CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help

Any experience of retrofitting an ebike motor?

(5 posts)
  • Started 4 years ago by Darkerside
  • Latest reply from le_soigneur
  • This topic is not resolved

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  1. Darkerside
    Member

    Hi folks

    Following the cycle-to-work "limit" increase, I was having a shifty at options that would make my 40km, 450m climb round commute viable again, now I am a) unfit and b) can't afford to just collapse on the sofa of an evening due to the Many Children Problem. Requirements:

    - E-assist
    - Can take at least one child for the first 5km to nursery (bonus points for more) + one pannier
    - Front basket
    - Can viably be spun up to 30kph on the flat (so still a fairly sporty riding position).
    - Ideally still get it on a train.

    What I would like is probably a Tern GSD or an assisted Helios. However, my current upright (Kona Sutra with front rack & box + rear childseat) meets everything I need apart from the e-assist...

    Bafang appears to be popular as a retrofit option and generally reviews well, but I'm wary of spending £700 on some potentially dubious electronics from Amazon or eBay.

    Thoughts greatly appreciated...

    Posted 4 years ago #

  2. Darkerside
    Member

    Well, that post formatting seems to have gone horribly wrong...

    Update: seem to have sorted it. I was being overly bold with the list-item use, it seems

    Posted 4 years ago #

  3. LaidBack
    Member

    Beck Electrics have e-assisted four ICE trikes. Bafang is his thing and has in stock. Can put you in touch with Robin. He flits between Dunoon and Peebles and has van to pick up projects.
    He 'may' suggest a 500w motor but I would go for street legal 250w as then you have range. Plus bike parts should last longer.
    Joe at Bike Works (or Harts and others) could fit a system as he has sorted out other people's AliBaba.com stuff (People avoiding cost of 'name' brands)

    Edinburgh also has Al Huchinson aka The Bike Spark. Often seen hauling trailers to New Leaf coop and other Marchmonite places.

    Posted 4 years ago #

  4. Darkerside
    Member

    Given the other thread on liability, I think running with an illegal motor is probably unwise these days :)

    I'll drop you an email.

    Posted 4 years ago #

  5. le_soigneur
    Member

    My neighbour fitted a front-hub 250W Cyclotricity kit to his bike and it is impressive for £450. Hub means no extra chain wear compared to mid-mounted but not quite as efficient for the motor to start-up and run at optimum torque. Frame battery still gives low centre of gravity.
    If you are converting a bike to hub-motor, disk brakes best to avoid wearing out the rim and having to re-lace every few years. Front hub probably gives better weight balance if you have a passenger in a kiddie seat behind you and is simpler to fit. My own conversion easily does 40 miles on a charge when using power level 2(150W) but that company is now out of business, however it hasn't missed a beat and my son is getting good use out of it. (Cyclotricity are reputable going by the reviews.)

    Posted 4 years ago #

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