The Lariden 72V 2000W Rear Hub Conversion Kit gives you a lot of power for a 20 inch frame, but the price tag is going to be expensive due to the fact that you'll need to purchase a new 72V battery to operate it. You receive a high torque motor and a full controller package with no way of getting user input (i.e. a display screen), and the motor is cheap. however, the 72V battery you're required to attach it to isn't.
Specs
As stated by the seller, the Lariden 72V 2000W rear hub motor conversion kit produces 2000 watts peak power and uses a brushless gearless rear hub motor. Due to this amount of power, you will experience extreme acceleration from a dead stoplight. However, this type of power will put excessive strain on your chain and derailleur components.
In addition, the 60 Nm torque rating guarantees you can climb extremely steep hills that may bring other motors to a complete standstill. However, this large torque can easily pull apart cheap frame dropouts. As well, at 560 rpm on a 20 inch wheel, you will be able to travel very rapidly. however, the speed limit will depend upon the braking capabilities you have installed on your bike.
In addition to the motor, the kit conversion kit comes equipped with an LCD display screen. The display screen displays the speed, total distance traveled, and fault code messages along side nine different speed setting. One advantage of having fault codes displayed is you will be able to troubleshoot why the system shut down without having to guess which wire was bad.
Another advantage of having the nine different speed settings is you can adjust how much assistive power you receive while pedaling. This is particularly beneficial when trying to save battery life when traveling over flat surfaces. Additionally, the kit conversion kit contains two power-off brake levers which immediately reduce the current flow of the motor when activated. These two brake levers are critical for safety purposes when you are traveling at rapid speeds.
Design and Real-World Use
The kit is built using an aluminum alloy rim on the 20 inch wheel. Aluminum alloy rims offer less impact resistance than steel rims if you were to ride over a curb. While the aluminum alloy rim offers less impact resistance than steel rims, it offers less weight than steel rims. The smaller diameter wheel retains the bikes agility but creates less stability at higher speeds. Riding a bike with this configuration is similar to riding a motorcycle with a bicycle engine installed. Therefore, it will dramatically affect the bike's handling characteristics.
Since the hub motor is designed as a gearless unit, it does not contain any internal planetary gears. A gearless design greatly reduces points of failure since the internal gears can strip out. However, because there are no internal gears, the motor is substantially larger than those units containing internal gears. In addition to being larger in size, the motor transfers more torque from the stator to the magnets because they are attached directly together.
Therefore, you sacrifice weight and size for improved motor efficiency (torque transfer) and reduced internal maintenance. this kit is constructed with stainless steel and rubber components. Stainless steel and rubber components enhance durability. however, they add substantial weight to the unsprung portion of the bike.
The 72V Power Architecture
The 72 V power system forms the foundation of this kit's performance. Higher voltage enables the motor to draw more power without requiring increased amperage compared to lower voltage systems. Essentially, this translates into a motor that runs cooler longer term during extended rides. Nevertheless, this increased voltage necessitates custom wiring and controllers to manage the higher currents associated with it. The listing states that the included controller has been derated for the 2000 W peak. In order for you to prevent melting your thin wires, you need to confirm the gauge of your cables.
Because the battery is not supplied with this kit, you need to factor in the cost of a quality cell pack which may cost as much as the motor itself. Cheap batteries can cause overheating of the controller and/or disconnecting during steep ascents.
What Riders Say
Currently there are no reviews for this kit on Amazon. This means you will be one of the first riders attempting to utilize this hardware and therefore take some risks on both how well the controller functions as well as the reliability of the motor. I personally did not test this kit. therefore I have no knowledge whether your wiring will remain intact after prolonged periods of intense use. Many consumers purchasing these types of kits seek to acquire raw horsepower at affordable prices. Since there are no reviews on this kit it is difficult to evaluate long-term reliability of aluminum alloy rims subjected to stresses.
Current pricing and availability change often, so check the live listing before you order.
You can see today's listing here if the configuration above has changed.
Who Should Buy This
If you are a consumer who owns a 20 inch frame and desires to transform it into a "mopeds"-like vehicle then this kit is ideal for you. If you understand that the true "heart" of this build is the 72 V battery pack then this kit will be suitable for you. On the other hand, if you desire a plug-and-play solution including the battery then this is not suitable for you. This kit is intended for the do-it-yourself enthusiast who feels confident in his/her ability to solder and modify their own frame. If you require maximum torque for off-road riding then this is your best option.
You should not consider purchasing this if you desire a commuter bike that requires minimal maintenance. Additionally, you should not purchase this if you cannot afford a high priced 72 V battery pack. Lastly, if your present frame is made of flimsy aluminum alloy, this kit will probably break your dropouts due to its rated 60 Nm of torque.
Prior to making a purchase compare prices and specifications in our eBike Battery Comparison Chart.
Frequently Asked Questions
What battery do I need for this kit?
To achieve its claimed 2000 W peak performance potential, your motor requires a 72 V battery pack. Therefore, most standard 48 V or 52 V batteries will not provide sufficient voltage for your motor to produce peak performance potential. To achieve peak performance from your motor, you will need to acquire a high discharge rate battery pack (at least 30A to 40A). Because a battery pack is not provided with this kit, you will need to budget for a quality cell pack that may cost approximately as much as your motor itself. Utilizing an inexpensive battery pack may cause your controller to overheat or cease providing power during severe inclines.
Is installation difficult for beginners?
Installing a rear hub motor requires removal of your original wheel and possibly modifying your existing dropouts. Your motor has thick wires connected to it that pass through your frame, and your PAS sensor must be removed from your crank arm and aligned properly prior to reinstalling it. If you have limited or no experience working with a wrench or basic wiring concepts then this project may be too advanced for your skill level.
How fast will this bike go?
The listing claims a motor speed of 560rpm. When paired with a 20-inch wheel and a 72V battery, this results in speeds that can exceed 45 miles per hour. The actual speed depends on the voltage of your battery pack and the controller settings. You must ensure your brakes are capable of stopping you at these speeds. Standard rim brakes often struggle with the heat generated when stopping a 2000W-powered bike quickly. This setup is more like a moped than a traditional bicycle.
Can I use this on any 20-inch bike?
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