I’ve been considering my next electric bike project for a long time now (I have a gohub now). I’ve been wanting a second electric bike thinking that maybe the wife and I can zip around together without one of us (usually me) being out of breath. For those that have or are thinking about another ebike project, you probably kind of know what I’m going through. Do I build a new bike to be (usually can choose only one of the following) faster, lighter, cooler looking or maybe with just longer range? Balancing performance with cost you can live with is tough but it’s also what makes the project fun. Take for example, deciding if you should find a kit that fits the bike or get a bike that fits the kit best.
For the longest time I thought the next project would be a Pheonix but I got to thinking 1) I already have a hub motor and 2) the Pheonix is really heavy. I have instead *just* ordered the Cyclone. Not too many people have messed with these kits. There was a guy on the old forum that installed it on a cruiser for his dad. He said it had torque that made it feel like a motor bike. I’m hoping for that experience too.
The main reason for choosing the Cyclone was because it would make for a light and fast bike. The motor (with built-in controller and planetary hub) weighs only 7 lbs (which ironically is same weight I hope to eventually loose on my diet)! I plan on using my Milwaukee electric batteries configured 28v @ 12 ah. This makes the complete kit with batteries just under 20 lbs! I’m expecting a top, no pedal speed of 30 mph with a range of 20 miles (at 15 ~ 20 mph).
I’m going to convert my wife’s old REI K2 Camino. It’s not going to be an easy conversion. There isn’t enough room by the bottom bracket and some cables are in the way but I think I’ve come up with a clever solution. I’m having a new 24â€￾ wheel built (the original wheels on the bike are 700c) which will provide the space to mount the motor. The hub is a 7 speed with roller brake. This actually solves the other two problems. Going with a smaller wheel means the v brake brackets are not in the right place so without a roller hub, I wouldn’t have a rear brake. The internal 7 speed hub gives me more flexibility in where I can route cables. This is the theory anyway. The new back wheel will be expensive but it will make it easy to convert a different (either lighter or cooler looking) bike if I want to. I guess I could have ordered a 7 speed cruiser from Target for less money than having a new wheel built but my experience with these big box store cruisers are that they are not built for speed. The level of components is much lower than a bike from the local bike shop.
My main concern is if I’ve missed something with planning and it just doesn’t work out. I’ve heard of complaints with the chain falling off on these kits. I’ve also heard that range is not as good as advertised because the motors are real power hogs. I’m hoping everything comes together in the next 4 weeks or so stay tuned…
For the longest time I thought the next project would be a Pheonix but I got to thinking 1) I already have a hub motor and 2) the Pheonix is really heavy. I have instead *just* ordered the Cyclone. Not too many people have messed with these kits. There was a guy on the old forum that installed it on a cruiser for his dad. He said it had torque that made it feel like a motor bike. I’m hoping for that experience too.
The main reason for choosing the Cyclone was because it would make for a light and fast bike. The motor (with built-in controller and planetary hub) weighs only 7 lbs (which ironically is same weight I hope to eventually loose on my diet)! I plan on using my Milwaukee electric batteries configured 28v @ 12 ah. This makes the complete kit with batteries just under 20 lbs! I’m expecting a top, no pedal speed of 30 mph with a range of 20 miles (at 15 ~ 20 mph).
I’m going to convert my wife’s old REI K2 Camino. It’s not going to be an easy conversion. There isn’t enough room by the bottom bracket and some cables are in the way but I think I’ve come up with a clever solution. I’m having a new 24â€￾ wheel built (the original wheels on the bike are 700c) which will provide the space to mount the motor. The hub is a 7 speed with roller brake. This actually solves the other two problems. Going with a smaller wheel means the v brake brackets are not in the right place so without a roller hub, I wouldn’t have a rear brake. The internal 7 speed hub gives me more flexibility in where I can route cables. This is the theory anyway. The new back wheel will be expensive but it will make it easy to convert a different (either lighter or cooler looking) bike if I want to. I guess I could have ordered a 7 speed cruiser from Target for less money than having a new wheel built but my experience with these big box store cruisers are that they are not built for speed. The level of components is much lower than a bike from the local bike shop.
My main concern is if I’ve missed something with planning and it just doesn’t work out. I’ve heard of complaints with the chain falling off on these kits. I’ve also heard that range is not as good as advertised because the motors are real power hogs. I’m hoping everything comes together in the next 4 weeks or so stay tuned…
