single speed electric cruiser?

[contador]

Hi all,im a regular cyclist ,for the last 4 years ive been riding my bike everywhere or bike- train combination, and never thought about going electric.Maybe because the ugly looks of the bikes available here,the expensive prices and because i didnt realize that almost any bike could be converted.But lately im thinking about getting a kit for a GT glide cruiser from my girlfriend in order to avoid taking the train on long distance trips, when i dont have the time or just when im not on the mood to pedal.The bike is a single speed coaster brake and my commute would be about 60 km one way almost flat but with some smooth hills every now and then.Ezee rear seems to be the perfect option for my mountain bike but i dont see how in this case (GT cruiser doesnt have the option for a deraileur )and unless i would choose a rear engine im afraid it will have to be a front Crystalyte 350 watt...Clyte europe says you can ride 60-140 km depending on the battery.36v 15amp battery is suppoused to get 100 km,is that true?.Do i need a rear 3 speed hub or i can go single speed?thanks

 

[blue badger]

Well, for starters, you're going to want a bigger battery - a good rule of thumb is to assume a use of about 10 watt-hours per km travelled. The watt-hours of a pack (a measure of total energy capacity, and therefore range) is equal to the battery voltage (V), multiplied by the ampere hours (Ah). The 36V 15Ah pack has a total of 540 watt-hours, which would be just shy of what you need for range. The watt-hours per km required goes up even further, though, if you plan to go fast (ie over 40 km/h), haul a load, or don't pedal much. You're going to want a 36V 20Ah battery at the very least for a 60km range, since reserve capacity also keeps you from discharging the cells 100%, which in turns extends the life of the battery.

 

[Drunkskunk]

Welcome to the forum

The claim of 100km on 36V15ah is false*. That much battery would get you reliably 30km, and with good weather and road conditions, might get you 50km. its not a good idea to completly drain a battery, though, so count on it for 30. you would need 2 batteries this size to do a 60km trip.

if your chosen bike has a coaster brake, then you wouldn't want a rear hub motor. The rear motor replaces the hub, so there would be no brakes. And most 3 speeds use a 110mm spacing, while a rear hub motor needs 135mm. Steel frames can be stretched wider, but its not the easiest solution.
Your 2 solutions would be either to use a front motor, or to use a motor that powers through the chain. I personaly find most of the kit motors that power thriough the chain to be ugly but with the rear 3 speed, it would be efective. The other solution is a front hub motor. EZee makes one that is small enough to be almost unnoticed. Crystalyte and 9 Continents make front motors as well. they are larger and heavier, but quieter and more efficent.

 

[contador]

thanks blue badger and drunkskunk.Yes I think i will get a crystalyte front motor.There is not a crystalyte distributor here in spain but i can find it in portugal.Hope they can get the parts i need for that set up.They dont sell their kits with a twist throtle because its not legal in portugal.Speed is not the most important for me ( here e bike speed limit is 25 km/h) but i wouldnt mind reaching those 40 km/h (moped speed here)from time to time.Again thanks

 

[dogman dan]

406 clyte motor for 40 kph if avaliable. A 407 will be a bit slower, a 408 slower still.