Fat tire ebike builds have a dirty little secret.
Finding a front wheel motor that will actually fit a 20 by 4 inch rim is much harder than you think.
Most of the budget kits we find are designed for 26 inch and 700c wheels. They ignore the smaller fat bike crowd.
So when I saw the DRIKH 20in 48V 1000W front hub motor kit on Amazon, which is specifically designed for the small fat bike niche (a 1000W front wheel gearless motor, on a 20 inch fat rim, at a price that is lower than the big names), I thought this was a specific tool for a specific job.
Motor Specifications and Build Quality
If you strip the marketing hype away from the DRIKH kit, it is simply a direct drive, gearless hub motor that is rated at 1000W continuous on a 48V system. The motor runs at approximately 500rpm, with a no-load speed quoted by DRIKH of 29.8 mph. The no-load speed quote refers to the motor running completely unimpeded with no friction from the tire. Thus the actual top speed of the ebike will depend on many factors including tire size, rider weight, terrain and how you choose to ride. In terms of classifications, based on the wattage output alone, this places the DRIKH kit in the high end of Class 2 and possibly even beyond Class 2 depending on how you choose to ride.
The fact that the motor is gearless is key. Gear hubs use internal planetary gearing to increase torque. However, each additional gear increases the weight of the hub and introduces more parts that will eventually wear out. A gearless direct drive hub eliminates both. Less moving parts equals fewer things to break. Additionally, since there are no gear trains being fought by the motor while idle (i.e., not turning), a gearless direct drive hub is essentially drag-free when the motor is turned off.
As stated earlier, the efficiency of a direct drive unit is typically very high at speed (with some units approaching 90 percent or higher). Since most riders will be using their motors at relatively high speeds during most of their rides, this type of efficiency is beneficial. At lower speeds however, the efficiency of a direct drive unit may not be as beneficial as a geared unit. Specifically, the lack of low-end torque (the ability to produce maximum torque at slow speeds) may make hill climbs difficult or impossible for riders who have heavy loads or use larger and heavier tires.
Low-end torque is also a concern with a front-wheel motor, as it will be providing power through the front wheel and thus has limited traction and therefore produces significantly reduced amounts of torque compared to a rear-wheel drive setup.
While a front-wheel setup offers smoother, more predictable acceleration than a geared hub, fine for flat ground and gentle hills. Not ideal for standing starts up steep grades on a heavier fat bike (60 pounds).
Build Quality of the Wheel
The build quality of budget fat wheel kits vary greatly from batch to batch. The wheel itself is a generic 20-inch unit made to accept 4-inch wide tires. The spoke finish is black and features standard spokes. While far from fancy, the components included are functional. As with any new product arriving in your mailbox, inspecting the initial build quality of your new wheel is critical prior to riding. Specifically, check the initial spoke tightness. Any looseness or visible wobbling may indicate that further adjustment with a truing stand will be necessary before you begin riding.
Installation and Compatibility
Nowhere is the success or failure of this kit determined as clearly as its compatibility and installation process. The DRIKH kit is specifically designed for 20 by 4 inch fat tire bikes. If that doesn't describe your current bike or desired build project then this kit is likely not for you. Only owners of fat bikes, folding fat bikes or compact cargo bikes featuring 20 by 4 inch wheels will be able to accommodate this kit on their vehicle.
Installing a front hub motor is generally considered easier than installing a rear wheel motor due to fewer mechanics involved in converting to an electric assist bike. With a front hub motor, you replace the original front wheel assembly with the motorized assembly, connect the controller, attach the throttle and route any wiring along the frame. No complicated adjustments are needed as you would experience with rear wheel conversions involving changing bottom brackets and aligning derailleurs. The mechanical simplicity of a front wheel conversion results directly from retaining your original drivetrain configuration.
However, having installed a 1000W front wheel motor will put significant stresses on your fork. To mitigate this issue, torque arms must always be used when working with this level of power. Simply skipping torque arms because they're not required will ultimately result in either bending or cracking your fork dropouts.
In addition to torque arms being essential with this type of power, installing a 1000W front wheel motor requires knowledge and comfort level with making real mechanical modifications to your bike. A novice builder would be better served learning their skills with an easier conversion type.
Again, compatibility issues stem from the narrow specifications of the DRIKH kit. If you're looking for rear wheel conversions with gear hubs that offer increased torque for climbing, you'll need to search elsewhere. Similarly, if you're planning on achieving top speed with a 26 inch or 700c framed bike this wheel won't fit. Lastly, if you're uncomfortable with modifying mechanical aspects of your bike then installing a front 1000W hub on a fat bike fork isn't recommended.
For those that qualify to use this kit (specifically, fat bikers who require an affordable option for their electric conversion needs), the DRIKH 1000W kit represents an extremely viable option.
What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying
I want to provide full disclosure here. Currently only three reviewers have posted comments regarding this listing. Obviously that's a thin sampling base to make purchasing decisions upon. Don't rely solely upon these ratings alone. The buyer comments provided suggest this kit meets expectations for users within the target demographic it serves. Owners of 20-inch fat-tire bikes report a trouble-free install and sufficient power assistance on flat ground when utilizing this kit. There were no reported issues related to damage received upon arrival or incomplete parts within the early reviewer responses. Again, another indicator that this appears to be another solid value offering in this budget category.
Don't let me mislead you. I'm highly skeptical of that nearly flawless 5-star rating given only three reviewers have commented on this listing. Those three reviews don't reveal anything about how well this product holds up over time, nor do they give insight into how reliable the controller remains, nor do they provide any information relative to how well these spokes will hold up after hundreds of miles of operation.
Give this seller enough time and eventually the rating will grow as more customers share their experiences with this product. For now, it provides a solid foundation as a potential solution for users requiring an inexpensive front-hub conversion kit designed specifically for their fat-bike applications.
Who Is This Kit For?
This kit is intended for individuals owning 20-inch fat-tire bikes or desiring to build one with electric assistance capabilities without breaking the bank for production-level ebikes. Folding fat bikes or compact cargo vehicles featuring 20 by 4 inch wheels represent ideal platforms for implementing this motor.
First-time builders seeking affordable electric-assist solutions may also benefit from this product. Converting a bike to feature electric assistance via a front-hub motor installation provides an easy learning curve for first-time builders. Furthermore, there should remain ample funds available in your budget to affordably obtain an appropriate-sized battery once you've obtained this kit.
Please keep in mind that this kit is not suitable for all users. If you prefer rear-wheel-drive conversions featuring geared hubs for climbing performance, continue searching elsewhere. Also, please note that if you desire to achieve top speed via a 26-inch or 700c-framed bicycle, this wheel will not suit your requirements.
Finally, if you are unfamiliar with performing real mechanical work (installing torque arms), consider alternatives to avoid compromising your safety while learning.
For the correct customer, i.e., fat bikers needing affordable solutions to add electric assistance to their bicycles, this DRIKH 1000W kit provides an excellent opportunity to implement an economically priced fast fat ebike build.
The DRIKH kit is among the few affordable options for converting your 20-inch fat-tired bike to an ebike featuring front-wheel-only configurations. Check the ebike conversion kit comparison to see how it stacks up against other hub kits, and browse our blog for more build guides and battery picks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the DRIKH kit include a battery?
No. The kit ships with the motor wheel, controller, throttle, and wiring only. You buy a 48V ebike battery separately. Match the controller connector to your battery before ordering.
What bikes does this motor fit?
A 20 inch wheel laced for 4 inch wide tires, mounted on the front fork. That means fat bikes, folding fat bikes, and compact cargo builds. Measure your fork width and confirm 20 by 4 tires before you buy.
How fast will it go?
DRIKH quotes a no load speed around 29.8 mph at 500rpm. Real world top speed on a fat tire bike sits lower, usually in the low to mid 20s depending on rider weight, tire pressure, and battery voltage under load.
Do I need torque arms for a 1000W front hub?
Yes. Strongly. A 1000W front motor will try to twist the axle in your fork dropouts. Torque arms are cheap insurance against bent or cracked forks. Do not skip them.
Is this kit street legal?
It depends on where you live. Many US states cap Class 2 and Class 3 ebikes at 750W. A 1000W motor sits above those limits in several jurisdictions. Check your local regulations before building and riding.
How hard is the install?
Front hub installs are the easiest conversion type. If you can swap a wheel, run wiring, and follow color coded connectors, you can do it. First timers should plan for a weekend and watch a few tutorials.