Convert Q45 to ebike

[JoFlo]

.If you have a Q45, then you it weighs 35-40 lbs, depending how you dress it out. E-assist adds an additional 35-40 lbs, depending which battery you choose. I haven’t weighed my bike yet.
** Weighed bike, 62 lbs with 4 racks, 2 water bottle carriers, 2 bags with misc tools. In race mode-hit 30mph. Rode 35 miles, avg spds 17mph, on level ground. Battery charged to 80%, still had 50% chg on battery. Next will be loading my camping gear and doing some hills.

 

[kizarmynot]

.If you have a Q45, then you it weighs 35-40 lbs, depending how you dress it out. E-assist adds an additional 35-40 lbs, depending which battery you choose. I have weighed my bike yet.

Thanks. Please keep the thread updated with your findings. Would be interested to hear runtime on a charge for a loaded ride.
Thanks again!

 

[JoFlo]

Yes CYC. Charged battery to 80%, rode 55 miles, still have 50% charge on battery, using level 1, Race mode. Speeds between 15-26 mph on level ground. Next will loading saddle bags with all my camping gear to test bike balance & handling.

 

[Flying Dutchman]

I'm in discussion with https://skarper.com/ - this looks promising. I'm hoping to get the kit within the next couple of weeks and will update on progress.
It's UK based so I don't know whether people in the US can get it but if it works, it might be something for @Robert Holler to start talking with them. They certainly are a friendly bunch.

For various reasons (nothing to do with Skarper) I finally got the Skarper last week and mounted it within an hour onto my Q45. It really is an incredible piece of engineering (the Red Bull Formula 1 engineers got involved!). They developed a disk that replaces the standard disk and has some very clever gearing in. The engine locks onto the clever bit inside the disk (see the disk picture) which is able to drive the rear wheel.
There's a wireless crank sensor to measure whether you're pedalling or free-wheeling (in which case the engine cuts out).
The motor has three support levels; eco, touring and turbo. I only used eco so far and it's more than enough, going up hills is a breeze. On the flat I wouldn't get tired doing several hours at 15mph (which I think is the regulated top speed for support).
I did have to make a temporary solution with the secondary attachment which is at the chainstay, I'm in discussion with Skarper for a better solution. There are two issues with their standard solution; they expect a relatively narrow tube as the chainstay and with the Q45 it's quite beefy so the standard attachment is too small. The other is that the wheel attachment is actually below the chainstay which makes the Skarper sit slightly slanted. So what I'm discussing with Skarper is to have two of the standard straps which would be able to wrap around the chainstay and then have a slightly raised block so that the Skarper engine would be more horizontal.
If any of you would be interested in motorising a S40, I think everything would work out of the box.
Anyway, I will keep you updated on further progress.

 

[Flying Dutchman]

I tried to post a video (mp4) but it didn't allow me so if someone can tell me how I will post a video as well

 

[Mathew Fy]

I tried to post a video (mp4) but it didn't allow me so if someone can tell me how I will post a video as well

You must first upload your video to another site (such as YouTube) and post a link to the video.

 

[SpotTheDog]

For various reasons (nothing to do with Skarper) I finally got the Skarper last week and mounted it within an hour onto my Q45. It really is an incredible piece of engineering (the Red Bull Formula 1 engineers got involved!). They developed a disk that replaces the standard disk and has some very clever gearing in. The engine locks onto the clever bit inside the disk (see the disk picture) which is able to drive the rear wheel.
There's a wireless crank sensor to measure whether you're pedalling or free-wheeling (in which case the engine cuts out).
The motor has three support levels; eco, touring and turbo. I only used eco so far and it's more than enough, going up hills is a breeze. On the flat I wouldn't get tired doing several hours at 15mph (which I think is the regulated top speed for support).
I did have to make a temporary solution with the secondary attachment which is at the chainstay, I'm in discussion with Skarper for a better solution. There are two issues with their standard solution; they expect a relatively narrow tube as the chainstay and with the Q45 it's quite beefy so the standard attachment is too small. The other is that the wheel attachment is actually below the chainstay which makes the Skarper sit slightly slanted. So what I'm discussing with Skarper is to have two of the standard straps which would be able to wrap around the chainstay and then have a slightly raised block so that the Skarper engine would be more horizontal.
If any of you would be interested in motorising a S40, I think everything would work out of the box.
Anyway, I will keep you updated on further progress.

Cool! I was interested in buying the Q45 until I saw that it wasn't ever electrified so I ended up getting the T50 as I knew that it could be. This way I could keep up with the wife on her e-trike if needed. (Yup, we are both in our 70's) Keep posting updates. I may need to trade in the "T" for the "Q" at some point in the future. ;-)

 

[Flying Dutchman]

You must first upload your video to another site (such as YouTube) and post a link to the video.

Here's the video

 

[cpml123]

For various reasons (nothing to do with Skarper) I finally got the Skarper last week and mounted it within an hour onto my Q45. It really is an incredible piece of engineering (the Red Bull Formula 1 engineers got involved!). They developed a disk that replaces the standard disk and has some very clever gearing in. The engine locks onto the clever bit inside the disk (see the disk picture) which is able to drive the rear wheel.
There's a wireless crank sensor to measure whether you're pedalling or free-wheeling (in which case the engine cuts out).
The motor has three support levels; eco, touring and turbo. I only used eco so far and it's more than enough, going up hills is a breeze. On the flat I wouldn't get tired doing several hours at 15mph (which I think is the regulated top speed for support).
I did have to make a temporary solution with the secondary attachment which is at the chainstay, I'm in discussion with Skarper for a better solution. There are two issues with their standard solution; they expect a relatively narrow tube as the chainstay and with the Q45 it's quite beefy so the standard attachment is too small. The other is that the wheel attachment is actually below the chainstay which makes the Skarper sit slightly slanted. So what I'm discussing with Skarper is to have two of the standard straps which would be able to wrap around the chainstay and then have a slightly raised block so that the Skarper engine would be more horizontal.
If any of you would be interested in motorising a S40, I think everything would work out of the box.
Anyway, I will keep you updated on further progress.

How much weight does it add? Also what's the range?

 

[Flying Dutchman]

How much weight does it add? Also what's the range?

It's about 4.5kg (just short of 10lbs)
According to the documentation it's supposed to have a range of 30 miles in Eco mode but I haven't been able to confirm that and I guess that's in optimal conditions (no hills). I did find that having it fitted and not engaged did not have any negative effect on the ride (on the flat) so my use would typically be support up hill and then disengage for the flat. I don't think it does regen

 

[Flying Dutchman]

Update on the Skarper - it has an upgraded attachment, attaches very neatly onto the rear fork now.
Weather is still awful here in Yorkshire UK, roads are in a dreadful state so I haven't tried it out on a long ride yet but that will soon come.

 

[Robert Holler]

Update on the Skarper - it has an upgraded attachment, attaches very neatly onto the rear fork now.
Weather is still awful here in Yorkshire UK, roads are in a dreadful state so I haven't tried it out on a long ride yet but that will soon come.

These types of additions are what we should be aiming for IMHO. They are more realistic of what these should be - an assist - and not the idea of tuning a bike into basically an electric motorcycle meant to be run throttle only for a metric century. True assist only. I can get behind that.

Also as far as thing we are doing: All I can stay is "stay tuned"

 

[CruzRider]

Also as far as thing we are doing: All I can stay is "stay tuned"

@Robert Holler I am very tempted to buy this skarper unit. However, can be patient for what you have cooking. Ball park, how far away are you from sharing? Weeks, Months

 

[Robert Holler]

@Robert Holler I am very tempted to buy this skarper unit. However, can be patient for what you have cooking. Ball park, how far away are you from sharing? Weeks, Months

It is not going to be for a while as I have to scope out some things at Taipei Cycle which is at the end of March. The Skarper concept though is sound and it looks like it is easily adapted.