Conversion kit for Dawes ladies hybrid - clueless owner

[essexrider]

Hi all ! I'm from Essex and just discovered ebikes and joined this forum.

I have a 5 miles hilly ride one way to work every day. Cycling is my only option. It takes me 35 / 45 mins one way. I would like to cut down on commuting time as much as possible.

I'm 5'7'' and 240 pounds, so not a very fit rider (getting better but I still have to WALK my bike uphill, ugh...) so I'm looking at a more sturdy and stronger option than the £500 Coyote from Halfords that I first considered.

My dad is very good with DIY (car mechanic) and he will be able to convert my bike, but I need to choose and buy all the parts.

This is the bike that I have: https://www.evanscycles.com/dawes-penny-royal-2016-womens-hybrid-bike-EV274352

Would you please advise what type of kit I should buy? I've seen recommendations for Whoosh but I don't know if their only available kit would fit my bike.

I would appreciate any advice!

 

[Woosh]

Hello Essexrider,

I would recommend an SWX02 rear wheel geared hub motor and a 13AH rear rack battery.
The kit comes with pedal sensor and a full thumb throttle.
The SWX02 is a powerful motor with excellent hill climbing ability. The 13AH battery gives you a range of about 40 miles on a full charge.

This is the Woosh Santana2, fitted with the same motor and battery:

 

[essexrider]

Thanks but I can't find SWX02 on your website. Plus, thumb throttle was made illegal in 2016 and I don't really want to pay the road tax etc.

 

[Nealh]

240 lbs is a lot don't know what the stones/lbs weight is but more then 15 esp for a women.
Probably easier to sell your bike and bike a new ready made one, as you are in Essex Woosh are nearest to you in Southend and have a good range with strong/powerful motor options. That way if you get an issue they will easily be able to offer support for repair or maintenance.

 

[Nealh]

Throttle only apply to new supplied oem bikes, you can retro fit any bike. As long as you are going through the motions of peddling know one will know you are using a throttle or bother to take notice.

 

[essexrider]

240 lbs is a lot don't know what the stones/lbs weight is but more then 15 esp for a women.

240 pounds is 17 stones, or around 108 kg. It's not 240 kg haha so I'm still waaaaay too heavy but i manage (hoping to shed it all off this spring!)

 

[essexrider]

Throttle only apply to new supplied oem bikes, you can retro fit any bike. As long as you are going through the motions of peddling know one will know you are using a throttle or bother to take notice.

I didn't know I could retro-fit, I read the new regulations but that escaped my attention. Good thing is I will mostly cycle through parks and paths in a small town so police won't even bother.

 

[Woosh]

Thanks but I can't find SWX02 on your website. Plus, thumb throttle was made illegal in 2016 and I don't really want to pay the road tax etc.

Essexrider,

We have stock of parts that we use to build bikes, not all kits are offered on the online shop.
Please email support@wooshbikes.co.uk a picture of your bike - Andy can quote you for all the parts, around £530 I think.
The full throttle is only made illegal on factory built bikes (limited throttle is permitted on factory built bikes). It's always permitted on conversions and retrofit.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

There's no legal problem with fitting a throttle to a self-build. Fitting the throttle is optional anyway. You won't need it for normal riding with that kit anyway, though it would help with hill-starts.

 

[redcup1999]

Hello Essexrider,

I would recommend an SWX02 rear wheel geared hub motor and a 13AH rear rack battery.
The kit comes with pedal sensor and a full thumb throttle.
The SWX02 is a powerful motor with excellent hill climbing ability. The 13AH battery gives you a range of about 40 miles on a full charge.

Agree 100% with this recommendation.

I have the similar SWX08 on my Kudos Tornado and it is perfect for shifting (what used to be) my 17 stone weight up any hill.

 

[essexrider]

I'm looking more for pedaling support than a throttle, since I'm happy with getting some exercise. Also I should say that it's not really that hilly, with a gradient of 10-15% (it doesn't seem like much when you're not blobular)

 

[Benjahmin]

The kit that's been recommended has PAS as well as throttle. This means that the system detects the pedals going round and turns on the motor power. So you set your level of assistance on the handlebar control (1 - 5) and the motor gives you that amount of help as you pedal. That means you can do as much work as you want but get help uphills or when you are tired.
Hope that helps.

 

[essexrider]

Thank you for suggestions everybody, much appreciated !

I contacted Woosh about SWX02, let's see what they say and how it goes.

 

[Woosh]

Hello Essexrider,

I replied to your email a moment ago.
The reference kit is the Woosh BPM rack kit at £634.
http://wooshbikes.co.uk/?hubkits#bpmrackkit
I replaced the BPM 350W motor in it with the SWX02 250W motor (less £10), the 15AH rack battery with the 13AH rack battery (less £60).
The total cost is £564.
The kit comprises all the components you need to convert your bike to electric.

1. Santana2 Rear wheel with Bafang SWX02 geared hub motor
2. Big Bear controller
3. Big Bear LCD
4. Cableset, sensored brake levers, right hand hand thumb throttle, left side pedal sensor.
4. Santana2 rear rack carrier
5. Santana2 13AH rack battery with lock
6. Battery charger
7. Fitting instructions and manual
8. Free courier delivery

Hope you like it.