tds101 

I'm trying to find a rear hub 500-watt 20" rear wheel setup for my folding bike. I'm definitely lost with this, as there's so much out there. It's an Origami Bull folding bike. I'd also consider a mid drive if the pricing isn't too crazy. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

2old

tds, Amazon has Bafang, 20" rear geared kits for < $300, global free shipping (I just purchased a 1000w, 48V DD kit from them, but haven't tried it yet) had no name kits for <$200 and YESCOM has 20" DD kits for about $200. The rear spacing on these kits usually is 135mm, so check yours first. Personally I would go with the Bafang kit. You will end up with extra wire from the motor and the display, and can cut and solder or hide it under a frame bag of some type. Probably you will need to figure out how to connect your battery to the kit's controller; I use XT-90's. A mid ($450 at Ca bike supply for a Bafang BBS02, unless you procure it from China) seemingly would nestle nicely, and you would have a rocket., but possible challenges with wiring from the motor to the battery

Doc_Wui

I also see the 20" amazon motor kits from China with controller/display for under $275, as low as $250 depending on display, You get the IT4 cable harness and waterproof connectors all around, plus a controller box. I've never bought them or seen one, but it seems like a nice package, if these are bafang motors. .

All my 20" bikes are powered by Akeima hubmotors, mainly the Q100H. Those cost me about $130 shipped. Ive spent $80-100 buying spokes/rim. Another $100-120 to buy a controller, display, and a case. Amazon is a better deal.

I doubt I'll ever build another conversion though, as long as I can buy a BBS02B for under $375 from pswpower. The TSDZ2B is $100 less, but won't knock your socks off like the BBS02,

XxHaimBondxX

If you gonna buy new, might as well buy 1500 watt. I bought a full kit this summer from Ali for around $350, with nice color display. Or you can search online market places for 500w motors, people often upgrade those.

cat0020

Specify what kind of folding bike you have,
what battery capacity you're after,
do you plan on taking this folding bike onto mass transit once converted?
That would help narrow down what specific hub motor you could consider.

Doc_Wui

He did state Origami Bull.
https://www.origamibicycles.com/shop/p/bull

Folders are tough to find a location for the battery and controller that keeps them small/foldable. Those store bought seatpost battery Qualisports almost seem like a nice urban ebike solution for commuting,.

tds101 

Rigghhhttt... I don't want a 1500 watt motor, as it's too powerful for the bike.

I stated the bike, and I want a 500 watt rear hub motor, coupled with a small water bottle mount battery. I'd mount the controller to the frame. I sold my Qualisports Dolphin because it didn't suit my needs. As far as conditions, wherever I feel like riding it. I don't need special considerations.

CrimsonEclipse

I havent seen well known 500w kits with a water bottle mount. Those usually have a 250-300w bundle
You may have to pick and choose each component.
I have seen water bottle mount batteries (it replaces the mount and is a bit bigger then the mount and bottle) rated for 200-500W
(Wallen (or Waller) Power) I cannot attest to the quality of the product.

2old

tds, not to deter you, but take a look at the Blackburn Cargo Cage (about $35 on Amazon); I have two and they provide a carrier for many types of batteries including "brick-shaped" ones. I use Styrofoam to insulate the batteries from shocks since one of the bikes is used off road.

cat0020

Here's a 36V 500W complete kit for 20" conversion
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805003105767.html

I'm installing a 48V 1000w 20" cast wheel kit on my semi-recumbent tandem this winter.
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805899382839.html

CrimsonEclipse

Electric motors (should) have different windings for different diameter wheels.
I suspect anything sold on ali express is going to use the same parts with each wheel diameter so it'll be less optimized for the speed curve or each size

Doc_Wui

Yes they should. Usually 210 rpm for 26" or larger tire diameter and 280 rpm for 20" tire diameter, With the above aliexpress vendor, they show the two rpm values for their motors. I figure they select the right winding based on what wheel size ordered by the customer.

I did not work it out, but looks like around $220 USD for a 20" wheel, 500W hubmotor plus KT controller and LCD3 display. Brake levers, throttle, and PAS sensor too. Pretty good price. No warranty support expected, but the KT gear seems to work pretty well.

I've had one KT controller out of a dozen or or more not work, and if I had not waited three months to install it, I probably could have had a replacement sent out in the first 30 days.

They also show reviews, and in my experience with aliexepress, when I left a review it was inserted exactly as I worded it.

CrimsonEclipse

A proper example of price to risk ratio.
Do some research and assess if you willing to take a risk with less support and no warranty.

Thanks!

tds101 

I'm the one looking, so I'm going to contact Origami Bikes to see if they can give me an assist. I plan on using the bike for a "Rails To Trails" self-tour in the next year or so, and I want a bit of assistance when I'm hitting the hills. I guess I do want a bit of assistance, seeing as it's easy to do, but I'll still want some security with the purchase. I also want only UL Listed items, so certain sources I'm passing on (AliExpress for example). I don't feel like burning my house down.

2old

Zizzo, a folding bike manufacturer, sells conversion kits, but I don't know their UL status. I think they're lower power than you want, but might be worth a look. AIR, Origami stated some time ago they were developing an "e" model in this forum.

cat0020

IMO, the whole battery exploding concerns are overblown by the media.
You're far more likely to get hit (or killed) by a car while riding than your ebike battery exploding and set fire in your house.

tds101 

That may be the case, but I'd still prefer to take adequate precautions. As they say "better safe than sorry".

Dewey101

I’m looking at an urban commute and like the Dahon Unio E20 has a seatpost 36v battery like the Qualisports, but with a torque sensing 350v mid-drive, and is lightweight for a folder at 38lb, but am concerned about its hill climbing ability. Alternatively I like the Evelo Dash also with a 36v 350w mid-drive, but again concerned about power up hill as owners report it is a workout. So I’m contemplating a Pedego Latch V2 which is a single speed with a 500w rear hub motor, 52v battery, and 18a controller, it weighs nearly 50lb without the battery but should go up hills fine.

2old

I hope you have a chance to try the Pedego. I've ridden several and they're well made with a good reputation (especially for CS); however, FME, a mid is the better climber.

Dewey101

I will after New Year. I’m interested to learn if the hub motor setup on the Latch offers similar performance to the Capital Bike share 2nd gen ebikes I enjoy riding that are the same design by Motivate/Lyft as the 2nd Gen NYC Citi bikeshare ebikes with a strong 52v rear hub motor and single speed gearing. The difference is the bikeshare bikes have 26” wheels and use a torque sensor rather than the cadence sensor and throttle on the Pedego. But the motor on the Latch is laced into a smaller 20” wheel which I’d expect should provide more power for hill climbing.

Jay Turberville

If you are still looking, I'd suggest Grin Electronics in Vancouver. They will not be the least expensive source. Not even close. But you should expect great support and excellent products for the extra money spent.

Dewey101

I’ve been tempted by Grin Tech’s Brompton front hub motor with a torque sensor bottom bracket and fit it to a Brompton A-line, mainly because I could keep using the 36v EM3EV battery from my current DIY ebike. But the Grin Tech motor simulator, which is great, comparing their Brompton direct drive motor against something equivalent to the Dapu geared hub motor in the Pedego, for the purposes of comparison I selected a Bafang G01 motor running a 52v battery, means I think I’d be better off with the Pedego for the hills I have in mind on the longer commute.

Jay Turberville

I wouldn't suggest a direct drive hub for hills. That's what I have, but I didn't build it to be optimal for hills. I built it for long distance reliability. A geared hub should be able to provide more torque for hills. That's where I'd look.

Dewey101

I tried out the Pedego Latch V2 today. Plenty of power in PAS level 5 to go up hill at 15mph. I appreciated the throttle for helping me get going as I found the cadence PAS to be a bit laggy, it’s fine when it’s going though, throttle also most useful to cross busy intersections. All the weight is in the rear and I learned I needed to be seated & hold the handlebars before twisting the throttle or the bike wanted to wheelie. Geared for comfortable cadence at 15mph, but not to get going when unpowered. It’s a good quality Class 2 with plenty of power.