Written by Ron/Spinningmagnets, March 2013 The reasons why someone would want a non-hub build…in spite of the complexity, noisy drive components, and extra cost…was discussed in Part-1. Here, in Part-2…you have decided that you want a non-hub drive system, and you want to know what components others have used with some record of success. The two systems I’ll describe here are…first: a VERY high powered “one-speed” system that drives the left side of the rear wheel (leaving the stock right-side
How to Build Yourself
DIY Mid drive builds, the why and the how, part-2
Written by Ron/Spinningmagnets, March 2013 The reasons why someone would want a non-hub build…in spite of the complexity, noisy drive components, and extra cost…was discussed in Part-1. Here, in Part-2…you have decided that you want a non-hub drive system, and you want to know what components others have used with some record of success. The two systems I’ll describe here are…first: a VERY high powered “one-speed” system that drives the left side of the rear wheel (leaving the stock right-side
BionX Hub Motor Kit Review
The BionX is the best selling hub motor kit in the United States, and probably the world. The Bionx is not only sold as a kit, but many manufacturers use it as a turn-key solution to very quickly bring a quality ebike to market. These manufacturers have included, Trek, Ohm, Smart and Grace. Unlike most kits, the BionX is designed and manufactured not in China, but in Ontario Canada. At least some of (if not most of) the components of the BionX kit
The BionX is the best selling hub motor kit in the United States, and probably the world. The Bionx is not only sold as a kit, but many manufacturers use it as a turn-key solution to very quickly bring a quality ebike to market. These manufacturers have included, Trek, Ohm, Smart and Grace. Unlike most kits, the BionX is designed and manufactured not in China, but in Ontario Canada. At least some of (if not most of) the components of the BionX kit
DIY non-hub builds, the why and how (part 1)
Common hub motor kits have a simple construction which keeps the price low (especially with Chinese mass-production). The low price and easy installation makes them the big seller by a wide margin.
Common hub motor kits have a simple construction which keeps the price low (especially with Chinese mass-production). The low price and easy installation makes them the big seller by a wide margin.
How to Lace an E-Bike Hub Motor
This article is primarily aimed at guiding a less experienced bike mechanic through rim replacement on an electric bike hub motor. It also can be used as a guide for those wishing to do their own wheel build on a conversion project. I don’t pretend to be a wheel expert. For detailed information on the subjects in this article, go to the Sheldon Brown website. This is a wheel building clinic for hub motor electric bikes. If you’re reading this,
This article is primarily aimed at guiding a less experienced bike mechanic through rim replacement on an electric bike hub motor. It also can be used as a guide for those wishing to do their own wheel build on a conversion project. I don’t pretend to be a wheel expert. For detailed information on the subjects in this article, go to the Sheldon Brown website. This is a wheel building clinic for hub motor electric bikes. If you’re reading this,
Recommended E-bike Vendors 2012
The electric bike builder marketplace is full of cottage industries. This is a list of vendors for people who are considering building an electric bike themselves. The shops below are owner operated with at most a few employees. Every vendor on this list is known to be reputable and knowledgeable. This list is current as of Summer 2012. We will add and take away names off this list as the industry develops. As of this writing these are the big
The electric bike builder marketplace is full of cottage industries. This is a list of vendors for people who are considering building an electric bike themselves. The shops below are owner operated with at most a few employees. Every vendor on this list is known to be reputable and knowledgeable. This list is current as of Summer 2012. We will add and take away names off this list as the industry develops. As of this writing these are the big
Mid-Drive Electric Cargo Bikes
There are two types of electric conversions for an electric cargo bike…one is fast and cheap, the other is more labor intensive and expensive but it has better performance. If you can afford it, a mid-drive cargo bike is the way to go. #1 hub motor conversion. This is the easiest, and cheapest way to go. Most electric cargo bikes consist of a hub motor. There is plenty of articles on this site about hub motor conversions but read our hub
There are two types of electric conversions for an electric cargo bike…one is fast and cheap, the other is more labor intensive and expensive but it has better performance. If you can afford it, a mid-drive cargo bike is the way to go. #1 hub motor conversion. This is the easiest, and cheapest way to go. Most electric cargo bikes consist of a hub motor. There is plenty of articles on this site about hub motor conversions but read our hub
Torque Arms on Hub Motor Bikes
Hub motors put a lot of twisting torque on a bicycles drop outs, more than any bike was designed for. This is a special concern when running a hub motor on the front, because if your fork snaps, it can have potentially fatal consequences (think face plant onto the concrete). There have been electric bike riders who have died this way so use extreme caution. The more powerful the motor the greater the danger. If you’re running a 350W Cute geared motor,
Hub motors put a lot of twisting torque on a bicycles drop outs, more than any bike was designed for. This is a special concern when running a hub motor on the front, because if your fork snaps, it can have potentially fatal consequences (think face plant onto the concrete). There have been electric bike riders who have died this way so use extreme caution. The more powerful the motor the greater the danger. If you’re running a 350W Cute geared motor,
Building an Affordable Electric Bike Commuter
Editors Note: Dogman is a well respected guru of the DIY electric bike community who has ridden 10′s of thousands of miles on his frugally built hub powered electric bikes. First question is, what is a commuters electric bike? Short answer is, It gets you from point A to point B. Typically a trip that is done often, like home to work or school and back. For this article, I will be discussing electric bikes that do not greatly exceed the guidelines
Editors Note: Dogman is a well respected guru of the DIY electric bike community who has ridden 10′s of thousands of miles on his frugally built hub powered electric bikes. First question is, what is a commuters electric bike? Short answer is, It gets you from point A to point B. Typically a trip that is done often, like home to work or school and back. For this article, I will be discussing electric bikes that do not greatly exceed the guidelines
DIY Recumbent Electric Bike
The following story was submitted by Roger Kaza of St. Louis, Missouri, and is a great narrative on how an electric bike can transform your life into something healthier and funner–while saving money and being greener. I’ve been a bike commuter for most of my life. Whether for school or work, it’s always been my goal to live close enough to make the trip on two wheels. But a few years ago my family moved to the suburbs of St. Louis,
The following story was submitted by Roger Kaza of St. Louis, Missouri, and is a great narrative on how an electric bike can transform your life into something healthier and funner–while saving money and being greener. I’ve been a bike commuter for most of my life. Whether for school or work, it’s always been my goal to live close enough to make the trip on two wheels. But a few years ago my family moved to the suburbs of St. Louis,
Hot-Rodding your Hub Motor
So you want to build an electric hot rod the fast, easy and cheap way? Hub motor hod rodding is for you. Inevitably, new electric bike owners decide they want more power and speed out of their hub motor bikes. Hub motor power is such an entrancing thrill because its so quiet and intimidatingly smooth. After you get some miles on the stock hub motor bike, and get comfortable on it, almost everyone wants to go a little faster, accelerate a little harder,
So you want to build an electric hot rod the fast, easy and cheap way? Hub motor hod rodding is for you. Inevitably, new electric bike owners decide they want more power and speed out of their hub motor bikes. Hub motor power is such an entrancing thrill because its so quiet and intimidatingly smooth. After you get some miles on the stock hub motor bike, and get comfortable on it, almost everyone wants to go a little faster, accelerate a little harder,