what the best starter kit to fit to my bike

[angellonewolf]

hi now after your help with my last problem the mick a new set of batterys fitted all ok thanks and after haveing a go on the bike getting a bit of i want one but i need a large bike so would need a kit

i will be going 26 mile in one day so 36 volt kit?

bike has a 26 inch wheel prob looking at front wheel as less problems to do the change

6.3 hight 18 stone hope to lose this when i start with the biking to work

price i the most inportant thing sorry to say

any help thanks given in advance

angel

 

[Bigbee]

Get your teacher to help you post and you may get some replies.I havent the foggiest to what you are saying,innit?

 

[flecc]

Get your teacher to help you post and you may get some replies.I havent the foggiest to what you are saying,innit?

I think Angellonewolf may not a native English speaker Bigbee. This extract from his introductory posting may help and explain what he meant by "Mick":

"hope you could give me a clue i am a fair at tec stuff but please be easy on me
i have a imaginarium mick bike (made and sold in spain, friend used 3 times and then left in shed for the last 9 months unused )"

I interpret his request as saying he wants suggestions for a motor kit. He is well over 6' tall and 18 stones so has a large bike, though it has a 26" front wheel. He prefers the idea of a front wheel hub motor as he believes it will be easier to fit. His budget is restricted so price is important.

The one thing that puzzles is the the Imaginarium Mick bike is listed a a folding electric bike made by Koolgachet of Spain, so I'm not sure why he wants a different motor.

Any suggestions members?
.

 

[angellonewolf]

hi sorry i have no make my self clear i have had help with a mick bike now fixed thankyou

after having a go i would like a powered bike for my self i am large size so i want to use my own bike and install a powered kit not buy a new bike

money is the prime thing to think on cheap as poss

but need to go 26 miles with one charge

any help

thanks angel

 

[The Maestro]

I understood perfectly apart from the bit about the Mick bike which I thought meant he had a bike made in Ireland

 

[mahaca1]

Hi Angel,
In spain there are several kits:
Bienvenidos a CicloTEK Bicicletas Electricas
Ecobike - Bicicletas Eléctricas
Bicicletas electricas, bicicleta electrica - Velectris España SC (the phantom motor) more expensive. They are made in France Velectris est fabricant de vélo électrique et kits pour vélo électrique
Now Giant has new e-bikes, the giant express r2 is cheap only costs 1199 €
Bicis Giant / Giant Bicycles - Twist Express R2 W (2009)

 

[RedSkywalker]

I understood perfectly apart from the bit about the Mick bike which I thought meant he had a bike made in Ireland

ROFL - that's just brilliant!

 

[Cyclezee]

This is looking like a great thread, two nationalities insulted already
If you start having a go at the Scots, I'llsendbigGordieroundtoputhis'darling'ferretdoonyerSasannachtroosersladdie

Apologies for that outburst, normal service will be resumed shortly

J hn

 

[Cyclezee]

Hi Angel,

Depending how much money you have to spend, it could be more economical to buy a good quality used electric bike rather than building from a kit.
Could you answer a few questions which might help give some good advice

1. What is your budget?
2. Is the terrain hilly or flat?
3. Would you prefer a hub or crank motor?
4. Is the bike for commuting or recreation?

J hn

P.S. would you like to be on the Pedelec Google Map? http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/1573-where-do-you-live-v2-0-a.html

 

[angellonewolf]

hi thanks for the reply cost of item need to be cheap i do not know how much as looking at what the kits cost some one said on here alien is cheapest?

1 bus sized hill steep but short a fair few long slopes 6 poss about half mile long each along bristol ring road

commuting

hub or crank motor? what the differance

prob hub in the fround wheel looks easyer to fit would be better as punctures are mostly (i have had few )in the back wheel so would be better to repair

thanks angel

 

[frank9755]

You could try this kit to retrofit to your posts:
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,............................................;;;;;;;;;:::::::::::::::: ----------------

Two serious points: your posts would be a lot easier to understand with the odd bit of punctuation, and it's a lot harder to retro-fit kits (to bikes as well as to text) than buy a ready made second hand bike. 'Harder' often leads to 'more expensive' as you need to buy additional bits to keep it working. You don't mention your experience - of course if you are a skilled engineer this may not be an issue.

The questions you raise are big ones that have been discussed on the forum at length. Rather than going over the old ground, try searching for some of the past posts, have a read, then do come back with some specific questions (with punctuation, please!)

 

[Cyclezee]

Angel,

It is really very difficult to give advice and a bit pointless without knowing how much money you have to spend.
To put it another way £100 buys nothing, £250, you might be lucky and get a half decent used bike, £250 to £500, should get you a reasonable used and some low end new bikes, £500 to £750, good quality used and some reasonable new bikes, £750 to £1000, top quality used and some better quality new bikes, £1000+, the best available new bikes.
As for kit bikes, first you need a bike, then spend anything from £300 to £1000 for a kit, then you need the skills and knowledge to build it.

J hn

 

[angellonewolf]

sorry my posts are had to read i have mild dyslexia so have to pick words i know

as for the price range i have a mouation bike a few years old but in good working condition

tech is my best bit since i was 13 i have been playing with bikes only things i can not fix is things that need special tools (i have got round a few of these as well)

my father in law got a elec bike that was not working after 2 nights of net surfing and a little help from you guys and girls ( got to say that )
with buying new batterys got it working tryed it myself and wanted to lose a few stone so could try to ride to work

money as said is a problem £300 max but cheaper the better thats why a kit is better? and i am tall 6.3 feet and large that is why i wanted to keep my bike

i have read a lot of the posts on the site but wanted to start a debate and hope give any one else an easy way to confirm the best for the money kits out there and then make my choise from there

thanks angel

 

[Cyclezee]

Angel,

I still think for £300 your best bet is a used e-bike rather than a kit. The following link will give you an idea what is available. Electric Bicycle & Tricycle Prices

J hn

 

[frank9755]

Your best bet for a kit might be to approach Kewin / eCrazyman on eBay. He may be able to get you a Suzhou Bafang kit, for perhaps £150 delivered. A Ping LiFePO4 could cost you a similar amount - no, actually a bit more now the dollar has moved up vs sterling.

This route would involve a fair bit of work, take a bit of time, but you could end up with a good result, but probably would be tough to get it under £300, as you'd have a few wires, connectors and boxes or bags to buy too.

To get cheaper than this you'd have to look at SLA batteries, which would be heavy

Otherwise, I'd agree with John; on most new bikes or kits the cost of the battery would take up much of your budget, but second hand Powabykes tend to come up regularly on eBay for £200-300.

 

[Cyclezee]

I think Frank is right, a Powabyke could be the best choice. There are increasing numbers of used ones in that price bracket appearing on eBay, probably due to owners upgrading to newer models.
Not sexy or fast and rather heavy, but, if you get a good one, they are tough, reliable and capable of climbing those hills in the Bristol area.
Some examples currently on eBay. Number 2. looks a bargain for a new bike, 7. is in Bristol, it has to be worth a look.

1. POWABYKE / SAKURA -ELECTRIC BIKE- COOL STYLING on eBay, also, Bikes, Cycling, Sporting Goods (end time 26-Oct-08 13:45:26 GMT)
2. Powabyke 6 speed euro electric cycle new new new on eBay, also, Other Cycling, Cycling, Sporting Goods (end time 26-Oct-08 09:42:51 GMT)
3. POWABYKE 3 SPEED 26†Wheels 17" Frame ELECTRIC BIKE on eBay, also, Bikes, Cycling, Sporting Goods (end time 26-Oct-08 22:52:34 GMT)
4. Powabyke on eBay, also, Bikes, Cycling, Sporting Goods (end time 27-Oct-08 14:22:38 GMT)
5. POWABYKE 24 SPEED - ELECTRIC BIKE GREAT FOR COMMUTING on eBay, also, Bikes, Cycling, Sporting Goods (end time 28-Oct-08 17:29:20 GMT)
6. Raleigh Powabyke Electric Shopper Bike ---------- New on eBay, also, Bikes, Cycling, Sporting Goods (end time 30-Oct-08 16:52:05 GMT)
7. Powabyke - Electric bike with battery and charger on eBay, also, Bikes, Cycling, Sporting Goods (end time 02-Nov-08 17:15:00 GMT)

J hn

 

[angellonewolf]

sorry for the late reply but got a few problems at the moment chest infection and fell of the push bike 3 weeks ago had to go to doctor new been to x-ray as suspected fracture as movment in my is still not back to normal

ps the chain snaped and was going for it when it happend

but back to the kit or bike

yes there are a few bikes on sale on ebay have been looking but would never ba able to fit on to a shopper style bike need a lot bigger

i just looked at my bike from floor to saddle 102cm back of seat to handle bars 85 cm

so shopper is never an option

whats the kit your talking about from ebay got a link

thanks angel

 

[angellonewolf]

also with the second market the battery life is what i would worry about as you have said the battery is half the cost and if bought a second hand and then have to buy a battery would bump the cost massavely

thanks angel

 

[Cyclezee]

Angel, you have about 15 minutes to grab a bargain! Number 2 listed above although I see it has a bid on it now!

To late now it's gone, looked like a bargain though for a brand new bike.

J hn

 

[frank9755]

There's no link for those kits but search on this site and you will find various posts that point you in the right direction. However I checked Ping LiFePO4s on eBay this morning, and the price for a 10Ah / 36v -the smallest battery that makes sense - is over £200, so I'm afraid I can't see you getting a kit for within your budget - unless you're willing to use SLAs.

Powabykes are big bikes - definately sounds like your option. The SLAs dont last too long but not so expensive to replace. Don't get the Shopper model but that new Commuter John referenced was a bargain at £299!