daytonampco
100 mW
This bike build started out with me thinking about SUV's. I wanted something that'll get from A to B comfortably with moderate efficiency regardless of weather and still be capable of hitting some light trails on the weekend.
Donor bike was a Cannondale SL-5 29er medium frame MTB. I had done quite a bit of trail riding on this bike beforehand so I knew its quirks well.
V1.0: The first incarnation began with a Conhismotor 1500w (48V/30A) hub motor kit and a Luna 52V/20AH Samsung 26f triangle pack. I mounted the controller in the supplied bag and stuck on some Topeak fenders. Neither the controller nor the fenders lasted long. The Topeak rear fender slapped around and offered next to no splash protection. They were the first thing to go.
V1.5: I changed out the fenders and bought the biggest storage bag I could find. The controller bit the dust when my room mate took the bike for a spin and came back on foot five minutes later. Putting the controller in the bag was a huge mistake. I replaced it with a Conhismotor regen capable 48V/30A controller. According to the LCD display it peaks at 1800W and holds steady at 1650W.
V2.0: I added an Axiom DLX Streamliner rack and Zicome kickstand. It turns out that the rack's seatpost mounts were the perfect spot for the controller. All of the wiring tucked neatly between the fender and rack. With the bags on you can hardly tell that it's an e-bike.
I also opted to try out a rather padded springer seat at this time. The change in comfort was marginal at best but the bike became significantly harder to control at speeds over 15 mph. It just felt very "loose" because I couldn't sling it into corners with my hips anymore.
V2.25: I added a combination tail light/brake light. The center light is on/off switchable and the outer lights are hooked up to the front brake lever. The right brake lever is connected to the controller. I also painted the controller black to make it slightly more stealthy.
V2.5: I changed the seat out for one off of an old Magna MTB. I have since found the original bike seat and will mount it in the future.
Aside: WET conditions, standing water, and snow. I've never ridden this bike in the pouring rain. I'd rather not take the risk. However, I often ride it after heavy rain as it makes the trails through the woods here a lot more fun and challenging. This bike has been through more mud and muck than I can mention. It's also crossed a flooded field with standing water 8"-10" in depth. The fenders do a tremendous job of keeping the mud and water off of the sensitive bits of the bike and the motor is sealed well enough to deal with some serious splashes. (I'd never risk submerging it.) The thing even handles snow pretty gracefully as long as you respect the limits of those goofy Kenda Small Block 8's.
Summary: I accomplished my goals. I can do 40+ miles at 15 mph, haul a crapload of cargo, and scoot off onto dirt/mud trails without getting stuck. I can ride with traffic at 35 mph and not get flattened. It's reliable, a ton of fun, and almost unrecognizable as an e-bike to most people. I've only been made twice by other e-bike owners in nearby Yellow Springs.
Yes, I'd love to have a stealth bomber, but I had to make a reasonable compromise of cost and performance and did so quite well to fit my own needs. Thanks for reading my rambles. Hope you have a great holiday season. Keep on pedaling (or not)!
Donor bike was a Cannondale SL-5 29er medium frame MTB. I had done quite a bit of trail riding on this bike beforehand so I knew its quirks well.
V1.0: The first incarnation began with a Conhismotor 1500w (48V/30A) hub motor kit and a Luna 52V/20AH Samsung 26f triangle pack. I mounted the controller in the supplied bag and stuck on some Topeak fenders. Neither the controller nor the fenders lasted long. The Topeak rear fender slapped around and offered next to no splash protection. They were the first thing to go.
V1.5: I changed out the fenders and bought the biggest storage bag I could find. The controller bit the dust when my room mate took the bike for a spin and came back on foot five minutes later. Putting the controller in the bag was a huge mistake. I replaced it with a Conhismotor regen capable 48V/30A controller. According to the LCD display it peaks at 1800W and holds steady at 1650W.
V2.0: I added an Axiom DLX Streamliner rack and Zicome kickstand. It turns out that the rack's seatpost mounts were the perfect spot for the controller. All of the wiring tucked neatly between the fender and rack. With the bags on you can hardly tell that it's an e-bike.
I also opted to try out a rather padded springer seat at this time. The change in comfort was marginal at best but the bike became significantly harder to control at speeds over 15 mph. It just felt very "loose" because I couldn't sling it into corners with my hips anymore.
V2.25: I added a combination tail light/brake light. The center light is on/off switchable and the outer lights are hooked up to the front brake lever. The right brake lever is connected to the controller. I also painted the controller black to make it slightly more stealthy.
V2.5: I changed the seat out for one off of an old Magna MTB. I have since found the original bike seat and will mount it in the future.
Aside: WET conditions, standing water, and snow. I've never ridden this bike in the pouring rain. I'd rather not take the risk. However, I often ride it after heavy rain as it makes the trails through the woods here a lot more fun and challenging. This bike has been through more mud and muck than I can mention. It's also crossed a flooded field with standing water 8"-10" in depth. The fenders do a tremendous job of keeping the mud and water off of the sensitive bits of the bike and the motor is sealed well enough to deal with some serious splashes. (I'd never risk submerging it.) The thing even handles snow pretty gracefully as long as you respect the limits of those goofy Kenda Small Block 8's.
Summary: I accomplished my goals. I can do 40+ miles at 15 mph, haul a crapload of cargo, and scoot off onto dirt/mud trails without getting stuck. I can ride with traffic at 35 mph and not get flattened. It's reliable, a ton of fun, and almost unrecognizable as an e-bike to most people. I've only been made twice by other e-bike owners in nearby Yellow Springs.
Yes, I'd love to have a stealth bomber, but I had to make a reasonable compromise of cost and performance and did so quite well to fit my own needs. Thanks for reading my rambles. Hope you have a great holiday season. Keep on pedaling (or not)!
