in the ebike forums, which provide great guidance. Yet, I see a lot a new folks getting into ebikes and posting questions that are not in the stickies, or are embedded somewhere among the existing stickies. Another observation is there are...

endless-sphere.com

 

[Chalo]

My best guess (with help from the Kreuzotter power and speed calculator) is that you will need 2.3 kW at the rear wheel to hold 60 km/h on flat ground. To do it for 120 km would take more than 4.5 kWh worth of battery, which is probably more weight of battery than you would like to carry. However, if your average speed is much less than that, you can get away with less battery for the same range because you will use less power a lot of the time.

One of my bikes uses an automotive battery module that holds nominally 2.04 kWh and weighs 12 kg without a case. It's not the most energy dense pack available, but it's pretty good in that regard. The moral of the story is if you really want that kind of range and speed, you might be looking at a 30+ kg battery pack including some degree of external protection and secure mountings. And carrying it would result in a bike that isn't pleasant or perhaps even possible to pedal effectively.

When is the last time you went 120 km on a bike in one day? Most folks just aren't that into it.

I think you'd be much happier with a bike that goes as fast as you want, or relatively close to it, but with a smaller lighter battery and fast charging.

Another thing to note is that a bicycle is generally well-composed at 40 km/h, kind of harsh and jumpy at 50 km/h, and unruly at 60 km/h. The more you use suspension, heavy duty parts, sturdy wheels and tires, and powerful brakes to tame the bike at elevated speeds, the more you end up with a rickety little improvised motorcycle that isn't good as a bicycle or as a motorcycle either. After adding more weight and bulk, you'll need more power and battery to compensate.

I don't know what road conditions are like in Lithuania, but if you can depend on good smooth pavement, maybe you can use something more like a utility or cargo bike to meet your performance goals. But in Texas where I am, regular bicycles are pushed to their strength and stability limits to run at Class 3 e-bike speed (45 km/h) on public roads.

 

[hillslayer@]

37 mph and 75 mile range will be a 50 lb battery tough on a bike frame.

 

[darbas]

My best guess (with help from the Kreuzotter power and speed calculator) is that you will need 2.3 kW at the rear wheel to hold 60 km/h on flat ground. To do it for 120 km would take more than 4.5 kWh worth of battery, which is probably more weight of battery that you would like to carry. However, if your average speed is much less than that, you can get away with less battery for the same range because you will use less power a lot of the time.

One of my bikes uses an automotive battery module that holds nominally 2.04 kWh and weighs 12 kg without a case. It's not the most energy dense pack available, but it's pretty good in that regard. The moral of the story is if you really want that kind of range and speed, you might be looking at a 30+ kg battery pack including some degree of external protection and secure mountings. And carrying it would result in a bike that isn't pleasant or perhaps even possible to pedal effectively.

When is the last time you went 120 km on a bike in one day? Most folks just aren't that into it.

I think you'd be much happier with a bike that goes as fast as you want, or relatively close to it, but with a smaller lighter battery and fast charging.

Another thing to note is that a bicycle is generally well-composed at 40 km/h, kind of harsh and jumpy at 50 km/h, and unruly at 60 km/h. The more you use suspension, heavy duty parts, sturdy wheels and tires, and powerful brakes to tame the bike at elevated speeds, the more you end up with a rickety little improvised motorcycle that isn't good as a bicycle or as a motorcycle either. After adding more weight and bulk, you'll need more power and battery to compensate.

I don't know what road conditions are like in Lithuania, but if you can depend on good smooth pavement, maybe you can use something more like a utility or cargo bike to meet your performance goals. But in Texas where I am, regular bicycles are pushed to their strength and stability limits to run at Class 3 e-bike speed (45 km/h) on public roads.

Thanks a lot for great advices. Yes I think don't need that much range, I would be happy with half of that, and 50-55km should be enough. Really interesting stuff, it makes more and more questions and seems to be a challenge to build something cool thanks again, I'm a beginner student of building bike, so every advice is gold for me.

 

[darbas]

This thread would be a good start. Have you read it yet?

DIY Newb FAQ?

I think I've read through all of the stickies in the ebike forums, which provide great guidance. Yet, I see a lot a new folks getting into ebikes and posting questions that are not in the stickies, or are embedded somewhere among the existing stickies. Another observation is there are...

endless-sphere.com

Yes, thanks I've read it and will comeback at it later for sure

 

[99t4]

You might like to browse this thread to see if anyone's build interests you. Then you can imitate. Probably more valid (modern) examples closer to the end of the thread:

Your Creation's Before & After Pics

Post your wonder-bike's before and after pics. See if we can guess which is the before, and which is the after. :-) I'll go first. Who's ever the first to post indiscernible before and after photos wins the 1st annual "most stealth" contest... just have to figure out how'd we know if the...

endless-sphere.com

 

[darbas]

You might like to browse this thread to see if anyone's build interests you. Then you can imitate. Probably more valid (modern) examples closer to the end of the thread:

Your Creation's Before & After Pics

Post your wonder-bike's before and after pics. See if we can guess which is the before, and which is the after. :-) I'll go first. Who's ever the first to post indiscernible before and after photos wins the 1st annual "most stealth" contest... just have to figure out how'd we know if the...

endless-sphere.com

Thanks!!!