Ebike build for my 20 mile (1 way) commute (oh and an Intro)

[wesnewell]

I wouldn't want to commute that far by ebike, but if I had to, here's what I'd buy.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/26-Electric-Bike-Bicycle-Motor-Conversion-Kit-eBike-Rear-Wheel-48V-1000W-/370934929537
I'd then put 20-25ah of rc lipo on it and have a charge station at work and home. About $400-$500 for batteries. Or you could go with a 20ah lifepo4 pack and a second charger, but it's going to be big and heavy. Or you could go with 20ah of NMC, but that's going to really cost you and you will not get any more life from it compared to rc lipo. While I don't like bms's, it would make charging easier, so you might want to use one with the rc lipo. Personally, I'd just bulk charge with a timer at one location and balance charge at the other.

 

[999zip999]

Don't use the headache lipo hobby batties. They are a fire risk which you don't need at home or work. A simple plug and play battery. One plug.

 

[wesnewell]

Rc lipo has never been a problem or headache for me and I've been using them over 3 years now and wouldn't use anything else for an ebike because they are smaller, lighter, more powerful than anything else out there, They are also cheaper, more configurable, last just as long if not longer than lifepo4 when used at C rates that cheaper lifepo4 packs seem to die an early death from, and 20ah of 12s (888wh) will fit in a 6" cube and weigh ~14 lbs.

 

[dogman dan]

She wants lightweight, but charging safely at work is not as easy with RC packs.

Look at the EM3ev packs, or other limn types.

 

[wineboyrider]

I recommend lifepo4 with a bms, because of the longer life cycle and lipo booster packs for the extra range and/or speed. Balance charge the rc lipo at home and plug in and balance the lifepo4 pack at work. 48v 20ah ping or 36v 20ah and a small 6s 30ah of lipo. Charging lipo at work unless you own the place is probably not a good idea. Although, I charge my pack at the winery it's in a safe place. 8)

 

[mike.jarvis]

If money is not the issue...it's the Stromer ST2 hands down.
http://www.stromerbike.com/en/us/e-bikes/stromer-st2


There is a dealer local to Boulder that can ship in the midwest:
http://www.smallplanetebikes.com/electric-bikes-1

 

[mike.jarvis]

OK, ok...if money is REALLY no object to you because you are in the top 1% club or something.....

http://www.m55-bike.com/

...but, I think the ST2 is still hard enough to swallow....