Three months ago I've undertaken a project that was supposed to alleviate my addiction to gasoline, put a permanent EV grin on my face and provide months of guilt-free fun riding. I was thinking of converting a cruiser or a low-rider bike for a more comfortable (and safe) ride. One of the candidates that came up for the conversion was 2007 Giant Stiletto. It just had that EVil look that I was searching for 
3" think tires, rear disk brake, low center of gravity- tons of battery storage space. And totally useless as a stand-alone bicycle 
Going on pedals on that thing is like cutting through molasses. You just can't go uphill on this beast with a 50lb bike weight. But with the motor and the batteries the picture changes. The slow show-off low-rider bike becomes a perfect commuter! So, I started the conversion that was supposed to take 2 weeks top (the time required to get the batteries from Anna or Ping). Anna basically stole my money. I paid $515 for 48V 20AH battery from him (yes, Anna is a man), and never got anything or a refund. Still sending hate-mail to that con-man and finding a way to prosecute him on Chinese territory.
Ping, on the other hand, did everything in his power to deliver the package on time (even paid $50 out of his pocket to deliver via UPS for a 3-day express delivery). Four thumbs up for the man! So, I got the 48V 20AH battery, 36V Golden Motor, the Giant Stiletto bike and started the creative process or cutting and fitting and sawing and re-doing everything a thousand times, following the principle "measure once, cut tons of times, then throw everything out"
So, after three months of cutting, grinding, drilling, cursing, soldering and being electrocuted (sparks included
), here is my creation.
And it is EVil
Yesssss, EEEEEEEEVVVVVVVVillll. Gas cars- beware!
Overall, the range is less than I hoped for, but is still respectable for something that weights about >40kg with the battery (the battery weights 10kg alone). I'm very happy with being able to go to work and back a couple of times without recharging, no pedalling, full-throttle all the way, all the motorcycle lights on, up 15% hills. The feeling and acceleration is just incredible! At red lights I accelerate faster than most cars for a few seconds. I usually disconnect the rear chain and drive without the annoying freewheel ratchet noise. Whhheeeeeeeeuuuuuuu is the sound of future =)
Specs:
Top speed on flats, no wind in the face, no pedalling: 44 km/h
Top speed downhill ever recorded: 50 km/h
Speed up moderate hills (10%-15% grade), no pedalling: 30 km/h
Range with everything on, additional 15 kg load in my backpack, front/rear lights on, full-throttle all the way, absolutely no pedalling: ~45 km
Wheel size rear: 24 inch, 3 inch tire (same total circumference as 26 inch MTB wheel)
Wheel size front: 20 inch, 3 inch tire
Been riding it for a few weeks now- absolutely incredible feeling. As Braveheart would scream "Freeeedooom!!!!".
3" think tires, rear disk brake, low center of gravity- tons of battery storage space. And totally useless as a stand-alone bicycle Going on pedals on that thing is like cutting through molasses. You just can't go uphill on this beast with a 50lb bike weight. But with the motor and the batteries the picture changes. The slow show-off low-rider bike becomes a perfect commuter! So, I started the conversion that was supposed to take 2 weeks top (the time required to get the batteries from Anna or Ping). Anna basically stole my money. I paid $515 for 48V 20AH battery from him (yes, Anna is a man), and never got anything or a refund. Still sending hate-mail to that con-man and finding a way to prosecute him on Chinese territory.Ping, on the other hand, did everything in his power to deliver the package on time (even paid $50 out of his pocket to deliver via UPS for a 3-day express delivery). Four thumbs up for the man! So, I got the 48V 20AH battery, 36V Golden Motor, the Giant Stiletto bike and started the creative process or cutting and fitting and sawing and re-doing everything a thousand times, following the principle "measure once, cut tons of times, then throw everything out"
So, after three months of cutting, grinding, drilling, cursing, soldering and being electrocuted (sparks included
), here is my creation.
And it is EVil
Yesssss, EEEEEEEEVVVVVVVVillll. Gas cars- beware!
Overall, the range is less than I hoped for, but is still respectable for something that weights about >40kg with the battery (the battery weights 10kg alone). I'm very happy with being able to go to work and back a couple of times without recharging, no pedalling, full-throttle all the way, all the motorcycle lights on, up 15% hills. The feeling and acceleration is just incredible! At red lights I accelerate faster than most cars for a few seconds. I usually disconnect the rear chain and drive without the annoying freewheel ratchet noise. Whhheeeeeeeeuuuuuuu is the sound of future =)
Specs:
Top speed on flats, no wind in the face, no pedalling: 44 km/h
Top speed downhill ever recorded: 50 km/h
Speed up moderate hills (10%-15% grade), no pedalling: 30 km/h
Range with everything on, additional 15 kg load in my backpack, front/rear lights on, full-throttle all the way, absolutely no pedalling: ~45 km
Wheel size rear: 24 inch, 3 inch tire (same total circumference as 26 inch MTB wheel)
Wheel size front: 20 inch, 3 inch tire
Been riding it for a few weeks now- absolutely incredible feeling. As Braveheart would scream "Freeeedooom!!!!".
