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Kits to Convert Bikes to Electric Betterbikes
Go To Step 3 and Select Batteries -->Second step in creating Betterbike is choosing 1 or more motors. Fortunately, comfortable recumbents can be fitted with a variety of mid-drive motor or a hub-drive motor kits.
Mid-drive kits modify the recumbent's chain system to transmit both human and motor power to the gearing at the rear wheel. Adding gearing to the motor provides the user with both high speed and good hill-climbing.
- Electro Portal offers the E-4 mid-drive kits for the Sun Bicycle EZ-1 and EZ-3. Kits are very reasonably priced at $600 and capable of 500-600W depending on battery chemistry. Click here for an in-depth look at this kit.
Click for instructions about installing an Electro Portal E-4 kit on an EZ-1 or EZ-3.
- EcoSpeed offers mid-drive kits to convert Bike-E, Sun (EZ-1, EZ-3, EZ Sport), and Easy Racers (Gold Rush, Tour Easy) recumbents. Ecospeed's high performance PowerPack Motor kit's are priced at $1295 and are capable of 1100-1800W depending on the voltage of Li-Po or NiMh battery used.
NEW OPTION! In addition to the popular Powerpack, Ecospeed now has a Mid Motor from BMC (see BMC Hubs below). Slightly less power (37V 25A), but with this new addition, Ecospeed/BMC is now one of the most efficient motor kits you can buy. The new BMC mid motor and controller for the Ecospeed has been designed with electronics to prevent current spikes on acceleration and gear shifting. As a the result is a motor that is really easy on batteries and somehow 30% more efficient than the Powerpack. Also, because of less voltage spikes, Lithium batteries now have increased range before reaching the low voltage cut off threshold of the BMS. Click here for more information on Lithium batteries.
Restocking fee of 10% will be applied to cancelled orders. Restocking fee of 20% for the battery portion of the order only. Exchanges may be exempt from this fee depending on situation.
Hub motor kits power the bike using a hub motor built into the bicycle wheel.- BMC
now offers a light (9 lbs) brushless planetary gear hub motor kit. This hub is reliable, quiet, efficient and affordable.
6 NEW BMC motor models are now available for 2009!
Rear BMC V1-T 400W High-Torque (the original rear, only improved)
Front BMC V1-T 400W High-Torque (the original front, only improved)
Front BMC V1-S 400W High-Speed wind (new)
Rear BMC V2-T 600W High-Torque (new)
Rear BMC V2-S 600W High-Speed (new)
Front BMC V2-S 600W High-Speed (new)
The original BMC V1 motor has been improved, and now there is a choice of windings for torque or speed.
The 400W spec is the continuous warranteed rating. It can actually handled bursts of up to 1200W peak.
In addition a really powerful BMC V2 600W is offered, also with windings for torque or speed.
BMC V2 can easily handle bursts of 1500W peak (and beyond) and can therefore handle Crystalyte Controllers 36V-72V 35A.
We have not run into the power limit yet, although there surely is one.
Thicker axles, disc brake compatibility front and rear, total free-wheeling, light weight. It is all here.
BMC offers the best price-to-performance value in the market!
We have developed a 'smart' shopping cart that will help navigate the numerous kit configuration options and automate kit purchases for online customers.
Try it out! This cart has some built-in intelligence and we will keep adding more knowledge base with continued testing and customer feedback.
It even calculates the specification, weight, price, and incompatibilities in real time,
so you can feel confident that the system you choose will work as expected.
Restocking fee of 10% will be applied to cancelled orders. Restocking fee of 20% for the battery portion of the order only. Exchanges may be exempt from this fee depending on situation.
Engineering Performance Tests Results (Table and Curves) for 36V 15A:
BMC 36V 15A Performance Table
BMC 36V 15A Performance Curves
Before you think you need more than the 36V 15A controller, check out the near 80% efficiency, 342 rpm max assist (26 mph for 26" wheel) and very reasonable torque.
Cad Drawings of Front and Back Hubs:
BMC Front Hub
BMC Rear Hub
Only 4 kg / 8.8 lbs!
- BionX of Canada offers well integrated, lightweight hub motor kits featuring an advanced controller, both power-on-demand and ped-elec operation, and regeneration. Prices range from $1000 - $1500 depending on choice of battery (LiPo/NiMh) and Voltage (250W+ at 24V, 350W+ at 36V).
- Heinzmann of Germany builds hub motors kits with both wattage and gearing options. Heinzmann has built electric motors for 40 years, and offers hub motor kits starting around $1000. Heinzmann hubs are efficient, lightweight, and have almost no drag when coasting.
- Crystalyte offers a series of hub motors for both front and rear wheels in 16", 20", 24", and 26" wheel sizes. Prices range from $600 to $1100. The Phoenix series can deliver 48V X 40A with PbA or 58V X 40A with Li-Po, both will turn a standard mountain bike into a 25-40mph vehicle. Crystalyte also offers other hub motor kits in the 15 - 25 mph range.
NEW UPGRADE! Now the Crystalyte phoenix series comes with an insanely powerful 72V 40A controller. With this voltage even small 20" wheels can get over 40 mph. This is great news for recumbents bikes and trikes.
To start learning about various recumbent bikes, click on the "Styles" tab above.
Quadribent™ Side-By-Side Recumbent Bicycles for Two People.
Ready to "take the lane"? The EZ-1 Quadribent™ is a recumbent vehicle consisting of parallel paired recumbent bicycles joined together side-by-side to form a recumbent quad bicycle that two people can ride together. Optional rumble seats accommodate additional riders. The Quadribent™ includes a built-in cargo platform which allows you to easily carry things with you: groceries, a picnic lunch, perhaps even your dog! [Editor's Note: Or a big battery pack for long-range riding.] Add an electric drive (e.g. Electro Cycle E-4) and you've got a scaled-down "car". Bike together for fitness, health, therapeutic exercise, sport, family fun and transportation. Learn more at http://www.blackbirdbikes.com/index.htm