- PPF Points
- 5,589
Building an electric bike either from scratch or by modifying a standard bicycle is a highly satisfying activity both technically and personally. One stage of all this is to selecting an optimal base bike, something that is firmly built and if possible constructed with steel or aluminum at least having enough space for the motor and battery installation. The motor is the core of the electric system once the frame is there. It can be a hub motor (front or rear wheel) or a mid-drive motor which is connected directly to the crank. In contrast to mid-drive motors, hub motors are easily mounted, although the former is more effective to climb hills. The battery is the next and main character in the e-bike story, deciding both the range and speed of the e-bike. The lithium-ion battery is the one most off-the-shelf e-bike makers would choose simply because of its lightweight and long life cycle. The location where you place the cell should be firm, for this, the downtube, rear rack, and even a customized enclosure inside the bike are usually the best places. Not only a motor controller to handle the power supply from the battery to the motor but also a throttle or pedal assist sensor to activate the motor are required parts of it. The inventiveness, as well as this being the first time you feel like a real e-bike designer, is in wiring these devices, especially in the neat and weatherproof manner of doing it. In case you need real-time speed, distance, and battery data, set up an LCD display. Make sure to test everything—brakes, electronics, and weight—before starting your first ride. Furthermore, the whole idea of constructing an e-bike on your own is not only about saving money. It is really about establishing a deeper relationship with your ride, and having the opportunities to customize it in exactly the way you want it to be.