New e-bike, Shopping cart

[maesitos]

I've been 3 months crazy about buying or not an e-bike... I'm very undecided (maybe because I'm very novice about this even thought I study electronic engineering).

Let me show you my shopping cart before I check it out:
Crystalyte 408 26" rim
48 Volt controller 20amp
Electrical Brake
Full twist grip regulator 48 Volt
Cable-M. Motor Cable
Battery cable

TOTAL 352.51€ + 44.40€ (shipping)

I need to make a little more money in order to buy a battery, I'll buy a LiFePo 48v20Ah on eBay
Is there anything I've forgotten?


Well the goals of this set are:

• Daily commute 26km (13km + 13km way back) through a City (Madird-Sapin). Sometimes i'd like to go more than 26km, maybe 10km more.
• Avoid to struggle myself pedaling, I don't want to go sweeting to class.
• To reach the speed of the traffic flow.

Do you experienced guys think the stuff I've chosen will fit the goals? I don't have the chance to try them before paying.

I'm not sure about the 20Amp controller, I don't know if it will be enough to start from the traffic signs and stops signs. Maybe a 35A-40A controller?

An other doubt I have is the rim. I have 2 bikes, one is 20"rim and the other is 26"rim... I like the one with 20"rim (it's more comfortable) but I don't know which one I should choose.


Thank you very much and sorry because of my english. Any suggestions will be welcome.

20"rim.

26"rim

 

[Ypedal]

24v LED throttle.. replace with regular NO-Led throttle if you can..

and 20 amps at 48v will be enough unless you weigh alot more than 200 lbs and have huge hills to climb, otherwise this is a nice combination ! 8)

 

[dogman dan]

408 on 20 amps of 48v will have plenty of start up speed compared to pedaling, so I wouldn't say you need a bigger amp controller.

A 30 or 40 amp controller will just be harder on the battery. 48v 20 ah is a good size, that will give you lots of range for long rides.

26" rim should go about 35-40 kph. It will be slower on a 20" rim. The motor will go the same speed, but the smaller wheel will travel less distance on the small wheel for each rotation. So for more speed, get the 26" rim motor, or a different motor like a 406 or 405 for the 20" wheel.

If you put a front hub motor on the 26" bike, make sure you get tourque arms for it if the forks are alloy ones. If a weak magnet will stick to the dropouts, it is steel, if not it's alloy. In either case, you may need to grind down some washers to perfectly fit in the cup of the forks. Do not put an oversize washer across the cup in a set of front forks.

Looks like a good choice of parts, but not included is a good rack for the battery, that will weigh about 20 pounds. Or some way to carry it in the frame of the bike if it will fit. And looking again at the list, lots of us like half twist throttles. Personally I really hate full twist. They can be hard to hold on half throttle for long rides.

Lastly, that 20" bike is very cool! is it pretty old? not too many bannana seats in the US now. Love the springs.

 

[mrzed]

I like the little bike, but can't help thinking that brakes would be a problem. Those front long reach sidepulls were never very strong, I'd go with the bigger bike - more standard options, and then you get the v-brakes for much better stopping.

But the little bike is cool.

 

[REdiculous]

If the batteries fit under the seat I would convert the little bike..it already sort of looks like a mini motorcycle in a way. I love older/different bikes..awesome ride!

 

[number1cruncher]

I'd go with the little bike. Just buy a controller that handles regen and that should supplement the caliper brake. Get torque arms as Dogman says if using a front hub. Check out e-bikekit.com. Their controllers do not come stock with regen, but they are pretty easy to modify. All you need is solder supplies, couple pieces of wires, a TTL cable($15) and some time. If I can do it, almost anyone can...

 

[maesitos]

I've been 3 months crazy about buying or not an e-bike... I'm very undecided (maybe because I'm very novice about this even thought I study electronic engineering).

Let me show you my shopping cart before I check it out:
Crystalyte 408 26" rim
48 Volt controller 20amp
Electrical Brake
Full twist grip regulator 48 Volt
Cable-M. Motor Cable
Battery cable

TOTAL 352.51€ + 44.40€ (shipping)

I need to make a little more money in order to buy a battery, I'll buy a LiFePo 48v20Ah on eBay
Is there anything I've forgotten?

Thank you for the responses.

I'm thinking of changing the motor. I think I need a bit more of speed but not too much. I will be using it in the city all the time.

Well I'm thinking of the same set up but a Crystalyte 5403 hub motor.
Do you think this is a better choice?
What would the rate be with the LiFePo 48v20Ah?.

As I can't test the 408 I don't really know if it is enough... 24mph maybe is a bit slow but I don't want to go too fast (35mph will be just enough for a bike).

Any suggestions? I am a bit confused.

Finally I chose the 26'' rim, it has better brakes and looks more stable for high speed.


Thank you again!!! and sorry because of my english

 

[ecowheelz]

As I can't test the 408 I don't really know if it is enough... 24mph maybe is a bit slow but I don't want to go too fast (35mph will be just enough for a bike).

Any suggestions? I am a bit confused.

Finally I chose the 26'' rim, it has better brakes and looks more stable for high speed.


Thank you again!!! and sorry because of my english

If you've never riden an e-bike (or this motor) before, I think you'll be very surprised about how fast 24mph feels. We get people in our shop all the time that say "it only goes 20mph". Then they get on a bike and ride it and realize 20mph on a bicycle feels very fast. Personally, anything over 24-25mph feels unsafe and too fast for me. Some ES guys play with much higher speeds, but they have setups designed for the increased loads and strain put on the bike. The average non-electric cyclist only travels about 15mph, so even at 20mph, you'll be traveling faster than almost everyone else on the road...

 

[dogman dan]

At the very most, go to a 407 motor. On 26" rim a faster 406 would start to get very sluggish on starts and hills, though it would be faster at the top speed. If you want faster starts and better hill climbing, stick with the slower 408, which isn't that slow.

Also, later on if the 408 is not fast enough, you could get a higher volt controller, and then be very fast. If keeping up with cars is your desire, then you need to increase the budget by 4 times, and start looking at bigger motors and 72v controllers. But at 48v a 408 will be lots faster than anybody but racers pedaling.

If you want to go to the 40 amp controller, be advised that the same battery won't be enough, so doulbe the battery budget for a 40 amp controller. Same thing goes for an energy hog 5303. You will need an expensive high c rate battery, or at least 30 ah of typical bike lifepo4 battery. So if you buy the 5303, then double your battery budget.

 

[John in CR]

$580 usd before the battery...ouch!

 

[Drunkskunk]

I realy like that 20" bike. a 406 in a 20" rim would have about the same speed as a 408 in a 26" rim.

The 408 is a great choice for a 26" wheel. It has a top speed of 40kph at 48 volts and should cruise well at around 30-35kph. It also likes to run at higher voltages, so you might consider getting a 48-72 volt controller. Eventualy, you'll be tempted to try it at high voltage.

A 20AH controller is all you need with the 408. It preforms better with a 40AH controller, but will suck your battery dry much faster, and need a much bigger more expensive battery to handle the output.

the 5303 is bigger, heavier, and thirstier. it will climb hills better but needs a huge battery.

 

[Ypedal]

.... trim ....

the 5303 is bigger, heavier, and thirstier. it will climb hills better but needs a huge battery.

But Daaaaaamn it's fun !

*seriously tho.. good advice above !!! ( ( am building a 409 in a 20" rim for 100v right now )) .. the 408 at 48v is a good combo in a 26" rim.

 

[maesitos]

Well I get it guys, I stop dreaming and I will buy the 408 as my initial intention. I'm expecting too much power and too much range for a low price...

I don't want to be a obstruct in the road and I want to be faster than the subway


Thank you very much guys, I will come again with pictures and videos!

 

[GCinDC]

How fast is traffic in Madrid on your route?

If you need a little more speed later, you can add another 'booster' battery in series. Higher voltage = higher speed... Not sure what that controller can handle, but some can be overvolted... Otherwise you can pick up a higher voltage/amp controller for relatively cheap.

 

[maesitos]

How fast is traffic in Madrid on your route?

If you need a little more speed later, you can add another 'booster' battery in series. Higher voltage = higher speed... Not sure what that controller can handle, but some can be overvolted... Otherwise you can pick up a higher voltage/amp controller for relatively cheap.

It is said the average speed form where I'm going to ride is about 18Km/h (11mph). From my personal experience I think the speed range in routes which I'll use goes from 9km/h (6mph) when its crowded to 60km/h (37mph) when the road is empty.

I'll give it a try first with 48v and see if its enough, if not I'll consider your idea GCinDC (If I cant make money). Actually I don't like to go really fast since I had a motobike accident and I'm a relaxed driver


This week will arrive the motor and later on I'll order the battery! I'm thinking of saving a little money by buying a 15Ah (Vpower) instead of 20Ah (Vpower too). Do you know guys what would be my maximum range ?

Thank you! and again sorry because of my english, I can't realice if something sounds strange or rude for you.

 

[GCinDC]

Well, when traffic is slow, maybe you can find a way to pass them...

Here's a great simulator you can download, install and then run to test different configurations.

I did it for you and here's a screenshot below. (You might want to convert to metric and adjust to your weight - you and the bike).

Not sure what the range is, though with my first kit, a 48V 500 Watt motor/controller, I could get 15 miles with a 48V12Ah battery if it wasn't too hilly. The lifepo4 chargers are small, and I always charged mine after my 5 mile one way commute anyway, since it's faster hot (full) and it's better for the battery if you don't use more than 60%...

 

[maesitos]

GCinDC thank you for the link!

Well, finally I'm going with the bigger bike (the mountain bike) because of the brakes and the shocks absorbers. The small one was a bit old (Made in 1982).

I found a local store in my country (http://www.qbbikes.es/ Spain) where I bought Crystalyte motor 408,48v 20A controller and thumb throttle cheaper than buying from crystalyte-europe.com. I payed 308€

I'd go with the little bike. Just buy a controller that handles regen and that should supplement the caliper brake. Get torque arms as Dogman says if using a front hub. Check out e-bikekit.com. Their controllers do not come stock with regen, but they are pretty easy to modify. All you need is solder supplies, couple pieces of wires, a TTL cable($15) and some time. If I can do it, almost anyone can...

Finally i bought the controller from Crystalyte, from what I know every controller is designed for an specific application, so that's why i chose the one from Crystalyte though it doesn't have regen.

I also bought a rear box to house the battery, I loved scape pod from planet bike and I found on eBay exactly the same box but only 19€ (11€ shipping from Germany) (http://cgi.ebay.es/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170487160679&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_2507wt_933). I still have to look for the rack.

Yesterday I won the auction of a 48v 20ah battery from vpower.hk on eBay just for 217USD (+207USD Express shipping).

So....................... If everything goes alright next week I'll be riding my new e-bike!! I will post here my photos, videos and reviews.

I cant wait!!!!!!!!! thank you guys!

 

[LI-ghtcycle]

I'm disappointed that your making a E-Bike, I thought your post meant you were making a E-Shopping cart!

Your english is great by the way, don't worry. 8)

I think you will be happy you went with the 20AH battery. I don't think you can ever really have TOO much battery, but you really know it when you have too little! :wink:

I too thought your red bike looked pretty kewl, and I thought you would be easily be able to put battery pack under the seat, but I agree with the rest here that the 26" Scott you have is a better bike for an E-Bike, brakes become really important once you start going 25MPH+

 

[maesitos]

I'm disappointed that your making a E-Bike, I thought your post meant you were making a E-Shopping cart!

hahahaha crazy chines.


Finally mi bike's almost done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It has been a long wait and I'm still waiting for the battery to arrive. I've payed 8 days ago to vpower.hk and they still haven't shipped the package,today the have told me they are sending the battery within two days... it doesn't worth paying for Express shipping when they take 10 days to ship...

I've created a new thread tho keep this a bit organized: http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=19506

There you can see my new bike!!!!!