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This is how the e-bike retrofit works: Pendix Retrofit - Part #2

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E-Performance: Special wheels or high-quality wheels in particular benefit from the practical solutions from Pendix. Due to the fact that e-bike retrofit systems (unjustifiably) are rather inconspicuous in the e-bike market, we went in search of dealers who competently serve this niche.
We met with Martin Maier from Salksdorf wheel house met to retrofit a cargo bike with a Pendix eDrive system.
The existing Christiana cargo bike will be electrified.
Martin started the shop a few years ago as a side project. In the beginning he had recumbent bikes in his range, which he still focuses on today. But in the meantime his portfolio has also been expanded to include some normal bikes and special bikes such as rehabilitation bikes or tandems.

About the Radhaus Salksdorf and Pendix

With this range, it is obvious that the bicycles can also be electrified if required. He chose Pendix because of the problem-free warranty processing. Because if he builds a Pendix drive into an existing bicycle, he himself becomes the "manufacturer" and has to process the warranty through the sale. Pendix supports this with checklists, training and education, but the dealer is on the CE.
Martin Maier at work on the Christiania cargo bike.
He regularly comes to him, especially people with older cargo bikes without a motor who want to have the Pendix eDrive installed. Because these bikes are usually expensive to buy or have already been adapted to personal needs, so retrofitting makes sense here.

The modification

It is important for the conversion to have the data of the bike and the preferences and routes of the rider in advance. Pendix has a practical one for this Configurator on the website. Because battery capacity, mounting options, wheel sizes and cable lengths depend on the type of bike and the desired use. The Pendix eDrive drive can be ordered pre-configured and the software and cables fit the desired bike.
Brief study of the installation instructions with the supplied CE number.
As a buyer, you have the option of Pendix website After configuring the drive, you can choose whether the eDrive system will be installed by a specialist dealer such as Radhaus Salksdorf or whether you want to lend a hand yourself. In the latter case, a suitable tool set is supplied.

The installation

Basically, three rough steps are necessary:
1) Replace bottom bracket
2) Install crank (with motor).
3) Attach and wire the battery.

Step 1: Replace bottom bracket

At this point know-how and special tools are required. Because of the variety of designs, a specialist dealer is the ideal contact when replacing the bottom bracket

In order to be able to replace the bottom bracket, the old bearing must first be removed. To do this, both crank arms must be dismantled. Depending on the bike and bearing type, this can be more or less complex.
Here is the complete crankset, including the bottom bracket removed.
Now it's time to install the new Pendix specific bearing. The necessary sensors are already integrated here. So that the whole thing slides a little better, assembly grease is required.
The assembly itself is relatively easy. However, special tools are occasionally required, which are supplied with your own installation.

Step 2: Install crank (with motor).

The installation of the e-bike motor is relatively simple, as it is only attached to the previously installed bottom bracket and it can finally be fixed with conventional tools.

The motor crank arm is simply attached to the already installed axle. However, it should be noted that the relevant sensors and cables must first be plugged into the connections on the inside.
Put it on and screw it on, and the actual motor is already fully assembled.
Ideally, the existing crank and chain line will fit on the "non-motor side". So you don't need a new chain ring and the inconspicuous look is strengthened.

Step 3: Mount and wire the battery

This is where experience pays off. Because the battery may be installed quickly and easily, but the ideal cable routing is usually not that easy to find. The local dealer is definitely a competent contact for optimal routing.

To mount the battery, the battery holder must first be installed. This can be done either on the existing holes for bottle holders or, as in our case, on the box of the cargo bike.
The cable from the battery to the motor is then installed.
The supplied wheel speed sensor is installed so that the drive also knows about the current speed. This should already be connected to the motor.
Oh voila! Insert the battery and you're done. Since the drive has already been preconfigured, no further settings have to be made.

 

The transformation from cargo bike to e-cargo bike only took about 60 minutes thanks to the wealth of experience at Radhaus Salksdorf.

Further links and information

All information about the drive can be found at: pendix.de
Information on Radhaus Salksdorf at: radhaus-salksdorf.de

Tags:cargo bikeNewspendixmodification

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