Mount triangle battery pack on one side of rear wheel?

[i2000s]

I got a triangle battery pack. I found the size is very large (I put the controller inside as well). If I hang the pack on middle frame as shown in this picture, one problem is the pack's shape is not perfectly parallel with the frame edges since the angles of the triangle pack are not the same as the frame's. But I can still tire the velcro threads on the frames. If I move the pack a little to the front angle position, it seems it's hard to lock my front wheel with the frame with a U-lock then. Maybe that's ok since the front wheel is now bolted tightly with torque arms and so on with the front fork, and thieves won't be able to steal the wheel or frame separately... I can then use some casting tapes or fiberglass to permanently tire the pack to the bike frame to prevent theft of the battery by thieves. I am not sure if worth to try the following new way:

I am considering to mount the battery pack on the rear wheel to balance the weight distribution since I have the motor on the front wheel. The idea is show in this picture. Basically, I can lock the pack on the edge of my rear frame of the loading seat. Between the battery pack and rear frame, I can either hook this aluminum pad or this small iron pad on the rear frame to prevent dust and water splashed onto the battery pack. The aluminum pad has a lot of holes so that I may be able to bolt some extra structures onto it, but it's too large and I don't know how to resize the pad easily. One problem for this configuration is the battery is only on one side of the bike and could imbalance the bike's weight. Also, now it seems hard to secure the battery from thefts.

Another solution is just to use a pannier to carry the battery pack, and tether the controller on the bike frame with glassfibers fastened. Then I will need to carry the pannier when I need to. Again there is the imbalanced weight problem (seems not that important). I feel this solution is the best for me...

Which way do you guys prefer to hook the battery considering security, safety and functionality? Thanks.

 

[spinningmagnets]

I have found that anything that protrudes ahead of the rear axle on a normal-length bicycle will occasionally brush against my heel when I pedal. I don't want to suggest that you mount the triangle pack so that pointy end is forward, and the fat end is to the rear, but...if heel-strikes are an annoyance, that is where I would put it. I am aware that doing so would shift more of the weight farther back, compared to the heavy end being mounted forward.

 

[i2000s]

Good point, I haven't thought about that!

 

[amberwolf]

Check out my old DayGlo Avenger thread for where / how I mounted a big cargo pod to only one side.

It worked fine, carried heavy stuff, and didn't cause problems riding, though parking the bike was a problem without a center-two-leg stand. You get used to the imbalance of weight pretty quick, and ride normally after that.

 

[i2000s]

Check out my old DayGlo Avenger thread for where / how I mounted a big cargo pod to only one side.

It worked fine, carried heavy stuff, and didn't cause problems riding, though parking the bike was a problem without a center-two-leg stand. You get used to the imbalance of weight pretty quick, and ride normally after that.

Looks like you have a big box nicely fixed on your bike. So, I wouldn't worry about the imbalanced weight on one side.

 

[dogman dan]

It's kind of amazing how much weight on one side is tolerable. But a pannier on the other side, with your tools, pump, a six pack of refreshment, etc can help the ride.

I often ride with a 10 pound battery on one side, and nothing much more than a pump and a rain coat on the other side, on this bike. On a longer ride, I'll carry two batteries and balance better, but with one, it's lighter which feels good too.

 

[nutnspecial]

I'd put it in the triangle as pictured. Easier, simpler, cleaner, more reliable/solid mounting, shorter wiring, aesthetics, and the list goes on. Despite extra weight being best in a frame triangle to begin with, I'd see it as more of a pro with the front hub than a con. And obviously, whether you might want frequent or occasional cargo, you still got all that room with rack and/or pannier.

As far as security, just do your best with bag attachment. Maybe get an alarm. Another way you may not have considered is to wrap triangle and bag tightly in duct tape and then cover with a bought or fashioned sleeve/cover. I used self adhering bandage . I doubt many would think it looks as good as just the bag but it does offer some extra sturdiness and protection against battery bandits, tho the increased difficulty of removal will affect you too!

 

[i2000s]

It's kind of amazing how much weight on one side is tolerable. But a pannier on the other side, with your tools, pump, a six pack of refreshment, etc can help the ride.

I can see that if I use a pannier yet one battery pack on one side, there shouldn't be a problem. Thanks.

I'd put it in the triangle as pictured. Easier, simpler, cleaner, more reliable/solid mounting, shorter wiring, aesthetics, and the list goes on. ..

This really gives me a hard debate to use a rear mount instead. I will consider your advice. Thanks.

 

[dustNbone]

I wouldn't worry about the weight on one side either, I frequently ride with one pannier that has a heavy gallon jug of milk, etc in it and unless you're trying to ride with no hands you probably won't notice as long as the load is secure and not protruding too far out the side.

Also be careful about putting your controller in a bag, make sure it's not getting too hot in there. I have a feeling this is one of the leading causes of controller failure.

 

[i2000s]

Also be careful about putting your controller in a bag, make sure it's not getting too hot in there. I have a feeling this is one of the leading causes of controller failure.

Good point. Thanks. I plan to put the controller in a separate small bag and hanging on the triangle frame of the bike. I may want to seal the controller with a casting/glassfiber tape wrap to secure it from theft. But that depends on how heat it can reach in my coming experiments.