Velospeeder - any experience - Brompton in particular

[StuartsProjects]

https://www.velogical-engineering.com/fahrraeder[ATTACH type="full" alt="50769"]50769[/ATTACH]/brompton-tuning/?lang=en

Looking at it as a potential lightweight conversion for a Brompton. I should be able to get the non-electric Brompton down to circa 9Kg.

Not seen many reports on this Velospeeder, the two friction drive motors mounted to act on the rear wheel apparently add circa 500g, whereas a standard front hub motor for a Brompton adds about 1400kg.

 

[matthewslack]

I'd be inclined to prefer the lightest front hub motor you can find for cost, simplicity, reliability reasons at probably only just over 1kg extra.

 

[Woosh]

Not seen many reports on this Velospeeder, the two friction drive motors mounted to act on the rear wheel apparently add circa 500g, whereas a standard front hub motor for a Brompton adds about 1400kg.

1400kg? no, the cute Q70 motor adds only 1.2kg.
The spokes add a bit of weight but that is offset by the weight of the old spokes and old hub that it replaces.
The weight of the battery should be outside the comparison, you have to carry what you want for capacity. All in all, you would save about 500g compared to a normal kit. Not worth the bother, especially when the wear of the rim is taken into account.

 

[Nealh]

Two FD motors means twice the rim wear rate so one will end up replacing rims as well.

 

[StuartsProjects]

1400kg? no, the cute Q70 motor adds only 1.2kg.

OK, mine was a Swytch. The weight of that wheel above a standard (no motor) Brompton front wheel was 1440g.

 

[StuartsProjects]

I'd be inclined to prefer the lightest front hub motor you can find for cost, simplicity, reliability reasons at probably only just over 1kg extra.

Anything out there lighter than a Q70 front hub motor ?

 

[Woosh]

OK, mine was a Swytch. The weight of that wheel above a standard (no motor) Brompton front wheel was 1440g.

how much does the wheel that comes out weigh?

 

[Woosh]

Anything out there lighter than a Q70 front hub motor ?

There are but it's the usual thing, someone has to try them first to see if the weight loss is worth it. Previous examples: d8veh tested the YT06 and not much comes of it. You need to ask yourself: how noisy is it when you push its power 25% about its comfortable range? How easy is it to open the case? How easy is it to replace the Hall sensors? the planetary gears? and how much is it? It's not worth bringing in a new motor if you don't know where to get spares.

 

[StuartsProjects]

how much does the wheel that comes out weigh?

No tyre and tube 2055g.
Standard Brompton Wheel, no tyre and tube, 615g

 

[StuartsProjects]

There are but it's the usual thing, someone has to try them first to see if the weight loss is worth it. Previous examples: d8veh tested the YT06 and not much comes of it.

True, hence the question about the Velospeed.

Does anyone sell Brompton Q70 front wheels ?

 

[Woosh]

Does anyone sell Brompton Q70 front wheels ?

Bmsbattery.com do. I only sell spares like the Q70 motors with or without rims for servicing our kits.

Q70 36V250W Front Driving V-Brake Hub Motor RPM 328 (bmsbattery.com)

 

[Nealh]

1.6kg AKM-74SX 36V250W front motor with 16inch Brompton 349 wheel rim [AKM-74SX 36V250W Front 16inch] - $175.75 : Zen Cart!, The Art of E-commerce (topbikekit.com)

1.6kg TBK-74AD 36V250W front motor with 16inch for Brompton 349 wheel rim [TBK-74AD 36V250W Front 16inch] - $146.30 : Zen Cart!, The Art of E-commerce (topbikekit.com)

 

[StuartsProjects]

Thanks, they have some good stuff.

The 'Tubular' controller looks real light .................

10S/13S 36V/48V15A YG KT 6Mosfets Sine Wave Controller KT Tubular Controller [YG Controller] - $45.57 : Zen Cart!, The Art of E-commerce

Zen Cart! 10S/13S 36V/48V15A YG KT 6Mosfets Sine Wave Controller KT Tubular Controller [YG Controller] - ★★★★★ 10S/13S 36V/48V15A YG KT 6Mosfets Sine Wave Controller KT Tubular Controller 1--Rate Voltage:36V or 48V KT sine wave controller 2--Rated Current:7A 3--Maximum Current:15±1A 4--With...

www.topbikekit.com

 

[chris667]

That's bringing back awful memories of bottle dynamos in the rain.

 

[StuartsProjects]

the cute Q70 motor adds only 1.2kg.

Does the motor itself weigh 1.2kg ?

 

[Woosh]

Does the motor itself weigh 1.2kg ?

StuartsProjects is right.
I rechecked it this afternoon, motor alone weighs 1.45kgs, spokes 0.25kg, rim 0.3kg.

No tyre and tube 2055g.
Standard Brompton Wheel, no tyre and tube, 615g

agreed.

 

[StuartsProjects]

I rechecked it this afternoon, motor alone weighs 1.45kgs, spokes 0.25kg, rim

Thanks for checking.

So the Q70 is lighter than some @ 1.45Kg, with the AKM74SX listed at 1.6Kg.

Interesting.