Some conversion help please

[Shazbag]

thanks d9veh, its all so confusing, I dont get the technical specs I have to be honest can you possibly link to a kit that would work as google searching is not helping, and perhaps I can find someone to fit it.

 

[Shazbag]

how good are you with DIY? can you remove the bottom bracket of your Carrera for example?

If I was gonna say whats the bottom bracket would that answer your question? for someone who can put wall paper up, build and cut wood, plumb things in etc I am shockingly bad when it comes to bikes and even take it to the shop to have a puncture fixed

 

[Shazbag]

You would need a 48v code 14 (260 rpm)or 16 (201 rpm) Bafang BPM running at 20 amps minimum. I don't know of anybody in the UK that sells them. You have to get them from China. Another option is MAC kit from Em3v.com

http://www.elifebike.com/peng/iview.asp?KeyID=dtpic-2012-5S-Q4CQ.2MJWP

is this what you mean (sorry for being so dim) ? this is everything but the battery right?

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Perhaps if you tell us where you live, we might know someone who could fit a kit.

 

[Shazbag]

Perhaps if you tell us where you live, we might know someone who could fit a kit.

I live in Portsmouth, Hampshire but happy to travel a good distance to get the right thing fitted (150-200 miles, I am also often in Suffolk if anyone is that way)

 

[JohnCade]

I half agree: the problem is not changing up or down as one goes along - its stopping from cruise in a high gear: so, there you are, stationary in traffic in a high gear - unable to accelerate from a low gear unless you have consciously geared down before you stopped - getting from seven to one takes quite a few turns and the crank has put the chain under pressure by that stage - and its all grinding and protesting and sounds as if something is going to break

That’s true with a rear mech whether the bike is powered or not. It should only be an issue if you have to do a crash stop and can’t change down in good time. If you have a throttle it’s not a problem though. You just have to lift the back wheel an inch off the ground put it in a lower gear and use the throttle to change down.

It’s more fiddly with an unpowered bike where you have to lift it and change and spin the cranks at the same time. But you should always be in the right gear anyway in case you have to stop. If you want to just stop in any gear hub gears are best.

 

[Benjahmin]

I live in Portsmouth, Hampshire but happy to travel a good distance to get the right thing fitted (150-200 miles, I am also often in Suffolk if anyone is that way)

Woosh bikes are in Southend, I understand they can do the conversion for you. If the Big Bear kit is the same as on their own Big Bear bike, it's a good strong motor.
Cyclezee are in Milton Keynes, not sure if they will do the conversion, but the ezee kit is also a good strong hill climbing motor. Cyclezee is very helpful.

 

[Shazbag]

thanks I have emailed them

 

[Shazbag]

update! Cyclezee is being helpful, (as you suggested) looks like I have found what d8vuh recommended, says the most powerful (that he does) is the eZee which is BPM, 500w, 20amp controller with pedelec and throttle assist, they are available for front or rear wheels, prices start at £825 for a complete kit.

its a fair bit more money then I was expecting, but I would rather spend more and have something fit for purpose in the long term them something thats gonna break a few months in.

I am just waiting to hear back from him with a few questions but that looks promising right? and you all recommend the front wheel to spread the weight over the bike better? (what with me and the child seat)

thanks again

 

[Shazbag]

wow just seen this, cant afford it and its only a 250w motor but how awesome is this! also I dont like step through but what a great donkey!

 

[Benjahmin]

I have the 250W ezee front drive in my hybrid. It's stunning up the west Wales hills c/w me and shopping. I don't think you'll be disappointed with a 500W. So far I've had a max of about 35 miles on one charge' with some life left.
The conversion took me 4 hours but only because it had been sent with the wrong rack and I had to make a bracket. Any reasonable DIYer should be able to sort it.
(BTW they sorted the rack as soon as he saw a picture).

 

[Deleted member 4366]

The 500w is the same as the "250w". There's no difference! It's the same power, torque and speed - unless something has changed. I think he means that the "250w" Ezee motor is equivalent to a 500w BPM. I'm sure he'll correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Nealh]

You will need a good battery 13/15ah Panasonic or Samsung cells. Also misleading advertising 500w also illegal off road unless no public access what so ever.
If you are in Suffolk often try Woosh in Southend they do a front and rear Big Bear kit which is 350w and 20a controller with a 15a Samsung battery and lcd etc ,etc for £499 if you ask nicely I expect Tony or Andrew will do a very tidy job of fitting for not a lot of money.
The BBS/CD you linked to is to expensive cheaper from Woosh or other vendors also Oxydrive kit is good but only legal 250w, also BBS/CD is more for the sportier rider who doesn't mind peddling a lot.
Go with the Bpm type of motor which has a good PAS that kicks in very quickly and fairly smoothly.
I see your bike has disc breaks are they hydraulic fluid or mechanical wire pull ones ?

 

[Shazbag]

The disc breaks are wired ones,

 

[Nealh]

That will make the fitting of the brake cut offs if needed dead easy, the Woosh brake levers with the Big Bear kit also has a very neat intergrated loudish ping bell on the left lever.

 

[Shazbag]

Woosh recommended the BPM 350w kit, which is £499, and the 48V 10AH crank drive kit which is £670, he can fit both.

My question is clearly there a big cost difference, and even bigger cost difference to the cylezee BPM 500w kit at £825

Now I know the saying you get what you pay but also you dont always get the best thing for the most money

Promise this is the last question, I know I keep asking similar things, but I want to get it right as this is so much money for me and all this technical stuff is foreign to me so my understanding isn't high

Pro/Cons of both kits, I have narrowed it down to the 3?

Also trying a electric bike conversion on Thursday just see what its like

Thanks Again

 

[Nealh]

Shaz don't worry about questions ask as many as you like.
Which bike conversion are you trying out ?
Tough part now as they all are very good, speed was not your main criteria so I would maybe discount the sportier BBS.
The 48v BBS will be fast ( but tha depends on how much you pedal and how vigorously) and it will have good torque for hills, mileage wise expect to get about 25% more than with the BPM's, Ideally better for the sports cyclist and its off roading ability.
The Ezee kit is no doubt a very good kit however the battery alone is £175 more than the similar Woosh one with the same Samsung cells and ah rating.( that said it has an intergrated controller).
Both the Woosh and Ezee have a 20a controlller though the Ezee will look neater as the controller is intergrated with the battery.
The BPM's 350 or 500w not a lot in it both are powerful the 500 should be capable of 25mph and could take a 25a controller to increase torque, the 350 is good for 21/22mph on a fully charged battery other wise is it good for 18/19 mph and has a very responsive peddle assist. The Woosh BPM is aka the Big Bear kit and has had good reviews.
Both Woosh and Cycleeze have very good back up service that are all but faultless.


.

 

[Shazbag]

Thanks for your reply x

https://www.facebook.com/electricbikeconversion?fref=ts

as I am traveling this way Thursday I am having a go on one of their conversions, give me an idea what cycling a pedelec is like too which is all good and how they will manage on my weight.

Sounds like the big bear is the way to go with the 350w, doesnt sound like the 500w is worth the £325 more it costs then really.

I am no speed demon just a good 15mph max for my commute is all I need, flat all but one short steep hill (100-250m) and total of 25miles there and back, with my weight plus toddler and bag. No none peddling, its not a motorbike - I shall be peddling the whole time but help is needed to get a decent speed really, like I say I average 6-7mph I need that to double. Hopefully as I keep cycling and eating well my weight will keep coming down and I can do more on my own anyway

And go with the front wheel right, to spread out the weight more?

 

[Nealh]

Pedalling to 15mph with the bpm is easy peasy and a bit faster if unrestricted which again only takes a few seconds to undo.

 

[Shazbag]

sounds ideal its a trek to Southend so hope to have it done in a few weeks