Best conversion setup for heavy rider

[I8ALLtheCOOKIES]

Hello all,

I've been doing some research on this site and others and haven't found a definitive answer. I'm looking to do a mountain bike conversion. Power is second to speed but I would appreciate speed. I have a solid commute with a few serious hills. I was thinking a front and back powered system and dual batteries. I am 6'8" 300 ish lbs. Could anyone give me some starting points on what I need, or direct me where to find it if it had already been addressed on these forums. I have very limited understanding of the basics. My hope is that some experienced people have tackled this before. I was planning on buying a dual sport motorcycle but I hate the noise and I decided I have no interest in going that fast. I was planning on spending close to $3000. I am not saying money is no option and I'm not looking for bells and whistles but definitely willing to spend for Range, Power, and Speed. Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

[Rix Ryds]

http://www.day6bikes.com/

​Well, I don't know if you have chosen a bike, and I'm not as big a boy as you are, but if I were I'd be looking hard at Day6 bike. Batteries are where you spend your money, and they are also what determine range. Always buy enough battery, range anxiety sucks! I don't know your hills, but I know my BBSHD w/42tx22t N360 IGH will haul my 225lbs up a 22% grade with no pedaling, and will top 30+ mph on the flats. I have two batteries, (did I say range anxiety sucks?), and with just the 20Ah, I get 40+ miles if I only use the throttle on the hills. So, if I were you, I would get a Day 6 Sampson, weight capacity of 400lbs, and install a Bafang BBSHD, and as big a battery as I have budget! You should be able to stay within your budget and you'll have a bike that will handle a long hilly commute, and your size, no problem!

[I8ALLtheCOOKIES]

Thank you for the info. Just what I was looking for! I have a pretty nice mountain bike already. I think I will go for it then. My commute is a mostly downhill on the way to work and then a beastly return trip which I wouldn't mind just blasting the throttle on.

[tonk]

I'm really impressed with the day6. When discussing range anxiety it might be worth noting battery placement might be a little trickier since there is no center frame triangle. There are attachment lugs on the top bar for a dolphin or shark pack if 13.5ah will give you enough range but those & any custom built alternative will most likely impede the step through design. Not a show stopper but something to keep in mind that for those wanting max range ability (Luna has such a wide range of battery configurations that with some thought & research you can match most needs) .

[Rix Ryds]

I'm not certain but I think Luna's 20Ah rectangle will fit. Just have to figure a way to mount it safe and secure.

[Sather]

Do not buy the Day6 with the BBS02 already installed. With your body weight, it will overheat on climbs and melt the plastic gear. Buy a BBSHD and the biggest 52volt Luna battery you can afford. Also there are some cargo bikes that handle really well and make great commuters.

[Louis]

Flat foot cruiser like the Townie, 20Ah battery, and BBSHD. RIde it like you stole it.

[spinningmagnets]

6-foot 8" is BIG. Even if you lose a few pounds from exercise and healthy eating, I can't see you getting below 240. You are so tall, I suspect you would even be proportional at 260.

The problem for you is finding a bike that will fit you. I suspect you might want to look at 29'r frames in order to find something acceptable that will be reasonably affordable. I would recommend the BBSHD at a minimum, and I think you'd be happiest with the Cyclone 3000W. With the BBSHD, definitely get a 52V battery, because you would be limited to 30A. The Cyclone can take a huge amount of amps, so...you might be better able to fit a battery into the frame you choose if you get a slightly smaller 48V pack, but...get a high-amp cell, so you can adjust the amps up to the level of performance that you end up liking. The voltage will be set by the battery, and the Cyclone motor can use anything from 36V to 72V.

There's nothing wrong with using 52V, 60V or 72V...it's just that if you also use 50A, the power will break chains and sprockets. (72V X 50A = 3600W). I would limit the system to 2000W, so my recommendation is 48V X 42A = 2000W. Also, if you choose the components I recommended, you can adjust the amps up to see what you like, or if you start breaking chains (or wearing them out faster than you like) you can dial the amps back to a more gentle level.

The BBSHD can only use a max of 30A, and the only voltages allowed by the controller are 48V or 52V, for a maximum of 1500W. My favorite ebike right now is a 1500W BBSHD, but...I am 200-lbs...if you weight 50% more than me, you'll need 50% more power.

Look at the postings here by member Carl Clark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFfw4aeajHk

[Louis]

KHS makes a large frame smoothie my 6'4" friend rides. With a BBS01. BUT uses his gears and only flat commutes.

[BK Xray]

I use a BBS02 and a 20ah 48v battery on a tandem recumbent trike. With my wife and I together with the weight of the trike, motor, battery and gear, we are close to 450 pounds. I use a 36 tooth sprocket on the motor. I have had no trouble with the system handling the weight because of the low gearing. The BBSHD is built stronger and more powerfully. It should give you everything you need.