One of the most powerful electric bike motors available, ideal for heavy duty cargo hauling, blurs the line on legality shipping with 20 mph top speed limit but unlockable to ~40 mph for off-road use
Offers physical shift detection compatible with cassettes, internally geared hubs and CVT systems like NuVinci, this reduces drivetrain wear on the chain, sprockets and derailleur significantly
Three battery size options (all run at 48 volts) with premium Samsung, Panasonic or Sanyo Lithium-ion cells, solid one year comprehensive warranty on all parts
Choose from trigger throttle or twist throttle (for left or right bar), you can wire in lights, the system lets you override pedal assist with the throttle and the display looks great but doesn't swivel and isn't removable, as with most aftermarket kits the wires use zip ties to attach and may add clutter to the frame
Warning, in some configurations this electric bike kit is classified as a moped or motorcycle and may not be ridden on cycling trails or paths. It may require licensing, insurance and lights when used on public roads.
Video Review
Introduction
Make:
e-RAD
Model:
1000 Watt Mid Drive Conversion Kit
Price:
$1,195
(Up to $1,295 for 100 mm, BB86, BB90, BB92 and BB95 Bottom Bracket Sizes, Batteries $695 to $1,095 Additional)
Suggested Use:
Cargo, Commuting, Mountain, Neighborhood, Sand and Snow, Trail, Urban
Speed, Battery Capacity, Assist Level (0-5), Average Speed, Max Speed, Trip Distance, Odometer, Time
Display Accessories:
Independent Button Pad, Female USB Port
Drive Mode:
Cadence Sensing Pedal Assist, Trigger Throttle, Twist Throttle
(Optional Left or Right Trigger Throttle, Optional Left or Right Twist Throttle)
Top Speed:
20 mph (32 kph)(User Configurable ~40 mph)
Written Review
The e-RAD BBS HD-1000 or “BBSHD” for short, is a 1,000 watt centerdrive electric bike motor that strongly resembles the older BBS01 and BBSO2 motors manufactured by Bafang but this one offers a big step up in terms of power and speed. The casing has actually been redesigned and while it’s still round and black with little fins extruding from the metal casing (likely for heat dissipation) the weight has increased about two pounds from the 750 watt version offered by e-RAD (the next step down in terms of power). Technically, in many parts of the US and around the world this BBSHD motor would not classify as a “low speed electric bike” and would therefore only be permissible off-road or if you added turn signals and purchased license and registration. Some states, like California, have historically allowed motors up to 1,000 watts but I’m not super well versed in all of these regulations and they tend to evolve, so if you’re concerned… best to look into it or weigh your options. Lectric Cycles (makers of e-RAD) have an entire line of kits similar to this one ranging from 350 watts to 750 watts and they all ship with 20 mph top speed limiters (just like the BBSHD) but are adjustable by the end user so it’s up to you to decide how you want to ride. So… if you’re someone who plans on riding a cargo bike that’s loaded with gear… the extra copper winding in this kit could be a big help. Or if you’re planning to go off-road on private property or in a national forest and want the extra speed just for the thrill of it, this might be one of the best options.
One goal of electric bike kits is to extend the use and feature set of existing hardware… maybe you already own a bicycle that’s aesthetic appealing or comfortable to ride, maybe you’re hoping to “reuse” existing hardware in an effort to save money or maybe there simply isn’t a purpose built electric bike in existence that matches your needs. Bicycles have been around since the 19th century but most modern bikes adhere to standard wheel sizes, bottom bracket layouts and handlebar designs. Now, there are still dozens of variables within this “common feature set” but sadly, only a small handful were compatible with electric bike kits and mid-drives like the Bafang 8Fun BBS02 mentioned earlier. What does it all mean! In short, you may have had very limited options to convert your bike and the products that were available often had to be ordered from China and didn’t come with great instructions, support or warranty service. Furthermore, the BBS02 has suffered from firmware that wasn’t very refined and could burnout the motor more easily (especially under high voltage). Still, this was one of the most popular kits in 2013/2014 and many people opted into the adventure of buying, assembling and adapting their ride style to make it work. What the e-RAD kits from Lectric Cycles offer are an evolved version of this earlier product. It’s still assembled by Bafang in China but follows the strict specifications set out by the US designers and engineers who have added better bearings, a tighter axle, more durable mosfet resistors, a shift sensing signal wire and optimized firmware and software that keeps it all running smoothly. To top it all off, while the standard Bafang BBS 1000 is only adjustable to fit 68 mm to 73 mm bottom brackets, the e-RAD variant can be custom engineered to fit press fit bottom brackets like those commonly found on Trek and Giant bikes for BB86, BB90, BB93 and BB95 sizes and even the extra long 100 mm size found on many fat bikes (like the Origin8 Scout XLT in this review).
Whenever you’re converting a bike to electric (especially with a mid-drive that’s high powered like this) it’s important to consider the physical limitations of your frame and your own weight (and cargo weight). Most bicycle frames come with a “max load” rating but that might not account for added bottom bracket forces transmitted by a motor. I can’t really help you much here, proceed with caution. This kit is powerful and can be unlocked to go quite fast (hitting the upper 30’s when using high gears). Not only can it become a legal liability if operated irresponsibly, it could also result in serious injury to yourself or others. Please keep the countless other enthusiasts and individuals like myself who are building a career in ebikes in mind when bending the rules and most of all ride safe. Keep an eye on your spokes and make sure they don’t start coming loose, also pay close attention to your brakes and consider hydraulic disc brakes for maximum stopping power. In general, I’m a big proponent of mid-drive ebikes because they keep mass low and centered on bicycle frames. They reduce unsprung weight which improves rebound performance if your bike has a rear suspension or front suspension like the fat bike in this review. Centerdrive units improve climbing power and efficiency by leveraging a gear cluster or continuously variable transmission like a NuVinci in the rear.
The motor unit mounts directly to the bottom bracket of your bike and comes with two y-plates for strength, like torque arms for the motor… It’s black, relatively small and surprisingly quiet during operation. During my test rides I found that noise increased as I shifted to lower gears and had the motor spin faster. Built right into the motor casing is a controller that has been customized by Lectric Cycles for smooth starts. As mentioned earlier, the bearings inside have been upgraded along with the mosfets which are switches that control electromagnets for acceleration. When compared side by side with a standard 8Fun 750 watt BBS02 unit (and likely the new BBSHD) this motor feels similar but benefits a lot from smoother starts and shift sensing which should result in longer lifespan for the system and your bicycle drivetrain. This is one of the only mid-drive systems I know of that even offers throttle mode and I love that it overrides pedal assist because that gives you a sense of control and maneuverability that’s perfect for the trail. I often ride in the lower levels assist and then pull the throttle for extra juice when climbing short hills. For those who plan on using this kit for off-road with steeper conditions e-RAD offers several chainring options from 34T, 36T, 38T, 40T and 42 Tooth. In addition to the smaller diameters with fewer teeth, all Race Face chainrings offer narrow wide tooth arrangements which improve chain retention by reducing slop from side to side. To make these work, e-RAD includes a custom spider (chainring adapter) and they made an extra special adapter for the Origin8 here which creates alignment on the wider fat bike frame. Chainrings and software are nice but to me, the really amazing part of this motor system when ordered in one of the larger custom widths or the BB press-fit configurations is the machined improvements to the axle and casing. These guys actually tap the spindle tube and add extenders, they engineer new longer spindles which fit tighter and they create shims to adapt the system for press fit. It’s kind of amazing and something that would be very difficult for an individual to do themselves without some very expensive hardware. Here’s a deeper look at the shop and some of the engineering that happens to make these alterations.
Powering the kit is your choice of a mid mounted or rack mounted Lithium-ion battery solution offering 48 volts of power. The big question is whether to go with the 9 amp hour standard pack or upgrade to 11.6 amp hour or 14 amp hour. The more amp hours you have the further you’ll go but it also increases the weight by about half a pound at each step. The smaller pack uses Samsung cells while next is Panasonic and the 14ah is Sanyo. They’re all reputable brands, especially Panasonic, but unfortunately I can’t add much in terms of testing feedback given my limited time with the demo bike. One other point about choosing battery sizes… the faster you accelerate and ride, the more energy you’ll lose in terms of drag and therefore the shorter distance you’ll be able to travel per charge. If you ride slower and use pedal assist, you’ll be maximizing range. The battery case used here looks beautiful and stays very close to the downtube (using the two bottle cage mounting points that are built in to most frames). The pack is fairly long and may not fit perfectly if your frame is petite, consider calling e-RAD before purchase for more specific feedback on fit or consider one of the optional rear-mounted batteries if you have a step-thru and want to keep that area of the bike open. The pack is black, made of plastic and includes a charging port on the right with a keyed lock on the left. At the top, there’s a little power indicator LED strip with a test button to let you know how full the pack is when it’s not attached to the bike. One big difference between the older and newer pack design from e-RAD is the lack of a USB charging port but that has been replaced with a new port up on the display. In my opinion, this is a big improvement as it’s less likely to get snagged or kicked off when pedaling. As a side note, during my tour of Lectric Cycles I was able to peer inside one of the Panasonic packs and was impressed with the hard point welding used to connect each 18650 cell. Many less expensive batteries use simple wires which are easier to shake loose and short circuit. To further strengthen their new battery design the company has engineered a plastic grid frame that holds each individual cell in place. There’s a strong emphasis on quality with the e-RAD system and a thoughtful approach from guys who all love to ride and want to deliver a product that will endure under rigorous use (especially with this top end kit). Keep in mind, to extend the life of your battery it’s best to store it in a cool dry place, extreme heat and cold can be hard on it. Also, try to keep it at 50% charged when storing for long periods so the cells aren’t stressed and check in every couple of months for a quick top-off… Use that LED battery indicator ;)
Operating this electric bike conversion kit is fairly standard and the display and control systems are very adaptable so they should work on a wide range of handlebars. First, you charge the battery pack up (either on or off the frame). Next, use the handlebar mounted button pad to power on the system… Pretty easy and fast. I like that the control pad is mounted separately from the display and can be fit snug next to your grips for easy access while riding. If you’re using this e-bike kit for a cruiser (with extra long bars) e-RAD offers an extender cable so the button pad will reach… just ask when ordering. So, the LCD display mounts to the center of the handlebars and sits just above the stem. I saw it installed on cruisers, city bikes and mountain bikes without issue but did notice that it’s not designed to swivel or be removed which could be an issue in terms of glare, wear and tear or vandalism if you leave the bike outside a lot. Once on, you’re shown speed, battery level and assist level (default 0-5) which is controlled by pressing up and down on the pad. If you’d like, you can also change the increments to 0-9 and I think e-RAD will do this for you if you want finer incriments but the top end power and speed will be the same. You can also press left on the pad to view average speed and max speed or right to view trip distance, odometer and time. This is all fairly standard but the really interesting bits are buried deeper in the system, by pressing the power circle two times rapidly in succession you enter into the advanced settings. By using the passcode provided by Lectric Cycles or your dealer you are able to adjust wheel size, top speed and other defaults like the backlit and auto-off time (which defaults to five minutes). Depending on how you adjust the bike it’s possible to reach ~40 mph as mentioned earlier. Overall, the display and control pad are fairly standard but they enable you to do a lot with your bike because they are more open. It’s worth noting that the LCD and button pad can also be used to activate lights if you wire them in and the LCD itself has a backlight. I’m not sure how difficult it would be to add your own lights and I tend to use rechargeable aftermarket solutions like these Cygolites.
The e Rad mid-drive electric bike kits are some of the best I’ve reviewed to date and the 1,000 watt option is quite impressive but also a bit concerning to me. The 350, 500 and 750 watt kits look similar but you can tell which one you’ve got by looking at the bottom of the unit (in case you’re buying this second hand). The newest BBS HD looks entirely different and weighs more as mentioned earlier because they include more copper wiring inside to handle increased current. Whether you get this as a DIY, purchase through a shop who can help you install it or choose one of the pre-built Electra or Origin 8 models from e-RAD, you’re getting a nice drive system. I thoroughly enjoyed Origin8 fat bike with its RockShox Bluto and was amazed at how peppy the kit was and how well shift sensing worked. I never heard the gears mash, even when I shifted under throttle mode! I often hear forum users discussing the system components offered by Lectric Cycles, excited by the opportunity to convert a fat bike, use a continuously variable transmission like the NuVinci or upgrade a full suspension bike. For those who already have a Bafang 8Fun kit, Lectric Cycles does sell many of their accessories and upgrades independently and this can be a great way to improve performance or fit. Given the warranty, solid customer support and dealer network being built by this company I feel like it’s a great way to go if you don’t mind the extra cable clutter and a bit of time and energy spent converting. If you’ve already got a bike you love and don’t mind getting your hands dirty (or paying a shop) this could be a great option. As someone who has had multiple concussions (while wearing a helmet) and hit parked cars (while filming reviews for this website) I would urge you to ride safe, I cracked one of my teeth in half when I was younger and am reminded daily that some body parts don’t heal. I rated this kit slightly lower than the 750 watt (and other lower-power kits) because of the potential legal liability issues it introduces and the unproven performance it offers compared with the time-tested BBS02.
Pros:
Some of the older E-RAD battery packs had integrated USB ports (for charging your phone or other portable electronics) but the latest kits have moved this port up to the display where it is even more accessible
The display panel and button pad are setup to operate lights (if you wire them in) and work with either trigger throttles or twist throttles (and E-Rad offers both and Left or Right side specific)
For the base $1,195 motor price the eRAD mid drive motor kit is compatible with 68 and 73 mm bottom brackets and for $1,295 you can get it custom built for BB86, BB90, BB92, BB95 with press-fit (Trek and Giant) or 100 mm for fat bike frames
While the motor is assembled by Bafang and resembles the other 8Fun kits I’ve reviewed, it uses higher quality bearings, mosfet transistors and chainring designs as well as an integrated shift-sensor wire and firmware to control it
Mid-drive designs reduce unsprung weight (if you have suspension) and offer improved balance because they are low and center on the frame, they are also more efficient with paired with a gear cluster or CVT because they provide mechanical advantage for the drive system
Three battery size options are available for the 1,000 watt motor size including 48 volt 9 amp hour, 48 volt 11.6 amp hour and 48 volt 14 amp hour for improved range, the stock option is downtube mounting but rear rack designs may also available in some sizes
Solid one year comprehensive warranty with a 1,000 cycle guarantee on the battery pack, quality Samsung, Panasonic or Sanyo Lithium-ion cells are light weight and durable
Available direct online either as a customized kit or pre-built into select frames (possibly the Electra Fast 5, Moto 3, Townie or Origin 8 Fat Bike) more may be coming in the future, they also do custom work
Great dealer selection with over 50 shops in the United States who can install this or receive and build your bike
Quiet and relatively smooth to operate considering the power rating, extra firmware and software optimization has been done to delay the throttle when starting from rest for safety and reduced wear
Cons:
The display panel doesn’t swivel very easily and is not removable, this is fairly common and doesn’t present much of an issue but it may expose the part to more weathering and the possibility of vandalism or tinkering if you leave the battery on the frame when parked
The cables for this kit have to be arranged and connected to the frame using zip-ties which can look a bit cluttered, many times they are a bit too long (one size fits all) and this leads to some jumbling, looks best on black frames because they blend in
The stock brake levers are mechanical so if you have hydraulic brakes on your bike you will have to ask for the universal brake sensor and then glue or zip tie in the sensor and magnet
This motor may not be legal as a “low speed electric bike” in some states due to the 1,000 watt nominal rating (I believe California allows it but many others do not, they limit power to 750 watts) consider the next step down if this concerns you, e-RAD offers a 750 watt kit I’ve reviewed here or stick to off-road use
The most powerful but still legal mid-drive electric bike kit I've tested, can be unlocked for increased speed if you intend to ride off-road or on private property ~40 mph top speed. Perfect for cargo style ebikes, fat ebikes and other heavy duty applications, pairs with cassettes,…...
A solid all-around mid-drive electric bike kit with shift sensing, pedal assist and throttle override offering 500 watts of nominal power output. Two battery size options, available in downtube or rear rack styles, optional Race Face performance…...
An affordable, efficient mid-drive electric bike kit that's compatible with nearly any bike frame, it offers five levels of pedal assist and throttle mode. Physical shift sensor is customized for derailleurs, internally geared hubs or CVT's and reduces mashing…...
We sell Pedego’s fat bike and an in house fatty we’ve been making for several years. Most all our customers want a ready to go, out the door ebike verses a project. However we do some custom one-off conversions for interested customers. With the advancement and higher quality of today’s kits though I think we might be doing more in the future. It was great seeing all the fat tire love at Interbike this year! Looking forward to seeing your review on Easy Motion’s twin motored fatty.
You’re talking two different bikes the Pedego is only 500 watt hub motor no low end power to speak of this mid drive set-up will develop 10 times the starting tourque of a Pedego 500 watt system
VB Ebikes
9 years ago
The Evo Snow is a twin motored mtn ebike. They had a fat tire with the same twin motor set up at Interbike. Not sure of he name but it has all the E-mo goodies. Hits the market sometime in November.
Oh! That’s cool, I heard about last year’s Evo snow, I think Blue Monkey Bicycles in Utah had one but I wasn’t able to make it for a test ride. I’ll definitely keep an eye out and appreciate the heads up :)
Greetings, I recently purchased a recumbent catrike 559 and have been exploring the possibilities of adding a mid drive motor kit. I was wondering if you had any experience with recumbent trikes and mid drives and if so, is there any particular manufacture you could recommend.
I had a massive stroke 10 yrs ago and this is the first time since the accident i’m out riding again. The trike has become a tremendous source of inspiration, exercise and just getting out and meeting people. My reason for looking into the motor is to enable myself to venture greater distance from my home and not worry if I have enough energy to make it back. Thanks very much indeed, Thomas
Hi Thomas! Sounds like a cool project… I’ve seen several electrified Catrike models by individuals and shops and one that even used a mid-drive. That one was created by Propel Bikes in New York, they were experimenting with the 8Fun branded BBS02 from Bafang but you might actually have better luck with the E-RAD branded BBS02 (also manufactured by Bafang) since it’s more adaptable and has shift sensing. Here’s a link to a review I did on their conversion (they used to be called Long Island Electric Bikes). In the video I don’t go into the details of how they did it but it might serve as a visual example for you and proof point that it can work! You could also contact Propel and E-RAD to ask for advice. Alternatively, lots of people use the BionX drive system to convert trikes because it’s much easier to install and remove, they have a high-power motor called the D-Series that offers throttle, assist and regenerative braking which is pretty cool.
Sure! I rated it slightly lower because it exceeds the legal limit for classification as a low speed electric bike in the USA. The limit here is 750 watt max with 20 mph top speed unassisted and this can be achieved by the 750 e-RAD but not the BBSHD 1000 watt. If you don’t care about that point or actually prefer an off road kit then there’s nothing wrong with the 1000 and it performed great with my limited testing :)
I know this is an old thread, but I was just looking at the review and thought I’d chime in on this comment that it’s not the whole USA. MN’s definition is 1000 watt/20 mph
Pete
9 years ago
Court, Thank you for the clarification (and thanks for a creating this great site!). I ordered the 1000w e-rad with the 14Ah battery built on the Giant Toughroad SR1. My thinking is that although I don’t want to be illegal or unsafe I’m a big guy (> 2x Court) and the larger motor would be able to better handle my hilly 19 mile (one way) commute. I also felt that if I didn’t max out the motor and battery I may be in a situation of having to upgrade immediately. All the variables of trying to figure out what will work given your weight/distance/topography/etc are mind numbing and I didn’t have an option to demo the different motor/battery types before buying. Thanks, Pete
Hey Pete! It sounds to me like you made a great decision and that’s why I try to review “everything” and just post the notes for legal liability purposes and as a guide. I would love to hear how the system performs for you on that 19 mile commute with the hills etc. Good thinking on maxing out the battery especially. E-RAD is a great company and I truly hope they deliver a finished product that meets or exceeds your hopes :)
Thanks Court. Both the bike and the motor are on back order. I’m expecting the bike in February. I’m really excited to try it out and will definitely report back with my experience. Thanks, Pete
Hey Court, I agree on Pete, thank you so much for making this site, its been really helpful! I now live in Guatemala in a very steep mountain peak and will have a short, but very steep commute (even cars require a lot of hp to go up). The traffic is insane and I love mtb so I figured I could buy this kit and put it in my 29″ Red line.
I was wondering if you knew where to buy this kit online?
Wade
9 years ago
How fast will setup go in throttle mode only? Thanks, Wade M
Hi Wade, I believe the kit is unlockable and can achieve speeds close to 40 miles per hour depending on the battery. This is a question you might want to ask e-RAD directly by visiting their website contact page. Good luck and ride safe :)
Great article, thank you for sharing! I am interested in converting my Motobecane hard tail. I live in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and their are no laws regarding speed etc. I could do 60 and people would just look with astonishment.
Anyway, I will mostly be using it for commuting but on weekends it will see it share of BIG hills, some trails and definitely a lot of rough roads. Rio’s infrastructure is terrible! (sorry but its true). If I go with the BBSHD, from Luna Cycle and also purchase their upgraded 42T chain ring ($99.00 upgrade) what would you suggest as the best battery option to go with? What other MUST have options should I get. I definitely plan to upgrade the brakes.
Round trip commute will be 30 – 40 miles +or- with one big hill on the arrival in the morning. The ride home is a breeze. I prefer to go with 52w/20ah (or larger) in a bottle or triangle shape so I can put it on the down tube. Also, I don’t mind paying a bit more for higher quality.
Finally, the purchase will be made in the states and sent to an address in the states. I then plan to pack it well in a suitcase and check it in as luggage when I get to the airport to take it back to brazil. Will I be able to do this? check a large battery in luggage? does anyone have any experience with this? is it legal?
Thank you in advance, I am very excited to start this next chapter in my life!!!
Hey! I can tell you’re excited because you posted three comments… I approve and reply to them manually so that’s why they didn’t show up immediately :)
It sounds like you’re building a powerful, high speed, long range electric bike and it might get heavy as a result… In that case I’d definitely recommend mechanical or hydraulic disc brakes with 180 mm rotors (hydraulic is smoother but more difficult and time consuming to service which may require the help of a shop). In my experience the best batteries are Panasonic followed by Samsung and while a 52 volt pack may sound impressive, you should be alright with 48 and the Amperage is really going to be the measurement of power (and not all companies share that info). I’d say 500 watt motor with 48 volt 15 amp hour battery would be solid for what you want and anything larger is just extra money and weight… but it all depends on the system.
No comment on flying with batteries, I’m pretty sure it’s not allowed but not sure how to get the product back to your home country either? There is a big issue in the USA right now due to low quality batteries catching fire in the Hoverboard products. I hope this helps, there are companies that sell full ebikes and do ship internationally including Falcon and possibly Voltbike. Falcon makes a 1000 watt product back at their website http://falconelectricbikes.com/
thank you for your reply. I was not sure about the delay because my first comment was posted then later disappeared so I thought I was inputting something wrong somehow! haha. I understand now. Patience is needed!
What I am reading is the BBSHD is about 12 pounds, the battery is also about 12 pounds. My bike is under 12 pounds. So with the three together, we are at less than 36 pounds before additional upgrades such as brakes, lights, controller, a different chain ring and whatever else.
Would I be safe to assume there is less than 4 pounds of “extra weight” after the motor and battery? This would keep me right around 40 which would then allow me to pick it up to carry up my 2 flights of stairs every day when arriving at my morning destination!
any suggestions on size or brand controller or is the one that comes with built specifically for the BBSHD?
thanks again for the reply, I will remain more patient……
Jun
9 years ago
Hi Court. do have an idea how big is the battery is?
Hi Jun, E-RAD sells a few different sizes and they are listed at lectriccycles.com/batteries/. You can choose from smaller, less expensive packs that don’t go as far or pay more and get an increase in range. I hope this helps you out!
Hi Manuel! Great question… pitting all of the best kits against each other :D I’d pick the BBS02 750 watt to keep it legal vs. the BBSHD 1,000 watt and that would be my winning choice for mountain use where climbing and gears make a difference but for the city and for quieter use (and less strain on the drivetrain) I’d choose the D-Series and maybe even one of the smaller BionX kits to be stealthier. I love that both of these brands offer kits with throttle and pedal assist and can have lights wired in. Hope this helps!
Hi Luis! That’s without the battery pack, you can see pricing dynamically change on their website when you choose a battery size down at the bottom along with any of the other options. Sorry if the details listed in this review were at all confusing :)
VB Ebikes
9 years agoNice. I see a fat tire beach trike in the future..
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoOh yeah! This kit would be a blast on the sand with a fat bike. Do you guys sell them or offer conversions at your shop in Virginia Beach?
ReplyVB Ebikes
9 years agoWe sell Pedego’s fat bike and an in house fatty we’ve been making for several years. Most all our customers want a ready to go, out the door ebike verses a project. However we do some custom one-off conversions for interested customers. With the advancement and higher quality of today’s kits though I think we might be doing more in the future. It was great seeing all the fat tire love at Interbike this year! Looking forward to seeing your review on Easy Motion’s twin motored fatty.
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoYeah! I can’t wait to test that one out… Is it the Evo Snow?
ReplyMike
8 years agoYou’re talking two different bikes the Pedego is only 500 watt hub motor no low end power to speak of this mid drive set-up will develop 10 times the starting tourque of a Pedego 500 watt system
VB Ebikes
9 years agoThe Evo Snow is a twin motored mtn ebike. They had a fat tire with the same twin motor set up at Interbike. Not sure of he name but it has all the E-mo goodies. Hits the market sometime in November.
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoOh! That’s cool, I heard about last year’s Evo snow, I think Blue Monkey Bicycles in Utah had one but I wasn’t able to make it for a test ride. I’ll definitely keep an eye out and appreciate the heads up :)
Replythomas
9 years agoGreetings, I recently purchased a recumbent catrike 559 and have been exploring the possibilities of adding a mid drive motor kit. I was wondering if you had any experience with recumbent trikes and mid drives and if so, is there any particular manufacture you could recommend.
I had a massive stroke 10 yrs ago and this is the first time since the accident i’m out riding again. The trike has become a tremendous source of inspiration, exercise and just getting out and meeting people. My reason for looking into the motor is to enable myself to venture greater distance from my home and not worry if I have enough energy to make it back. Thanks very much indeed, Thomas
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoHi Thomas! Sounds like a cool project… I’ve seen several electrified Catrike models by individuals and shops and one that even used a mid-drive. That one was created by Propel Bikes in New York, they were experimenting with the 8Fun branded BBS02 from Bafang but you might actually have better luck with the E-RAD branded BBS02 (also manufactured by Bafang) since it’s more adaptable and has shift sensing. Here’s a link to a review I did on their conversion (they used to be called Long Island Electric Bikes). In the video I don’t go into the details of how they did it but it might serve as a visual example for you and proof point that it can work! You could also contact Propel and E-RAD to ask for advice. Alternatively, lots of people use the BionX drive system to convert trikes because it’s much easier to install and remove, they have a high-power motor called the D-Series that offers throttle, assist and regenerative braking which is pretty cool.
ReplyPete
9 years agoCourt, Would you clarify the reason for the 1/2 star deduction on the 1000w erad model (vs the 5star 750W). Thanks, Pete
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoSure! I rated it slightly lower because it exceeds the legal limit for classification as a low speed electric bike in the USA. The limit here is 750 watt max with 20 mph top speed unassisted and this can be achieved by the 750 e-RAD but not the BBSHD 1000 watt. If you don’t care about that point or actually prefer an off road kit then there’s nothing wrong with the 1000 and it performed great with my limited testing :)
ReplyKelsey
8 years agoI know this is an old thread, but I was just looking at the review and thought I’d chime in on this comment that it’s not the whole USA. MN’s definition is 1000 watt/20 mph
Pete
9 years agoCourt, Thank you for the clarification (and thanks for a creating this great site!). I ordered the 1000w e-rad with the 14Ah battery built on the Giant Toughroad SR1. My thinking is that although I don’t want to be illegal or unsafe I’m a big guy (> 2x Court) and the larger motor would be able to better handle my hilly 19 mile (one way) commute. I also felt that if I didn’t max out the motor and battery I may be in a situation of having to upgrade immediately. All the variables of trying to figure out what will work given your weight/distance/topography/etc are mind numbing and I didn’t have an option to demo the different motor/battery types before buying. Thanks, Pete
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoHey Pete! It sounds to me like you made a great decision and that’s why I try to review “everything” and just post the notes for legal liability purposes and as a guide. I would love to hear how the system performs for you on that 19 mile commute with the hills etc. Good thinking on maxing out the battery especially. E-RAD is a great company and I truly hope they deliver a finished product that meets or exceeds your hopes :)
ReplyPete
9 years agoThanks Court. Both the bike and the motor are on back order. I’m expecting the bike in February. I’m really excited to try it out and will definitely report back with my experience. Thanks, Pete
ReplyLucia
9 years agoHey Court, I agree on Pete, thank you so much for making this site, its been really helpful! I now live in Guatemala in a very steep mountain peak and will have a short, but very steep commute (even cars require a lot of hp to go up). The traffic is insane and I love mtb so I figured I could buy this kit and put it in my 29″ Red line.
I was wondering if you knew where to buy this kit online?
Wade
9 years agoHow fast will setup go in throttle mode only? Thanks, Wade M
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoHi Wade, I believe the kit is unlockable and can achieve speeds close to 40 miles per hour depending on the battery. This is a question you might want to ask e-RAD directly by visiting their website contact page. Good luck and ride safe :)
ReplyWade M
9 years agoGreat! Awesome review, thanks for the info. Wade M
ReplyJoe Capp
9 years agoGreat article, thank you for sharing! I am interested in converting my Motobecane hard tail. I live in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and their are no laws regarding speed etc. I could do 60 and people would just look with astonishment.
Anyway, I will mostly be using it for commuting but on weekends it will see it share of BIG hills, some trails and definitely a lot of rough roads. Rio’s infrastructure is terrible! (sorry but its true). If I go with the BBSHD, from Luna Cycle and also purchase their upgraded 42T chain ring ($99.00 upgrade) what would you suggest as the best battery option to go with? What other MUST have options should I get. I definitely plan to upgrade the brakes.
Round trip commute will be 30 – 40 miles +or- with one big hill on the arrival in the morning. The ride home is a breeze. I prefer to go with 52w/20ah (or larger) in a bottle or triangle shape so I can put it on the down tube. Also, I don’t mind paying a bit more for higher quality.
Finally, the purchase will be made in the states and sent to an address in the states. I then plan to pack it well in a suitcase and check it in as luggage when I get to the airport to take it back to brazil. Will I be able to do this? check a large battery in luggage? does anyone have any experience with this? is it legal?
Thank you in advance, I am very excited to start this next chapter in my life!!!
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoHey! I can tell you’re excited because you posted three comments… I approve and reply to them manually so that’s why they didn’t show up immediately :)
It sounds like you’re building a powerful, high speed, long range electric bike and it might get heavy as a result… In that case I’d definitely recommend mechanical or hydraulic disc brakes with 180 mm rotors (hydraulic is smoother but more difficult and time consuming to service which may require the help of a shop). In my experience the best batteries are Panasonic followed by Samsung and while a 52 volt pack may sound impressive, you should be alright with 48 and the Amperage is really going to be the measurement of power (and not all companies share that info). I’d say 500 watt motor with 48 volt 15 amp hour battery would be solid for what you want and anything larger is just extra money and weight… but it all depends on the system.
No comment on flying with batteries, I’m pretty sure it’s not allowed but not sure how to get the product back to your home country either? There is a big issue in the USA right now due to low quality batteries catching fire in the Hoverboard products. I hope this helps, there are companies that sell full ebikes and do ship internationally including Falcon and possibly Voltbike. Falcon makes a 1000 watt product back at their website http://falconelectricbikes.com/
Replyjoe capp
9 years agothank you for your reply. I was not sure about the delay because my first comment was posted then later disappeared so I thought I was inputting something wrong somehow! haha. I understand now. Patience is needed!
What I am reading is the BBSHD is about 12 pounds, the battery is also about 12 pounds. My bike is under 12 pounds. So with the three together, we are at less than 36 pounds before additional upgrades such as brakes, lights, controller, a different chain ring and whatever else.
Would I be safe to assume there is less than 4 pounds of “extra weight” after the motor and battery? This would keep me right around 40 which would then allow me to pick it up to carry up my 2 flights of stairs every day when arriving at my morning destination!
any suggestions on size or brand controller or is the one that comes with built specifically for the BBSHD?
thanks again for the reply, I will remain more patient……
Jun
9 years agoHi Court. do have an idea how big is the battery is?
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoHi Jun, E-RAD sells a few different sizes and they are listed at lectriccycles.com/batteries/. You can choose from smaller, less expensive packs that don’t go as far or pay more and get an increase in range. I hope this helps you out!
ReplyManuel
9 years agoHi Court. Base on your experience which one would you prefer e-rad’s BBSHD or bionx d series?
ReplyCourt Rye
9 years agoHi Manuel! Great question… pitting all of the best kits against each other :D I’d pick the BBS02 750 watt to keep it legal vs. the BBSHD 1,000 watt and that would be my winning choice for mountain use where climbing and gears make a difference but for the city and for quieter use (and less strain on the drivetrain) I’d choose the D-Series and maybe even one of the smaller BionX kits to be stealthier. I love that both of these brands offer kits with throttle and pedal assist and can have lights wired in. Hope this helps!
ReplyManuel
9 years agohow’s the throttle on both system? are they variable speed throttle or just full throttle?
Luis
8 years agoHi! Im so interested in the 1000w conversion kit, and I understand its price is arround 1200. Is this price with or without the battery pack?
ReplyCourt Rye
8 years agoHi Luis! That’s without the battery pack, you can see pricing dynamically change on their website when you choose a battery size down at the bottom along with any of the other options. Sorry if the details listed in this review were at all confusing :)
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