Russell
1 MW
I was looking for a small geared motor when I ran across this kit on eBay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/250W-36v-Electric-Bike-Conversion-Kit-SAVE-GAS_W0QQitemZ320318877354QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?hash=item320318877354&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318
I was told by the seller it was manufactured by Suzhou (the guys who manufacture the Bafang). I wanted the kit for my Raleigh hybrid so I took a chance the 28" wheel was 700C since that’s how many people refer to the 700C size outside the USA. The wheel was actually 635mm and not the 622mm I had hoped. The rim was a very wide 32mm single-wall laced to the motor with 13G spokes in a 1X pattern with the spokes not touching at the cross. It was way out of true though that didn’t matter to me any longer. I laced the motor to a Sun 700C CR18 rim using Wheelsmith DH-13 butted spokes size 258mm (260 would have been better) in a 2X pattern. The controller is small (approx. 3" x 2 1/2" x 1 1/4") and is rated at 7A/15A peak. The 3 SLA batteries are 12V/9Ah in their own little tote bag you can remove from the rear rack bag. A 36V 1.8A charger is included. The straps for the rear bag are awkward and don't cinch down very well. I'm going to put a plate in the bottom of it and bolt it down to my rear rack. The controller is stored in the rear rack bag as well though for convenience I have mounted it on the handlebars with a Watt's Up meter on top. The throttle is your run of the mill full twist plastic model with LED’s.
One thing leads to another so I haven’t finished the bike yet. It’s too cold and snowy here in Wisconsin to ride anyway. I know I’ll hate the twist throttle so I will be trying out different throttles and brake/shifter combinations. I did secure the bike’s front wheel in my trainer and ran it at full speed. On a fresh charge it registered a top speed of 17.3mph according to the bike’s speedometer calibrated for the 700x35 tire. The Watt’s Up meter showed the motor was pulling an average of 170W at between 4.5 and 5.0 amps with a peak on acceleration of 14A. The trainer displayed about 126W to start, though I don’t know how accurate that is, for an efficiency of 74%. The speed trailed off as the voltage went down and after 5AH and 16.8 miles was 15.9mph. The battery hit the 31.5V controller cutoff voltage at 5.7AH delivering 199WH after 19.5 miles. I expect the on-road results to be a bit slower without pedaling since I routinely spin faster on my trainer than out on the road.
All in all it’s not a bad beginner kit for someone who wants a small geared motor though for me the shipping from Canada and having to re-lace the wheel added to the cost. It is one of the few Bafang motor kits available on the market though I see Cycle9 has some 8Fun kits with a lithium battery starting at $699 for a 24V system. Still it would probably be better to buy the parts separate especially if you don’t want the SLA battery pack and you don’t mind matching up a compatible controller. As my first kit to play around with it should suit me just fine.
http://cgi.ebay.com/250W-36v-Electric-Bike-Conversion-Kit-SAVE-GAS_W0QQitemZ320318877354QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?hash=item320318877354&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318
I was told by the seller it was manufactured by Suzhou (the guys who manufacture the Bafang). I wanted the kit for my Raleigh hybrid so I took a chance the 28" wheel was 700C since that’s how many people refer to the 700C size outside the USA. The wheel was actually 635mm and not the 622mm I had hoped. The rim was a very wide 32mm single-wall laced to the motor with 13G spokes in a 1X pattern with the spokes not touching at the cross. It was way out of true though that didn’t matter to me any longer. I laced the motor to a Sun 700C CR18 rim using Wheelsmith DH-13 butted spokes size 258mm (260 would have been better) in a 2X pattern. The controller is small (approx. 3" x 2 1/2" x 1 1/4") and is rated at 7A/15A peak. The 3 SLA batteries are 12V/9Ah in their own little tote bag you can remove from the rear rack bag. A 36V 1.8A charger is included. The straps for the rear bag are awkward and don't cinch down very well. I'm going to put a plate in the bottom of it and bolt it down to my rear rack. The controller is stored in the rear rack bag as well though for convenience I have mounted it on the handlebars with a Watt's Up meter on top. The throttle is your run of the mill full twist plastic model with LED’s.
One thing leads to another so I haven’t finished the bike yet. It’s too cold and snowy here in Wisconsin to ride anyway. I know I’ll hate the twist throttle so I will be trying out different throttles and brake/shifter combinations. I did secure the bike’s front wheel in my trainer and ran it at full speed. On a fresh charge it registered a top speed of 17.3mph according to the bike’s speedometer calibrated for the 700x35 tire. The Watt’s Up meter showed the motor was pulling an average of 170W at between 4.5 and 5.0 amps with a peak on acceleration of 14A. The trainer displayed about 126W to start, though I don’t know how accurate that is, for an efficiency of 74%. The speed trailed off as the voltage went down and after 5AH and 16.8 miles was 15.9mph. The battery hit the 31.5V controller cutoff voltage at 5.7AH delivering 199WH after 19.5 miles. I expect the on-road results to be a bit slower without pedaling since I routinely spin faster on my trainer than out on the road.
All in all it’s not a bad beginner kit for someone who wants a small geared motor though for me the shipping from Canada and having to re-lace the wheel added to the cost. It is one of the few Bafang motor kits available on the market though I see Cycle9 has some 8Fun kits with a lithium battery starting at $699 for a 24V system. Still it would probably be better to buy the parts separate especially if you don’t want the SLA battery pack and you don’t mind matching up a compatible controller. As my first kit to play around with it should suit me just fine.
