Hi all, i'm a long time lurker, first time poster. I'm hoping for some suggestions on how to proceed with a build. I have a 2006 Kona Stab Supreme. Bought it used a few years ago and rode DH for a while. Tried to sell it for a year, but can't get any decent money for it. Stumbled across this site and was thinking of going electric with it. This will be my first build. I surfed around for other Kona Stab builds, but could only find Kona Stinky's. The Stab frame is a lot more restricted for batteries as compared to others, but the bike is build like a tank. Does anyone have any input on motor/controller/batteries to use for this bike? The bike itself is a heavy beast, approx 45 lbs and I am 210lbs. I will be using the bike for commuting (less than 10 km's) and general hooliganism. Budget of around $1000-$1500. Greyborg motor looks like it will suit this bike. Thanks in advance.
Kona Stab first time build
- Thread starter chucker
- Start date
dogman dan
1 PW
Well, the starting point on what to buy where questions is what continent are you on?
Greyborg for the first build sounds very fun, but you better have $$. The chances of you building a bike that throws the wheel across the garage and ruins the wheel, controller, and the frame is fairly high.
One anology I can think of, is trying to bust a stuck nut on a rusty old 4x4. The job needs visegrips. But your bike frame is the equivilant of trying to grab the nut with your bare hand and turn it. If anything happens, it's the hand that takes a beating.
A pretty good recomendation for a first bike no matter where in the world you live would be a basic Mac planetary gearmotor kit from Cellman. The 10t model will not be real fast, but it will climb some hills on the dirt nicely. 8t if you really plan on more street than dirt, or the hills are not steep. http://www.emissions-free.com/
If you really do have funds, then maybe go for the complete greyborg build, frame and motor. Then put your DH bike parts on the greyborg frame, and ebay off the bare frame.
Or at the very least, get a steel swingarm fabricated for your existing frame. A greyborg motor is no joke, It can easily destroy a bike frames dropouts.
Greyborg for the first build sounds very fun, but you better have $$. The chances of you building a bike that throws the wheel across the garage and ruins the wheel, controller, and the frame is fairly high.
One anology I can think of, is trying to bust a stuck nut on a rusty old 4x4. The job needs visegrips. But your bike frame is the equivilant of trying to grab the nut with your bare hand and turn it. If anything happens, it's the hand that takes a beating.
A pretty good recomendation for a first bike no matter where in the world you live would be a basic Mac planetary gearmotor kit from Cellman. The 10t model will not be real fast, but it will climb some hills on the dirt nicely. 8t if you really plan on more street than dirt, or the hills are not steep. http://www.emissions-free.com/
If you really do have funds, then maybe go for the complete greyborg build, frame and motor. Then put your DH bike parts on the greyborg frame, and ebay off the bare frame.
Or at the very least, get a steel swingarm fabricated for your existing frame. A greyborg motor is no joke, It can easily destroy a bike frames dropouts.
dogman dan
1 PW
Just looked at the kona stab
http://www.mtbr.com/cat/bikes/downhill-full-suspension/kona/stab-supreme/prd_413180_1542crx.aspx
Yeah, no batteries are going to fit inside the frame on that beast. I Can't see enough in that pic to say anything about how to make a set of torque plates for it, but it does look like it could be possible to use DR Bass torque plates with a motor of less power than the greyborg, such as a Clyte HT or Mac.
Your battery carry options are pretty much limited to bolted to the forks, and attached to the side of the frame near the headset saddle bag style. Back pack is an option, but a poor one for hooligan riding or trails. some stack packs on top of the top tube, but you'd have to have really long legs to do that. That's a tall standing bike to begin with.
One problem with a mega power motor is draining the battery mega fast, leading to a need to carry even bigger packs. I find the sweet spot for me is between 1500-3000w. Even at 3000w, a 72v 10 ah battery can go 10 miles of hard riding. Any more will just melt the lighter motors anyway. 72v 10 ah of RC lipo is not a big load to carry.
I think your requirements are heading to RC lipo for batteries. But a Cellman A123 pack would be fine if you go with a less powerful motor like the Mac.
http://www.mtbr.com/cat/bikes/downhill-full-suspension/kona/stab-supreme/prd_413180_1542crx.aspx
Yeah, no batteries are going to fit inside the frame on that beast. I Can't see enough in that pic to say anything about how to make a set of torque plates for it, but it does look like it could be possible to use DR Bass torque plates with a motor of less power than the greyborg, such as a Clyte HT or Mac.
Your battery carry options are pretty much limited to bolted to the forks, and attached to the side of the frame near the headset saddle bag style. Back pack is an option, but a poor one for hooligan riding or trails. some stack packs on top of the top tube, but you'd have to have really long legs to do that. That's a tall standing bike to begin with.
One problem with a mega power motor is draining the battery mega fast, leading to a need to carry even bigger packs. I find the sweet spot for me is between 1500-3000w. Even at 3000w, a 72v 10 ah battery can go 10 miles of hard riding. Any more will just melt the lighter motors anyway. 72v 10 ah of RC lipo is not a big load to carry.
I think your requirements are heading to RC lipo for batteries. But a Cellman A123 pack would be fine if you go with a less powerful motor like the Mac.
Drunkskunk
100 GW
With the Stab you're basically phuqed unless you have some bad@ss fabrication skills and can build some battery boxes that fit around the shock and downtube like saddlebags.
+1 to Dogman's suggestion on motors.
A Greyborg is going to need more battery than you can carry on a stab. And a Greyborg is going to need something hand fabricated out of steel for a swingarm. IIRC it was originally designed as a race motor for motorcycles. It would eat your stab for a snack as it flew into the wall.
your best bet is to Ebay that frame and the back wheel, and buy a used older Stinky, Coil air, king, or Dawg frame and transfer your parts over. It just works better to have the batteries centrally located in that style frame.
+1 to Dogman's suggestion on motors.
A Greyborg is going to need more battery than you can carry on a stab. And a Greyborg is going to need something hand fabricated out of steel for a swingarm. IIRC it was originally designed as a race motor for motorcycles. It would eat your stab for a snack as it flew into the wall.
your best bet is to Ebay that frame and the back wheel, and buy a used older Stinky, Coil air, king, or Dawg frame and transfer your parts over. It just works better to have the batteries centrally located in that style frame.
Thanks for the replies. The Stab is an awkward bike in many ways, I was hoping for a poor man's version of a Stealth (as are all of us, I'm sure). It also has a rear torque arm for the rear disc that may be difficult to work with, so that will also play a factor. And also a solid rear axle.
I am located in Canada but also get stuff shipped to the US as I go there often. I will try looking for a Stinky frame to build as you suggested. I agree with what you are saying as far as battery placement and too powerful a motor. I don't want to Bite off more than I can chew.
I also have a 2001 Rocky Mountain Edge that is a Great all purpose bike that I could convert, i'm pretty sure the 52volt triangle pack from emissions-free would fit in the frame nicely but need to double check measurements. The emissions-free kit looks like the best option for a kit for the Edge.
Thanks again, feel free to comment.
I am located in Canada but also get stuff shipped to the US as I go there often. I will try looking for a Stinky frame to build as you suggested. I agree with what you are saying as far as battery placement and too powerful a motor. I don't want to Bite off more than I can chew.
I also have a 2001 Rocky Mountain Edge that is a Great all purpose bike that I could convert, i'm pretty sure the 52volt triangle pack from emissions-free would fit in the frame nicely but need to double check measurements. The emissions-free kit looks like the best option for a kit for the Edge.
Thanks again, feel free to comment.
