What is unique about this rear hub motor is that it has a 1000W rating and is priced low enough for many riders. Most rear hub motors cost as much as a premium and offer less power, around 500 to 750 watts, at lower voltages. The wukaeiue 20 inch rear hub conversion kit provides a lot of bang for the buck. With a 48-volt, 1000W brushless rear hub motor, an LED display, and a thumb throttle, you receive everything you need to make your bike electric except the battery. If you're looking for a kit that offers a high amount of power without breaking the bank, this is definitely a great option to consider.
Motor Specifications and Quality
The primary component of the kit is a 1000W brushless rear hub motor, which operates at 48 volts. One advantage of brushless motors over brushed designs is that they provide fewer mechanical components that may fail over time. Additionally, brushless motors tend to run quieter and produce less heat under load when compared to their brushed counterparts. The motor reads the rotor's position via Hall effect sensors for smooth, powerful acceleration when starting off versus those using sensorless designs that lurch when applying throttle input.
As mentioned previously, the motor resides inside a 20-inch rear wheel. While 20-inch wheels are lighter and quicker accelerating due to their smaller diameter compared to 26-inch wheels, they allow for mounting on a wider variety of bicycles such as folders, smaller framed mountain bikes, and cargo bikes. Because the motor was specifically designed for use on a smaller wheel circumference, you will receive greater torque when needed on your smaller diameter bicycle.
Additionally, the kit features a dual-mode thumb throttle that allows you to easily switch between pedal assist and throttle-only modes by pressing a button located on the handlebars. When operating in assist mode, the motor assists your pedaling. Switching to throttle-only mode allows you to operate the motor solely by squeezing the throttle. Both modes are useful depending upon where you plan on riding. For example, if you plan on riding through heavy traffic, it is beneficial to be able to shut off the motor when stopping by using the brake levers equipped with cutoff switches. As an additional benefit, these cutoff switches act as a genuine safety feature and are often missing from many budget kits.
Performance and Power
Compared to many commuter bicycles featuring 250 to 500 watt motors powered by 24-volt batteries, the 1000W motor provided in this kit is significantly more powerful. According to the manufacturer, the maximum speed of approximately 31 mph should be achieved when traveling on flat ground at optimal conditions. However, actual speeds will vary based on numerous factors including the rider's weight, tire pressure, and road conditions. Nevertheless, you should find ample power available to propel you and your loaded bicycle up grades without excessive strain being placed on the motor.
For most folders and small-framed mountain bikes, 1000W should be sufficient for propelling you and your gear. You won't be creating a high-speed highway machine, but you will create a vehicle capable of carrying you and your load up steep inclines and maintaining adequate speeds while cruising on flat terrain. An added benefit is that placing the motor in the rear wheel eliminates many of the issues associated with installing mid-drive motors that affect the chain and derailleur.
Keep in mind that the battery is not supplied. All components required for a complete e-bike conversion are contained in this kit. They include the rear hub motor, rear wheel, electronic controller, thumb throttle, LED display, and brake levers equipped with cutoff switches. Therefore, before purchasing this kit, you should also budget funds for a suitable 48-volt battery.
Installation and Build Considerations
Installing a rear hub kit is generally one of the easier conversion kits to install. Once you've removed the stock rear wheel from your bicycle, you simply attach the motorized wheel and connect the electrical connections from the controller, throttle, display unit, and brake cutoffs. This kit will work with either V-brakes or disc brakes, allowing it to be installed on virtually all modern bicycles. Although installing this kit requires some basic mechanical skills and knowledge of electrical connections, most hobbyists should be able to accomplish this task in an afternoon using common hand tools.
You'll need to mount the electronic controller and wiring somewhere tidy. Many builders mount their controllers in the frame triangle or wrap them securely around their down tubes. Be sure to route your wires carefully and have excess length so that none of your connections stretch beyond a full rotation of your handlebars. Also, pay attention to properly aligning the motorized wheel into the dropouts. Finally, we recommend installing a torque arm behind your rear axle under loads exceeding 1000 watts.
We cannot review this product from our own riding since it is relatively new. Thus, we are unable to rely on owner opinions for determining whether this is a worthwhile investment for you. We would therefore recommend purchasing from a vendor offering a reasonable return policy and keeping your original packaging intact until after you have accumulated several hundred miles on your converted bicycle.
Who Is This Kit For?
If you're looking for an affordable way to add significant amounts of power to your existing folding bike or small-framed mountain bike without having to spend thousands of dollars on brand-name conversion kits, this rear hub kit is definitely worth considering. With this kit you'll obtain 1000 watts of rear hub punch for less than what a branded kit costs. By utilizing a rear hub design instead of a mid-drive design, your bicycle remains stock mechanically. In addition, the dual-mode throttle makes it easy to choose how much leg effort you wish to apply while enjoying an e-bike experience.
This kit is not best suited for cyclists wishing to convert their 26-inch bicycles into e-bikes. In addition to being limited by wheel size, it only comes with a 20-inch rear wheel, and it does not offer any ease-of-use advantages, you'll still need to wire everything together, as many plug-and-play kits do.
Overall, if you believe you'd like to purchase a budget-priced kit with plenty of power but don't mind doing some DIY work with wiring, this could be an attractive option for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size bike does this kit fit?
The kit comes with a 20-inch rear wheel, so it fits bikes that take 20-inch wheels, typically folders and small-framed mountain bikes. It is not designed for 26-inch or larger frames.
What voltage battery do I need?
The motor is a 48V system, so you need a 48V battery and a compatible controller. The battery is not included in the kit, so budget for one separately.
How fast will it go?
The manufacturer quotes a top speed around 31 mph under optimal conditions. Actual speed depends on rider weight, tire pressure, and terrain.
Does it work with disc brakes?
Yes. The kit is compatible with both V-brakes and disc brakes, so it covers most modern bikes.
Is installation difficult?
It is one of the simpler conversion kits to install, but it does require basic mechanical ability and wiring. Most hobbyist builders can handle it in an afternoon with common hand tools.
Does the kit include a battery?
No. The kit includes the motorized wheel, controller, throttle, LED display, and brake cutoffs, but you supply the 48V battery yourself.
See where this fits against the rest of the market in the ebike conversion kit comparison table, and browse more riding and building guides on the gomotorbikes blog.