Dawes Sonoran conversion - complete novice at ebikes

[point5clue]

Hi All,
I have a Dawes Sonoran which I've had for around 15 year - very happy with it. I use it fairly regularly for leisure, short journeys and very occasionally 20-40 mile weekend jaunt. I'm hoping to start commuting around 10 miles each way with it.

Bike has 3x8 speed with combined brakes/piano shifters on trecking bars which I really like, and would not want to loose the set up - I changed the original cassette fairly early on in its life because it had a super low gear that was too much of a jump to the next. Brakes are v-type, but I'm very happy with their performance - wheels are 700C.

I don't want to scoot about without pedalling. I could easily live with the 15mph limit, but if it could go a little bit faster with me and the motor together it would be nice. Not over 20mph though.

Ideally I want a kit that won't totally change the riding experience - just give me a extra boost as I pedal - so I don't arrive sweaty for work.

For commuting it doesn't matter but for leisure I would really like it to be as quite as possible - I don't even like the noise of the freewheel as pootle about the countryside !

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Are the gears free-hub or free-wheel?

 

[point5clue]

Are the gears free-hub or free-wheel?

free-hub and I have the special nut and chain on an arm thing to undo if rear wheel wouldbe the best choice.

Oh, and I should mention I'm around 13 stone (heaviest I've been for a while, so expecting to go down not up from there)

 

[Deleted member 4366]

You need a cassette motor then, which are not so common.

There's a listing on Ebay from a German seller. Search for "electric bike kit cassette motor" to find it. That's the cheapest kit.

Woosh were selling MXUS cassette motor kits, so check to see if they have anything if you want a UK source.

If you want lightweight, you can get the Q100C from BMSbatery, an S06S controller and whatever battery takes your fancy, or you can get a custom made battery seperately in the UK from Insat International.

 

[point5clue]

Firstly, forgive my ignorance - looking on bmsbat site, does "Q100C CST 36V350W Rear Driving E-Bike Motor Wheel" come built as a wheel ? They ask about wheel size in free text, but could that be just to set up the motor ? I know its lazy, but I'd prefer a fully built wheel.

I feel fairly confident to transfer my 8 gears over to the new hub (i.e. did it once before) , but I've never even twisted a spoke key.

Is this motor fairly quiet ? I'm just assuming you've discounted front wheels as inferior ?

Further questions will follow about sine waves and just about everything else - one step at a time!

 

[Deleted member 4366]

If the picture shows a full wheel, that's what you get. It's the sine wave controller that makes it quiet. A square wave one knocks the wheel to rotate it, while as a sine-wave one pushes it.

 

[point5clue]

No the picture is just of a motor, though the page title is 'wheel' and it talks about v-brakes - I presume if I paste my post will get held up again ?

 

[point5clue]

I'm talking rubbish - the 'other' picture shows a wheel ! Sorry.

So I'm getting a kit list together - a few more questions...

Will "Dual Hall Sensor D12 Signals Easy Installation PAS" be compatible with S06S controller and S-LCD6 display ? I'd rather not remove the crank if I don't have to...

If I don't use a throttle, just PAS will I need brake sensors ?

 

[Deleted member 4366]

You have to remove the left crank whichever sensor you fit. I'd get the sensor you suggest plus one of the cheap magnet disc ones just on case of problems. If you don't need it, you can always sell it on Ebay and make a profit.

 

[point5clue]

I though the easy fit sensors are two halves that just clip over the crank with a split ring and don't need the crank removed ?

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Yes, that one doesn't require the crank to be taken off. I thought you meant the small clip-in one.

 

[point5clue]

Its coming together - I got a bit of a shock when I looked at the postage cost, but without a battery its a bit more reasonable given the savings in the components. I'll ask about UK sourced batteries later.

Biggest factor for me, that I still need to understand - what will the rolling resistance of QC100 type motor be like when its not switched on ?

For instance have a hub dynamo on the front (I said I was old - cree LED lights weren't a thing when I bough this bike!). I can feel the resistance spinning the wheel by hand when its on, but don't notice it riding - is it too much to hope that the motor will be similar ?

 

[Deleted member 4366]

The motor will be better than the dynamo because it has no resistance. The hub sits on two bearings, like any hub. That's all that moves when the power is off. The clutch is between the hub and the motor core, so the motor completely disengages.

 

[point5clue]

Shopping List from BMS:

Q100C CST 700C rear wheel

S06S 250W Torque sim sine wave controller

S-LCD6 Display

Dual Hall Sensor D12 Easy Install PAS

Hidden Wire Brake Sensor x2 (do I need them)?

Delivery !!!!!!!!!! What the heck ? Part of tax saving presumably?


How long to deliver to UK typically ?


Is Any 36V battery compatible ?


Will I need a bag or box for the controller ?

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Any 36v battery is compatible. I'd say that you should forget the brake sensors. You can always make your own later for about £2 if you think you need them.

Don't forget the throttle and you might as well get one of their spoke keys while you're there because you'll probably need it at some point.

Delivery time is normally about 2 weeks from order.

 

[anotherkiwi]

Postage: when you create an account the price goes down, presumably because they then know where you want delivered to.

Brake sensors: I agree with d8veh you don't need them with that controller and a hub motor, it switches off as soon as you stop pedaling. If you mount a throttle then you need one, the throttle might stick open. You only need one brake sensor usually mounted to the rear brake.

 

[point5clue]

And a housing for the controller - I didn't see it as an option on BMSbattery ?

 

[point5clue]

Postage: when you create an account the price goes down, presumably because they then know where you want delivered to.

Just created an account on bmsbattery - gone through the check out process, but its £133 postage (cheapest) on £145 worth of goods.

Is there a better way ?

Edit - just adding that I live in mainland UK...

 

[Nealh]

The main expense is having a complete wheel as the weight and package is heavier and bulkier.

 

[point5clue]

Wow - thanks for that info - swapping the wheel for a bare motor reduced the shipping by 97 quid !

Approx how much would you expect a LBS to charge for a wheel build ?

Can the spokes be re-used ? Can I do it myself ?