Electric bike conversion on a classic 80's road bike?

[twinedbike]

I own both an electric bike kit and a classic early 80's Colnago.. Obviously the two should never be combined. But what if? Will those skinny forks bend and buckle under a 250w motor?

 

[pigman]

Re:

not a daft question ... we're all getting older and less fit. These will only keep us cycling longer.

I presume you have one of those front wheel conversion kits.

I would think its ok. The stresses of a 100kg rider descending and cornering at 40mph far outweigh the motor kit

ps - I'm no engineer, so don't offer this as scientific fact

 

[bagpuss]

Friend has one on his Sid Mottram, He is happy with the set up and has no issues with it as far as I know .

 

[twinedbike]

Re:

Well that is encouraging. It's such slender forks on the bike that I worry how a motor dragging 85kg of me up a hill will manage.

One chap in a bike shop said the thing would bend and break because it is not mean't for it being super lightweight and also it's age but another didn't think it would be a problem... just that it wasn't the best bike to use for a daily commute with an electric pack!

 

[Bats]

Fork wont have problems but it will handle funny being front wheel drive, no idea where you'd put throttle on drop bars. Seen people in holland fall off when they've accidentally span the motor up mid way through a wet corner...

If you don't mind losing your original cranks you can go for a mid drive conversion, they're much better as they use your gears. Something like a BBS02 is good for up to 750W/ 1 horsepower which is plenty just for pottering about. It basically erases hills.