Wheel build

[aseb]

I'm looking to get a new hub from the US, carriage costs are high for the wheels. My local bike shop can't build for me- can anyone point me to a cycle shop in the Northumberland/Newcastle area that could build up a wheel?

Recommended spokes are quite thick at 12 gauge (2.5mm) (normally 14 gauge (2.0mm) for pedal bikes, 13 gauge (2.3mm) for ebikes) so I guess that would be the next hurdle.

 

[mechaniker]

I'm looking to get a new hub from the US, carriage costs are high for the wheels. My local bike shop can't build for me- can anyone point me to a cycle shop in the Northumberland/Newcastle area that could build up a wheel?

Hi,
you must match around 70GBP for "special"-spokes and wheelbuild + the rim, is it cheaper as the shipping-fee?
If the wheelbuild come from a good company in US i would take the complet wheel, but the question is "do it relly comes from US?" or do it actualy come from China because near by every Hub-motor come from China and in China i only trust one hub-motor company to build a good wheel.
So, we need to know wich brand is the motor? then it is more easy to give reconment.

regards
frank

 

[jbond]

I'm told SJS SJS Cycles Online Bike Shop for Touring, Mountain & Road Bikes and Specialised Bicycle Parts can do this for you. And if you're up for doing it yourself they can supply rims and spokes to the correct length.

What's the motor?

 

[NRG]

Yes, SJS will do a first class wheel build for you using the best components for around £90 shipped. They built my 700c wheel and Bafang motor earlier in the year and it's proved to be excellent.

 

[Mussels]

Thicker spokes are not necessarily stronger, thinner ones are more elastic which is why tourers use double butted spokes.
The spokes and hubs you can use depend on the size and quality of the hub (note: SB is not all that good in this area), getting the right size is tricky - especially for an oversize hub.
Unless you know exactly what you want (there's a lot to learn with spokes) then I'd recommend getting it shipped directly to SJS and having them set the wheel up for you. I have had two wheels done there and they have been very robust, conversely I've broken quite a few other wheels built in other places.

 

[aseb]

Thanks guys. They are US based, and they've told me they can also cut custom sets of 13 gauge single butted to 14 gauge spokes which are of a higher quality than the standard Crystalyte spokes.

What are the experiences of the group for imports from the USA and Import Duty/VAT charges? say $300 goods and $200 carriage costs- I believe VAT is charged on the Duty too!

 

[mechaniker]

Thanks guys. They are US based, ......

hi aseb,

sound is that you want buy a crystalyte-motor?

crystalyte is a Chinese company. based in shanghai, and they also have a lot of distributor´s in europe, for example

Crystalyte Europe
or
index

so it is not necassary to buy in Amerika and pay the high shipping-fee

regards
frank

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Aseb, what exactly are you trying to achieve with your new motor? Do you want more power, speed, torque or what? Many of the motors originate from China, and can be bought direct ready-built onto a wheel for much cheaper than USA or Europe. My 350 watt BPM hill-climber came assembled to the wheel with throttle, pedal sensor and controller - all for less than £250 including shipping cost (from BMSbattery). Maybe the spokes aren't so X-fantastic, but I'm sure they'll last for a bit. If they do eventually break, I'll fiind a good wheel builder then because I've saved a lot of money, but maybe I won't have to! Both myself and my neighbour have cheap Chinese-buit front wheels (250 watt) and so far (approx 600 miles) we've have had no problems.

 

[Mussels]

Maybe the spokes aren't so X-fantastic, but I'm sure they'll last for a bit. If they do eventually break, I'll fiind a good wheel builder then because I've saved a lot of money, but maybe I won't have to! Both myself and my neighbour have cheap Chinese-buit front wheels (250 watt) and so far (approx 600 miles) we've have had no problems.

Apart from one broken spoke all my wheel problems have been at the back, I'd happily try a prebuilt front wheel from China.

 

[aseb]

Aseb, what exactly are you trying to achieve with your new motor? Do you want more power, speed, torque or what? Many of the motors originate from China, and can be bought direct ready-built onto a wheel for much cheaper than USA or Europe. My 350 watt BPM hill-climber came assembled to the wheel with throttle, pedal sensor and controller - all for less than £250 including shipping cost (from BMSbattery). Maybe the spokes aren't so X-fantastic, but I'm sure they'll last for a bit. If they do eventually break, I'll fiind a good wheel builder then because I've saved a lot of money, but maybe I won't have to! Both myself and my neighbour have cheap Chinese-buit front wheels (250 watt) and so far (approx 600 miles) we've have had no problems.

I'm looking for better hill climbing ability.
The controller is rated at 17A peak so gives a maximum of 612W at the nominal 36V or 680W when freshly charged. Other threads confirm it as one of the more powerful motors.
I have another post where I have connected the battery directly to the motor avoiding any losses in the controller circuitry (because of controller failure). It is better, with more urge, but I feel it still isn't enough of an improvement for 3 of the hills (too cold/icy to try), I've been up other hills and there is definitely more urge when climbing. But not enough.

 

[aseb]

hi aseb,

sound is that you want buy a crystalyte-motor?

crystalyte is a Chinese company. based in shanghai, and they also have a lot of distributor´s in europe, for example

Crystalyte Europe
or
index

so it is not necassary to buy in Amerika and pay the high shipping-fee

regards
frank

I'd come across them, more expensive but if the customs duty and VAT gets charged it is a bit less expensive (because shipping is only £26.76 against $). The German company only sells 400 series hubs.
I've been waiting for an answer from the Luxembourg company (crystalyte-europe.com) to a few questions for 3 days now (site says they don't work sat or sun).
I'm minded to get the unit from Luxembourg if they actually communicate with me but will be worried about support if it takes much longer.

 

[mechaniker]

hi aseb,

yes, the communication with crystalyte-europe is always a bit strange and slowly and the website sometime´s work and the next day is offline, i dont understand this behaviour from a company but they are since some year on the market and untill now i read nothing bad about them.

they have a dealerlist on there website but i cant open because i block "google" with my browser but maybe you find on this list a dealer who do his job better as them ?

regards
frank

 

[jbond]

I'm looking for better hill climbing ability.
The controller is rated at 17A peak so gives a maximum of 612W at the nominal 36V or 680W when freshly charged. Other threads confirm it as one of the more powerful motors.
I have another post where I have connected the battery directly to the motor avoiding any losses in the controller circuitry (because of controller failure). It is better, with more urge, but I feel it still isn't enough of an improvement for 3 of the hills (too cold/icy to try), I've been up other hills and there is definitely more urge when climbing. But not enough.

So what motor is this that you have now?