Need Advice New ebike build

[oldspicejet]

Hi I'm a noob researching my first bike build.

I have a KHS Urban x bike and want to convert it to an ebike. here is a link to the specs of the bike http://www.khsbicycles.com/06_urban_x_08.htm

I like the idea of a 48v front Direct Drive motor and am familiar with aluminum forks breaking. The site says that my bike's fork is Alloy. Do I need to replace it? I will be installing a Torque Arm too.

My bike has a preinstalled rear rack and I plan on mounting a metal tool box on it with a PING 48v 15AH battery and controller in it.

I would also like advice on a few kits. THese are the ones I'm looking at but don't know with is best for speed. I want to be moving at 25 mph in central Los Angeles. Not really hilly from what I usually see.

Aotema 750 Watt Front Motor Kit from https://hightekbikes.com
E-Bikekit
ampedbike

I read that the Aotema is the best value for the quality and power you get. I'm sure all these kits are great but I just want something to take full advantage of the ping battery power, come with a good controller and last years.The Aotema is a little cheaper than the other too also. I emailed hightekbikes and was told that the kit now comes with a 48v controller and not a 36v as their site states.

Help me out with some advice guys because I spent 10 hours reading these forums yesterday and there are so many opinions on these forums.

Thanks
Lucas

 

[LegendLength]

If you plan on putting a lot of power through it then a rear mount would be better. But if it's only 1 kW or so I think those forks would be fine (with firmly fastened torque arms).

Just keep in mind that most people desire more and more power after each build (in my opinion).

 

[rui_fujino]

I would personally go for rear as well since bike are made for rear drive.
If you want to get 25mph then you will need 48v 1000w kit.
I would personally go with golden motor (magic pie) or eBay kit. Also since you do have a plenty of space on your triangle,fitting battery there might work out better for balance as well :wink:

Take a look into ebike.ca simulator and find a motor that fits you most

 

[Jason27]

Aotema motors are good. So are the amped bikes kits with a lighter 48v lithium manganese battery pack from chicago electric bikes.

 

[neptronix]

If you only spent 10 hours reading the forums, you have only just touched the tip of the iceberg.
Go look at some people's builds.

Aotemas are decent motors, but kinda sub-par compared to other motors out there, which are even cheaper.

My recommendation: cell_man rear MXUS kit, rated at 500w but 2000-3000w for short bursts is no problem. $165 plus shipping.

 

[Jason27]

Did cell man basically replace ping? because I dont hear about ping anymore and hes not selling on ebay anymore.

 

[docnjoj]

Ping has his own website. I believe it is pingbattery.com for the address.
otherDoc

 

[dogman dan]

Ping 48v 15 ah is what you want for a long range ride in LA. At 25 mph, you'd have about 20-22 miles of range. More if slower.

Because of all the starts and stops in a really urban ride, I would say the Aotema is not as good a choice as a 9 c or 9c clone in 2807 winding. That's ebikekit, Amped kit, Cellman muxux dd kit, etc. It's going to waste just a bit less power as heat on starts, and if you run it at 48v, you still get 27 mph. More speed possible at 72v of course, but then you tend to want smaller and lighter batteries than lifepo4.

But if you really like the aotema, just pedal to 10 mph, then start the motor to get similar economy. This advice comes from thousands of miles of riding these motors that I did, not read about.

Two torque arms for alloy front forks, plus the c washers. Pricy, but cheaper than teeth. That particular bike has a steel fork btw. Rest of it's alloy. You could run it with just cheap torque washers, but I still recomend at least one torque arm. Can be a cheap one even.

 

[oldspicejet]

Ping 48v 15 ah is what you want for a long range ride in LA. At 25 mph, you'd have about 20-22 miles of range. More if slower.

Because of all the starts and stops in a really urban ride, I would say the Aotema is not as good a choice as a 9 c or 9c clone in 2807 winding. That's ebikekit, Amped kit, Cellman muxux dd kit, etc. It's going to waste just a bit less power as heat on starts, and if you run it at 48v, you still get 27 mph. More speed possible at 72v of course, but then you tend to want smaller and lighter batteries than lifepo4.

But if you really like the aotema, just pedal to 10 mph, then start the motor to get similar economy. This advice comes from thousands of miles of riding these motors that I did, not read about.

Two torque arms for alloy front forks, plus the c washers. Pricy, but cheaper than teeth. That particular bike has a steel fork btw. Rest of it's alloy. You could run it with just cheap torque washers, but I still recomend at least one torque arm. Can be a cheap one even.

Thank you Dogman. I think you let me know everything I needed to know. Quick question. Would you recommend going with a rear geared motor from Ampedbikes? I read about them being less watts and needing maintenance, not lasting as long compared to Front Direct Drive.

 

[Racer_X]

oldspicejet, For years of service I would go with Direct Drive, yes it is twice as heavy but very dependable, reliable and heavier duty than a geared motor. I have had my 9c DD from ebikekits.com a 48v battery from Pingbattery since 2009 riding daily 14mi round trip in rain, shine, snow blizzard or ice and it still reliable as the day I bought it.
Good luck, and no matter what you pick it will be fun!

 

[Drunkskunk]

The Aetoma is going to be a little quieter than some of the other motors offered, but thats it's only advantage. Its heavier, produces less torque, and is a little less efficent, although its physicaly smaller than the MXUS or 9C motors.

An Aloy fork isn't a good option. its possable to use one for a low power setup, but not recomended. A better option is a rear motor for that bike.

Geared motors have there advantages. they accellerate more efficently, but have a lower top end efficancy. They smaller and weigh less, but they are noisy by comparison, and they can't take the same levels of abuse or heat.
Direct drive motors have 1 moving part. There's no gear noise. they weigh more but they can take more heat buildup and abuse.

Avoid Ebay, unless you can afford to lose your money. There are some reputable sellers, but there are many more who are selling broken or useless junk, misslabled, missadvertised, missleading products that may or not meet your needs. and you may or may not get any follow up customer support, or may or maynot be able to get warrenty work done. Any purches that way is a gamble. You might win..... Your safest bet is to buy from a reputable dealer with a known track record.

 

[rui_fujino]

Avoid Ebay, unless you can afford to lose your money. There are some reputable sellers, but there are many more who are selling broken or useless junk, misslabled, missadvertised, missleading products that may or not meet your needs. and you may or may not get any follow up customer support, or may or maynot be able to get warrenty work done. Any purches that way is a gamble. You might win..... Your safest bet is to buy from a reputable dealer with a known track record.

I got my first kit from luckbdd (48v 1000kit) and it performed very well. It lasted for 800miles then I got upgrade. Also, when I had trouble with my motor, he sent me new one for free and I only had to pay for the shipping fee from china (50usd for the motor 30usd for the spokes etc)