So I am going to either buy or build an electric bicycle.

[stingray'04rider]

For the longest time, I was going to go with a motorbicycle, but due to legal reasons for the state of Texas, I'm going with an e-bike.


So I have a few questions and things I have to put out there:
One) I need your help, in possibly giving me advice, help, selling me parts, etc.
Two) I am a poor teenager. I don't have money. If comes down to it, I might be willing to sell some of my stuff for money or do some labor, but the reason I'm building an ebike in the first place is to travel and do labor (and make money), so if I sell stuff to make the bike, it would just be a conundrum.
Three) I need the bike, above all else, to be able to go 35 mph minimum or more and it must be completely safe to ride.


I can't seem to find anyone who sells an electric bike within my price range (which is nothing anyways), and either way, plenty of people selling don't have bikes that go fast enough.

Four) I am heavy. The bike must be able to carry 250 lbs.+ easily, and move it at 35+ mph.

If you give me advice on what to do, where to go, design ideas, motor suggestions, that'd be a big plus, so thanks in advance!

[RandyWhite]

Good luck with your search. As far as I know, unless you custom make it, no electric will be going anywhere near 35 mph. 15 is the average on most kits, and even with that a basic conversion kit will cost you near $400 once you add in batteries, not including the bike itself.

Range might also be a consideration. Most stock kits get 10-15 miles out of 1 battery pack (no pedaling). Double that is you add a second of course.

I don't know what your legal situation in Texas is, but I would try working it out and going gas. Half the cost (kit wise), better range, double the speed.

But I could be wrong. I have little knowledge in electric other than a weeks worth of research.

I am in the same situation, going electric for legal reasons. Just got a Currie 24v 450W converted bike. Paid $250 for the complete package. The guy had over $750 into what was essentially a basic starting kit.

Gotta ask yourself if paying $400+ just to go 15 miles without pedaling is worth it. I plan on adding a pedal assist to mine if possible. You can usually get 25-30 miles on a charge that way.

[stingray'04rider]

Thanks.

the legal part is just a big pain in the ass. The local cops would constantly pull me over
"You know you're driving a motorized vehicle without a license, registration, and inspection."
"Yeah but this is legal."
"What???"

I just know they'd ticket me and being in and out of traffic courts proving what I'm doing is legal would just be a pain in the ass.

thanks.

[RandyWhite]

Mine is kind of the same. The way the laws are written in Idaho, a moped either requires a drivers license or doesn't. Depends on who you ask.

Since I don't know the laws in Texas, I don't know what the legality of them are there.

Personally, I would just get a copy of your laws and carry them with you. If a cop pulls you over, you can show him the codes. If it ends up in court and you are legal, you should be able to get court papers that would prove it.

Nothing like court papers that say you are legal lol. I have found that for the most part, not many police/sheriff/dmv workers know the law.

[stingray'04rider]

Originally Posted by RandyWhite

Mine is kind of the same. The way the laws are written in Idaho, a moped either requires a drivers license or doesn't. Depends on who you ask.

Since I don't know the laws in Texas, I don't know what the legality of them are there.

Personally, I would just get a copy of your laws and carry them with you. If a cop pulls you over, you can show him the codes. If it ends up in court and you are legal, you should be able to get court papers that would prove it.

Nothing like court papers that say you are legal lol. I have found that for the most part, not many police/sheriff/dmv workers know the law.

Pretty much. Thanks! and will do!

[fasteddy]

Stingray.
I just posted some sites for Randy on the other thread. If you still want to go electric ask if anyone at the endless-sphere site has anything that will help you. Explain your situation and there may be some helping hands if your lucky.

Steve.

[Rocky_Motor]

With my knowledge in electrical engineering, building an electric bike isn't going to be cheap. It pays off of course, but it is the batteries that murders the cost. You'll end up with the cost of a scooter and then some to get what you are looking for. People don't sell fast E-bikes because I think there are legal issues of being able to go past 20mph without insurance or registration.

Somethin to know.. More amps typically means more acceleration. More volts means higher top speed. If you're wondering about the watts that are advertised, I would say ignore it. Watts is determined by multiplying the voltage x amperage. If you compared it to an engine, watts is like the displacement. It doesn't really tell you what the engine/electrical motor can do, just how big it is.

Someone made a gorgeous E-bike. It's hardly a bike since he removed the pedaling system though. Wouldn't hurt to take a look I guess though. I'd love to build one myself but the cost doesn't justify it quite yet unless you can ride the bike all the time. You would quickly be much more efficient than using a car but for work I need to save up for a diesel pick up. I love diesels anyway
The Ultimate DIY Electric Bike - 50+MPH - YouTube

[POPS]

WWW.cyclone-TW.com

That will take you where you want to go + lipo Batts.

POPS

[POPS]

Originally Posted by Rocky_Motor

With my knowledge in electrical engineering, building an electric bike isn't going to be cheap. It pays off of course, but it is the batteries that murders the cost. You'll end up with the cost of a scooter and then some to get what you are looking for. People don't sell fast E-bikes because I think there are legal issues of being able to go past 20mph without insurance or registration.

Somethin to know.. More amps typically means more acceleration. More volts means higher top speed. If you're wondering about the watts that are advertised, I would say ignore it. Watts is determined by multiplying the voltage x amperage. If you compared it to an engine, watts is like the displacement. It doesn't really tell you what the engine/electrical motor can do, just how big it is.

Someone made a gorgeous E-bike. It's hardly a bike since he removed the pedaling system though. Wouldn't hurt to take a look I guess though. I'd love to build one myself but the cost doesn't justify it quite yet unless you can ride the bike all the time. You would quickly be much more efficient than using a car but for work I need to save up for a diesel pick up. I love diesels anyway
The Ultimate DIY Electric Bike - 50+MPH - YouTube

With all due respect go to endless sphere. com and look at the thred in NON HUB DRIVES with LIVE FOR PHISICS thred and his bike makes that bike look like a girlies bike!!!

You can make a E bike do what he wants for bout $1000 with Cyclone kit plus lipo Batts.


POPS

[Thud]

Stingray,
you can build an e-bike for reasonable. Batteries are the #1 money sucker on these projects...& ultimatly where all the performance lies.

A dirct drive hub motor can be overvolted easy enough to go well past 35mph. (not that i recomend that).

there is more info at endless sphere about every aspect of building an awsome e-bike. Lots of stuff in the sales section & a world class education to be had. the guys are all helpfull for the most part.

I would recomend a cell man geared hub ($150 i think) you can lace a wheel yourself (or can you?) a simple controller from the e-crazy man on e-bay. & a battery form a man called ping. (comes with a charger & a battery managment system)

if you can crimp the conectors onto your wires....you'll be rolling silent & under the radar for a long time.

I can get more specific if you have questions. I don't build with the hub motors myself, but they are the simplest way to build an assisted bike.
T