Q: I have an old 16 inch bike that I would like to add electric assist on the front wheel (The rear has a complex hub/cassette that I don’t want to mess with). The hub specs seem like they would work with this kind of bike but I have some questions. Will the added weight of a front hub motor put strain on the headset? Will the hub work with the compact v-brakes that came with the bike or will I need to upgrade? Will it work with my 60 psi tires? Would I be able to power my hub dynamo lights with the battery? I am not looking for anything powerful–just something to help me up hills.
Note the attached picture is before I upgraded to long swept back handlebars which should give me enough room for any controllers and throttles.
A: This 16 inch hub motor kit 24v 250w front is fit for the spacing of 100mm fork.
* if possible, just measure the spacing of your fork, check if 100mm? -If 100mm, no any problem. Fit for your bike, also fit for your V brake, also your fork support this motor.
This bike motor is not heavy. Works with your fork. This 16 inch rim is fit for 16 x 1.5″ or 16 x 1.75 or 16 x 1.95″ tire.
But we recommend 36v 250w or 48v 250w or 48v 500w (24v 250w is not strong)
Q: I am just researching right now. If 250W is too weak, will the next wattage size help me up the hill? Would you recommend high or low pressure tires (I prefer low pressure)? Does the price include the battery?
A: 48V 250W or 48V 500W is okay.
If strongest, 48v 1500w low speed motor.
Not include battery.
Q: Would the 36v 250w bike motor be strong enough to boost me up hills and what battery pack would work with it? Can motor batteries be tapped to power lights originally powered from a hub dynamo?
A: 36v 250w bike motor is stronger than 24v 250w
But still no good for up hills, just work for flat road.
Also, 48v 250w bike motor is just better to work for flat road, not good for up hill.
If up hill, should 16 inch 48V 1000W, 1500W bike motor.
Q: I would still be peddling the bike with motor assist rather than relying on the motor alone. I currently don’t want too powerful a motor as my current rim brakes may not be strong enough. Also this would be the first time I rode any kind of electrified bike so I need an “entry level” set up.
One other thing, how well does the motor hold up against heat, cold and getting wet as in encountering the occasional puddle? It can get really hot, cold and wet where I live.