Carrera Hellcat Conversion

[Az.]

Hi,

I would like to convert my wife's Carrera Hellcat to ebike to give her this very much needed ompf during our family rides. I am reading about ebikes and conversions for quite a while and I started to run in circles. I think it is time to order components and try to put it together. I would like to ask you to help me choose right kit as I don't want to end up with £500 electric junk in my shed.

1. I would prefer a kit rather than separate components.
2. Legal
3. Preferably front wheel motor as least intrusive. If not then rear wheel and bottom bracket motor as least preferable option.

Carrera Hellcat is a 29er mtb. I have found Yosepower kit with 28" (700C) wheel in stock. Last time I was riding 700C road bike when I was 6, but I think wheel size is roughly same size as 29". Will I be able to transfer 29" mtb tyres to this new 28" wheel? If not will I be able to put some decent hybrid tyres instead?

Another interesting option I have found is Bafang bbs01b. I am determined to remove bottom bracket to check all dimensions before ordering if I have to.

 

[matthewslack]

Hi,

I would like to convert my wife's Carrera Hellcat to ebike to give her this very much needed ompf during our family rides. I am reading about ebikes and conversions for quite a while and I started to run in circles. I think it is time to order components and try to put it together. I would like to ask you to help me choose right kit as I don't want to end up with £500 electric junk in my shed.

1. I would prefer a kit rather than separate components.
2. Legal
3. Preferably front wheel motor as least intrusive. If not then rear wheel and bottom bracket motor as least preferable option.

Carrera Hellcat is a 29er mtb. I have found Yosepower kit with 28" (700C) wheel in stock. Last time I was riding 700C road bike when I was 6, but I think wheel size is roughly same size as 29". Will I be able to transfer 29" mtb tyres to this new 28" wheel? If not will I be able to put some decent hybrid tyres instead?

Another interesting option I have found is Bafang bbs01b. I am determined to remove bottom bracket to check all dimensions before ordering if I have to.

What kind of riding does the bike need to manage? Front wheel motor will have very limited off road ability.

 

[Az.]

Off road is highly unlikely. Drakes trial Plymouth to Yelverton (I hope we can go as far as Tavistock on ebike) so very nice surface. Nothing crazy as my wife is just learning and "better to be safe than sorry" kind of person.

 

[matthewslack]

Nice looking route, either conversion type will likely be fine.

Use the search function, look for 'front hub' and you'll find several fairly recent discussions.

Alternatively if you decide on the bafang, generally regarded as a fairly straightforward install and easy to live with. More capable if your sights rise towards Dartmoor proper, but you can change your mind later having tried a good front hub first.

 

[guerney]

Another interesting option I have found is Bafang bbs01b. I am determined to remove bottom bracket to check all dimensions before ordering if I have to.

That's well worth doing, if only to make installation more of a pleasant experience - mine was stuck and hell to take out... it's like it was glued in. Mind you, mine's a very old bike from 2006 and oil can do a lot of coagulating over 14 years.

 

[Az.]

My wife is not going off road any time soon unfortunately. Her bottom bracket is at serious disagreement with her saddle. She is riding glued to saddle and absorb all vibrations.
For Dartmoor and proper MTBiking I have my 13 years old son. Just bought him Vitus Nucleus VRS and to tell the truth I start to struggle to keep up with him so I might need ebike soon too. But it is a different topic

 

[Nealh]

Folks need to get over this front wheel is no good for going off road, it is complete balderdash. I have had a BPM hub fitted in front forks on a mtb and been with on the S/Downs along all the gnarly places one can find to ride in the middle of nowhere way off from the SDW. Also have ridden the N/Downs way from Merstham to Box hill with no issues.
Anything is possible with a nicely fitted hub.
My little bafang hub is 1.6kg and it comfortably tows a heavy trailer and carries my weight along gravelly,muddy old railway routes.

 

[Az.]

I received a reply from Yose Power: "sorry, 28" kit isn't fit for 29" bike. "

I am confused now. I thought wheel rims 28", 700C and 29" are all the exact same rim diameter...

 

[Nealh]

It will be ok for 29" wheel if the drop out is 135mm.

 

[Az.]

Just for the record...
I ordered YosePower kit 28" (link available in first post). Straight out of the box it won't work with Carrera Hellcat 18" frame as controller is where mounting holes should be. I also have some concerns regarding safety.
I am confident though with some minor modifications I can make it work. I will just install battery on a rack at the back. Not like intended, but it should do the trick.

Folks need to get over this front wheel is no good for going off road, it is complete balderdash. I have had a BPM hub fitted in front forks on a mtb and been with on the S/Downs along all the gnarly places one can find to ride in the middle of nowhere...

Lucky you. I wish I could see how your wheel is mounted to the fork. How it is done on Yose kit is just not safe. I feel like I was transferred 40 years back in time. For riding on roads it should be fine, but I won't take this bike for any MTB trial.

 

[Az.]

So... it took me only one month and two days from moment when I ordered conversion kit, but finally bike is ready (almost ready to be precise). I am quite happy with how it looks. Still have to add PAS and brake sensors, but I struggle to remove crank and will have to order better wrench or admit defeat and ask local bike shop for help.

 

[Dawn22]

So... it took me only one month and two days from moment when I ordered conversion kit, but finally bike is ready (almost ready to be precise). I am quite happy with how it looks. Still have to add PAS and brake sensors, but I struggle to remove crank and will have to order better wrench or admit defeat and ask local bike shop for help.

View attachment 47640

I’m trying to remove the bottom bracket… it’s on pretty tight. How did you manage to do it? Any help appreciated!

 

[Az.]

I didn't. It is a front hub conversion.