Lightest, quietest hub motor?

[crusoe]

Hey guys, I'm making a commuter build on an old norco I have. I want around 15-17mph for 25-30km range and I will be pedaling the entire time. Stealth is key as I'll be leaving it in bike racks. I was thinking of using those long, slender, 10s batteries maybe run at 36V 10ah?

I want a motor that is super light and super quiet - so I'm thinking geared hub motors are out. Any help would be great!

 

[Drunkskunk]

Geared is the lightest.3-4 pounds for a Cute Qx85. But they are far from quiet.
the quietest are the direct drive motors, but you're looking at 12-15 pounds.

 

[Russell]

Brushless geared motors are NOT very noisy (I've ridden along side a number of people who never knew I had one ) so if you want maximum stealth with lightweight go with one of them. A little black geared motor (like from E-BikeKit) on the rear will disappear behind the gear cluster.

I would suggest getting a Topeak MTX bag/rack so you can simply slide the bag with the battery off when you get to your destination.

-R

 

[neptronix]

My vote is on the MXUS small geared motor from cell_man/ampedbikes/ebikekit, that's just going off my experience.

Q85 is the lightest hub i know of, but i can almost guarantee you that it can't handle any power above what it's rated at, will get warm during normal usage, etc.

 

[SamTexas]

I want a motor that is super light and super quiet - so I'm thinking geared hub motors are out. Any help would be great!

I have a 350W geared hub (cell_man). I can assure you that it's NOT noisy. It's slightly noisier than a 9c DD hub but only if you really pay attention. And as others have said, the DD hub are much heavier.

 

[kmxtornado]

I like the Mini Might for the same reasons you're looking for: small usually means light and it's sure quiet. There's a wizzing sound as it starts up but with the wind, I doubt people I ride alongside even notice. After 10 mph, the sound goes away or is inaudible. Mine goes 18-20mph w/o pedaling using a 36v 10ah LiFePo4 battery. For my small 34cm Trek 800 frame, it doesn't go much faster while pedaling on my particular drive train. Not sure how many teeth on my largest front chainring, but I have 11t on the rear freewheel on a 26" wheel.

The motor + wheel weighs 9lbs. Photo of it on a scale on my blog (see link in sig). Perhaps that's what you're looking for. Purchased from Terry at Hightekbikes.I wonder if anyone knows of any motor the same size that might be stronger. Looking for a possible second e-bike setup.

 

[SamTexas]

I like the Mini Might....
The motor + wheel weighs 9lbs....

The cell_man's motor+wheel is lighter, 8.15lbs, and a lot cheaper!
http://www.emissions-free.com/catalog/i16.html

No, I do not advertise on behalf of cell_man. I'm just a satisfied customer.

 

[sk8norcal]

. Purchased from Terry at Hightekbikes.I wonder if anyone knows of any motor the same size that might be stronger. Looking for a possible second e-bike setup.

i think u can run yours at 48v
http://www.emissions-free.com/catalog/i3.html
(same as your mini might? not sure....)

 

[kmxtornado]

I like the Mini Might....
The motor + wheel weighs 9lbs....

The cell_man's motor+wheel is lighter, 8.15lbs, and a lot cheaper!
http://www.emissions-free.com/catalog/i16.html

No, I do not advertise on behalf of cell_man. I'm just a satisfied customer.

Once you add shipping though, the cost seems less drastic. Hightekbikes also offers special pricing from time to time, so the price might be even closer. The Mini-Might I'm told is 500w peak. Not sure about Cell_man's one. Perhaps the same?

. Purchased from Terry at Hightekbikes.I wonder if anyone knows of any motor the same size that might be stronger. Looking for a possible second e-bike setup.

i think u can run yours at 48v
http://www.emissions-free.com/catalog/i3.html
(same as your mini might? not sure....)

Maybe, but Hightek's is better for the price since his is built up onto the wheel already. That makes me wonder. What's the difference btw cell_man's $175 one and the $230 one? They're both 36v and geared.

Terry said that I could run it at 48v on the Mini Might but not for prolonged periods of time. It would also void the warranty if I attempted to overvolt it with a 48v on the 36v motor. As a complete newb, I'm all ears and am taking his advice. I don't have anyone else to help me who's local. Plus I paid extra for this local support so I may as well follow his advice. The 48v battery was too pricey for me anyway. Perhaps I can have that for my next kit.

 

[SamTexas]

Once you add shipping though, the cost seems less drastic. Hightekbikes also offers special pricing from time to time, so the price might be even closer. The Mini-Might I'm told is 500w peak. Not sure about Cell_man's one. Perhaps the same?

I paid $35 for shipping. But I was not in a hurry. I have seen 700w when I was accelerating.

 

[Toorbough ULL-Zeveigh]

hanz down falco @2kg takes the prize for lightest as well as being the only DD motor with zero cogging.
spendy, but that's what it takes if you want the kind of tech that no one else can physically equal.

 

[ZOMGVTEK]

A friend got a Q100 rear hubmotor kit from BMSBattery, and I would consider it to be quite quiet. He's running it at 500W, and it is almost silent. Get over a few MPH outdoors, and the ambient noise is louder than the motor.

My 1000W golden with drilled side covers is stupidly loud in comparison.

 

[Whiplash]

Once you add shipping though, the cost seems less drastic. Hightekbikes also offers special pricing from time to time, so the price might be even closer. The Mini-Might I'm told is 500w peak. Not sure about Cell_man's one. Perhaps the same?

I paid $35 for shipping. But I was not in a hurry. I have seen 700w when I was accelerating.

How does it handle that kind of power? I am considering these as a lower output alternative for my MID mounted "Trail Drives" and wonder how it does... thanks! If you don't want to clutter this thread just PM me. Thanks!

 

[GMUseless]

I'm running 12s on eZee hub from Justin at ebikes.ca, and it's not loud at all. I posted a video of a crash I had on it yesterday in this thread: http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=34291

I used a dedicated audio recorder with a good wind filter. I haven't seen too many ebike vids concnetrating on audio..so it might be a good reference for you in judging how loud these motors are. Listen for the click of letting off the throttle to judge how load things are.

Oh, and enjoy the crash....

 

[crusoe]

My vote is on the MXUS small geared motor from cell_man/ampedbikes/ebikekit, that's just going off my experience.

I like his idea and damn, 175 is CHEAP. Wonder what shipping to Canada would be?
This is the one you're refering to, right? http://www.emissions-free.com/catalog/i16.html

That makes me wonder. What's the difference btw cell_man's $175 one and the $230 one? They're both 36v and geared.

Yes, what is the difference?

I'm running 12s on eZee hub from Justin at ebikes.ca

I love supporting Canadian business, but $1250 is STEEP. There must be something I'm missing here?

It was definitely a LOL worthy crash! You were flying on wet wood.

 

[spinningmagnets]

The new Crystalyte G-series is apparently the replacement for the discontinued 40X family. It is a direct drive hub, but its about the same size as the smaller geared hubs (rather than the larger diameter 9C). 4.2 kg/9.3 lb

Before the 9C became popular, I was reading lots of good reports about the 408 @72V...small, quiet, and with "acceptable" power (though I have never ridden one myself).

http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=34203

 

[GMUseless]

I'm running 12s on eZee hub from Justin at ebikes.ca

I love supporting Canadian business, but $1250 is STEEP. There must be something I'm missing here?

Yeah the $1250 price includes the battery and charger. I got it without so I could run LiPo...so that brings the price back down to around $700 for hub, controller, throttle, etc. Even then, it's still one of the more expensive routes to go for a hub motor.

But, I learned along time ago..in the US where corporations run the country, our real vote is with our money. So, I've gotten used to making my purchases with folks whose intentions are in the right place. That alone justified the premium for me. You can rest assured money spent at eBikes.ca is in some way going to support the eBike scene, development, etc.

 

[kmxtornado]

Once you add shipping though, the cost seems less drastic. Hightekbikes also offers special pricing from time to time, so the price might be even closer. The Mini-Might I'm told is 500w peak. Not sure about Cell_man's one. Perhaps the same?

I paid $35 for shipping. But I was not in a hurry. I have seen 700w when I was accelerating.

Wow, that's a really good deal! I'm definitely more willing to explore other online retailers when it comes to my second setup. For the first one though, I'm glad I stuck with a local fella. Plus it helps out the economy a bit. Hahha.

 

[SamTexas]

Once you add shipping though, the cost seems less drastic. Hightekbikes also offers special pricing from time to time, so the price might be even closer. The Mini-Might I'm told is 500w peak. Not sure about Cell_man's one. Perhaps the same?

I paid $35 for shipping. But I was not in a hurry. I have seen 700w when I was accelerating.

How does it handle that kind of power? I am considering these as a lower output alternative for my MID mounted "Trail Drives" and wonder how it does... thanks! If you don't want to clutter this thread just PM me. Thanks!

Not sure I understand your question. I think you're referring to the "700w" I mentioned above. The 700w happens in a very short period, usually when I accelerate hard from stop. But the power drops quickly once the bike gains speed. This is very common with hub motors. For example, on my 9C 2807 (a 500W motor) I see over 1,000w regularly when I do the same thing (wide open throttle from stop). Did I answer your question?

 

[dogman dan]

Re the original post. Not a one of my ebikes has ever made a peep while in the bike rack. For sure though, visual stealth is generaly the max from a small rear geared hub. Big freewheel on one side, and a disk on the other and you hide it beautifully. Just avoid a funky kit with switch boxes and headlights all over the handlebars. Motor, controller, throttle. that's it. Controller can be hid, but in a way that it still gets a breeze when you ride.

Riding it, a planetary geared hub made just enough noise to have walkers ahead turn heads and go "what's that?" The quietest of all are aotema or clyte 408-407. the HTB aotema is front only. Bet you could eventually find a rear 408 used. Not like they wear out really.

I'd say get the small rear geared motor, unless riding an ebike is that illegal where you will be. As long as you are riding normal bike speed, you won't stand out that much. What is really non stealth, is above 20 mph. The noise of the gearmotor is not that much. People go what's that, but that doesn't mean they realise it's a motor. They just turn thier heads at a sound. You coud just ride with some tunes going.

 

[dogman dan]

Hmm, maybe possible to buy the new aotema, and still get a rear 400 clyte rear axle and covers. Then swap the axle in the stator. PITA.

 

[SamTexas]

I have a question about the Clyte motor:

http://www.crystalyte.com/frontmotorbike.htm

4011 Motor High torque good for Recumbent Tadpole and tricycle
Condition: Motor start in 0km/h / 26" wheel size / Rider weight 75kg
24V 20km/h 161rpm
36V 22km/h 177rpm
48V 25km/h 201rpm

406 Motor Very high speed motor but lower torque
Condition: Motor start after reach speed 5-9km/h / 26" wheel size / Rider weight 75kg
24V 32km/h 257rpm
36V 45km/h 362rpm
48V 56km/hr

What do the above conditions mean? It sounds to me like the 406 would NOT/can NOT/should NOT be used when the speed is under 5kph.

 

[Ziggurat]

Riding it, a planetary geared hub made just enough noise to have walkers ahead turn heads and go "what's that?"

With my bike (cell_man MXUS 350W), I find the walkers have to be within about 10 feet before they (maybe) turn their head. Almost nobody on the sidewalk does. I'm sure they could hear it if they were thinking about it, but everyone is lost in their own thoughts or conversations. What catches much more attention from people is the spiderfire flashlight on the front. On the other hand, quite a few dogs will hear it and turn to take a look from the sidewalk.

The only person who ever looked from a bit farther was a guy mowing his lawn with an electric mower. I'm guessing the two sounds kind of made a beat frequency or something that stood out as different from his normal mower noise. Then when he turned to look, the fact that I was going almost 25 km/h up a steep grade is what kept his attention.

 

[SamTexas]

Riding it, a planetary geared hub made just enough noise to have walkers ahead turn heads and go "what's that?"

With my bike (cell_man MXUS 350W), I find the walkers have to be within about 10 feet before they (maybe) turn their head...
Then when he turned to look, the fact that I was going almost 25 km/h up a steep grade is what kept his attention.

I have put in more than 1,000 miles on that same cell_man hub. It has not attracted a single person because of the sound it made. The battery box in the triangle is what they are (sometime) curious about, and the fact that I was going up inclines at a faster than expected speed.

 

[spike]

Hi Crusoe

The lightest, quietest motor is probably the Tongxin roller geared motor. I've been using one for about 6mths for my commute.
It's the same motor as used on the http://www.cytronex.com/ bikes. I bought mine direct as a kit though.
Pros: Almost silent, very small, very light ~2.5Kg, very little drag, cheap, no need for torque bars, low power consumption.
Cons: Cannot be safely over amped/volted, low speed, pedalling required on the hills (rated 180W), front wheel version only.
Summary: Good if you want the motor to take the sting out of the wind and the hills. No one will notice the motor but it won't put the e-bike grin on your face either :wink:

HTH

Spike