markwilliam1 Posted August 12, 2017 Share Posted August 12, 2017 I've often wanted a way to get to town for some groceries or site seeing and not moving my camper. Wanted an electric scooter but I'm too tall to drive one and no room to store it. So I decided to convert my old Schwinn mountain bike to an ebike. Works like a charm! It's capable of many miles of run time. You can peddle to extend the distance or just use the electric motor. Allowed on bike trails also! I'm getting older and it makes a long commute pleasurable again. I can use my ladder rack to transport the bike or put it in the camper. Not a cheap conversion but for me totally worth it. Has anybody else done this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WME Posted August 12, 2017 Share Posted August 12, 2017 How did you do it? Photos please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markwilliam1 Posted August 12, 2017 Author Share Posted August 12, 2017 Unfortunately I'm not around my computer WME. Unable to upload pictures on my note pad. Google electric bike conversions. Many types and styles. I choose an American company Clean Republic located in Seattle. I don't trust cheap Chinese lithium batteries and motors. Â In my case you simply replace the front rim with a new rim that has an electric motor built into the hub. It's waterproof. Wire up your battery pack, attach the controls, good to go! My system is a 36 volt 350 watt motor and a high quality lithium battery pack made by Panasonic. It also has a variable throttle. Very quiet and cool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WME Posted August 12, 2017 Share Posted August 12, 2017 OK checked ebay... Any handling weirdness with FWD on a bike? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markwilliam1 Posted August 12, 2017 Author Share Posted August 12, 2017 (edited) Not a fan of the ones on ebay. Chinese junk in my opinion. Inflated volts and wattage. My system was big bucks but I feel quality and performance are important! The only problem I've had with the front wheel drive is going up steep mountain bike trails where the front tire will slip or spin occasionally. Never a problem anywhere else. On roadways and bike trails absolutely perfect! Even good on gravel. Edited August 12, 2017 by markwilliam1 more info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted August 12, 2017 Share Posted August 12, 2017 13 minutes ago, WME said: Any handling weirdness with FWD on a bike? Guessing only, only based on lots of cycling without an electric motor, I'd say you'll do better with a better quality bike to have a stiffer front fork to handle the drive loads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markwilliam1 Posted August 12, 2017 Author Share Posted August 12, 2017 Correct again Derek! My Schwinn was bought in 1984, rugged, heavy and made in the USA. You do need a stiff steel fork to handle the torque of the motor. Not recommended for the sleek 10 speed aluminum frames. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted August 12, 2017 Share Posted August 12, 2017 10 speed? Harumph!! They're up to 22 speeds with electronic shifting and hydraulic disc brakes now. At a price, of course! https://www.racycles.com/road/cipollini/cipollini-rb1000-duraace-di2-lighweight-bike-11922?sku=10072366&gclid=CjwKCAjwzrrMBRByEiwArXcw29hPLoYFrc0lF8-a4fM4lOr-2oZt3Cqg1ewHdumFBCAv_GIm1lM-JBoCLgEQAvD_BwE But if your bike weighed 12lb instead of 42lb, you wouldn't need a motor. As much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markwilliam1 Posted August 12, 2017 Author Share Posted August 12, 2017 (edited) 15 Grand really? Yep you do need a heavy frame for the front rim conversion. Don't know about a crank motor or rear wheel drive. The simplicity of this system is you don't need to change anything except the front rim. You use the same brakes, shifters and derailleur. Nothing to replace except the rim. The motor is also free spinning. If turned on or off you can pedal normally and coast normally when not using the motor. Edited August 12, 2017 by markwilliam1 more info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nam Posted August 13, 2017 Share Posted August 13, 2017 Hi Mark, would you mind sharing the parts that you purchased for ebike conversion? I thought of doing the same thing with front electric motor hub and battery pack built from 18650 lithium batteries Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markwilliam1 Posted August 13, 2017 Author Share Posted August 13, 2017 Hey Nam, I bought my kit from Clean Republic in Seattle. They have many models to choose from. They supply the front rim with the motor in the hub. I don't think they sell the rim separately. The battery pack is the expensive part. Different ranges and power. I choose the system with a throttle. I'm sure you could probably build a battery pack somehow. They weigh in between 6 & 8 lbs. That's a lot of 18650 batteries! Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted August 13, 2017 Share Posted August 13, 2017 They sell the whole bike complete for only a few hundred more dollars than the conversion kit. And the biggy for us. It's a folding bike with pedals that also fold in. I think if I was going to spend the money that's what I would go with. http://www.electric-bike-kit.com/hill-topper-folding-electric-bike.aspx Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunkaman Posted August 13, 2017 Share Posted August 13, 2017 thanks for the link linda. may have to trade in the 20th century Honda hobbit and jump into the 21st century EBIKE. joe from dover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markwilliam1 Posted August 13, 2017 Author Share Posted August 13, 2017 Thats the company I bought my conversion kit from Linda! I had an excellent bike to start with. Just needed the motor and battery. Trying to talk Joe into it. He's seen my e- bike. So Very Cool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted August 14, 2017 Share Posted August 14, 2017 Just in our little rigs I think that it folds might be very handy . Actually be able to get it inside if your going to be away without it. Way too expensive to take a chance it gets stolen. Linda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markwilliam1 Posted August 14, 2017 Author Share Posted August 14, 2017 I'm able to get my bike into Grannie with no problem. If the camper is too loaded I take off the front wheel and hang it on my ladder rack. You are correct Linda, very expensive! I indulged myself on this one. I ride it almost daily now. Before I road only a few times a month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chang50012 Posted August 20, 2017 Share Posted August 20, 2017 Was thinking about 50 cc gas one and the electric bike, end up with 1000W electric scoot. Happy about it and just less than $500.00 Heavier than I wanted but powerful enough to climb some hills and last on longer distance. Could be folded up and store inside RV while traveling to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidtan Posted August 20, 2017 Share Posted August 20, 2017 Cool scooter...how about the old peddle bikes with engines..what were they called?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WME Posted August 20, 2017 Share Posted August 20, 2017 Mo-peds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markwilliam1 Posted August 24, 2017 Author Share Posted August 24, 2017 Hey chang nice little scooter! I'm too tall for something like that. I still like to ride a bike and peddle to get some exercise. Around here they sell complete e-bikes starting around $2000. That's why I choose the conversion kit. I think in the near future there will be many e-bikes around if they can ever lower the price of lithium batteries! Â Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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