300 miles into using it, and loving it.
I just wanted to put a little review up here of the E bike kit I bought from :
KirbEbike
https://www.cloudsto.com/ebikes/kirbebike-conv-kits/kirbebike-1500w-2000w-ebike-kit-inc-ion-plus-58v-17ah-battery-detail.html
This is a conversion kit, where you get the motor (wheel), speedcontroller and battery.
I easily fitted these to a brand new Trek Marlin 7 hardtail mountain bike, and this thing is phenomenal.
Range: 50 mile with a bit of input from me.
Top speed: unknown ... I'm not feeling brave enough to take it past 35mph
Battery: 52V Lipo 17ah
Motor: 1500W hub motor
ESC: Sensored 15S
So why did I go for this DIY bike instead of a purpose built E-Bike:
3 main reasons:
1) Commercially available E-bikes are 99% crank (centre) drive, which means the motor drives the chain, and gears. A positive of this is you get to use your motor through the gears, so more top speed in a higher gear, and more power / torque in a lower gear. However, using a 1500w rear hub motor, I've never been lacking for torque or speed up any of the steep hills I've come across. A negative of using the chain and gears, is wear on these components from the additional stress a motor. I spent a bit of time researching E-bike forums, and some E-bike specific chains and gear cassettes are only lasting 500 mile before a replacement, or major service. With my rear hub motor, all of this additional stress on the drivetrain is eliminated.
2) If the centre / crank drive bike has a chain , gear, or electrics problem, you are stuck. If my rear hub motor bike has a chain or gear problem, I can use the hub motor to continue. If my bike has an electrics issue, I can still cycle without using the motor. There is a little more resistance due to induction from the motor, so normal cycling is easy up until 12 mph, then a little effort to 15mph, so your speed is limited on normal cycle power if the electrics fail.
3) I like the option of having a throttle should I need it. To pull away really quickly, or just if your legs are tired, stop pedalling and use the throttle! Yes, it's like an electric motorbike, but I dont tend to use it like this, I want to put some effort in.
How does the bike ride:
There are 6 levels of assistance.
On setting 0, you are under your own power only, and it feels fine at speeds less than 10mph
On setting 5, it's mental fast.
Setting 1 will top out at 15mph, 2 25mph, 3 30mph, 4 .....
I use setting 2/3 mostly, and it feels like your getting a light aerobic excercise, whilst getting where you want at 20 /25mph.
You also have a progressive throttle to add power as and when required, from a little assistance, to full blast.
The electronic TFT screen looks great, very clear, unlike this picture, and this is where you can adjust setting, such as adding a speed limiter, or adjusting what boost you get.
The ride is phenomenal, and since I got it, the car has barely been used. Commuting, sports, shopping, I've used the Ebike. It's a game changer, and brilliant for cost, the environment, and your fitness (studies have shown that using an ebike with considerable assistance, have provided 85% of the aerobic exercise of a conventional bike ride). Its great on the road, on the track, and over Cleadon hills.
Building the bike:
Slot the wheel on, clip the connectors together, and mount the hardware and cable tie the cables, and off you go.
The beauty of it:
Light enough to chuck in the boot of the car, capable of offroad runs for when I detour over the hills and farms.
Spec:
Of course I researched everything in depth, and please with the spec I ended up with:
Bike spec:
Trek Marlin 7 2020, 9 x 2 transmission, hydraulic discs, rock shox equiped 29er with a gorgeous chroma-flair green paint job.
Added:
Schwalbe Big Apple tyres, 2.4" wide for comfort, with high level of puncture protection and low rolling resistance
ToPeak panniers <- loads of capacity
Moon lights <- lights are important!
ISM PN1.1 saddle
Suntour SP12 NCX suspension seatpost <- more comfort
Lizard Skin grips <- comfort
Shimano PD500 pdeals
Kapz custom stem cap <- because bling
Some mudguards
With the Ebike kit from KirbEbikes, I also added the following:
I spec'd the hub to accomodate 9 gears (std only accommodates 7)
I sepc'd the 29" MTX wheel, to match the 29er wheels on the bike, and MTX as wider for more comfortable tyre, and a hard wheel to prevent any buckles and dings.
Honestly, this thing is brilliant fun, cost effective and green. Love it!
Here is a link to Andy Kirby's youtube channel, which shows how to build this ebike:
Buy this kit from his shop here:
https://www.cloudsto.com/ebikes/kirbebike-conv-kits/kirbebike-1500w-2000w-ebike-kit-inc-ion-plus-58v-17ah-battery-detail.html
Also... to tag on the end ... I've seen a lot of so called professionals with incredibly biased testing of rear hub bikes against big brand centre drive bikes. Just be aware when watching reviews that big brand sponsorship maybe influencing reviewers.
And of course, if you want a model car, go to www.racing-cars.com, and get a Schumacher Cougar Laydown.
