What would you suggest -new build or modify?

[GreenLantern]

Your ideas would be most welcome. I drive a 2007 Schwin Izip 24 volt(sla) with 450 watt motor. The bike is great but i would like to get a little more speed out of her. I do about 18mph and would like to do 30 or 40 mph on the flat with moderate pedaling. I weigh 220lbs.
I was wondering about going with a 36 volt lithium battery, basically over volting. I've also thought about adding a 1000 watt front hub motor to my bike so that I would run with two motors. I own a non-electric hybrid bike and have considered adding a 2000watt rear hub motor essentially a new build.
I know a lot of members on ES have done several bike projects, how would you approach this.
Thanks for your time and consideration.

 

[StudEbiker]

Your ideas would be most welcome. I drive a 2007 Schwin Izip 24 volt(sla) with 450 watt motor. The bike is great but i would like to get a little more speed out of her. I do about 18mph and would like to do 30 or 40 mph on the flat with moderate pedaling. I weigh 220lbs.
I was wondering about going with a 36 volt lithium battery, basically over volting. I've also thought about adding a 1000 watt front hub motor to my bike so that I would run with two motors. I own a non-electric hybrid bike and have considered adding a 2000watt rear hub motor essentially a new build.
I know a lot of members on ES have done several bike projects, how would you approach this.
Thanks for your time and consideration.

First off, there is a HUGE difference between doing 30 and doing 40 on an E-bike, in energy consumption, in the quality of components you will need on the bike, in the quality of ride, and probably a few other things. Two motors will not give you more speed, just more torque, and alot more complexity and weight. Unless you are climbing serious grades I don't think there is any compelling reason to have two motors. My original Aoetema front hubbie would comfortably do 26-27 on the flats with 36v LiFePo4 battery and I thought that was a pretty good speed. The new 9C tops out at 22. I gotta say I really miss those other 4-5mph, but I will get them back someday when I go to 12s LiPo, or 16s LiFePo. What I do enjoy is the increased torque though. I don't work nearly as hard getting up the hills with the 9C. Remember that the rated wattage on a motor doesn't really have anything to do with how fast it will go. You can use the calculator here to play around with different combinations of motors, batteries, and controllers to see what you might want (http://www.ebikes.ca/simulator/). I think if I were you, I would probably start by upgrading the battery on the iZip to 36v LiFePo and see how that works. You may need to change your throttle when you change the battery (someone with more knowledge of 24v/36v systems will probably chime in on that), but your controller will probably be able to handle it. Also, be sure and look around on the forum using the search function. I have found that just about anytime I'm trying to figure something out, somebody before me on here has already figured it out. Just doing a quick search on "36v izip" turned up this thread: http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=20108. Good luck to you!

 

[dogman dan]

New build time. A nine continent 2807 or 2806 and 20s lipo will just get you into the 40 mph club. You'll need a strong steel bike, or at least some custom torque arms for a rear motor on an alu frame. It can be done fairly cheap, like under $1500.

My current "cheap" favorite bike for this is the mongoose blackcomb. Nice steel swingarms and moderately good suspension. But you can also go the steel hardtail route pretty cheap.

 

[max]

Make it a tank
not a real tank but as solid as one

 

[GTR2EBIKE]

New build Is definitely the way to go. I was in the exact same situation as you, started with an e-zip and it wasn't nearly enough. I wanted to go 30-40mph, I ended up with a BMC V3 1000w kit. It goes 36-34mph hot of the charger and settles down to 32mph@1400 watts.
The fastest "simple" kit would be get a crystalyte 5303 or 5304 kit and get 2 36V packs wire them in series(72V). This should get you to 40mph+ but it will be a heavy bike.

 

[wineboyrider]

New build. I have an ezip and use it as my back up ebike. That way when if I have a flat etc. I always have electric transportation!
I am building a kollmorgen powered bike and have a comfort bike with an ebikekit 9c motor that at 48v lifepo4 would put you in the high 20's (25-28). I run it on

 

[John in CR]

+1 on new build. I'd do it even if only to avoid any down time on my current e-ride. I get a bit cranky when I don't get to ride.