Mountain bikes are the roughest bikes, enabling you to ride on harsh terrain and severe weather. But, if that’s not enough, technology comes to assist. This is why people use mountain bike with motor to increase torque, and they are also more comfortable riding.
- Part 1: Reasons To Put a Motor On Your Mountain Bike
- Part 2: Important Things To Consider Before Converting Your Mountain Bike
- Part 3: How To Prepare While Motorizing Your Bike
- Part 4: How To Put A Motor On Your Bike
- Part 5: Some Final Words
Part 1: Reasons To Put a Motor On Your Mountain Bike
There are a lot of reasons that would compel you to want to incorporate a motor into your otherwise fabulous mountain bike. Adding a motor to your mountain bike can have many advantages, as it enhances its performance. If you really want to enjoy riding a bike, adding a motor to it is an awesome decision.
Make It More Convenient To Ride
A motor can help you enjoy your mountain bike while reducing the amount of work you have to do. One pedal stroke on a mountain bike with motor could easily be up to ten strokes on a regular mountain bike with no motor. As a result, you can work out while cycling with less power, boosting your performance. Mountain biking is an excellent way to work out, so making it more accessible would be advantageous, particularly for those with health issues.
Extend The Life 0f The Bike
When you ride your mountain bike, you put a strain on the cranks, chain, and drivetrain, which will eventually wear out. When you ride your bike on a routine basis, you will experience wear and tear.
However, you can speed up this process by using a motor to help automate the pedalling cycle. As a result, other parts do not have to exert as much effort.
It Offers Long-distance Cycling
You can bike greater distances than on a normal mountain bike because the pedalling motion is automated and supported by the motor. It makes a world of difference if you enjoy cross-country mountain biking on your favourite trails.
Part 2: Important Things To Consider Before Converting Your Mountain Bike
Before you actually try motorizing your mountain bike, there are a few things to consider so that you don’t make any screwups. Although cost is an important consideration, motorizing your mountain bike is not prohibitively expensive.
Moreover, by buying one of the greatest gravel bikes for under just a few dollars, you can save a lot of money to spend on a good motor.
Motor
It is not surprising that since you are fixing a motor on your bike, this is the most crucial component. The motor you choose is determined by the amount of strength you want to add to your mountain bike.
However, it is recommended that you should always stay above 750 watts because they ensure efficiency and longevity.
Battery
Your mountain bike’s battery is also extremely important, and lithium-ion batteries are ideal for motorized bikes. These are more dependable than most other types, and they are also motor-safe.
Although a larger battery may seem appealing, keep in mind that they are bulky and inconvenient for long trips.
Brake System
If you intend to motorize your mountain bike, it will have to possess powerful brakes. E-bike-specified brakes are a great option because they enable you to modulate your braking. It will also keep your mountain bike from breaking down.
Wheel Set
Lastly, consider your tires, hubs, spokes, and rims, as they take the brunt of the punishment on a mountain bike.
Because motorized bikes put a lot of strain on the wheels, it is better to make sure that they are tough and last a long time.
Part 3: How To Prepare While Motorizing Your Bike
You really have to start preparing your mountain bike for the overall process now that you have all of the parts available for the motor. You will need to get some equipment to set up your mountain bike, so just buying the motor and jumping in will not be enough. It would not be too difficult to get around on a bike like the Micargi Men’s M50, which has a 26-inch wheel.
Make Sure You Have All Of The Tools You Will Need
Begin by gathering all of the tools necessary to set up the motor on the mountain bike. For starters, you would need to wear safety gear to keep your clothing and skin protected.
Gloves, jumpsuits, face shields, aprons, and pants are among them. You will also need the motor and the necessary tools.
The very next step is to set up your working station, which can be in your garage, parking space, or anywhere else with enough room to move around. During this period, put away anything that might hinder your movement. Workplaces with high traffic might benefit from a “Do Not Interrupt” sign or similar.
Some other items that you may require include:
- Drive chain
- Drill
- Torque wrench
- Sprocket
- Thread locker
- Thread locker fluid
Get Your Mountain Bike Ready
To put in a new motor, you must first set up your mountain bike in the correct position. Work requires high clearance, thus the bike must be housed above ground. You can use a bike work area or any other raised platform to accomplish this.
It is a good idea to have a backup front calliper tire on hand so you can stop the bike rapidly and effortlessly if necessary. Remove the inner tubes from your tires and replace them with tubeless tires to minimize the risk of punctures. You can also consider replacing them with puncture-resistant ones.
Part 4: How To Put A Motor On Your Bike
We can move on to the steps for installing an e-motor on a mountain bike now that your workspace, tools, and mountain bike are all set up. There are only six simple steps to take.
Step 1: Choose Your Motor Sensibly
Once you have found the ideal motor for your mountain bike, you have completed the majority of the work. There are many diverse styles of motors, so you will have to do a lot of studies to figure out which one works best for you.
When choosing a motor for your mountain bike, think about how much torque you will need. Another important consideration is the terrain you intend to ride on and whether the torque available can manage it. You should consider the advantages and disadvantages of both gas and electric motors before making a decision.
If you are considering purchasing a gas-powered vehicle, take into account how much fuel it consumes and how much environmental damage it causes while keeping the atmosphere in mind. Electric motors are both proficient and trustable.
Step 2: Double-check The Bike-to-motor Compatibility
Even if you think you have discovered the immaculate motor for your mountain bike, you should double-check the compatibility of the two. It really should work smoothly with other parts of the bike, as previously explained (the battery, wheelset, and brake). For starters, the engine should suit your mountain bike frame.
It is always preferable if it is a nice and tight fit with no protrusions and does not require a lot of drilling to secure. You can alter the frame instead if the motor does not fit but is the one you desire for your bike.
You can alter the frame by installing a new bracket in the top and bottom tubes. Alternatively, if you are riding downhill, you can use a clasp support system to keep the motor in place. No matter what you do, just be sure to connect the motor in place so it does not fall out.
Step 3: Attach The Rear Sprocket
Incorporating a rear sprocket into your mountain bike will be the next step, which is essential to sustain the motor. The rear sprocket is installed at the top powerhouse of the motor, supplying power to the wheel, and it, like the motor itself, should be strapped very securely. When driving on rough trails, it keeps it from becoming loose.
It is critical that it be installed correctly. It is EXTREMELY crucial that it be installed correctly. The rear sprocket is responsible for transferring power from the motor to the rear wheel. It should be installed securely to protect it from flailing, and it should be as close as possible to the motor of your mountain bike.
Step 4: Put The Drive Chain In Place
The drive chain is yet another important component of the motor, as it transmits torque from the motor to the mountain bike’s rear wheels. Because the drive chain is extremely delicate, and because your mountain bike will be traversing a lot of rough terrains, you’ll want to guard it while riding. Thread lockers can be added to lose bolts to keep them properly secured. Because the motors jiggle, the bolts can come loose over time, leaving your drive chain vulnerable to harm.
Add a small amount of thread locker liquid to them to protect them. The chains should be placed in a straight line with the drivetrain to ensure that your mountain bike receives all of the required torque from the motor. It also shields it from the pressure of the motor. After installing the chain, shake and pump the mountain bike to the ground to see if it’s safe. If the chain starts to come loose, reattach it until it is fully secure.
Step 5: Rejoin The Bike And Finalize The Project
You are nearly ready to ride your motorized bike now that you have lodged your new motor and drive chain on your mountain bike.
You’ll need to put the bike back together and make some final adjustments.
The first step is to reconnect the wheels, beginning with the back one. You must ensure that the wheel is properly aligned with the chain and motor. When placing the front wheel, make sure it is aligned with the fork.
Putting your handlebars and stem in a more aggressive position can provide you with better balance and control on your mountain bike.
After that, double-check that all of the bolts you’ve added are firmly stiffened without cracking the frame or breaking the bike. You can double-check this with a torque wrench.
Step 6: Take The Bike For A Test Drive
Lastly, you can descend from the raised platform with your mountain bike with a motor and prepare for a test drive. To avoid damaging it, do not hurry the first time; instead, go gradually with one pedal stroke. After that, you can see how far it will go and listen out for any rattling sounds. To travel on a motor-assisted mountain bike, you must first engage the motor so that it can generate torque. The clutch engages to connect to the motor.
Just when you are sure that everything is running smoothly you can start driving. Attempt to accelerate as well as decelerate and stop manoeuvres. You can also go on an extended test ride, though if you are riding with top gravel bikes, you should be cautious. If you notice something is way off the mark, you should correct it right away.
Part 5: Some Final Words
Your bike can take you to many locations, and installing a motor eliminates those limitations. That is why mountain bike fanatics should learn to motorize their bikes.
