1200 watts for the price of a night out. That is how PEXMOR markets their 48V 1200W conversion kit, and frankly it really catches your eye. Every other affordable kit stops at 500 or 750 watts. They bypass those completely. The kit has a 26-inch front-hub motor, a three-mode configuration of pedal assist, throttle, and manual, and a controller that will continue to function even if a sensor fails. That is not nothing.
Is this the best kit available? No. Is it a good choice for a particular type of builder? Yes. Below is a breakdown of the components that PEXMOR actually provides, where they make cuts in the design process, and who should buy this kit. Everything below should be considered as both spec analysis combined with reports from actual customers purchasing the part. That is the most realistic method to evaluate a budget component.
Specs and Build Quality
At the core of this kit is a brushless hub motor with a maximum output of 1200 watts at 48V. The motor produces a speed of approximately 470 RPM on a 26-inch wheel. Additionally, the motor operates quietly due to the sine-wave controller maintaining a smooth operation rather than generating the loud clicking associated with cheaper square-wave controllers. This is a definite advantage for a 26-inch front-hub motor, as a noisy motor up front can be annoying on every ride.
The frame of this kit is made of aluminum alloy and PEXMOR states that the frame can handle riders weighing up to 220 pounds. Heavier riders should take note of this limit prior to committing to purchase this kit. Included with the kit is a torque arm, which is absolutely necessary for installing a 1200-watt front-hub motor. Installing a torque arm for your front-hub motor installation ensures that the axle will not rotate inside of the dropouts and damage your fork. Good job to PEXMOR for providing one.
Included with the kit are lever-activated brake levers that reduce power when activated. Brake levers that automatically shut off power during braking should be included on all kits, however, they still are not. CE certification is claimed. While we would not place heavy emphasis on CE certification alone, customer comments regarding build quality appear mostly positive. The wiring appears clean and well-organized, and the connectors fit together properly.
We will bring up one issue prior to continuing. As pointed out by Ray Mill in his review, the disc-brake mounting holes provided in this wheel do not follow industry standards. More information on this subject will be discussed further in the reviewer section, but if you plan on running a disc brake off of the front-hub motor, please read that section carefully. These types of issues often result in spending multiple weeks troubleshooting simple installs.
Installation and Compatibility
This kit is designed specifically for 26-inch front hubs, utilizing 100mm front dropouts. The majority of modern front forks utilize 100mm spacing, approximately 3.93 inches. Prior to placing your order, please confirm your fork spacing.
Installation requires removal of your existing front wheel and replacement with the PEXMOR conversion kit, and connection of the wiring to both the controller and battery. Depending upon your level of experience, this can be accomplished within a few hours. PEXMOR supplies install tools, instructions, and a video to aid you in completing the task.
The controller is where this kit becomes quite unique. It offers three operating modes, throttle only mode, pedal assist mode which utilizes a PAS sensor, and manual mode. In addition to these modes, the controller incorporates a throttle switch with an integrated battery gauge allowing you to monitor the remaining charge status of your battery at all times.
While this kit is not intended to offer the highest levels of performance possible, it is a budget kit after all, it does include many features that would normally be expected in higher-end kits. One example of this is its ability to operate under both Hall effect and non-Hall effect conditions. In cases where one or more of the Hall sensors fail, a common occurrence among inexpensive kits, the controller will detect the failed sensors and allow continued operation of the motor via the non-Hall effect operating mode. This is an extremely valuable reliability feature for commuters who frequently ride their bikes to work, as it allows them to continue commuting safely until they reach their destination.
Seven-speed gearing options are included with this kit, and it was designed around disc-braking frames. However, there is one major caveat to this design decision. The rotor mounting pattern used on this specific wheel does not follow industry standards. Therefore, you may not be able to locate a rotor compatible with this wheel. If you cannot locate a compatible rotor, you will be forced to choose between running rim brakes instead of disc brakes, running no front brakes and taking your chances, or creating a custom build using independent braking systems such as described by Ray Mill.
Prior to making your final purchasing decisions, please ensure you've measured your fork spacing and confirmed your current brake set up is compatible with this kit. We have created a comprehensive list detailing various wheel diameters and what brake systems are compatible with each in our conversion kit guide. Please reference this prior to making your purchases.
What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying
As of today, this kit has been reviewed by three individuals on Amazon and currently averages four stars out of five. While the total number of reviewers remains small, we believe the comments posted by each reviewer provide some insight into whether or not this kit is suitable for your needs.
Mrs. Latham awarded this product 5 stars and has owned it for longer than twelve months. Mrs. Latham indicated that her experience with this product has been identical to how she perceived it when she purchased it and she was pleased enough with it to purchase another for additional projects she planned to undertake in the near future. Purchasing a secondary unit for future projects demonstrates strong support for any budget item. Consumers rarely purchase a similar low-cost item again unless it performs well.
On the flip side of that coin, Ray Mill awarded this product three stars and noted that the disc-brake mounting holes on this wheel do not conform to industry standards. Mr. Mill added that he could not locate a rotor that fit his wheel. To overcome this limitation, Mr. Mill installed his wheel onto a tricycle that featured two rear brakes, thus eliminating the need for a front brake rotor. Although Mr. Mill's solution eliminated the need for locating a compatible rotor, it was merely a work-around as opposed to fixing the underlying problem.
In summary, based on customer comments posted online, the motor portion of this kit functions well and demonstrated sufficient durability over at least one year of usage. However, there is one major caveat that exists, compatibility with disc-brake rotors. If your project necessitates a front disc brake, please view this as an obvious warning sign. On the other hand, if you do not require disc brakes up front, or can use rim brakes or dual-brake setups like Mr. Mill, then this represents an attractive option.
Who Is This Kit For?
If you're an individual looking to build an electric bike with substantial power potential on a tight budget and are aware of what compromises are typically required when choosing affordable products, then this represents an excellent opportunity.
However, this kit is not ideal for everyone. If you require a front disc brake to complete your project, due to regulatory requirements or personal preference, you'll likely want to explore alternative options, preferably prior to investing in this kit. Similarly, larger builders may desire kits capable of supporting greater weights, as 220 lbs is relatively light, therefore, they may wish to investigate kits better suited towards their size requirements. Lastly, anyone seeking easy-to-install products with zero surprises may prefer alternatives, although you'll be sacrificing performance for ease of use.
If you're simply trying to test the waters prior to entering into more complex builds, then you may wish to consider smaller kits, such as 500W or 750W. There are numerous examples of these kits detailed in our electric bike blog posts and accompanying articles detailing walk-throughs and pros and cons for each kit. Once you become more familiarized with building electric bikes, you may find yourself interested in exploring more powerful kits like this one from PEXMOR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this kit include a battery?
Yes. This is a full kit with the battery included, which is a big reason the price still reads fair for a 1200W setup. You are getting the motor, wheel, controller, throttle, PAS sensor, brake levers, and the battery all in one box. That takes a lot of the guesswork out of a first build.
What size wheel does it fit?
It fits 26 inch wheels with a 100mm front dropout spacing, which is roughly 3.93 inches. That covers the vast majority of front forks on modern bikes. Measure your fork opening before you order.
Does it have pedal assist?
Yes. The kit includes a Pedal Assist System with three riding modes. You can run throttle only, pedal assist, or full manual. The pedal assist mode is the legal friendly option for trails.
What happens if a Hall sensor fails?
The three mode controller handles it. Under normal operation it runs on Hall effect sensors. If a sensor breaks, the controller detects the failure and switches to non-Hall operation so the motor keeps working. That is a genuine reliability feature most budget kits do not offer.
Can I use a disc brake with this wheel?
Maybe, and this is the one real caveat. One buyer reported that the disc brake mounting holes use an unusual pattern and he could not find a standard rotor to fit. If a front disc brake is essential to your build, confirm the rotor fitment with the seller before you buy.
How fast will it go?
At 470 RPM on a 26 inch wheel with a full 48V battery, expect a noticeable jump over your pedaling speed. Top speed depends on your weight, your gearing, and the actual state of charge on the battery. Treat 1200W as real power that will get you up hills and down the street at a clip.
You can check the current listing for the PEXMOR 48V 1200W conversion kit on Amazon before you commit. For more on how different motor setups behave, the folks at ebikes.ca keep solid documentation on hub motor basics and what to expect from each layout. Do your homework and this kit will serve you well.