Trying to ditch spokes and go hard plastic...

[greenmountainski]

Is it possible? I called Skyway wheels, who makes sweet rims for BMX bikes, and hundreds of other apps, they said they have tried multiple times with no success. If a big company like this can't do it, what is the problem? Skyway wheels said that they just have a hard time getting the motor manufacturer to make a hub that best fits there rims. It would seem to me they could make something that just bolts to the spoke holes on the electric hub. Any ideas or companies anyone can gravitate me towards? Thanks.

Alex

 

[Hillhater]

You mean replace an alloy rim + steel spokes with a molded plastic wheel ?
It may be possible, but it wont be very strong, resilient or light !
Why would you want to do this ?
Carbon fibre rim and spokes maybe,..but that is a different game and still not sensible for a hub motor.

 

[speedmd]

This rim has some potential with laser cut out alloy mounting disks or separate sections subbing for spokes.

 

[friendly1uk]

Seems like we expect the wheel manufacturer to make wheels that fit hub motors. Meanwhile, back in the lab, they're expecting motor companies to make motors to fit a wheel they bring to market.

I'm not sure what your picturing, but will it be able to breathe?

You could take the flanges off a motor then sleeve it in something

edit: A few such wheels exist. The owner of any previously tried idea would probably assist in development rather than charge you. Just as long as you pay for the prototype and offer some filming rights. It is a free re-launch of their product to a new market. Who knows what they may have laying around?

 

[Ch00paKabrA]

You could go with magnesium:



They have 20" and 26" wheels in white and black

http://gzmagnesium.en.alibaba.com/p...&edm_cta=read_msg&edm_time=realtime&edm_ver=e

A pro is that they use cassettes
A con is that I think the motors are brushed. (Edit: the website shows these as brushed but the seller has notified me that that is an error on the site, they are brushless.) These are basically the bafang 48v 500w cassette motors built into a wheel.

I requested some info on them and here is the email I got back (English is a little off):

Dear Mr. Callo,
Thanks so much for you are interested in our Magnesium Electric Motor Wheels 26''!

For your question, pls see my reply as below.
1. For the wheels, 26*1.75~2.5 tire is compatible,
all our wheels are standard components.
2. For now, we have two size wheel for ebike, 20inch and 26inch.
3. The total cost around $434 for 1set 26inch, 500W 48V in black to Neptune, NJ 07753 USA, delivery time around 5-10days by EMS.
Should you need extra parts as enclosed pictures, controller, LCD meter, waterproof cable, 1:1 PAS, throllte ect..just need add $75, you can choose it or not as you like.
By the way, pls allow me to give a brief introduction about our products and us.

We have been specialized in designing and producing magnesium products for 9 years, all our products
own Patent and SGS approved.
Magnesium Electric Motor Kit is our newest products last July, the fashionable appearance,
a variety of colors to choose from. Motor wheels body made of magnesium alloy die-casting,
wheels spokes tendon strength compared to a more substantial increase.
Overall weight compared to similar knitting spokes motor have abated measured reduce 1.5KG.
Easy vehicle assembly, reduce labor intense.
Our products also showed at a lot of famous fair, such as EUROBIKE 2013, INTERBIKE,
pls find enclosed pictures for you study.

Any question, pls feel free to let me know.

Best Regards!

Crystal

 

[DAND214]

Is it possible? I called Skyway wheels, who makes sweet rims for BMX bikes, and hundreds of other apps, they said they have tried multiple times with no success. If a big company like this can't do it, what is the problem? Skyway wheels said that they just have a hard time getting the motor manufacturer to make a hub that best fits there rims. It would seem to me they could make something that just bolts to the spoke holes on the electric hub. Any ideas or companies anyone can gravitate me towards? Thanks.

WHY? What reason?

Dan

Alex

 

[Voltron]

We sell those sort of "mag" wheels at our shop for non electrics... probably not actually magnesium, incredibly heavy, pretty true but slight hop with no way to take it out, and weak enough that several got a flat spot from a hard hit in the section between spokes. And they're so un-aerodynamic they make a whooshing noise like a wind turbine while going around. That being said, the idea of a light, true, aero-ish, strong wheel with an industry standard hole in the middle for motor mounting does sound pretty good. Maybe a splined case so the motor just slips in with a big retaining clip holding it in...30 second motor swaps anyone?

 

[docnjoj]

I've been using 2 glass filled nylon wheels from the KMX trike on my Steintrike for over a year now with no problems. They are 16" (305mm) fronts with a brass shim bearing insert since they are 1/2" ID bearings and the trike has slightly smaller 12mm axels . They work fine and the all up weight of the trike, me and batteries is about 320 lbs. I don't know where you would get these for a hub motor but probably Skyway makes them and they have disc brake attachments.
otherDoc

 

[greenmountainski]

You mean replace an alloy rim + steel spokes with a molded plastic wheel ?
It may be possible, but it wont be very strong, resilient or light !
Why would you want to do this ?
Carbon fibre rim and spokes maybe,..but that is a different game and still not sensible for a hub motor.

I am just sick of trying to fix spokes all the time. I don't know why I have such bad spoke luck.

 

[greenmountainski]

Seems like we expect the wheel manufacturer to make wheels that fit hub motors. Meanwhile, back in the lab, they're expecting motor companies to make motors to fit a wheel they bring to market.

I'm not sure what your picturing, but will it be able to breathe?

You could take the flanges off a motor then sleeve it in something

edit: A few such wheels exist. The owner of any previously tried idea would probably assist in development rather than charge you. Just as long as you pay for the prototype and offer some filming rights. It is a free re-launch of their product to a new market. Who knows what they may have laying around?

I will check this out. Yeah it seems like both sides don't want to make a whole. I don't think the breathing is an issue if done right.

 

[greenmountainski]

You could go with magnesium:



They have 20" and 26" wheels in white and black

http://gzmagnesium.en.alibaba.com/p...&edm_cta=read_msg&edm_time=realtime&edm_ver=e

A pro is that they use cassettes
A con is that I think the motors are brushed.

I requested some info on them and here is the email I got back (English is a little off):

Dear Mr. Callo,
Thanks so much for you are interested in our Magnesium Electric Motor Wheels 26''!

For your question, pls see my reply as below.
1. For the wheels, 26*1.75~2.5 tire is compatible,
all our wheels are standard components.
2. For now, we have two size wheel for ebike, 20inch and 26inch.
3. The total cost around $434 for 1set 26inch, 500W 48V in black to Neptune, NJ 07753 USA, delivery time around 5-10days by EMS.
Should you need extra parts as enclosed pictures, controller, LCD meter, waterproof cable, 1:1 PAS, throllte ect..just need add $75, you can choose it or not as you like.
By the way, pls allow me to give a brief introduction about our products and us.

We have been specialized in designing and producing magnesium products for 9 years, all our products
own Patent and SGS approved.
Magnesium Electric Motor Kit is our newest products last July, the fashionable appearance,
a variety of colors to choose from. Motor wheels body made of magnesium alloy die-casting,
wheels spokes tendon strength compared to a more substantial increase.
Overall weight compared to similar knitting spokes motor have abated measured reduce 1.5KG.
Easy vehicle assembly, reduce labor intense.
Our products also showed at a lot of famous fair, such as EUROBIKE 2013, INTERBIKE,
pls find enclosed pictures for you study.

Any question, pls feel free to let me know.

Best Regards!

Crystal

Wow great link thanks but I am looking to put something equivalent to a CROWN motor in.

 

[greenmountainski]

We sell those sort of "mag" wheels at our shop for non electrics... probably not actually magnesium, incredibly heavy, pretty true but slight hop with no way to take it out, and weak enough that several got a flat spot from a hard hit in the section between spokes. And they're so un-aerodynamic they make a whooshing noise like a wind turbine while going around. That being said, the idea of a light, true, aero-ish, strong wheel with an industry standard hole in the middle for motor mounting does sound pretty good. Maybe a splined case so the motor just slips in with a big retaining clip holding it in...30 second motor swaps anyone?

I feel like the second there is any wheel hop that is the end of the rim, so the motor and the outer rim need to be separate and replaceable. Or just balance them.

 

[greenmountainski]

I've been using 2 glass filled nylon wheels from the KMX trike on my Steintrike for over a year now with no problems. They are 16" (305mm) fronts with a brass shim bearing insert since they are 1/2" ID bearings and the trike has slightly smaller 12mm axels . They work fine and the all up weight of the trike, me and batteries is about 320 lbs. I don't know where you would get these for a hub motor but probably Skyway makes them and they have disc brake attachments.
otherDoc

Interesting Ill check it out.

 

[alsmith]

You mean replace an alloy rim + steel spokes with a molded plastic wheel ?
It may be possible, but it wont be very strong, resilient or light !
Why would you want to do this ?
Carbon fibre rim and spokes maybe,..but that is a different game and still not sensible for a hub motor.

I am just sick of trying to fix spokes all the time. I don't know why I have such bad spoke luck.

Are these wheels you have built yourself, or off the shelf stuff? Stainless steel? What gauge spokes, what power motor?