Help! Bbshd on Cube Aim Pro.

[PhiltheFluter]

I've been given a Cube Aim Pro 29er that's in great condition and I'm planning on using this as a donor bike for my bbshd kit. I haven't seen the bike in the flesh yet as I've had to come into hospital for a minor operation. I've seen that Electric Bike Conversions South West put a bbs02 kit on a similar bike so hopefully I shouldn't have too many problems.
I have a 1700w 52v bbshd kit from Electron Cycles.
I'll be adding a 42t chain wheel, looks like a Lekkie copy from Electron. Although the triangle looks more than big enough for my triangle battery, I fancy putting it in my backpack at least some of the time for a more stealthy look. I'm used to carrying weight on my back, and think I'll have to knock up an extension lead to make this possible. This will allow me to easily take it with me when I have to park and for charging (I'd be super grateful if anyone can see any pitfalls in doing this). I'll be wiring in some lights too eventually when the bikes up and running. I'll probably get myself a smaller battery for short shopping trips around London and save the 26ah one for touring eventually (something 10ah-15ah).
As soon as I've recovered a bit I'll start the conversion and then use the big battery for testing/snagging. I'll post some pictures as soon as I get home and get started.
Although I have experience building and maintaining pedal bikes and motorbikes, this is my first foray into the E-bike world. So I'd be very grateful if anyone sees and stops me making any schoolboy errors.
I have a trailer that I've used for touring in the past. Does anybody know roughly how much pulling an extra 20kg will affect my overall range? I'd like to use it again in the future for camping/bikepacking trips. I'll be getting another high capacity battery as back up when I'm ready to head for the hills.
Good health to all.
p. s As pointed out in another thread it looks like I'll have to file down the housing from the internal cables.

 

[PhiltheFluter]

After seeing posts here and on other forums, I'm a little worried that Cube's have non-conventional frames/bottom bracket placing/chainstays. I'll probably remove the bottom bracket and offer up the motor to see if it looks as if its going to cause problems. If it looks like it'll be tricky I've been offered another donor bike of a Specialized Crosstrail. I haven't seen the condition or spec, except it has hydraulic brakes and is the large size I need for my height (6' 3"). This looks like it may be easier as there's quite a few builds on these frames.
It's nice to have an alternative. I'll give whichever one I don't use to a local cycle workshop charity that trains autistic kids.

 

[trevor brooker]

Cube Aim Pro 29 using bbshd kit.

This shows you what it will look like.

 

[vfr400]

A battery in a backback is a terrible idea. you'll soon get fed up with it.

 

[PhiltheFluter]

A battery in a backback is a terrible idea. you'll soon get fed up with it.

I did worry about getting a sweaty back.

 

[vfr400]

It's a lot worse than a sweaty back. It sounds like a great idea until you try it, then you wished that you hadn't. It's OK for the first 15 minutes. That's if you don't crash and set light to yourself. Have you seen what happens when you short out the battery wires?

 

[PhiltheFluter]

It's a lot worse than a sweaty back. It sounds like a great idea until you try it, then you wished that you hadn't. It's OK for the first 15 minutes. That's if you don't crash and set light to yourself. Have you seen what happens when you short out the battery wires?

Yeah, I have quite a bit of experience using 18650's. They're quite scary when they go off.

 

[vfr400]

Yeah, I have quite a bit of experience using 18650's. They're quite scary when they go off.

A back-pack battery is OK for testing, but a properly mounted battery is much more convenient and comfortable.

 

[RossG]

Yeah, I have quite a bit of experience using 18650's. They're quite scary when they go off.

Quite right, I have a video clip of vfr400 himself carrying out a test on an early version of a Lithium e-bike backpack.....scary.

 

[PhiltheFluter]

About 10 years ago myself and a couple of friends where making variable voltage e-cigarettes at Hackspace, before they were commercially available. One guy had damaged the plastic shrink wrap on a 18650 and it shorted in the tube/pipe he was using to hold the battery. We'd noticed they were quite volitile when shorted, but in the confines of the tube it blew the cap off the pipe and shot through a sheet of plasterboard in the workshop. Everybody learned to treat them with a bit of respect after that.

 

[PhiltheFluter]

Cube Aim Pro 29 using bbshd kit.

This shows you what it will look like.

Many thanks for the photo's Trevor.
Did any big problems arise with this build?
Is that the chain wheel that came with your kit? The chain line looks pretty good, did you have to use any packing to get that?

Cheers!

 

[RossG]

Good

About 10 years ago myself and a couple of friends where making variable voltage e-cigarettes at Hackspace, before they were commercially available. One guy had damaged the plastic shrink wrap on a 18650 and it shorted in the tube/pipe he was using to hold the battery. We'd noticed they were quite volitile when shorted, but in the confines of the tube it blew the cap off the pipe and shot through a sheet of plasterboard in the workshop. Everybody learned to treat them with a bit of respect after that.

Good lord! I've heard of those things exploding before if hacked. Just as well it shot forwards and not back the other way, you'd end up with a hole in your neck !

 

[PhiltheFluter]

Good

Good lord! I've heard of those things exploding before if hacked. Just as well it shot forwards and not back the other way, you'd end up with a hole in your neck !

By taping a wire to both poles, you'll here a chemical reaction, followed by a bit of smoke, and maybe a flash. When confined, then gases have nowhere to go and you've got a bomb on your hands.

 

[trevor brooker]

"Is that the chain wheel that came with your kit? The chain line looks pretty good, did you have to use any packing to get that?"

That is the standard 46T chain ring, I did try a cheap 42t chain ring, but it puts the chain line further away from the centre of the bike, with resultant chain slippages. When I can save up I will get a Bling Ring equivalent.

I purchased the bike from Electric Bike Conversions Cornwall as he specialised in using that frame/motor combination, so had worked out any problems.

 

[RossG]

By taping a wire to both poles, you'll here a chemical reaction, followed by a bit of smoke, and maybe a flash. When confined, then gases have nowhere to go and you've got a bomb on your hands.

Or in your gob !

 

[PhiltheFluter]

I've just managed to get out of hospital for a few hours to view and measure up the bikes that I've been offered.
1) Cube Aim Pro - As much as I like this bike it didn't feel quite right on the test ride. I figured that if I was buying a bike to ride without converting it, it wouldn't be this one. So I've passed on it. They'll get a nice price for it second hand because it's in nearly new condition.
2) Cannondale Bad Boy - this was a last minute offer to me, so I hadn't managed to read up on the spec. It rode like a dream, but I can't get used to look of the crazy "lefty" fork. Poor bike almost looks disabled. So passed on that too.
(I'm must look very ungrateful with such generous offers).
3) Specialized Crosstrail - I fell in love with this from the off. I ended up extending my test ride because it was such a great bike. It also doesn't have a mark on it, with very little wear on the tyres and brakes. I've also seen a few conversions on this frame. So this is the one. Looks like a standard bottom bracket, I haven't seen any major problems with the previous conversions, so I've carried this up the stairs of my flat now. Just waiting for the doctors to send me home and I can begin the conversion. I suspect I'll need a hand to get it back out of my flat with the extra weight of the motor, gravity will always give me a helping hand.