| When most people decide to build an electric bike they | | | | intended use of the bike so these make excellent |
| usually don't think much about the type of frame they | | | | platforms for a high speed ebike. Bicycle |
| use. Often they use any old bike they have lying | | | | manufacturers will list this info on their website under |
| around or go buy a cheap bike from Walmart. This is | | | | frame geometry (aim for 66 to 68 degrees) so you |
| fine if you are building a low power ebike but if you | | | | can find out the head angle of any bike frame by |
| want something faster and more powerful than the | | | | checking online. |
| average electric bicycle you need to choose your | | | | Craigslist is a great place to get deals on used |
| bicycle frame carefully. | | | | mountain bikes that are perfect for your electric bike |
| The head angle or angle at which the fork comes out | | | | conversion and will save you money that can be |
| of the frame affects how the bike handles. The | | | | better spent on a quality battery pack. You can |
| steeper the head angle (closer to 90 degrees) the | | | | purchase a full suspension frame which will give you a |
| twitchier or more unstable the bike will be at high | | | | nice smooth ride if you don't need a long range bike ( |
| speed. A slacker head angle (closer to 0 degrees) will | | | | the rear suspension takes up space where you could |
| be more stable at high speed but lose some stability | | | | add more batteries). If you want maximum range from |
| making slow tight turns. A slack head angle also | | | | your bike a large size hardtail frame (no rear |
| lengthens the wheelbase of the bike, which further | | | | suspension) is your best choice as there is plenty of |
| improves high-speed handling. A freeride or downhill | | | | room inside the frame traingle to mount a large |
| type mountain bike frame will have a head angle | | | | capacity battery pack. |
| anywhere from 64 to 69 degrees depending on the | | | | |