If you think of the lihuiee 28” 1500w as a conversion kit, then go ahead. The “kit” portion of the title and the fact that Amazon will list this as a kit mean that. What comes to your house is simply a rear Hub motor. All other items - Controller, battery, rim, throttle, display - you'll purchase independently.
The lihuiee 1500w rear Hub motor is likely the cheapest path into a 1500W gearless rear Hub build. In addition to comparing the lihuiee to other conversion kits, browse our ebike conversion kit comparison to compare to full kits that include all parts needed for riding.
What do i really get?
In the box there is only One item. Only the rear wheel motor. Amazon’s spec table verifies this.
This Hub is a 48V brushless gearless motor rated for 1500 watts and has a no-load speed of 500 rpm. It is made of aluminum over an iron core, copper windings, and magnetic steel rotor. Has threaded axle. Claims to be able to produce 55 nm of torque. Produces less than 55 db of noise. Weighs in at 15.4 lbs.
Here are the other products you'll need to purchase:
- a 48v Controller rated for at least 1500w (the listing specifically says sold separately)
- throttle or PAS sensor
- 48v battery pack with a BMS that can discharge 1500 watts continuously
- a 28” rim laced together with spokes or a complete wheel built by another builder
- a torque arm for frames with vertical dropouts (a rear Hub motor producing 1500 watts will pull a rear wheel out of steel dropouts without a torque arm)
You could call it a conversion kit if you'd like. To say this is a kit is overly generous. If you do not currently possess any of the above products, then you're purchasing six different products. Kits containing all these components are available from various manufacturers (listed in our ebike conversion kit comparison page) and they contain a single box filled with everything necessary to get started riding: motor, wheel, Controller, display, throttle, and wiring harness.
Read more about building plans and understanding the wiring configuration prior to purchasing parts in our ebike blog.
If you've previously replaced a failed Controller or if you're a wheel builder who possesses rims and spokes ready to install, then this is a component. Install it onto your rim just as you would any rear Hub. The axle diameter is 5.31 inches (135mm) which is standard for mtbs. You'll require a spoke wrench and a Hub truing stand as the only additional tools besides your standard parts package.
There is only One review of this product on Amazon. It doesn't provide any context to the review. however, the reviewer gave the product 5.0 stars. Use this rating as a data point, but do not interpret it as evidence of reliable performance after time passes.
Other customers have also purchased this product. There isn't much data yet.
Specifications of the motor & real-world speed
As stated earlier, the motor is designed to run directly off a 48V DC supply and is gearless. The no-load speed of the motor of 500 rpm determines top speed. Using a rough estimate of top speed based on a 28" wheel (approximately 700c), 500 rpm at maximum voltage yields approximately 27-28 mph of actual world speeds provided you have sufficient battery power and Controller flow without current limitation.
As mentioned earlier, gearless motors offer their own trade-off. As they don't have any internal planetaries within them, they don't provide low-speed snap as some geared motors do. You won't experience nearly the same amount of force when accelerating from a dead stop as compared to a geared motor. However, gearless motors provide significantly reduced pedal drag when unpowered and smooth rolling while coasting as well. There is no creaking due to gears nor any rattling due to gears. The only sound produced is pure silence.
As stated earlier, the claimed torque of 55 nm is respectable for a gearless rear Hub at this size. They are perfectly acceptable for moderate hill climbing on a 28" wheel. Any longer climbs will consume substantially more current and increase heat production of the motor as with any Hub motor.
As stated earlier, the 55 db noise level is believable at very low loads. Increased noise levels are expected when operating at full throttle.
As stated earlier, the aluminum casing provides effective cooling. Operating continuously at full load on steep climbs may result in heating of the Hub. This is typical behavior for any high-power Hub motor.
Compatibility Check
The listing calls attention to the aspects that determine compatibility more so than anything else in terms of specifications.
rim size: the motor fits rims ranging from 20 to 28 inches. Many builders choose either a 28" or 700c rim.
axle drop-out width: the motor uses an axle width of 5.31 inches which translates to 135 mm. Most hardtail or suspension mountain bicycles have vertically aligned or slightly angled drop-outs with this width. Some road bikes utilize 130 mm wide drop-outs or have thru-axles sized for 142 mm. therefore, adapters would be needed for these configurations. Measure your frame drop-outs before making a purchase.
frame type: the listing specifies that this product is intended for general bicycles and traditional mountain bicycles. Not suitable for snow bikes. As mentioned earlier, most hardtail or full-suspension mountain bicycles with vertical or semivertical drop-outs will support this motor. Both steel frames and aluminum/carbon fiber frames can handle forces associated with 1500 w operation. however, caution should be exercised regarding peak torques.
torque arm: a torque arm is essential when running a 1500 w rear Hub with vertically aligned drop-outs. Without proper anchoring, excessive torque can result in the motor pulling its wheels completely free from the drop-outs under aggressive acceleration. Purchase separately.
Controller matching requirements: the motor requires a minimum of a 48 v Controller rated for a minimum of 1500 w. While the motor itself will operate appropriately once paired with an appropriate Controller, the characteristics exhibited by the motor will vary greatly depending upon the quality of the Controller used.
battery requirements: a 48 v battery pack utilizing a BMS rated for at least 30 a continuous discharge (1500 w / 48 v = approximately 31.25 a). Utilizing a BMS rated for more than the nominal value (i.e., 35A or 40A) allows for extra margin. Depending upon distance desired to travel while using the bike, nominal values of battery capacities (13 ah - 20 ah) are reasonable assumptions.
Types of Riders best suited for this product
Three groups of Riders will find this product beneficial:
dead Controller replacement Riders: if you had a dead Controller on your previous ebike project and were unable to obtain an identical replacement from the original manufacturer. or if the manufacturer went out of business. then this motor represents a simple replacement option for you. You can keep your existing Controller and display along with throttle and wire harness if they match.
second-build enthusiasts: if you have completed an ebike project previously and still have remaining unused components such as controllers, batteries and displays. then this motor offers an affordable route to creating your second ebike project. Your only costs will be the cost of the Hub and rim. Based on pricing alone, you'll save money vs purchasing a pre-made conversion kit elsewhere - although if you prefer having someone else assemble and true your wheel and perform final installation steps, then consider purchasing a full conversion kit from another supplier - we have included links to several suppliers offering conversion kits that include assembled wheels with hubs attached.
tinkerer/wheel builders: if you have both spoke wrenches and truing stands. installing this motor onto a rim is easy enough. Simply purchase the Hub. purchase spokes. install spokes. true wheel. attach tire. etc... The remainder is comprised of your existing inventory of parts.
Don’t purchase this motor unless you desire plug-and-play functionality. Instead, consider purchasing an entire conversion kit as described above (see link). The kits listed in our ebike conversion kit comparison page include everything needed for riding except your own tires - including: motor, wheel, Controller, display, throttle and wiring harness all packaged in One shipping box. If you wish to ride immediately after completing your project vs spending hours sourcing individual components. consider purchasing One of these kits.
One review exists on Amazon - although it only serves as One data point in determining potential future performance issues as indicated below.
As stated earlier - One customer reviewed this product giving it five stars - indicating satisfaction during his initial ride experience - however he did not indicate any information relative to his long term ride experiences or potential issues experienced post-first ride - therefore, do not use this review as evidence that this product will continue performing reliably - order from sellers providing substantial return options if you plan to make an uninformed decision.
If you would like to see the current listing and compare fitment options, check the price on Amazon. Browse the conversion kit comparison for full kits that include the controller, and see the blog for more build guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does This Kit Include a Controller?
No. The listing clearly states the controller is sold separately. Get a 48V controller rated for at least 1500W. Check the LiHUiee listing on Amazon for the current bundle contents.
What Rim Sizes Will This Motor Fit?
The motor fits rims from 20 inches through 28 inches. You lace the hub into a rim using the correct spoke length for your chosen size. Most builders targeting this product will use a 28" or 700C rim.
Will It Fit My Bike's Dropout Spacing?
The motor uses a 5.31 inch (135mm) threaded axle. That matches the standard rear dropout spacing on most mountain bikes and hybrids. If your bike uses 130mm road spacing or a 142mm thru-axle, it will not fit without adapters. Measure your frame first.
Is a Torque Arm Necessary?
Yes. At 1500W on a rear hub with vertical dropouts, a torque arm is strongly recommended. Without one, the motor's torque can cause the rear wheel to walk out of the dropouts under hard acceleration. The listing does not include one. Buy it separately.
How Much Battery Capacity Is Needed?
A 48V battery pack with a BMS rated for at least 30A continuous discharge. 1500W at 48V draws about 31A. A 35A or 40A BMS gives headroom. 13Ah to 20Ah capacity is a sensible range depending on how far you want to ride.
Is Lacing This Hub Into a Rim Difficult?
If you have laced a rear hub before, it is straightforward. You need the correct spoke length for your rim and hub, a spoke wrench, and a truing stand. If you have never built a wheel, this is a steeper project. Consider buying a pre-built wheel with the hub installed or lacing through a local bike shop. Build errors can lead to a wheel that goes out of true after a few miles. If you want to skip the wheel build entirely, check the full conversion kits that ship with the wheel pre-assembled.