BionX Installation Tips, By Turbo Bob.

by BionX Electric Motor on September 2, 2011

The BionX kit comes with a handful of installation manuals and is backed with many videos online to guide you along.   As much as it is an very easy kit to install, I thought a few insights that I have found would be helpful.   Don’t take my word as gospel, but consider my input, question the crew at NYCeWheels, and chose the path that is right for you.   These little details might just answer a few questions that I didn’t find in print.

48V BionX kit layed out

48V BionX kit layed out

Spacing the freewheel.

The Bionx motor kit is designed to fit a wide range of bikes.   Some special attention to differences in bikes can be helpful.   One is the way the rear hub motor fits in the frame.   You want to make sure that the chain doesn’t rub the frame, and the chain and derailleur don’t scrape the motor.   I found that a quick measurement between the frame and the outer gear on the freewheel before removing the original rim, will allow you a chance to make sure the space is the same when the hub motor is installed.   Most bike shops sell spacers that fit in between the freewheel and the hub.   Try to match the spacing with the hub motor installed to that of the original wheel.   A 2.5 mm spacer worked just right for my bike.

Undoubtedly you will have to make some minor adjustments to the shifting system.   If you are doing your own E-bike conversion, then that is something you should be able to do without thinking twice.   Also, don’t forget that the rear brake and pads will most likely need some minor tweaking.

Mounting the battery holder on the frame.

The instructions say to put some protective tape on the frame under the battery mount.   I don’t think that would protect much and could leave a sticky mess.   I cut a piece of clear thin plastic from the package of a store bought item that most everything comes in nowadays.   I made it a little wider and longer than the battery mount, and drilled two holes to match.  I also noticed that the battery was hard to slide on and off because it was too close to the frame.   So I added a few thin washers between the mount and the frame to space it a little and still give a solid mount.   A little trial and error netted a strong mounting that allows the battery to slide freely on and off.

Routing the main wire at the bottom bracket.

I have installed my BionX 48v Special Edition Kit on two bikes so far.   They were both different and each presented its own special attention.   Chances are, your will too.   The first bike had a bolt-on kickstand that interfered slightly.   It almost made the wires too short to fit to the motor.   It also allowed the front shifter cable to rub on the wires.   Some careful tie-strapping took care of the routing, but I needed to deal with the shifter cable rub.   I cut a small section of cable housing and inserted it on the cable where it hit the wire.   Problem fixed.

The bike it’s on now had no restriction there, but because there was extra cable length, I had to make doubly sure the front shifter guide didn’t hit the wire cable.   Some extra tie-straps and attention to what I was doing, solved that issue.

Make sure the cable runs underneath the frame near the back tire and pedal arc.   Tie-strap the cable well to make sure it won’t come out of position and rub the wheel or pedal arm.   Also, the small cable that runs to the front of the bike for the display unit, needed a couple of extra tie-straps in addition to the two that stick onto the frame.

The magnet for the brake lever to activate the regeneration mode.

The magnet that sticks to the underside of the rear brake lever is in a vulnerable spot.   The book says to rely on the stickem to hold it, but to drill a hole and screw it on for a permanent installation.   I didn’t want to lose that magnet on the open highway, so I figured a little hole drilled in the brake handle was a good idea.   A very small wood screw from my hobby drawer made for a tight fit.

Review the instructions, watch the videos, and ask any and all question that you think matter.

This is one easy electric bike kit to install.   BionX has gone out of there way to ensure that.   Just like any installation or kit, it is a good idea to read and reread the paperwork before getting started.   Bert, Peter, and the rest of the guys at NYCeWheels will back you up 100%.   If there are any problems after the conversion, they have the expert knowledge to make sure your BionX kit gives you years of satisfaction and E-bike pleasure.   And believe me, this is one great kit with the performance to match.   Happy biking, Turbo Bob.

“You want to be like a carpet unrolling.   Get faster as the climb goes on.”—Chris Carmichael

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Sharing the BionX Fun

by BionX Electric Motor on July 9, 2011

A blog by Turbo Bob

I hadn’t even had this BionX 48v Special Edition Kit a week and already many people have had a chance to see what it is all about. We went on a group ride with the San Diego County Bike Coalition last weekend and were able to bring it along. Unlike our own E-bikes, this one is easy to lift into the station wagon for just such things.

As the riders started to assemble, few noticed this little speedster in disguise. During the ride, it became easy to see it was special. I always bring my point and shoot camera to rides like this. I will swing wide of the group to get shots. I also like to ride to the front, pull over, and take pictures of the riders coming by. Then, I rejoin the pack, and slowly work my way to the front again.

Responses to my BionX electric bike kit

James shares the Bionx fun

James shares the Bionx fun

With the extra power the BionX kit offers, many people noticed my acceleration and speed passing them to easily take the lead. Many times I passed, stopped, and snapped as I continued the ride. The interest in my electric-assist bike started to rise. Part of the reason Bert at NYCeWheels sent me the kit, was to let people give it a go.

So that is just what I did. At a red light, I traded bikes with one of the riders I had only met that day. I gave him the quickest run-down on the controls and we were off again. He gained control very fast and he was smiling big time. Enjoying the fun with BionX bike kit? I do believe so. I let him ride it for more than a few miles. I could tell he was impressed.

At another red light, I swapped with a guy named James. He too, quickly mastered the few extra controls and powered down the road. I didn’t see him smile because he was flying way ahead of me. Later the thanked me and told me he thought is was great. The BionX 48v kit has a lot of power and will get your attention with even a short test ride. I was glad that was a short one because we hit a grade and I was on his bike with no power assist.

Post ride BionX test rides

When we finished our ride, several of the group wanted to get a closer look at this powerhouse. Everyone interested got a chance to take it for a spin. A few were leary of the electric motor’s power at first, but became accustomed to it almost immediately. You can set the level of assist with the simple push of a button. Plus you can get full power just as easily. The slight extra weight of my BionX bike was only mentioned before the ride, never after.

One women who helped organize this ride and rides a lot, gave it the longest run of everyone. I was beginning to wonder if she planned on giving it up. She rode up and down the hill near the watering hole many, many times. I walked out in the street to take her photo a couple times, but it seemed as if she wasn’t coming back.  She just loved this BionX converted E-bike so much. I think she was still thanking me for the ride after we finally left.

Electric bike kits always a conversation starter

I have gotten this type of response many times when I hand out rides on the different electric bikes I ride and test. The BionX 48v Special Edition Kit has an even stronger effect because of its simplicity, power, and speed. Electric-assist bikes are here to stay. Why not jump on the bandwagon today? Want to try it out? Look me up:  Turbo Bob.

“Cycling is unique. No other sport lets you go like that–where there’s only the bike left to hold you up. If you ran as hard, you’d fall over. Your legs wouldn’t support you.”—Steve Johnson.

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BionX PL350 48 Volt Special Edition Kit–My Take.

by BionX Electric Motor on July 6, 2011

A blog by Turbo Bob

Being one of the lucky ones to receive this new special edition BionX kit, I thought some published impressions about it are in order. I understand many people have been waiting eagerly for this package to become available. I guess my timing was right because I had just heard about, asked for it, and in the mail it came. The guys over at NYCeWheels must really like me, or the stars aligned just for me.

Either way, the BionX kit came, I installed it, and off I go.

BionX 48v special edition bike motor

BionX 48v special edition bike motor

So what’s so special about this kit? 20% lighter is on the list. The longest battery range of any other BionX bike kit offering is another plus. Better power and response are an important feature. It has a redesigned console that has some extra items it monitors and adjusts. The white finish on the motor announces these qualities to anyone keen enough to notice. So far, I am quite impressed.

I ride many different brands of E-bikes to fulfill my own curiosity and to report on them in my bike blog. My wife and I own a pair of inexpensive electric bikes with external motors and SLA batteries. That gives me a baseline to be able to judge the power, hill climbing ability, range, quality and overall weight of each bike I ride. I haven’t ridden the bike I put the kit on enough to report on all these points yet. I will, and the story will be told as time goes by.

I can tell you that this electric bike kit has plenty of power. If you juice it up at anything over 10 mph, it really gets your attention. It has four ranges of motor assist, each one noticeably different. These are tied into the intelligent assist feature that automatically adds power to match your own power input at the pedals. There is also a thumb throttle that you can use to get maximum power output once you are moving a little bit. Smooth, strong power is on tap when you need it.

This BionX 48 volt kit is very lightweight.

I put it on a basic bike that is light, but not super light. Still, the whole package seems easier to lift than most E-bikes I have tried. I will put it on the scale soon, but for now I can tell by the agile feel, that the heft is not objectionable. I am looking forward to this aspect, as I often take my bike on the trolley and load it into my small station wagon for distant rides.

I haven’t had a chance to get a feel for the battery range and hill-climbing torque quite yet. I will be riding it a lot and these things will become more obvious as the miles click by on the built-in odometer. What I have read about this BionX special edition kit leads me to believe the available range will be impressive. And if the high-end power is a clue, it should power up most hills I will encounter in local riding. I am expecting everything good on these two points.

Trust in a BionX bike kit

If all the stories are true, the quality and dependably are a given. I could see and feel the energy BionX has put into their kits. The finish, fit, and ease on installation are a good sign of things I am looking forward to from this package. An easy kit to install, you can tell how much time the BionX bike folks spent to bring this electric motored conversion kit to the public.

There are other kits in the BionX line. This appears to be the flagship offering. I feel very lucky to have in on my bike and be in a position to let you know how I like it. I will let family and friends try it and add there input to mine. So as I learn more about it, I wonder why you are reading this, instead on powering down the road on your own BionX equipped bike.

Thanks, Turbo Bob.

“I mean, you either love spinning the pedals and watching scenery whiz by, or you don’t. And if you love it, not much can sour you on the idea of riding your bike.”—Keith Mills

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48V BionX kit – Easy E-Bike

by BionX Electric Motor on June 18, 2011

Easy E-bike? Yes, that’s what the BionX electric bike kit offers, and it’s exactly what it delivers. If you can change a rim and tire, and make simple adjustments, you can convert your bike to an electric-assist powerhouse. That’s what I just did, and I’m loving it.

Within hours of the two boxes arriving, I was powering down the road on my BionX motored bike. The kit is straight-forward, complete in every way, and easy to install yourself. If it seems like too much for you to tackle, you can have a bike savvy friend, or local mechanic do the installation for you. With just a few details that might need special attention, the kit tucked right on and worked just as advertised. Electric-motored biking couldn’t be easier.

What makes the BionX kit so great?

BionX 48V Special Edition Kit on my bike

BionX 48V Special Edition Kit on my bike

The intelligent design adds electric push to add to your own leg power. It varies the power to match yours, or you can mash the thumb throttle and move out like never before. It comes with a nice console that easily sets and monitors the electrics, and works like a bike computer too. It’s a complete package that will change the way you think about your bike For the better, no doubt.

I put my BionX kit on a very basic Raleigh mountain bike. What a transformation. This little baby just takes off. What started out as an regular bike is now a hill-climbing road warrior. With virtually no modifications to the bike, if I decide to transfer the kit to something nicer in the future, the bike will be just as it was before.

Jealous of this electric bike kit?

At this point you might be thinking, ‘This sounds great, how do I get what Turbo Bob has?’ Just check your bike to make sure the motor and battery will fit. Make a measurement on your dropout angle (not needed with all kits). Choose the kit that fits your needs. Pick up the phone and dial up the crew at NYCeWheels. Tell them, ‘send me a BionX kit right away’. This will start the ball rolling to get you on track for some fantastic E-bike excitement.

While you are waiting for the parcel people to do their thing, consider checking out some installation videos. You can find them on the NYCeWheels or BionX websites. They will not only help you along, but will let you see just how easy it will be to make your bike better than ever. Any questions or difficulties will be handled quickly by the experts at NYCeWheels over the phone. I didn’t need any help, and I doubt you will either.

Opening your BionX bike kit box

When your BionX kit arrives, expect two boxes. One with the motor and misc parts, and one with the battery. Whip it on your bike and let the fun begin. What will you get? A bike that climbs like never before. A bike that gets you down the road without wearing you thin. A bike that is not much heavier than before. A bike that will go a long way between battery recharges. A bike that will regenerate power on the down hills. A wide smile and a new bike attitude. You will wonder why you didn’t get the BionX sooner.

Have fun, Turbo Bob.

“There is something uncanny in the noiseless rush of the cyclist, as he comes into view, passes by, and disappears.”—Popular Science, 1891

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BionX to the Rescue – in the Snow!

February 28, 2011

I have never been so happy to have my BionX electric bike as I was yesterday. I had woken before dawn and decided to get to work before the traffic picked up. The night before the weather forecast had promised clear skies, so I set off at my usual rapid pace on my trusty BionX [...]

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Electric Bike Kits – Transferable Power!

February 10, 2011

Imagine if you could transfer your motor when you sell your car, and only have to pay for a new body! You could save a ton of money, right? Well, that’s one of the lesser-known advantages of electric bike kits: you can transfer your electric bike kit when you upgrade bikes. I started off by [...]

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Lose Weight on your Electric Bike

January 26, 2011

Most people think the main reason I ride my electric bike is to avoid destroying the planet. It’s true that I want to save the planet for my kids and grand kids. However, I have another reason that I seldom share: my electric bike is the first weight loss aid I have ever found that [...]

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Two MORE Reasons to Ride an Electric Bike: Save Money AND Save Oil!

January 11, 2011

A while ago, I wrote about my top five reasons for commuting by electric bike. Looking back on 2010, I discovered two more reasons. Time magazine identified the top news story of 2010 as the terrible oil spill that started at BP’s Deepwater Horizon offshore drilling rig on 20th April, and was not stopped until [...]

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If I am a really strong cyclist, do I need an electric bike?

December 21, 2010

“If I am a really strong cyclist, do I need an electric bike?” I heard this question the other day, and it got me thinking. I first got into electric bikes because a health problem prevented me from riding a regular bike. Within a couple of years, riding my electric bike made me fit and [...]

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Oh, the Places You’ll Go! (On Your BionX Bike)

November 30, 2010

A wonderful thing about my BionX bike is that it enables me to cycle to places I would never have dreamed of going on a regular bicycle. This is because my BionX bike has greatly increased my cycling range and carrying capacity. Recently I realized that now I can take vacations on my BionX bike [...]

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