A 1500-watt (gearless) hub motor (48v) laced into a 26 inch diameter x 4.8 inch wide rear rim for fat tire bikes, designed to help you navigate snowy beaches and roads while commuting to school or work. In short, if you have a fat bike that you've never used during the winter months due to lack of traction, this may be the perfect solution.
This is not a "toy" upgrade. The SanBouSi 26in 1500W fat bike conversion kit is a 1500-watt, gearless, direct-drive hub laced into a wide, fat rear rim designed to provide maximum traction through snow and sand.
If you have a fat bike gathering dust in the garage, take a closer look at this kit before spending your money elsewhere.
Specifications & Build Quality
Inside this kit is a 26 inch diameter x 4.8 inch wide rear wheel hub motor running on 48 volts and producing a whopping 1500 watts. As far as e-bikes are concerned, that's a ton of power. That's the type of power you'll need when you're trying to get a fat tire to float over snow vs. Simply spinning in circles. The motor is a brushless, gearless, direct-drive unit. Why is this important? Gear motors contain planetary gears which can wear-out quickly if overloaded. By removing the gears completely, SanBouSi removed the number one most common failure-point of cheaper hub motors.
The motor housing is made from aluminum alloy which serves as a heat sink allowing the motor windings to dissipate excess heat during extended climbs. The rim itself is iron and provides a solid foundation for a large snow tire. Combined, these components create a rugged wheel that withstands road salt, slush, and the occasional rock picked-up by a fat bike. Yes, this is a massive/heavy unit and your bike will definitely notice it. However, the added weight is the cost of real torque at the rear axle.
What was surprising about this kit is that it comes as a full kit...not just a motor that you need to buy all the rest of for yourself. The included items in the box are:
- laced motor wheel
- motor controller
- full wiring harness
- LCD display
- speed throttle
You don't have to hunt-down individual pieces and hope they work together properly. one note-worthy feature of the LCD display is that it is an actual upgrade over bare wire/throttle kits available today, since it allows you to view your speed, battery level, and assist settings at a glance instead of guessing. Please note that, like nearly every other hub kit being sold online today, this kit does not come with a pack. Therefore, please factor-in the cost of a 48-volt battery on top of the kit price before making your purchase.
Installation & Compatibility
As mentioned previously, this is a rear-wheel kit...and that's where the bulk of the installation complexity exists. You will be working at the rear of your bike, so the motor needs to clear your frame, your drivetrain and your rear brake before anything can move. Fortunately, the motor arrives pre-laced into a complete wheel assembly, so you will never have to build a spoke pattern from scratch. Building spokes for a hub is usually the part that takes a weekend project and turns it into a two-week disaster for many amateur builders...and SanBouSi has already done it for you.
However, the compatibility issue lies within the dropout width. This kit is specifically designed for fat bikes with 170mm open dropouts (wide spacing commonly found on dedicated snow and beach frames). If your frame is a standard mountain bike with narrower spacing do not assume it will bolt-on easily. Take measurements of your dropout spacing before you place an order...because a 1500 watt rear hub installed in the wrong frame = twisted dropout + very bad day.
Also, you will need a torque arm. Let me say it plain: a gearless 1500 watt hub generates enough torque to spin the axle inside your dropout and tear the metal apart on a cold/wet day. A torque arm is not optional here. It is the difference between a reliable installation and scrap metal. Plan for it.
From there...the install should be relatively easy. Run the wiring harness along your frame, attach the controller in some sort of protection, attach the LCD display to your handlebars, and connect the throttle. SanBouSi has shipped most of the wiring pre-assembled, so the only "connector-fiddle" work you'll need to do will be minimal. Give yourself an afternoon and a clear workspace, and you'll be finished.
What Amazon Reviewers Say About This Product
Honesty matters more than a pretty number rating score...so i'm going to be honest with you regarding reviews for this product because it matters more than a pretty number. At present-time-of-writing...this product carries a rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars based on Seven written reviews. That's a very small sample size. While early buyers appear to be generally pleased with their purchases...it doesn't give us any information regarding long-term consistency or how well the motor will hold up after an entire season of hard riding. Use that 4.1 rating as mildly encouraging...not as guarantee.
Additionally, there is another "wrinkle" that is commonly associated with nearly every listing similar to this one: most listings combine ratings for multiple variations of the same product, so front wheel/rear wheel/different sizes are combined into one number. Thus the rating score is an approximate indicator...rather than an accurate evaluation of this specific product. Take the time to read through each of the few written reviews provided by users...paying close attention to user comments regarding fit and wiring...as those are typically areas where problems arise in budget hub conversions.
Who Should Purchase This Kit?
This kit is intended for owners of existing fat bikes wishing to utilize them during winter months. If you ride when weather turns cold/ugly...a 1500 watt rear hub w/fat tire is essentially a weapon. It will allow you to achieve the flotation benefits of a wide tire and generate sufficient torque to use that floatation. That's the combination that transforms a heavy winter grind into an enjoyable ride.
It's not intended for quiet commuters desiring gentle pedal-assistance cruising. This kit represents a throttle-driven heavy high-power machine that demands attention. If you prefer gentle assistance and near-silence operation during your daily pavement ride, this isn't your best option. Additionally, if you're new-to-e-bike conversion games...consider starting with our E-Bike Conversion Kits Comparison page and our blog before committing to a high-torque rear build.
If that power profile sounds right and you want to utilize your fat bike as a reliable winter commuter vehicle that actually moves... Check-out available options for the SanBouSi 26in 1500W fat bike conversion kit on Amazon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does SanBouSi include a battery?
No, this kit includes everything except a battery. The motor wheel, controller, wiring harness, LCD display and throttle are all included, however you will need to purchase your own 48-volt pack. Make sure your battery matches your controller prior to powering anything.
Will this kit fit my frame?
Only if you have a fat bike. The kit is built for 170mm open dropouts commonly found on fat bikes only. Most standard mtn bikes with narrower spacing will either require modification or will not fit at all, so measure first.
Must I really install a torque arm?
Yes without exception! A gearless 1500 watt hub will produce enough torque to twist the axle inside the dropout and destroy the frame on a cold/wet day. Installing a torque arm is mandatory...not optional!
How fast can my bicycle go?
With a 1500 watt gearless hub at 48 volts, expect fast cruisin' speeds that exceed most commuter kits by a mile+! The actual top-speed of your bicycle will depend on your rider weight, tire pressure & battery state, but this motor will definitely carry you in conditions where smaller hubs stall.
Does the kit come with an LCD display?
Yes! Unlike bare bones kits...this one includes an actual LCD display that shows speed / battery level / assist settings plus speed throttle & controller/wire harness.
Is a gearless hub better than a geared hub?
In most cases yes! With less moving parts to fail under heavy loads, a gearless hub runs cooler and more reliably under constant power output...you sacrifice some off-the-line snappiness for a motor that won't strip its gears when hammered through snow.