Making a super cheap electric bike (for $182)

The gear I use to make my videos:

Here are some of the products I use:

The parts that I use for building batteries:

***Question response book giveaway rules***
When you guys asks questions in the comments of my videos, I'll try to answer them. If there are questions that I think would make a good video response, I'll choose them to do a longer segment. If I choose your question for a video response, you'll win a copy of my book The Ultimate DIY Ebike Guide (the paperback or the ebook), or my book DIY Lithium Batteries.

Outro Music: BenSounds

[matthewweston]

Hi
Micah. I can not thank you enough for literally changing my whole family's lives. We live at the bottom of the biggest hill in North London. The turning point for me was a "bike ride" - we pushed our bikes to the top of the hill - my 10 year old son got tired and we came back - some bike ride! I then discover and followed this video - using the brilliant idea of using hoverboard batteries but using hub motors instead. I used a 36V 250W front wheel hub motor for my first bike (a scrap bike project with my son) and then 36V 350W rear wheel hub motors on the bikes for the rest of my family. I packed the controller and battery inside a saddle bag and hid the wiring. We now cycle all the time. My son and I have just finished a 30 mile bike ride through the heart of London city (I just carried a couple of spare hoverboard batteries in my backpack - we get about 15 miles from 1 36V 5Ah hoverboard battery). I have electric bikes for ALL of my family for much less than my friend paid for his 1 electric bike). I would love to share some pictures if that is possible, could you please let me know how I can do that. Thanks so so much again. Mat

[rudeboykustomcycles]

I've been building the motorized bikes for years and now I'm going to start doing electric bikes. Thanks for the info this looks like a great way to start.

[allenncrystalking]

Thank you for all the help. I bike 20-22 miles a day for work and I'm using a 6 speed regular bicycle. Really can't afford much so this is looking promising.

[javierfelipe]

It is great to see that there are more options than getting a brand new electric bike. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience on the subject.

[newemail]

did u make it? kinda false advertising for not showing the finished product dontchathink?

[clydeavaughn]

I want to say thank you because I've been trying to build one for my my brother who cannot drive and I'm getting tired of taking him to so I've been building the secret thank you

[ColinRichardson]

The motor is where I always end up in "decision paralysis". So many options, so many configurations. Never wanting to make the wrong decision, I end up not getting one at all.

[sylviasanchez]

Who would have thought that this video would be very timely consider that the US is going into a depression. I love a smart guy that can come up with an effective plan and do things for himself then pat himself on the back and share his ideas with the world. In my book this is a fantastic guy. If he can make his own fire even better.

[hassannawaz]

Finally a project that i can invest in :D

[chrisbrangers]

When are you going to put it together? I am anxiously waiting. Thanks for all you do.

[xpndblhero]

You could see the grin on his face as he accepts the fact that he's actually "splurging" on a $1.21... 😂🤣

[travisminneapolis]

Look forward to seeing you actually build it!

[sygad]

title is a bit misleading, "should be buying parts for a cheap electric bike" there was no making invovled

[lemix]

Pretty neat, I did mine on the cheap, but not this cheap, my motor kit was $171.00 and my battery with charger & mount was $242.00, but my motor is 1000W and Battery is 48V 14AH for 1000W and I get a nice LED display.

[jeremywheeler]

When I first started your video, I wondered why anyone would want a hub motor. I was personally glad to see you go with a chain stylemotor because that's what electric motorcycles have.

[readysetnogo]

I've worked as a mountain bike mechanic and at various bike shops in the Utah/Colorado area for many years now. That being said, these ebike conversion kits destroy bikes very quickly. People bring them in all the time to get repairs done and the damage is always very extensive and expensive. My recommendation if you do install these kits is do not cheap out on the bike you install them on. The higher quality the bike is, the more abuse the frame and components can take without causing permanent damage to them. And less damage means a more reliable, longer lasting build. With bikes, you definitely get what you pay for.

[projectc]

Might consider this, I live in Da Nang, Vietnam, beautiful city to ride bikes.

[mdemers]

Looking forward to seeing the build on these parts, and maybe a short performance review.

[victordesanderobledo]

In 2018 I made my first e-bike. Nothing fancy, just under 200 euro, bicycle included. The hub motor wasn't mounted on the rim, so I had to use spare parts from an old bike I had. Tip: spokes from a 20' wheel work in a 26' rim and 250w geared hub motor. I bought the 18650 cells new from aliexpress, as the bms and the charger. From 70 euro I got a nice custom-shaped 36v 10ah pack.
Also I had a bag laying around, so no money here. The bike itself was a 1990 high-end mountain bike. A little bit worn out, so it cost me only 30 euro.
Keep in mind that I'm a student, and I still need a cheap transport. I ride it daily, and works like a charm. I'd say it was a good investment.

[PeteBall]

I am looking forward to seeing how well this bike performs.