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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here you will find answers to the most common questions about the GBIKE 1 kit.

General​

What is GBIKE 1?​

GBIKE 1 is a complete plug-and-play electric conversion kit for building a high-performance electric vehicle. The kit includes all the electrical components you need - motor, controller, battery, charger, and accessories - pre-programmed and ready to assemble.

Hobby electric vehicle

GBIKE 1 creates a high-performance vehicle intended for use on enclosed areas, private property, or tracks - not as an EU-road-legal electric bicycle for public roads.

What is included in the kit?​

ComponentDescription
Hub motor in wheel35H direct-drive motor mounted in a 26" rim
ControllerVotol EM-50 sine wave controller (FOC)
ThrottleThumb throttle or twist throttle (depending on selection)
Ignition switchWith built-in voltmeter
Torque arms2 steel arms with accessories
Cables and connectorsComplete wiring harness, plug-and-play
Battery72V 600Wh via LiVerkstaden
Charger84V, 2.5-3h charge time via LiVerkstaden
Mounting accessoriesWashers, zip ties, spacers

Read more in GBIKE 1 Overview.

What do I need besides the kit?​

You need:

  1. A donor bike - a bike to build the kit on. See our guide for choosing a donor bike.

  2. Mechanical parts for the rear wheel:

    • Tire (26 inch)
    • Inner tube
    • Rim tape
    • Freewheel (6-7 speed)
    • Brake disc
    • Possibly a shifter

See our guide to mechanical parts.

How long does assembly take?​

  • First time: 2-4 hours
  • With experience: 1-2 hours

It depends on your experience and whether you have the right tools ready. Read Preparation and tools before you begin.

Do I need to be a mechanic to assemble it?​

No. The kit is plug-and-play with pre-programmed components. Our step-by-step instructions guide you through the entire process with pictures and explanations.

Performance​

What performance does GBIKE 1 have?​

PropertyValue
Peak power5760W
Continuous power~1500W
0-30 km/hUnder 2.5 seconds
Top speed60+ km/h
Range~30 km (varies)

Try different configurations in our motor simulator.

What affects range?​

The ~30 km range is an approximate value. It is affected by:

  • Riding style - full throttle all the time vs calm riding
  • Terrain - flat vs hilly
  • Rider weight
  • Tire pressure
  • Temperature - cold weather reduces capacity

Read more about batteries and capacity in the wiki.

Why only 26" wheels?​

A 26" rim gives the optimal balance between torque and top speed for the GBIKE 1 system. A smaller wheel gives better acceleration and more torque, which suits the motor's characteristics best.

Read the explanation in the motor wiki.

Can I ride without the motor or when the battery is empty?​

Yes, but it is not comfortable. The motor is direct drive, which means the magnets create some resistance even when the motor is off. In addition, the vehicle is significantly heavier than a regular bicycle.

Battery​

What battery configuration is used?​

GBIKE 1 uses a 20S lithium-ion battery:

PropertyValue
Nominal voltage72V (20S)
Capacity600Wh
Fully charged84V
Discharged~60V
Charge time2.5-3 hours

The battery is ordered via LiVerkstaden together with the kit order.

How do I read the voltmeter on the ignition switch?​

The ignition switch has a built-in voltmeter that shows the battery voltage. You can use our battery level calculator to see approximately how much capacity remains at a given voltage.

Rule of thumb for a 20S battery:

  • 84V = 100% (fully charged)
  • 76V = ~50%
  • 66V = ~10% (time to charge)
  • 60V = Empty

How do I charge the battery?​

  1. Turn off the vehicle using the ignition switch
  2. Connect the charger to the battery
  3. Connect the charger to the power outlet (230V)
  4. Wait until the charger turns green (~2.5-3 hours)
  5. Disconnect the charger
Battery life

For the longest battery life:

  • Do not always charge to 100% if you do not need the full range
  • Avoid running the battery completely flat
  • Store it at ~50-70% charge if you will not use the vehicle for a long time

Does the battery work in cold weather?​

Yes, but with reduced capacity. Lithium-ion batteries lose efficiency in the cold:

  • 0°C: ~80% of normal capacity
  • -10°C: ~60% of normal capacity

Tip: Store the battery indoors and install it just before riding in cold weather.

Never charge in the cold

NEVER charge the battery at temperatures below 0°C. Let it reach room temperature first.

Motor and controller​

What type of motor is included?​

GBIKE 1 uses a 35H direct-drive hub motor:

  • Type: PMSM (Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor)
  • Stator height: 35mm
  • Rim size: 26"
  • Axle width: 135mm
  • Hall sensors: Yes (3 pcs)
  • Regenerative braking: Supported

Read more about motors in the wiki.

What controller is included?​

Votol EM-50 sine wave controller with FOC (Field-Oriented Control):

  • Voltage range: 60-84V
  • Max phase current: 50A
  • Control: Torque-based (torque control)
  • Pre-programmed: Yes, ready to use

Read more about controllers in the wiki.

Is the system pre-programmed?​

Yes! The controller comes pre-programmed and optimized to work with the motor. You do not need to change any settings - just connect everything according to the instructions.

Assembly​

What tools do I need?​

Basic tools:

  • Hex key set (3-8mm)
  • Adjustable wrenches or a set of open-end wrenches
  • 15mm cone wrench
  • Screwdriver

Recommended:

  • Torque wrench
  • Bike stand

See the full list in Preparation and tools.

How do I install the motor wheel?​

Assembly takes 7 steps:

  1. Remove the old rear wheel
  2. Prepare the motor wheel (install brake disc, freewheel)
  3. Install tire and tube
  4. Install the motor wheel in the frame with torque arms
  5. Install the throttle
  6. Install battery and controller
  7. Connect everything and finish

Why are torque arms needed?​

Torque arms prevent the motor axle from twisting in the frame during hard acceleration. Without torque arms, the axle can rotate and damage the frame or pull out of the dropouts.

Torque arms are mandatory for safe operation of GBIKE 1.

Read more about torque arms in the wiki.

Important

NEVER ride without torque arms installed! Risk of serious damage to the frame and rider.

Can I mount the motor in the front wheel?​

The GBIKE 1 kit is designed for rear-wheel mounting. Front-wheel mounting is not recommended because of:

  • Poorer traction during acceleration
  • Risk of the front wheel spinning
  • Potential instability at high speeds

No. GBIKE 1 is a high-performance kit that creates a vehicle with over 5000W peak power and 60+ km/h top speed. This is not classified as an EU-road-legal electric bicycle.

Intended use

GBIKE 1 is intended as a hobby electric vehicle for use on enclosed areas, private property, or tracks. You as the customer are responsible for using the vehicle legally.

  • Motorcycle helmet (NOT a bicycle helmet)
  • Gloves
  • Knee and elbow pads
  • Sturdy shoes

At 60+ km/h, safety equipment is critical.

How important is choosing the right donor bike?​

Very important. The frame must withstand:

  • High torque from the motor
  • Higher speeds than a regular bicycle
  • The weight of the battery and motor

Avoid:

  • Carbon fiber frames
  • Light-duty road bikes
  • Frames with visible cracks or rust

See our guide for choosing a donor bike.

Troubleshooting​

Nothing happens when I twist the throttle​

  1. Check the ignition switch - is it on?
  2. Look at the voltmeter - does it show a voltage? If not, check the battery connection
  3. Check the cable connections - are all connectors fully connected?

See the troubleshooting guide for more help.

The motor runs jerkily or sounds strange​

Common causes:

  • Loose hall sensor cables
  • Damaged phase cable
  • Controller issues

First check all cable connections. See the troubleshooting guide.

How do I know if the battery is the problem?​

  1. Check the voltmeter on the ignition switch
  2. Measure the voltage with a multimeter (should be 60-84V)
  3. Check the battery contacts for corrosion or damage

More info in the troubleshooting guide.

Support and warranty​

How do I contact support?​

We normally reply within 1-2 business days.

Are spare parts available?​

Yes, contact us for access to:

  • Controller
  • Throttle
  • Ignition switch
  • Cables and connectors
  • Torque arms

Battery spare parts are handled by LiVerkstaden.

Learn more​

Explore our wiki to understand the technology behind GBIKE 1:

More questions?​

If you cannot find the answer here:

  1. Read the instructions:

  2. Contact us:

We are here to help you!