Design Concept
Taking full advantage of the opportunities presented by modern electric motors, the vehicle is designed to be ideal for snowy winters and small and nimble enough to be ridden anywhere, all while costing below $1000. Using the frame of a full suspension mountain bike and identical 1 kW brushless hub motors at each wheel, the final vehicle has exceptional grip on slippery and uneven surfaces, while retaining a very high power to weight ratio. The large 24Ah battery is removable to make charging indoors easy.
Development and Construction
Fully Functional Vehicle
Next Steps
Rear torque arms still need to be ordered and fitted, and a custom front arm may also be designed. Wiring has to be cleaned up, and a smart charger will be purchased to ensure the long term health of the battery.
Future Plans
Two future E-bikes are planned, both using 2WD. First, a simplified design built around a rigid fat bike frame. This project will further increase performance in snow, and will investigate the efficacy of using fat bike tires for impact absorption at high speed. Second, an upgraded vehicle built around a gas dirt bike frame. The current design pushes the limits of what the small mountain bike frame is designed for, resulting in the need for several torque arms. A dirt bike frame will be relatively light and much more durable. It will likely be powered by a small geared front motor and a larger mid drive motor for the rear in an effort to decrease unsprung weight and increase overall durability.
