Both Bill and I had already built a few ebikes for ourselves, and his idea was simply to convert another bike while people watched. If you decide to hold a workshop like this yourself, be warned that we converted the demonstration bikes ahead of time, and then converted them back to original condition before the workshop. This is to prevent a show stopper, such as:
-finding out that parts are missing or won't fit (for example odd diameter handlebars, or the chainstays are weird so the motor won't go all the way in and needs shims)
-the battery and motor plugs don't match and have to be changed
-you need a special size socket to fit your bottom bracket
-something is wicked rusty and you spend an hour trying to get it apart
-after breaking the rusty part you need a new bolt and have to make a trip to the hardware store
Converting and unconverting ahead of time gives you a chance to fix any problems like this, and then have a good presentation.
Bill (in green) converting an old mountain bike
at the Cornish Town Hall in June, 2018
Bill chose an old mountain anthropobike to give a new life. Many people have a bike like this in the attic, it could be nice around town but a little assist would make it much more useful. Bill added a Tong Sheng TSDZ2 bottom bracket motor to it, which took an hour and 45 minutes. It was an easy pace, taking time to explain the steps to everyone while he was working, and when he was concentrating on assembling a part of the bike I'd speak for a few minutes to fill in other details. Afterwards we took the bike outside and enjoyed test rides. We both also brought extra motors, batteries, and bikes to put on display around the room, to show participants the other choices available.
While the test rides were taking place, I stayed inside to answer questions about the displays, and then had a bit of fun doing an interview. Cait May and Carlos Guarnizo, who run a Science Cafe, were up visiting family, and they filmed a short interview to introduce ebikes to their viewers:
Tour de sostenibilidad y energías renovables: Construyendo sus propias bicicletas eléctricas!
from the Ciencia Café Pa ́Sumercé channel
Both Bill and I have continued to help people with ebikes (I'm starting on the 9th and 10th projects this year), and we've worked on a few more events since then. (For example we just held the 5th Upper Valley Electric Vehicle Expo and had 18 ebikes on display for it.) But along with better bikes I've been spending a little time speaking up for better roads too. One of the organizations I participate in is the Upper Valley Transportation Management Association, which is a group of businesses, transit providers, planners, town staff, and bicycle and pedestrian advocates. We have traffic problems here in the Upper Valley, and although they aren't as bad as further south closer to Boston or Springfield (Massachusetts), problems do exist and we are trying to make non car choices available for people.
Lebanon (New Hampshire) is a small Upper Valley city that has done some very good bike/ped work on problems with their roads, and they have a fantastic Greenway and Rail Trail (which now extends all the way down to Concord) that are a delight to ride on. Usually Vermont is ahead of New Hampshire on issues, but VT is behind on this one. I'd like to see the Lebanon rail trail extended across the river and then run west at least to Woodstock, if not all the way to Killington. (Unfortunately during the car centered mindlessness of the 1930's Vermont paved over much of the rail line to create Route 4 so a bike trail will require extra effort.) Because of the work Lebanon has done, I was very happy to present another ebike conversion workshop this May 17, on National Bike to Work Day, at their Kilton library to help get a few more riders on their roads.
Converting a Hasa folding bike at the Kilton library, May 2019
I added a Bafang BBS02 bottom bracket motor to a Hasa F2 folding bike for this demonstration. It took an hour and 30 minutes, while taking the time to explain the steps to the audience of about 30 people. I'll add that I had to spend a couple of hours during the preparatory conversion adapting the full size rear rack to fit on a bike with 20 inch wheels, but otherwise it went smoothly, (for example the original chain guards even screwed onto the new chain ring with only a tiny amount of filing). Bill brought one of his bikes and helped, and 2 other local ebikes plus some parts were on display too. Afterwards I actually removed the BBS02 and installed a TSDZ2 without the thumb throttle (so that there is only the little keypad and the brake levers with automatic cutoff switches) to make a very simple ebike that is very easy to use because of the torque sensor built into the pedals. Although I think the Tong Sheng has less power than other motors I've been using, this combination still rode up my steep hill very nicely, and I have to say that I think it is a sweet little bike set up this way.
I haven't done a workshop installing a hub motor yet because all the projects at the moment are using bottom bracket motors, but I'd expect it to be similar in time and format. (I'll be comparing the different motors in the Minicargo bikes project that I wrote about in the last post, and they'll get an extended review when they are loaned out for testing.) I'm finding that while it often costs close to $1000 in parts to convert a bike to an ebike using the specifications that I prefer, it's still much less expensive than most factory ebikes, and when done well will give you a very nice bike.
Several dozen people have attended these workshops, and then the information from them spilled over into the UV EV Expo for many more. I wrote a 2 page handout for the workshops that has some basic conversion tips, which I'll copy here:
Converting a regular bike to electric drive
Why an eBike?
-Seniors, out of shape people, and hills
-carrying groceries, recycling, or other large loads
-a transportation system designed for cars with destinations spread miles apart
-you would like increased health by doing a light, regular exercise
-reduce air pollution, GHG emissions, and stop sending so much money to fossil fuel companies
-bypass traffic congestion and parking problems
-save money compared to how much your car is costing you
-eBikes have almost exactly the same health and emissions benefits as regular bikes, but are more usable in everyday tasks
What is legal?
-The short version is 750 watts maximum power, and less than 20 mph under motor power only.
Here are more details for the curious:
-The US Federal Consumer Products Safety Commission Guideline (2002) suggests a power limit for on road use of 750 watts (1 horsepower) with a top speed of 20 mph under motor power alone on a level paved road, with no wind and a 170 pound rider. This applies to the first sale from manufacturer to consumer, and states may adopt their own rules. (There are also many US Federal and European bicycle Standards, such as 16 CFR 1512, ISO 4210, EN 15194, DIN 79010, and JIS D9301 if you wish to get more serious, but the short version above is good enough for our everyday ebike projects.)
-NH and VT have based their rules on the CPSC guideline, however VT has chosen to raise the power limit to 1000 watts for better hill climbing. NH recently adopted a system with 3 classes based on 750 watts, which came from California and is being promoted by industry.
-Over 20 mph or above 750/1000 watts (NH/VT) the bike becomes a moped and is subject to other regulations. However it is legal to use a faster or more powerful bike off road on private property with permission. It is also legal to pedal or coast on an ebike at higher speeds (that are within the speed limit). The NH 3 class system does designate a faster eBike category that allows 28 mph, but there are restrictions on use (over 16, helmet, road use only unless local law allows use on paths or trails).
-Some states require that the motor turn off above 20 mph while others do not, and also some states require that the pedals be rotating to turn on the motor, (called Pedelec in Europe), while other states allow use of a hand throttle (which is very useful for starting on a hill in traffic when you have a load of groceries).
-In general eBikes have the same rights, access, and responsibilities as regular bikes, however there are some restrictions on their use on natural surface trails in certain wilderness areas (see state or New England mountain bike organizations for more information).
-Practically speaking, it is good to remember that standard bicycle tires, bearings, and brakes are not designed for motorcycle warp speed.
General guidelines for selecting components
-Use 48 volts, only use 36 volts if you have older equipment that must be repaired. If you have 24 volt components it's time to move on. Above 48 volts efficiency still improves but cost rapidly increases, and above 60 volts you start to run into electrical safety practice issues.
-A one piece Copenhagen/MIT wheel is very easy to install, however since all components are packed into one hub it is lighter duty and it is best suited for shorter, easier commuter runs.
-A 750 watt motor is noticeably better for climbing our steep hills than a 250 watt Europe legal motor.
Selection of the motor
There are two types of motors- Bottom Bracket and Hub. (There is a type that has roller that rubs on the tire, but they are so inefficient that they aren't included here.) Basically all motors are from the huge market of China, and they build all quality levels- there are both cheap generic motors and excellent motors.
-Bottom Bracket motor: can take advantage of the bicycle gears for climbing hills. Almost all BB motors use only one front chain ring and have to be customized to have a second one, however with motor power added to pedaling this is OK. Be sure to pick the right size chain ring (such as 52T for 20” wheels and 44T for 27”) Some well known brands are Bafang (with 3 models and a proven design on it's 3rd version), and Tong Sheng (with a torque sensor and easy to ride).
-Hub motor: comes in two flavors- 1. Direct Drive (which is better for faster speed to cover miles-16 to 18 mph average speeds) and 2. Geared (better for climbing hills-12 to 15 mph average speeds). Since both motors are linked one-to-one to the wheel, they can not be shifted down for hills or shifted up for flat stretches, and it is best to limit direct drives to moderate hills (under 10 to 12% grade), and limit geared hubs to covering distance at a lower speed. Some popular brands are MAC/BMC, MXUS, Leaf, Crystalyte, Golden, 9 Continent, Bafang.
Selection of the battery
-Use lithium cells, which can last up to 5 years, do not use lead acid (which are heavy, corrosive, and you will kill within a year by draining them too far and sulfating the plates.)
-Break in lithium cells gently for the first few cycles while the solid electrolyte interface is forming inside the cells. Be sure to charge the battery fully the first few times so that the cells are balanced.
-Lithium cells last longest when stored around half charge.
-Storage capacity is rated by Watt hours, not the Amp hours that most battery sellers advertise. For example:
48 Volts times 20 Amp hours equals 960 Watt hours, or roughly one kWh, (kilo Watt hour, the unit on your electric bill). A 1 kWh (1000 Wh) battery is pretty big for most riders, but I wouldn't recommend smaller than a 500 Wh battery for trips around our rural area.
-There are several styles of battery cases. An on/off switch, a Battery Management System, and a meter on the case for checking the charge while in storage are preferred. Large to small the case styles are:
1. Brick- largest, often shrink wrapped (with hard protective side boards inside), 200 to well over 1000 Wh (You will need to provide a pack or container on your bike for this style case.)
2. Silver fish- medium to large, aluminum case with plastic ends, often used on rear rack, 400 to 1000 Wh (Mounted horizontally in a double decker rear rack, this is the best way to get 1 kWh. However the vertical style case for mounting near a seat tube is heavy, clunky, and out moded.)
3. Dolphin- medium to large, mounts on downtube bottle mounts, molded plastic case, 300 to 900 Wh (Lately I've been preferring this case style, as it is a molded plastic and corrosion resistant, as well as naturally insulating. It is possible -although expensive- to pack in almost 1 kWh and 52 volts in the larger cases. I look for 4 tab mount cases, not 2 tab.)
4. Bottle- small, mounts in bottle rack, looks like a fake water bottle, 150 to 400 Wh (I don't recommend this size, unless you really just want to ride up and down your driveway.)
Preliminary size calculations for motor and battery
-While a 500 watt motor is ok for many rides around the Upper Valley, I recommend the maximum 750 watt size for better hill climbing ability, and use a system built for 48 volts. 750 W is a common size and has a pretty good price point.
-The battery size will depend mostly on trip length, with some consideration for what will fit on your frame, and cost. I find that I use between 10 to 20 Wh per mile depending on the load, how much I feel like pedaling that day, headwinds, etc, and you can use 15 Wh per mile for a rough calculation. Estimate your desired trip length in miles and multiply it by 15 Wh to get the bare minimum battery size, then round up between half again as large (150%), to twice as large (200%), for both a safety margin when you are out on a trip, and so that the battery will be less stressed and last longer.
Cost estimate
-Motor- A good quality motor in a kit that has all the little pieces that you need cost around $460 (Bafang BBS02B) to $550 (MAC geared hub) including shipping last winter. There are more expensive heavy duty kits with higher power motors, and there are also less expensive kits on eBay with a weaker motor and battery for the person who only needs to go down the street for donuts.
-Battery- A 600 Wh dolphin battery with charger cost $350 last winter, and a 1 kWh silver fish style battery with charger and a rear rack to fit it cost $460. Several years ago the quality of the cells were sometimes questionable, but now many battery packs offer ISO, CE, FCC and ROHS certification.
-For comparison, it is possible to buy a decent but not super quality completely assembled new electric bike in several frame styles from RAD bikes, delivered to your door for $1500. It is also possible to buy a high performance eBike for $3000 to $6000 from many major bike manufacturers.
Sources for parts and kits
-Decent kits can be found on eBay, Amazon, and Aliexpress, but quality will vary by production lot. I have also found several companies that do a good job- EM3EV has high quality products for a slightly higher price, and Leaf motor has good products, but pay attention when ordering and be careful with them on communication. Bafang kits are the same from any vendor. Tong Sheng retailers have been a real mixed bag so far. Dillenger has OK lower price/lower watt kits. Lunacycle has OK quality but too high prices. Ebikes.ca (Justin at Griffin Technologies) has sometimes high and sometimes good prices, but they deserve a lot of support because they constantly experiment with new products and bring them to market, as well as supporting the Endless Sphere ebike forum.
Final tips
-Don't expect much regen, a bike loses most of it's energy to air drag which can't be gotten back. I get 2% to 11% regen on my longtail bike. Also the direct drive hub motor is the only motor capable of regen.
-If using a bottom bracket motor be sure to shift down for hills. Don't lug it or it will overheat and burn out. If you shift so that you are pedaling at a regular bicycling cadence of 60 to 90 cycles per minute the motor will be happy. Also, ease up on the power when shifting so that the chain and sprockets live longer.
-All eBike motors are most efficient when they are spinning faster.
-If using a hub motor I recommend only rear motors, as front forks are weaker and there are steering effects. Also use a torque arm.
-Expect to buy a few special tools to fit your bike, but they won't be expensive.
