This is the most powerful production mid drive kit that you can run through the bikes gears, and the big surprise is how quiet it is. We bought the first two production kits before they were even produced. I say that up front to give you an idea of how we feel about this particular mid drive kit. There is quite simply no other kit that you can add to your bike that comes close to what this kit can
How to Build Yourself
Lightning Rods 2800W mid drive kit
This is the most powerful production mid drive kit that you can run through the bikes gears, and the big surprise is how quiet it is. We bought the first two production kits before they were even produced. I say that up front to give you an idea of how we feel about this particular mid drive kit. There is quite simply no other kit that you can add to your bike that comes close to what this kit can
12 E-bike KIT power levels, from 360W to 8,000W
If you are fairly new to the idea of an E-bike, and you think you might want one, this article hopes to give you some info to help you get some kind of an idea about what type of kit will fit your needs. Factory E-bikes are very expensive compared to the kits that you can get and install on your own bike, but…some people don’t mind paying more to get good customer service from a local dealer, and getting
If you are fairly new to the idea of an E-bike, and you think you might want one, this article hopes to give you some info to help you get some kind of an idea about what type of kit will fit your needs. Factory E-bikes are very expensive compared to the kits that you can get and install on your own bike, but…some people don’t mind paying more to get good customer service from a local dealer, and getting
High Current Batteries that are NOT LiPo
High performance requires high amps, but LiPo batteries can be dangerous for someone who is inexperienced with them. LiPo is capable of putting out VERY high current (the C-rate), and if you are building a racing E-bike, they are simply the best choice. A LiPo pack will be smaller, lighter, and will put out more peak and continuous amps than any other pack you can buy. The problem is that…for E-bikers who want something that is much safer, but has better performance
High performance requires high amps, but LiPo batteries can be dangerous for someone who is inexperienced with them. LiPo is capable of putting out VERY high current (the C-rate), and if you are building a racing E-bike, they are simply the best choice. A LiPo pack will be smaller, lighter, and will put out more peak and continuous amps than any other pack you can buy. The problem is that…for E-bikers who want something that is much safer, but has better performance
DIY Mid drive builds, the why and the how, part-2
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 pedal-drive system just as you
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 pedal-drive system just as you
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,