Electric Bike Conversion Kit or Electric Bike?

Nope very little about bikes and not much more about converting, despite having DIYd it :p

But from what I understand, 98% of bikes are easy to convert and half of the rest can be done, it just takes a bit more effort (e.g. I had to file away my front fork drop outs to 10mm; they were 9mm before).

No idea on the quality of those bikes, aim for light though because you'll be adding a fair whack of weight and you don't want it to be too heavy to easily lift/manouevre.

Also if you're planning on making it rear wheel drive, you can't have too many cogs on the rear wheel (at least with the Cyclotricity kit) but I can't remember what the limit is.
 
What's a light bike?
What we looking at in kilos?

Also seen a voodoo Marasa which seems a better bike, specs say that's 13.7kilos.
 
My Forme Longcliffe (no motor) is supposed to be 11KG and can easily be picked up by two fingers, my Trek 7.5 is a similar weight (even with motor), my Carrera Subway needs 3 fingers (no motor) but my Cyclotricity Stealth with a 500 watt motor needs two hands.
And then add the weight of the battery.
 
At a guess the kit is probably 5-6kg in total, my bike now probably weighs in the region of 17-18kg although I've not got any scales.
Not sure about this two-fingers metric, I can lift mine easily enough with two fingers with everything on it, but then I climb so maybe my two fingers are stronger, I can also do a three-fingered pull-up ;)
 
Glaucus said:
Well think I've found a hybrid for £120 it's 12.3kilos 14speed. So looking at 18-19kilos with kit.
This one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221697732459?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Is there anything I need to check before buying it? In terms of compatability with the 1000w cyclotricity rear wheel kit.

It's pretty low end, but cheap start and can always upgrade if I get into it.
Click to expand...

It will be better than the Stealth anyway :)

AFAIK the rear wheel should be a direct replacement but you need to know how the gears fit on the Barracuda and how they fit on the 1000 watt wheel.
For example I know that there are threaded type hubs and then ones where you just place the rear gear wheels on with spacers.
Or do you order it with the gear wheels?
You need to find out.
 
It's got V-brakes which I imagine you would want to upgrade if you're putting 1000W into it. Possibly the 7-speed cassette won't be compatible (may take up too much space width-wise). You're aware a 1000W motor isn't legal to use on the road without moped licence, insurance, ved, helmet yeah?
Best bet is to call the guy who runs electric-bike-conversions (assuming you're buying from there) and ask him.
 
Would not buy any bike these days without disc brakes unless it's some really light weight road bike for human powered use only. 1KW motor, v-brakes and a cheap frame is a disaster waiting to happen.
 
Good point on rear casket, but wouldn't be an issue as you can just buy the correct type through cyclotricity for £16 for he 7 speed one.

And don't care about legality. Chances of getting court are slim, unless your being an idiot. And off course it's for off road use only.

Because I'm on a budget, and trying to find a reasonable bike cheaply is hard work. Things can always be upgraded. No point getting cheaper wheel kit though as that's expensive to upgrade.
 
I really don't know why you want the 1000 watt motor, I have the 500 watt and one day I ran out of power and it's like pedaling while towing a caravan.
My 500 watt will do 24 mph on the throttle but the battery won't last very long.
 
It's an extra £20 so why not.
Also says on cyclotricity website, that they add no resistance, so just the added weight of either kit.
 
Glaucus said:
What 250 kit is it?
As they only have 500/1000w on website for rear wheel, or is it front wheel one.
Click to expand...


Just thought, Andy at Electric Bike Conversions has actually got rear wheel 250 watt kits.
Cyclotricity said there wouldn't be a market for them so he asked them to make some for him and he's selling loads.



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I find it a little harder work with the electric kit but I'm pretty sure that's mostly down to the weight. 250W FWD cyclotricity
I think 1000W is a lot more obvious that there's a motor on the wheel though, the 500W is relatively compact IIRC (same size as the 250W). Still chances of getting pulled are slim and if you can show them it was restricted to 250W/15.5mph you're still golden
 
miniyazz said:
I find it a little harder work with the electric kit but I'm pretty sure that's mostly down to the weight. 250W FWD cyclotricity
I think 1000W is a lot more obvious that there's a motor on the wheel though, the 500W is relatively compact IIRC (same size as the 250W). Still chances of getting pulled are slim and if you can show them it was restricted to 250W/15.5mph you're still golden
Click to expand...

My 500 watt is exactly the same size as the 1000 watt.

http://www.disturbinthepeace.co.uk/pics3/stealth500watt.jpg compared to http://www.disturbinthepeace.co.uk/pics3/trek75fxconversion.jpg



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