Hello ES.com,
I am new to this forum and since it helped me quite a bit deciding how I was going to build my own eBike, I figured I had to share a picture of the end product :
I started with a 29" hardtail and quickly realized that a full suspension frame was the way to go for my usage (trail riding in Michigan). I bought this Banshee Prime frame and started building the bike including a cyclone kit.
I bought everything from LunaCycle (cyclone kit, battery, charger, wires, connectors...) and I gotta say, those guys are awesome. If you live in the US, go check out their website, you'll find what you need at the right price !
The battery pack that I chose is a Samsung 18650 30q 52V 15Ah (600$). I carry it in my backpack, it is light (9lbs) and I don't feel it as much as I thought I would. The battery capacity is perfect for what I need : 12miles of hard trail riding. I don't need more when it is empty, I am out of juice as well...
So far I am pretty happy with the kit. I made a custom bracket attached to a hose clamp to replace the stock zip tie that holds the motor. The amount of flex under load is now reasonable and I don't use the washers mod that everybody recommends here. I started with the stock square BB and there is a bit of a play. I switched to the ISIS BB and it is rock solid.
Note that the controller is NOT water proof, I fried it after I washed my bike so be careful with that. I got a replacement from LunaCycle for pretty cheap (45$).
The other issue that I am currently having is the freewheel on the motor, it started to slide out a little and bent the little screw that hold it in place. I am going to need a replacement part soon which should be fairly cheap as well. I did not use loctite and that was my mistake I guess.
Other than that, it is awesome, it is a whole new experience, it is no longer mountain biking, it so much better. I am having fun uphill now, I drift in corners, and finish the trail that I used to do in 1h15min in just 42min. It is still a nice workout though but less cardio for sure...
Note that I also ride a dirt bike (250 2 stroke) and the amount of power is for sure much lower, but when I am out there on the trail I don't feel like I need more, I am already most of the time going too fast.
That is all I had to say about this kit, just go for it you won't regret !