The BEST and FIRST Qulbix Raptor mid-drive build!
- LightningRods 10 MW
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Re: The BEST and FIRST Qulbix Raptor mid-drive build!
Micah- I’ve been saving one for you as I said I would. I’ll PM my business email to you.
"I don’t mind that they stole my idea, I mind that they don’t have any of their own.”
-Nikola Tesla
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-Nikola Tesla
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Re: The BEST and FIRST Qulbix Raptor mid-drive build!
Ok sounds great!!David Hall is going to help get it built into a rim for me so this will be easy!Thanks.
Re: The BEST and FIRST Qulbix Raptor mid-drive build!
Any news of the axle and hub for right hand drive?
- LightningRods 10 MW
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- Joined: Oct 23 2012 7:37pm
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Re: The BEST and FIRST Qulbix Raptor mid-drive build!
I’m making a hub for RHD? You asked me to save a LHD hub for you and then messaged that you’d gone in a different direction. I make single speed adapters for freehubs and freewheel threads. That’s all at this time.
"I don’t mind that they stole my idea, I mind that they don’t have any of their own.”
-Nikola Tesla
Lightning Rods Web Site http://www.lightningrodev.com
Lightning Rods Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lightnin ... 4531978401
-Nikola Tesla
Lightning Rods Web Site http://www.lightningrodev.com
Lightning Rods Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lightnin ... 4531978401
Re: The BEST and FIRST Qulbix Raptor mid-drive build!
Okay I want one that will work for my qulbix76 with the motor you made for me.Right hand drive would be great.I will buy one from you once they are made.
- LightningRods 10 MW
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- Joined: Oct 23 2012 7:37pm
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Re: The BEST and FIRST Qulbix Raptor mid-drive build!
You can use a commercially made hub that has a 1.37" x 24 tpi thread on the right side. You can use a White Industries HD flanged freewheel or a thread on track cog with lock ring. I don't have any plans to make a RHD hub because of these available options.
"I don’t mind that they stole my idea, I mind that they don’t have any of their own.”
-Nikola Tesla
Lightning Rods Web Site http://www.lightningrodev.com
Lightning Rods Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lightnin ... 4531978401
-Nikola Tesla
Lightning Rods Web Site http://www.lightningrodev.com
Lightning Rods Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lightnin ... 4531978401
Re: The BEST and FIRST Qulbix Raptor mid-drive build!
Wow awesome work man! Wished I saw this earlier..
Is there any video with the 76 drive in action on the interner?
Do you have any more kits?
Is there any video with the 76 drive in action on the interner?
Do you have any more kits?

- LightningRods 10 MW
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- Joined: Oct 23 2012 7:37pm
- Location: Western Oregon, USA
Re: The BEST and FIRST Qulbix Raptor mid-drive build!
Here’s a YouTube Video of the swingarm drive running on the street. Not an exciting video but it shows the drive effortlessly accelerating to 50 mph up some steep hills.
https://youtu.be/x_BEwiEnQzM
This video was made with my old external magnet motor. The new IPM motor is quieter and revs higher with regen.
I have a bunch of swingarm drive brackets for the Qulbix bikes.
https://youtu.be/x_BEwiEnQzM
This video was made with my old external magnet motor. The new IPM motor is quieter and revs higher with regen.
I have a bunch of swingarm drive brackets for the Qulbix bikes.
"I don’t mind that they stole my idea, I mind that they don’t have any of their own.”
-Nikola Tesla
Lightning Rods Web Site http://www.lightningrodev.com
Lightning Rods Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lightnin ... 4531978401
-Nikola Tesla
Lightning Rods Web Site http://www.lightningrodev.com
Lightning Rods Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lightnin ... 4531978401
Re: The BEST and FIRST Qulbix Raptor mid-drive build!
I tried searching how much a kit would be for the qulbix 76 frame.. Couldn't find one. Can you pm me the price perhaps?LightningRods wrote: ↑Jul 28 2020 8:44amHere’s a YouTube Video of the swingarm drive running on the street. Not an exciting video but it shows the drive effortlessly accelerating to 50 mph up some steep hills.
https://youtu.be/x_BEwiEnQzM
This video was made with my old external magnet motor. The new IPM motor is quieter and revs higher with regen.
I have a bunch of swingarm drive brackets for the Qulbix bikes.
- LightningRods 10 MW
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- Joined: Oct 23 2012 7:37pm
- Location: Western Oregon, USA
Re: The BEST and FIRST Qulbix Raptor mid-drive build!
The Qulbix swingarm drive continues to evolve. Thanks to the new internal permanent magnet motor and the new crop of FOC controllers the Big Block is now running at an eye popping 10kW. This particular Q76 belongs to Pete Ellsworth. He's running a Nucular 12F controller and a LiteSpeedBikes LiIon battery pack. The Q76 is a great fit for the IPM Big Block. It's like a strong 125cc gas engine, with tons more low end torque, in a bike that weighs 120 lbs.
Pete also has my new sprocket and rotor adapter that allow the use of a commercial freehub. 219 racing kart chain for motor power on the left, standard cassette for pedal power on the right. Pete opted for a DT Swiss 350 157 boost. With my parts that size hub is a perfect fit for the Qulbix 165mm wide dropout.
Pete also has my new sprocket and rotor adapter that allow the use of a commercial freehub. 219 racing kart chain for motor power on the left, standard cassette for pedal power on the right. Pete opted for a DT Swiss 350 157 boost. With my parts that size hub is a perfect fit for the Qulbix 165mm wide dropout.
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"I don’t mind that they stole my idea, I mind that they don’t have any of their own.”
-Nikola Tesla
Lightning Rods Web Site http://www.lightningrodev.com
Lightning Rods Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lightnin ... 4531978401
-Nikola Tesla
Lightning Rods Web Site http://www.lightningrodev.com
Lightning Rods Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lightnin ... 4531978401
Re: The BEST and FIRST Qulbix Raptor mid-drive build!
Beautiful work as always!
It does seem to be a (relative) low gear reduction from motor to back wheel. Is the kV of the motor very low maybe?
It does seem to be a (relative) low gear reduction from motor to back wheel. Is the kV of the motor very low maybe?
- LightningRods 10 MW
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- Joined: Oct 23 2012 7:37pm
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Re: The BEST and FIRST Qulbix Raptor mid-drive build!
The reduction ratio is about 8:1. The kv of the motor is 62. So motor rpm of around 5000 divided by 8 = 625 wheel rpm. That’s good for 48 mph. Good all around gearing. Thanks for checking in!
"I don’t mind that they stole my idea, I mind that they don’t have any of their own.”
-Nikola Tesla
Lightning Rods Web Site http://www.lightningrodev.com
Lightning Rods Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lightnin ... 4531978401
-Nikola Tesla
Lightning Rods Web Site http://www.lightningrodev.com
Lightning Rods Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lightnin ... 4531978401
Re: The BEST and FIRST Qulbix Raptor mid-drive build!
Wow incredible power in a compact looking package
- LightningRods 10 MW
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- Joined: Oct 23 2012 7:37pm
- Location: Western Oregon, USA
Re: The BEST and FIRST Qulbix Raptor mid-drive build!
Most of the mid drives on the market are at least 1/3 planetary reduction. The Cyclone 3000 for instance is larger and heavier than my Big Block, but is 1/2 the actual motor. Lots of reduction is only necessary for little motors that need to run through multiple gears to have any power or speed. Even at 1/2 the power of my Big Block the C3000 still destroys bicycle sprockets and chain because of too much reduction. Not too much power, too much reduction.
That space in front of the rear wheel on the Qulbix is tailor made to fit my motor.
That space in front of the rear wheel on the Qulbix is tailor made to fit my motor.
"I don’t mind that they stole my idea, I mind that they don’t have any of their own.”
-Nikola Tesla
Lightning Rods Web Site http://www.lightningrodev.com
Lightning Rods Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lightnin ... 4531978401
-Nikola Tesla
Lightning Rods Web Site http://www.lightningrodev.com
Lightning Rods Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lightnin ... 4531978401
Re: The BEST and FIRST Qulbix Raptor mid-drive build!
Any possibility using this frame, or just the swingarm concept, as the "front end" of a longtail tandem / cargo?
I can't imagine it myself. . .
I can't imagine it myself. . .
Re: The BEST and FIRST Qulbix Raptor mid-drive build!
Hi Mike,
Nice work i'm impatient to get my Qulbix frame and to fit my small block version on it, good day!
Ariane
Nice work i'm impatient to get my Qulbix frame and to fit my small block version on it, good day!
Ariane
Re: The BEST and FIRST Qulbix Raptor mid-drive build!
Hi, please could tell me if the DTswiss 157mm hub is the only one that will fit with your kit, as I cant seem to find stock of it locally. Also as these hubs are 12mm axle does, does the kit come with some sort of redution part to fit the 10mm raptor swing arm. regarding the caliper bracket is the qulbix one to be used or is there a converion bracket / new version.
Many thanks
Jon
Many thanks
Jon
- LightningRods 10 MW
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Re: The BEST and FIRST Qulbix Raptor mid-drive build!
Hi Jon,
Any 157 boost with a 12mm through axle should work. I want to try a Novatec hub just because they’re so affordable. I make a custom 4130 chrome moly axle that is 12mm diameter over the width of the hub and then steps down to 10mm at the dropout. This axle also has to be 165mm dropout width instead of 157. I use 3/4” O.D. spacers on either end of the hub.
The brake caliper mount is also a custom piece that I designed. The disc rotor has to be moved outboard to make room for the driven sprocket. The mount is machined from 6061 aluminum.
Any 157 boost with a 12mm through axle should work. I want to try a Novatec hub just because they’re so affordable. I make a custom 4130 chrome moly axle that is 12mm diameter over the width of the hub and then steps down to 10mm at the dropout. This axle also has to be 165mm dropout width instead of 157. I use 3/4” O.D. spacers on either end of the hub.
The brake caliper mount is also a custom piece that I designed. The disc rotor has to be moved outboard to make room for the driven sprocket. The mount is machined from 6061 aluminum.
Jonboy wrote: ↑Dec 11 2020 7:55amHi, please could tell me if the DTswiss 157mm hub is the only one that will fit with your kit, as I cant seem to find stock of it locally. Also as these hubs are 12mm axle does, does the kit come with some sort of redution part to fit the 10mm raptor swing arm. regarding the caliper bracket is the qulbix one to be used or is there a converion bracket / new version.
Many thanks
Jon
"I don’t mind that they stole my idea, I mind that they don’t have any of their own.”
-Nikola Tesla
Lightning Rods Web Site http://www.lightningrodev.com
Lightning Rods Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lightnin ... 4531978401
-Nikola Tesla
Lightning Rods Web Site http://www.lightningrodev.com
Lightning Rods Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lightnin ... 4531978401
Re: The BEST and FIRST Qulbix Raptor mid-drive build!
Many thanks for the info.. is that a 24" rim with a duro/contra type 3"?
- LightningRods 10 MW
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- Joined: Oct 23 2012 7:37pm
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Re: The BEST and FIRST Qulbix Raptor mid-drive build!
Short answer- yes. Long answer- because bicycle tire sizing is so bizarre this 24”x3.00” tire has an O.D. of 26”. 24” should represent the O.D. of the tire. Which it did when it was a 2.00” tire. Only now it’s a 3.00”. Got it? The actual rim size is 20”. In the saner world of motorcycle sizing it would be a 20”x3.00”.
"I don’t mind that they stole my idea, I mind that they don’t have any of their own.”
-Nikola Tesla
Lightning Rods Web Site http://www.lightningrodev.com
Lightning Rods Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lightnin ... 4531978401
-Nikola Tesla
Lightning Rods Web Site http://www.lightningrodev.com
Lightning Rods Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lightnin ... 4531978401
Re: The BEST and FIRST Qulbix Raptor mid-drive build!
yep with you there.. think halo do a 157 boost all laced up in a 24 i'll have to check.., tricky getting an 18 moto 32 hole.. please feel free to chime in peeps
quick edit: 17,18 0r 19" 32 hole.. only on allibaba.. yuck
quick edit: 17,18 0r 19" 32 hole.. only on allibaba.. yuck
- LightningRods 10 MW
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- Joined: Oct 23 2012 7:37pm
- Location: Western Oregon, USA
Re: The BEST and FIRST Qulbix Raptor mid-drive build!
Pete Ellsworth (bike shown above) used an alloy 19” moto rim with 14 ga spokes. It works great and has been solid in a couple of months of banging around.
Pete is set up to lace this setup right now. He has 13 ga spokes on backorder."I don’t mind that they stole my idea, I mind that they don’t have any of their own.”
-Nikola Tesla
Lightning Rods Web Site http://www.lightningrodev.com
Lightning Rods Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lightnin ... 4531978401
-Nikola Tesla
Lightning Rods Web Site http://www.lightningrodev.com
Lightning Rods Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lightnin ... 4531978401
Re: The BEST and FIRST Qulbix Raptor mid-drive build!
I've managed to source a DT swiss hub here in the UK (I THINK) & also rims in both 17 & 19
https://www.smpro.co.uk/rim-sm-pro-plat ... inium.html
https://www.smpro.co.uk/honda-cr-80-85- ... black.html
Trouble now is that I'd have to source nipple washers for the 12-13 gauge spokes I'm guessing? I've laced a couple of cro's with Holmes rims n spokes easy enough .. But this is a little out of my comfort zone .. ERD spoke lengths dish etc
Any help would be greatly appreciated..
What width is Pete's rim BTW
Mike, what sort of turn around are you on at the moment for the full Raptor kit?
Thanks
Jon
https://www.smpro.co.uk/rim-sm-pro-plat ... inium.html
https://www.smpro.co.uk/honda-cr-80-85- ... black.html
Trouble now is that I'd have to source nipple washers for the 12-13 gauge spokes I'm guessing? I've laced a couple of cro's with Holmes rims n spokes easy enough .. But this is a little out of my comfort zone .. ERD spoke lengths dish etc

What width is Pete's rim BTW
Mike, what sort of turn around are you on at the moment for the full Raptor kit?
Thanks

Jon