Winter is the season that kills most e-bike projects. When a commuter with skinny tires and a 750-watt hub motor tries to ride in the snow and ends up becoming a hazard, many riders simply leave their bike parked until spring. That's the exact void the GOSHET 26-inch 48V 1500 watt rear wheel fat snow conversion kit is attempting to fill. A 1500-watt rear-hub motor laced into a large fat snow rim is a huge amount of torque directed at a frozen surface, slush, and packed trail that a standard bicycle would never attempt to navigate. If you have a fat bike frame collecting dust, this conversion kit is definitely worth a closer look.
Specifications and Build Quality
At the center of this kit is a 26-inch rear-wheel hub motor designed for operation at 48 volts and 1500 watts (or 1.5 kw on its name plate). With the motor spinning at approximately 500 RPM, it produces sufficient power to propel a fat snow bike to actual riding speeds. It is designed as a gearless, brushless, direct-drive motor. The type of motor used in this kit is significant. Direct-drive motors do not contain any planetary gears internally. Planetary gears are prone to stripping, grinding down, or failing due to the high-torque loads associated with direct-drive applications. Therefore, having no internal planetary gearing makes this application perfect for a motor that will operate under extreme conditions such as eating snow, ice, and road salts throughout the entire winter.
Construction-wise, the kit uses aluminum for the motor housing and iron for the rim. These two materials are very durable. Aluminum allows the motor to shed heat generated by the windings within the motor. Iron provides a sturdy base for the installation of the large fat snow tire. According to GOSHET, this kit achieves greater than 82% efficiency. While efficiency may seem secondary in regards to overall performance, achieving greater-than-80% efficiency at this price point is excellent. The complete wheeled kit weighs about 22 pounds, making it a heavy addition to the back of your bicycle.
Out-of-the-box, this is a complete wheeled-motor kit. It includes the motor mounted in the rim, controller, LCD display, and all necessary wiring. One thing missing from this kit is the battery. As stated previously, you will need to provide your own 48-volt battery and ensure that your controller setup matches before connecting everything together. Not providing a battery is not a bad thing in terms of functionality, but it certainly increases your overall cost beyond the cost of just the kit.
Motor Performance
A 1500 watt direct-drive rear hub is significantly more powerful than most other commercially available ebike kits, including those producing 500W and 750W. In fact, it takes significant power to move a fat snow tire through deep snow rather than just spinning in place. The large-width tire offers float, while the 1500-watt motor provides the torque needed to take advantage of it. GOSHET indicates that under no-load conditions (i.e., no rider), this motor produces speeds approaching 30 miles per hour. Under loaded conditions (i.e., carrying a rider and snow), expected operating speeds will be lower, however, the excess capacity is still present to continue propelling a heavily-loaded fat bike at slow-to-medium speeds.
As mentioned earlier, the high-speed rating of the 500 RPM and high efficiency rating work together to produce results that support the direct-drive concept. High-efficiency ratings are achieved by direct-drive motors when running at higher speeds. Achieving these speeds requires sufficient torque, which is provided by the 1500-watt motor. However, unlike some gear-based hubs, this motor does not offer rapid acceleration from standstill on steep inclines in slippery conditions (e.g., crawling up a 15% grade covered in slush).
Therefore, there is a trade-off involved with using a direct-drive versus a gear-based design. By accepting reduced low-end torque output compared to geared designs, you gain increased reliability and higher operational speeds. Additionally, since this design has fewer parts than gear-based designs, it inherently reduces repair requirements.
Another consideration that should be made regarding this product is how it behaves as a motorized vehicle during unpowered operations. Since fat snow tires are typically heavy and drag-laden, using this product as a pedal-assist cruiser is not recommended. Instead, use it primarily as a throttle-driven device intended for off-road or snow travel.
Installation Requirements and Additional Materials
While installing this kit is relatively straightforward and does not require extensive mechanical expertise beyond that of a casual bicycle enthusiast, it does assume some level of familiarity with general bicycle mechanics. To install this kit, follow the standard procedure outlined below.
Mount the motor wheel in the rear dropouts of your frame. Due to the tremendous amount of torque produced by a 1500 watt direct drive hub motor, we strongly recommend installing a torque arm. Without a torque arm installed, the first time you apply excessive force to the throttle on a cold or wet day you risk twisting your dropouts into scrap metal.
Measure your frame and dropout spacing carefully prior to ordering. The GOSHET 26-inch 1500W rear hub motor kit was specifically designed for use on fat-bike frames that have ample space between the dropouts for wider rims and larger tires. Standard mountain bike frames with narrower spaced dropouts (135 mm) may require modifications prior to successful installation of this hub.
Installation of the remainder of the components (controller, display, etc.) consists of wiring the controller to the motor wheel and mounting the display on your handlebars followed by routing the remaining wiring harness along your frame. GOSHET has attempted to simplify this process by shipping each kit with all required components (including controller and display) pre-assembled.
One final item to note: like all ebike kits currently sold online via Amazon (with the exception of some DIY packages), this particular kit does not include any batteries. As indicated previously you will need to purchase your own 48-volt battery package and verify compatibility with your existing controller configuration prior to powering on your new fat snow ebike.
Reviews from Other Buyers
The GOSHET 26 inch rear hub fat snow ebike conversion kit has received an average rating of 4.1 stars based upon ten user-submitted reviews at the time of writing. There are several factors to consider with regard to this overall rating. First, ten reviews represent only a few dozen users, hardly an adequate sampling size from which to draw definitive conclusions about product quality or consistency. Second, this review data set combines multiple variations of products sold via Amazon (front wheel, rear wheel, different sizes), therefore, it does not accurately reflect individual performance characteristics unique to this specific product variation.
Finally, although buyer satisfaction appears generally acceptable (as evidenced by a four-star rating), many reviewers have voiced concerns similar to those seen among virtually all budget ebike conversion kits sold today (thin documentation, necessity for supplying your own battery, necessity for purchasing additional hardware for securing the motor wheel with a torque arm, etc.). Therefore, treat the four-star rating as mildly encouraging, rather than indicative of absolute excellence.
Who Would Benefit From This Kit?
This product is ideal for commuters who wish to convert their existing fat bike into a winter-capable ebike without spending exorbitant amounts of money on specialized winter equipment.
Additionally, this conversion kit finds its second niche-market potential in DIY motorcycle builders who intend to utilize it as part of building an electric motorcycle, since the 1500W direct drive motor provides ample torque capability for propulsion purposes.
Conversely, this product is not suitable for casual commuting cyclists seeking an ebike that operates quietly and features pedelec-type assistance capabilities. Its considerable heft, throttle-only control format, and drag-prone nature render it best suited for off-road snow travel or racing-style ebiking activities.
For reference purposes please visit our E-Bike Conversion Kits Comparison Page and our Blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does GOSHET include a battery?
No, GOSHET does not include any batteries with their fat snow conversion kits. You will be responsible for selecting and purchasing your own compatible 48V ebike battery system and verifying compatibility between the chosen battery and controller prior to connection.
Will GOSHET's conversion kit fit my frame?
No, the GOSHET fat snow conversion kit is intended for use with fat-bike frames featuring wide dropout spacings. Mountain bike frames featuring narrower-spaced dropouts (typically 135mm) will almost certainly require modifications prior to being able to successfully accommodate installation of this motor wheel.
How fast will my e-bike travel with GOSHET's conversion kit?
According to GOSHET's specifications, under no-load conditions (i.e., no rider) this motor produces top speeds exceeding 30 miles per hour. Loaded conditions (i.e., rider plus snow) will result in lower top speeds, nevertheless, GOSHET's excess capacity will allow you to maintain reasonable cruising speeds in snowy terrain where smaller motors would otherwise stall or struggle greatly.
Do I really need a torque arm?
Yes, a torque arm is highly recommended for anyone considering installing this motor wheel in their fat-bike frame. The massive amounts of torque produced by a 1500W direct-drive hub motor are capable of twisting your dropouts into scrap metal upon initial throttle activation, especially on cold or wet days.
Does this kit include the LCD display and controller?
Yes, the kit ships with the controller, LCD display, motor wheel, and all necessary wiring pre-assembled. The only major missing piece is the 48V battery pack, which you supply separately.