There is quite a difference between a motor that claims to produce 5000w and a motor that can deliver 5000w. Most ebike builders find this out the hard way. The szwedi 72V 5000W hub motor wheel kit is located in that grey zone where the nameplate value appears impressive, but the fine print tells a different story. This is a 20x4 inch rear wheel intended for fat bikes. It includes a controller capable of providing serious amounts of current. Here is the breakdown of what the specs and buyer feedback reveal about the szwedi 72V 5000W hub conversion kit on amazon.
Specifications and Build Quality
First, let’s review what you receive in the box. The heart of the kit is a 20x4 inch rear wheel with a direct-drive hub motor mounted into a double-wall rim. Spokes are 12GA stainless steel. Stainless steel spokes are generally preferred over thin aluminum for applications requiring carrying heavy motors and riders. If you’re running thin spokes on a powerful hub, you’ll likely be constantly trueing the wheel. So the use of 12GA stainless steel for spokes is a positive indication of the build’s durability.
Alongside the wheel, the kit includes: a controller. a left pedal sensor. a 1T4 cable harness. a thumb throttle. an electric brake. and a controller bag for mounting. While this isn’t the ultimate package - for example, many buyers may want to integrate their own shifters, derailleurs, and/or regenerative braking - it represents a solid base from which to begin designing your rear drive conversion. As indicated previously, the controller measures 165x100x60mm and has a maximum current limit of 80a. As mentioned earlier, it’s the current limit (80a) that defines how much torque the motor will develop off the line, rather than the advertised power output (5 kw).
Mechanically speaking, the wheel utilizes a 175 mm dropout width. This dropout width is targeted towards fat bike frames. If your bike has a standard mountain bike rear spacing of 135 mm or 142 mm, this hub will not simply slide into place - you’ll need to do some serious modifications to your frame before it will fit properly. At 20 inches in diameter with a 4-inch wide tire, this falls squarely within the fat bike, snow bike, and beach cruiser categories. Given the relatively small diameter of the wheel, it will spin quickly and maintain a relatively low profile compared to larger wheels.
There is One item related to this listing worth noting. As of now, szwedi has received no customer reviews, nor any ratings. Based upon my experience working with sellers who have just started selling a product - particularly those utilizing amazon fba - this can sometimes indicate the seller is either extremely new (i.e., less than six months old), or perhaps even older but is attempting to create buzz for a recently released product. Either way, based solely on this factor alone, you are essentially purchasing based on specifications rather than prior Performance history.
Installation and Battery Requirements
In terms of installation and battery requirements, it's crucially important to note that this kit requires you to purchase your own 72-volt lithium-ion battery. In addition to requiring you to source your own battery, the specified battery needs to have a BMS (battery management system) capable of delivering at least 80 amps, and ideally 85 amps. To give you an idea of how rare such a battery management system is - most ebike batteries ship with BMS-rated at 30-40 amps - it’s clear why purchasing this kit could potentially become an expensive proposition. In fact, both the listing itself and several online forums warn potential customers about damaging their kit due to improper battery selection. Therefore, this aspect of your decision making process should absolutely not be taken lightly.
Installation-wise, this kit will follow traditional rear-hub installations. You'll install the wheel into the frame's drop-outs. route the wiring along the frame. attach the controller into the provided bag. and connect the throttle, pedal sensor, and brake cutoff. The left pedal sensor controls the pedal-assist function while allowing you to independently control speed via the thumb throttle. Once again, i'd recommend watching some tutorials and/or reading some articles regarding installing similar kits before diving head-first into assembly.
From a technical standpoint, the installation itself is relatively straightforward for an individual familiar with ebikes and moderately comfortable with mechanics. However, assembling the wiring is largely plug-and-play thanks to color-coded connectors. Additionally, as noted above, integrating a 72v pack capable of supporting 85a is significantly more complex than merely sourcing a compatible pack. The reason for this complexity lies in size: packs capable of meeting these criteria typically weigh anywhere from 10 to 15 pounds each, depending on chemistry and c-rate. You can check the current SZWEDI kit price on Amazon to see how the bundle pricing breaks down.
Real World vs Advertised Power Output
Now it's time to address the elephant in the room: the advertised power output of this kit. The 5000 watt rating advertised by szwedi is certainly eye-catching - however, as previously discussed - only if you consider raw horsepower as an accurate representation of usable energy delivered to pavement. Unfortunately, it rarely does. Instead, usable power output ultimately depends upon three variables:
- the capabilities of your battery.
- the limitations imposed by your controller (in this case capped at 80a).
- the continuous rating of your motor.
Therefore, while this kit undoubtedly has tremendous acceleration capability and rapid climb times when operating below its thermal limits - and will provide sufficient juice to propel you up steep inclines - it will never achieve sustained output equal to its maximum rating. Marketing numbers don't always reflect reality!
As mentioned above, given a 72-volt system with an 80-amp controller limitation (and assuming proper cooling), you're looking at aggressively accelerated starts off-line (where available current is highest) followed by moderate acceleration until your temperature begins to rise and your motor becomes limited by heat and possibly by limitations set forth by your BMS. Your mileage will vary accordingly.
While direct-drive hubs have their advantages (simplification, higher reliability etc.), they have their downsides as well. Specifically, they're often heavier than gear-based hubs - and since they utilize magnets instead of cogs/gears to transfer energy during coasting - they generate increased rolling resistance as compared to geared designs. With respect to direct drive hubs' strengths. they offer greater simplicity (fewer parts = fewer points of failure). and thus higher reliability. This is ideal for individuals wishing to build an ebike that they plan on riding frequently.
The regulatory implications of this type of build matter greatly - especially considering this kit's power rating exceeds most jurisdictions' ebike classifications (class ii/iii). In general - unless otherwise stated - any ebike exceeding 750 watts qualifies as either a moped/motorcycle or motor vehicle in most jurisdictions in north america - thereby entailing licensing/registration/insurance concerns. Be sure to research applicable laws/regulations in your jurisdiction before proceeding with this build.
Who Would Benefit From This Kit?
This kit is primarily suitable for two types of individuals:
- those who possess fat bikes with drop-out widths equal to or wider than 175 mm. * those seeking significant increases in power for fat bike/trail/off-road/snow bike riding or commuting purposes.
Given this application-specific design. this kit offers a viable option for anyone interested in increasing their ebike's power-to-weight ratio on non-paved surfaces. If you've previously purchased a mid-range ebike kit (e.g., 48V/52v) but wish to increase your build's output - then moving upwards to a more robust kit may represent an acceptable step-up option.
caveat: since this is an untested unit (no customer reviews exist at present) and considering the fact that you're paying for this kit on-specifications alone. you should carefully evaluate whether or not you're willing to take-on risk associated with unknown components. Many excellent products begin life without customer reviews - unfortunately many questionable ones do too.
Furthermore, since the required battery size will necessarily be massive in order to support >75 amp charging/discharge cycles (as specified in the kit description). choosing a pack of appropriate quality/rating will represent approximately half of your overall costs for completing this build.
To aid in narrowing down your choices for alternative kits. please refer to our ebike conversion kit comparison guide to compare features/benefits among various hub kits and motors. Additionally - to aid in planning your build further - feel free to explore our blogfor helpful guides/tips/advice concerning building your e-bike conversion kit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the SZWEDI kit include a battery?
No. The kit ships with the motor wheel, controller, pedal sensor, throttle, electric brake, harness, and controller bag. You must buy a separate 72V battery, and that pack is a major additional cost.
What battery do I need for this kit?
You need a 72V lithium pack with a BMS rated for at least 80A, and preferably 85A. A standard 72V battery with a weaker BMS will not safely feed this controller and can damage the kit.
What frame does this wheel fit?
The hub uses a 175mm dropout spacing designed for fat bike frames. Standard mountain bike rear spacing will not accept this hub without significant frame modification.
How fast will a 72V 5000W kit go?
With a strong battery and a light enough bike, expect well into the 40 to 50 mph range on flat ground, though actual speed depends on rider weight, tire pressure, and battery voltage under load.
Is this kit legal to ride?
Probably not as a standard ebike. Systems over 750W are classified as mopeds or motor vehicles in most US states. Check local laws on licensing, registration, and insurance before building.
Is this a good kit for a first time builder?
Not really. The strict battery requirements, high power, and lack of customer reviews make it better suited to experienced builders who already understand 72V systems.
