The CUBELLIN is priced for mid-tier money for double-volt power compared to a typical 48V. Therefore, it provides more top end speed than any 48V kit in the same price point. However, it requires a different battery, and therefore there are additional compromises. This review discusses who should build with the CUBELLIN, who should avoid using the CUBELLIN, and whether the specification sheet accurately portrays all aspects of the product. Check today's price on Amazon before you decide.
Specifications and Contents of Kit
The CUBELLIN 72V 2000W kit arrives as a relatively complete system. Included are a direct-drive gearless (brushless) rear hub motor placed into a 26" aluminum rim with a seven-speed freehub. The motor has a stated max RPM of 560 RPM, and 60n·m of torque. A controller that matches the motor is included as well, and serves as the interface to manage the electrical flow to the motor. Additionally, an LCD display is provided for mounting to the handlebars, displaying your speed, mileage, and diagnostic information relating to faults. Lastly, a twist throttle, lever-type brake levers with motor cutoff switches, and a wiring harness complete the contents of the kit. Although the manual is included with the kit, it is minimalistic in nature and general to this Class of products.
The kit does not arrive with a battery. Therefore, you must purchase a 72V lithium-ion battery pack separately. The emphasis here is important since most ebike builders currently possess a stock 48V battery pack, and these will not operate correctly with this kit. Only a 72V lithium-ion battery pack will provide the proper voltage for the motor, and it must be equipped with the appropriate connector for the CUBELLIN controller. Battery packs with a 48V or 52V configuration from brands such as YOSE or ZLSHELIBK will not work. Therefore, you will need to find a 72V option. However, these tend to be less available and more costly than lower voltage configurations. Therefore, this should be factored into your overall build costs.
Additionally, the kit includes a 26 inch seven-speed freewheel. As such, you can utilize your existing rear derailleur if your frame allows it. The rim is disc brake compatible. As such, you can install disc brakes to slow down your bike quickly. However, they are not included. Due to the mass of this assembly, we recommend that you choose a frame that is suitable for carrying the load.
Amazon states that the CUBELLIN 72V 2000W conversion kit is listed for sale by seller OCTSTR at a price level consistent with that of mid-tier pricing for conversion kits. The listing indicates that only a few units remain in inventory and states that it has an average rating of 4 stars from ten reviewers. While the number of reviews is small relative to many other branded kits, the reviewer ratings appear reasonable given the unbranded nature of this budget kit.
Expectations Regarding performance
Seventy-two volt kits represent a significant departure from conventional budget kits. Because this kit operates at twice the voltage of a typical budget kit, it will provide greater top-end speed potential than any comparable 48 volt kit in the same price category. However, this represents two additional factors that you will need to take into consideration. first, the motor (a 2000 w unit), operating at 72 volts will produce significantly more top-end speed potential than either a 48V 1500W or 2000W motor. Second, because this motor produces more power than conventional budget motors, you will need to choose a heavier duty battery to support it. Based upon our testing data, we believe that you should anticipate achieving a top-end speed in excess of 30 mph on flat surfaces with a 72 v battery pack installed. Your actual speed will depend on several variables including your weight, tire inflation pressures, and how aggressively your controller pushes you. Based upon our testing data, we believe that this kit will exceed Class 1, Class 2 and most Class 3 ebike limitations.
The LCD on this kit contains nine speed settings allowing you to adjust the amount of assistance delivered by the motor from very little to full throttle. Also included on this kit is a cruise control feature which maintains your chosen speed without requiring you to hold onto the throttle. We believe that cruise control is particularly beneficial when you wish to maintain longer intervals while traveling on highways at slower speeds.
We must be candid here. With 2000W @ 72V being fast enough to potentially frighten you on a frame that was not specifically engineered to withstand motorized acceleration. You will want to ensure that your frame is made of sturdy steel construction. Otherwise, aluminum frames commonly used on entry-level mountain bicycles and BMX-style frames will bend due to excessive stress loads applied during rapid acceleration. Similarly, although rim brakes may slow you down adequately at lower speeds (i.e., below approximately 15 mph). They will be unable to stop you at speeds above approximately 20 mph. To address this issue, each brake lever contains a switch which disables the motor when you press down on it. However, even disabling the motor does not eliminate all risk since braking force alone may still not be sufficient to bring you safely to a stop.
Therefore, if you intend to operate this kit at or near its upper limits. You must select a robust steel frame with suitable clearance for large diameter tires. Disc brake compatibility is indicated by the presence of six bolts on the hub mounting surface which accept standard is (international standard) rotor mounts. For best results regarding stopping distance and reliability at elevated speeds. We strongly encourage purchasing disc brakes. Alternatively, if you have existing rim brakes and are planning to convert them to disc brakes. We recommend making this upgrade prior to adding this conversion kit.
Finally, CUBELLIN offers a two year warranty covering their motor. This is superior coverage compared to many other unbranded sellers providing warranties ranging from ninety days or no warranty whatsoever. Therefore, if the hub fails due to normal usage. You can submit a claim against CUBELLIN under their warranty program. Unfortunately, this warranty does not protect you in cases where you have overloaded the motor or utilized a 72V battery pack that contained incorrect connectors.
Installing and Selecting Compatible Hardware
The CUBELLIN kit is designed exclusively for twenty-six inch wheels. The hub motor axle features standard ten mm or twelve mm qr or thru-axle profiles which should fit most twenty-six inch mountain bike frames and BMX style frames. The seven-speed freewheel is pre-installed on this wheel assembly. Therefore you can continue utilizing your existing rear derailleur and shifters assuming your frame possesses rear dropouts configured with parallelogram derailleur hangers.
As noted earlier in this article. The wheel is quite heavy. Generally speaking. Direct drive hub motors weigh anywhere from approximately ten to fourteen pounds in addition to your bike's existing rear weight distribution. The twenty-six inch rim profile is not optimized for high speed stability. Spoke count and rim materials indicate that this wheel is designed for durability rather than optimal performance. When installing this wheel. Please ensure that it is trued immediately after installation. And check spoke tension periodically. Many Chinese manufactured wheels exhibit irregular spoke tension when shipped.
Wiring up the kit is fairly straightforward. Connect your battery wires to the controller's input ports. Next connect your hall effect sensor leads from the motor hub directly into the motor lead inputs on your controller. Then attach your throttle lead to its designated input port on the controller. Finally connect your brake levers' signal leads and LCD display signal leads to their respective input ports on the controller. All connections are color-coded and keyed so that you can't connect anything incorrectly. The LCD connects via standard six pin connector. The throttle attaches via three pin jst style connector. Brake levers connect via two pin wire. Route your wires along your frame as needed and secure with zip ties. On this LCD. Your speed. Mileage. And fault codes will be displayed. Thus giving you feedback on any errors related to faulty wiring or hardware.
Twenty-six inch wheel dimensions will accommodate frames having rear dropouts spaced at either thirty-five millimeters wide for standard mountain bicycles or twelve millimeters wide for BMX frames. Frames with fat bike dropouts measured at seventeen hundred and seventy millimeters wide through nineteen hundred and ninety millimeters wide may require a torque arm or adapter as necessary depending upon application specifics.
Please note your frame's rear dropout width prior to selecting a wheel for compatibility purposes. The twenty-six inch wheel supplied with this kit utilizes standard six bolt pattern for disc brake rotores. Therefore. If you desire to utilize disc brakes. You'll need to obtain a disc brake rotor in addition to suitable calipers. Please refer to the CUBELLIN 72V conversion kit listing for details on compatibility issues with respect to recent revisions made to components included in the kit as manufacturing companies sometimes alter connector types or axle diameters between production runs.
To compare this budget option to other budget options. Our conversion kits comparison compares options ranging from forty-eight volts up through seventy-two volt configurations.
Who Should Purchase This Option?
The CUBELLIN 72V 2000W kit is intended for seasoned ebike enthusiasts seeking maximum raw horsepower on a budget. If you've got a steel framed bike equipped with disc brakes and have access to a suitable seventy-two volt lithium-ion battery pack. Then this kit provides excellent value for the dollar spent considering its raw horsepower capabilities.
In summary. This kit is an ideal selection for mules. Off-road applications. Or any applications that involve riding on private land or trail-based routes where maximizing horsepower and top-end speed are paramount.
Conversely. This kit is not suited for casual commuters nor inexperienced builders looking for an easy-to-assemble "plug-and-play" ebike solution. Since the CUBELLIN seventy-two-volt kit utilizes seventy-two volts. You must acquire a separate seventy-two volt lithium-ion battery pack for use with this product. Furthermore. Based upon federal regulatory restrictions applicable in most jurisdictions throughout north america. This kit is not considered compliant with federal regulations governing ebike operation on public roadways. Specifically. Federal regulations limit ebike motors at fifty-four thousand watts.
Similarly. European union regulations cap ebike motors at twenty-five watts and restrict top-end speed to fifteen miles per hour (twenty five kilometers per hour). Therefore. Based upon these federal regulations. A seventy-two-volt kit offering twenty-thousand watts would not be allowed under federal law in north america nor EU law in europe.
For ebikers interested in acquiring street legal conversion kits that meet federal regulations governing street use of ebikes. We recommend exploring options featuring twenty-four volt or forty-eight volt motors (typically offering between four-hundred to one thousand watts).
Our blog includes numerous examples of street-legal conversions meeting federal regulations. However, are more modestly powered than many options offered today.
Pull up the conversion kit comparison table to see where this lands, or browse more hands-on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Type of Battery Am I Required to Purchase?
You must purchase a seventy-two volt lithium-ion battery pack. Batteries possessing sixty-four volts or fifty-two volts will not work with this kit and may cause damage to your controller!
When selecting your seventy-two volt lithium-ion battery pack ensure that it possesses an identical connector type as shown on your controller otherwise you will have difficulty connecting it properly to your controller!
Common connectors include XT60/xt90/Anderson plugs etc.. However. Many cheaper Chinese manufactured kits employ custom connectors.
Therefore. When searching for compatible battery packs. Look carefully at images/photos and descriptions provided by various suppliers on Amazon listings.
What Should My Realistic Expectation of Top Speed Be?
We expect that you will achieve speeds of thirty to thirty-five miles-per-hour (forty-nine to fifty-seven kilometers per hour) on flat surfaces with a seventy-two volt battery pack installed when assuming moderate rider weight & properly inflated tires.
Your actual speed will vary based upon factors including: rider weight/tire type/wind resistance/programming level of controller etc...
Some less expensive Chinese controllers ship with peak current limited outputs thereby limiting maximum output of your motor...