Endless-sphere.com

by **p scott** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 9:09 pm

Im looking to build my first ebike. I cummute about 25km each way, its fairly flat here in Ottawa. Ive done this for years but im getting older and lazier....I like the idea of a geared hub so I can ride when I want without resistance but again I've never had an ebike.
I've looked at the e-zee from ebikes.ca but $1200 + for a 36v system seems high. By mid summer, I average about 28-30 kph ridings without a motor on my road bike so I want to go at least that fast if not faster. I also have a mountain bike but don't tend to ride it to work due to the distance. Can someone suggest or offer.

by **Ypedal** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 9:19 pm

The eZee kit from ebikes.ca is a good kit, a bit of money but it's a quality setup and you do get what you pay for.. get the Cycle Analyst with it and you can maintain 30 km/h with ease using little power if you pedal meaningfully.. if you can swing the cash it's a really good kit ! Only one i know that includes the tire and tube !!

by **neptronix** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 10:11 pm

It only seems high because it is

Dunno why that motor is so expensive. It's basically a toned down MAC/BMC motor.
The MAC motor is far cheaper and more powerful.

Ampedbikes and eBikekit make fairly good geared kits, and they are affordable as well.

But the best option is to always build your own. It will end up cheaper, you will have more power, and you will understand how it works, so when it breaks you are not entirely in the dark or out in the cold after the warranty period is over.

by **p scott** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 10:34 pm

neptronix wrote:It only seems high because it is

Dunno why that motor is so expensive. It's basically a toned down MAC/BMC motor.
The MAC motor is far cheaper and more powerful.

Ampedbikes and eBikekit make fairly good geared kits, and they are affordable as well.

But the best option is to always build your own. It will end up cheaper, you will have more power, and you will understand how it works, so when it breaks you are not entirely in the dark or out in the cold after the warranty period is over.

The largest cost seem to be the battary. How hard is it to build a 48v battery with enough capacity for home and back (50km)?

by **neptronix** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 10:50 pm

Depends on what you're looking for. Some people like lifepo4, some like A123, some like lipo. Spend some time reading the forum. There is just a lot to learn!

You can save yourself some money by building your own, but it takes some work and investment.

As for your battery, if your area is not super hilly and you are okay with pedaling, 15-20ah would be good for that range.

by **dogman** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 3:53 pm

Batteries do tend to cost more from kit retailers. Cost of actually standing behind the product, etc. Grin has just about the best reputation of any retailer I ever bought from, for anything not just ebike stuff.

However, sourcing the battery elsewhere does tend to save you a few bucks. But then you end up needing to build a container for it. Pingbattery is one good supplier of lifepo4 batteries suitable to run an ezee kit.

by **neptronix** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 4:01 pm

Ampedbikes sells a fairly affordable 12ah 36v battery if you're okay with that voltage.
However, it is unproven.

I went with the build-it-your own option because these pre-build packs tend to be unreliable. They have short warranties and often have problems. Ping is the only pre-built pack i can really recommend because if you search around, their support is great and replacement bits are affordable. The packs seem more trouble free than most.

ebikes.ca is recommendable for sure; this is a vendor i can stand behind 100%. But i haven't heard anything good or bad about the eZee packs. Then again when i saw the price tag of the eZee stuff i kinda fled in terror

by **p scott** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 10:01 pm

I decided to build my own. My goal is to go as light as possible given my cycling back ground and commuting distance. I would hate the feel of a 50lb bike. Where can I buy the MAC motor? Im considing lipo from HK despite the drawbacks, Can you recommend a parts list, (charger, controller) ? I would like to go at least 48v. 10ah capacity is ok.

neptronix wrote:It only seems high because it is

Dunno why that motor is so expensive. It's basically a toned down MAC/BMC motor.
The MAC motor is far cheaper and more powerful.

Ampedbikes and eBikekit make fairly good geared kits, and they are affordable as well.

But the best option is to always build your own. It will end up cheaper, you will have more power, and you will understand how it works, so when it breaks you are not entirely in the dark or out in the cold after the warranty period is over.

by **Kin** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 11:45 am

Cell_Man sells mac motors in the for sale new thread I believe. He has a variety of motors for sale at a good price, but I just don't know the differences between the geared options (I'm getting DD).

[As someone who has spent a lot of time figuring out, I mean, trying to figure out the lipo situation] make sure you know what you're getting into with LiPo. It might be feasible to have a simpler chemistry and just have a small pack. If you're happy to still bike at 70% effort or something much more manageable, you could put together a super light weight pack + motor I bet. But research is key here- my plans have changed 4-5 times since I first started planning my build.

by **kriskros** » Wed May 18, 2011 2:10 pm

i hav e Puma[Mac] motor laced on a rim for sale.... see used index :mrgreen:

by **bionx 1954** » Wed May 18, 2011 11:26 pm

Hi there is a Ebike store in Ottawa who carrys most brands, they also sells products from Ebike.ca. It is a small 1 person operation located on McArthur Rd near St. Laurent Blvd.I have done business with him and he offers full line of Ebike kits, also turn key bikes. He is very help full, and you can see the item before buying and also has service if there is a problem. The store is called Ridemore.ca and has a website for info