About hubs at mid drive conversion

[joaquín]

Hi, I´m new at the forum, I´m developing my new mid drive electric bike, and I have got this question about the hubs, if I use a heavy mid drive motor, with big battery pack, plus my weight and controller and stuff, should´t I change my bike hubs, spokes and rim for stronger ones?

I would like to know if some one can explain me that.

Regards!

 

[Alan Quay]

In my experience, ordinary mountain bike hub/spokes/rims used by a heavy rider in a sensible way (on road) are fine. I have had mine loaded up with close to 200k and not broken anything.

 

[joaquín]

And about the frame? Does it matter if it is of Aluminium or steel? Which would be better? Regards

 

[Alan Quay]

I've done all the above on ally frames. Not broken one yet.

Steel would be even stronger.

 

[joaquín]

So a bike frame should be ok for a 2KW motor?

I would like to see your conversions if you have pictures, and thanks for your answers.

 

[trex]

2KW motor? which motor are you talking about? it's too much for most bike frames.

 

[joaquín]

I´m thinking to use an Etek motor, I have seen some conversions from bikes with this motor, but because of it power I thought about hubs and frame resistance.

Do you think is too much power for a bike frame?

 

[flecc]

I think 2kW is too much for anything other then a strong steel frame and forks. Ideally the wheels should also be heavier duty specified such as with the components used on some goods bikes.

If you are using a derailleur with a mid drive through it and that sort of power, the compnents won't last very long and you should definitely avoid the 9 and 10 speed ones with their weaker narrow chains.

If using single speed transmission or some sort of hub gear, you could use goods bike 5/32" chain and sprockets, wider and stronger than the usual 1/8" single speed chain.
.

 

[joaquín]

Sure, I was forgotten about the 9 speed, single speed is the idea. An I´m thinking about if use an old steel frame or re build with new and stronger steel tubes and copy the bike frame shape.

 

[trex]

I´m thinking to use an Etek motor, I have seen some conversions from bikes with this motor, but because of it power I thought about hubs and frame resistance.

Do you think is too much power for a bike frame?

You mean like the motor on this bike?

 

[joaquín]

I think so, it is like motor on this bike: