I'm a software developer in the midst of first-time build, converting my mother-in-law's schwinn single-gear trike to front hub drive. I am also kind of baffled as to why none of it is made here. Also anecdotally it seems like seniors are becoming more and more aware of ebikes, and frankly seem to have more interest in them than a lot of other demographics.

I just purchased my first E-bike. I was so out of touch, and had no idea this technology was this advanced. I think your insight is correct. E-Bikes will become a much bigger market in the near future. You have the experience as well as the avenue to reach out to others. To bring your idea's 💡 to a sound business venture. I for one am sold on E-Bike's. With the price of Gas⛽ being as high as they are. My E-Bike in just 16 days has saved me well over $250.00. Just riding it to get small everyday needs, not to mention the health benefits.

America and Australia need to get into this industry and make our own stuff for sure

I think you're right and it is only the lack of competition right now that keeps the prices where they are and I believe with more manufacturers especially here in America where innovation happens almost effortlessly if properly motivated this could easily be the one thing that leads to an Ebike in every garage.

Man I love that shirt. Says it all. Cheers

Great content Johnny! The scene out here on the east coast is thriving but as you point out, the big players won’t invest! It’s all up to us little guys with a big dream!

A large segment of the population have never owned a garage, ebike storage is the next big thing just like owning a wall to hang art on is the first step to being a Art Collector.

good CAD shop in the pnw like terex in redmond WA could do it on lunch breaks lol . i'd pay the few extra bucks for American made . even canada ,mexico ...

Develop a Super Capacitor Battery. It would be super quick charging, unlimited charge cycles and light weight vs a lithium battery pack. The tricky part is the controller in how it meters out the power - capacitors bleed out energy too quick. It would probably use Graphene for energy density, so you're not mining Lithium or Nickel and Cobalt. Nice thing about an e-bike is it's light in weight vs a car, so you don't need a big battery pack.

Johnny my guy. Cool so good to see you making another video. We miss you here in Salt Lake. I love my diamond back that you converted for me it is super nice

There are so many folks in USA with skills.. I think of Henry Ford or Jobs and Gates working in their garages.. Some folks just have visions and new ways are found.. I hope you are right and folks just begin to make e-bikes, motors, frames and batteries.. I have a x20 bike I sent 2 back for full refund.. The 1000 nor the 1500 watt could not start on a steep hill. My x20 has 2000 watt motor with a 5 speed hub all in the rear hug..I found my dream.. I am 72 years old, weigh 240 pound and have 2 lung diseases.. I cannot pedal.. I can not walk more than 100 feet unless using oxygen.. The design of the x20 is amazing.. They built the bike around the battery.. hydraulic disk brakes, blinkers, headlight, rear suspension, everything and will outperform bikes costing $6000 for 1/4 the price.. If I were young I would start with a copy of this bike.. great in the forest and any trail and goes 40 mph.. 3 spoke wheels on 20 inch fat tires.. Now I get out of the house everyday and ride.. Go USA.. thanks for your encouraging video too.. 😁👍

Amen preach it brother.i would love to see this happen.

I loved my first Ebike so much that I'm getting ready to buy my fourth one in less than a year. Enjoyed watching your video

I recently built and reprogrammed a Bafang bike. Your channel was a great resource that spurred me on, many thanks :-) I always liked the look of the tangent ascent cycloidal motor/drive. A very powerful motor from a boutique USA outfit, that preceded and maybe inspired the TQ unit in the new trek. It would be great to see a cutting edge USA made kit product at scale. Hopefully the Tesla motor architecture will trickle down to ebikes. I hadn’t realised how much motor development is still on the table until I saw a video about teslas motors. vesc type controllers seem to be the gold standard for refined control and I’ve heard Tesla uses something similar and no doubt others. Battery tech is getting serious investment and should begin to show fruit soon. I think the next decade we can expect to see exciting advances that will progress the sweet spot between power, weight, size, refinement and price.

The new CYC Photon looks like an amazing motor. Hopefully, that is a motor you will stock. Top of my list as soon as it comes out.

I like that t-shirt:)

Hey, Johnny! Like others, I probably read the title as "technological" advancements, but you clearly said "industry". I get it. It would be great if the right entrepreneur saw the opportunity to bring manufacture back "in house". The challenge, as I see it, however, is that we the customers have become accustomed to chasing the price point. Unless there is something new, in performance or features, to lure customers back to US made products, it's going to be an uphill battle to match the price.

Bosch, although German based, would be the company I'd see making a foothold in the US.

Your hot on the trail of a good bike system and Idea and just being a layman I can see by installing these motors just what your saying. Good luck with it maybe someone will pickup the ball and run with it. Thanks for sharing.👍

Actually, the problem with domestic bicycle manufacturer is that the whole thing is very simple, which makes China an ideal place to make them. The only part of an e-bike that could be *possibly* be made efficiently in the U.S.A. is the controller, I think.

My guess is that the next big thing will be government safety regulation. This will raise the price of ebikes (and may possibly add something to safety) making domestic manufacturing profitable.

Great idea

Regarding what you think will be the next big thing, my instincts are that it’s more likely to be a rise in different styles of utility bikes rather than E-bike motors. I could be totally wrong of course, but after the collapse of the likes of Bionix and Continental, to name a couple, many of us, in Europe anyway, are very wary of new E-bike motor companies. They tend to burst on to the e-bike scene with great fanfare, but after a short time, disappear. It’s one thing when new frame designs come along, because the ancillaries that makes those bikes run, can usually be purchased off a shelf somewhere, but it’s a whole different ball game when your motor and its components are no longer being supplied, as it’s not easy to find and fit alternatives. This leads me nicely onto my query, but first, some context. Basically, I love semi-recumbent bikes because of their superior seating and riding position comfort... I have mild back issues. But, I also love cargo-bikes, because of their utility. However, I wanted a machine that was a combination of both with seating similar in height to a regular bike so that I could be easily seen by other road traffic. After seeing the DAY6 Bike, which has a back-supported, semi-recumbent riding position, with the seat height of a conventional one, I was inspired to design my cargo-bike with the same attributes. For anyone reading this, who isn't already aware, or have not looked it up, a DAY6 is NOT a cargo-bike, and for various reasons, it would not be wise to convert into one. I'd be interested to read your thoughts on my bike, and how you think it would be received in the American market. Despite being a semi step-thru frame design, it has a Harley-Davidson-Chopper style. We utilize 32 inch wheels, because in short, they solve a multitude of issues, including, ensuring bottom-bracket ground clearance to a certain level, and, ensuring a smooth ride generally, but especially over pot-holed and uneven surfaces. There's more but these will suffice for now. This E-Cargo-Cruiser of mine, is primarily a commuter and tourer bike, however, it has wider application as a fleet-service bike due to its ability to genuinely and ergonomically accommodate a wide size range of riders, approx. 5ft 3inches to approx. 6ft 7 inches irrespective of their girth. You're also able to place both feet simultaneously on the ground whilst still sat in your seat, improving stability when coming to a stop or when traversing uneven or slippery terrain. At the time of typing, this video came out about two weeks ago, and it's taken me all this time to decide whether or not to share my bike to your channel. Then I thought, I've got nothing to lose, he'll either love it, hate it, or be ambivalent about it. www.titanvanguardebike.com Regardless of what you say, I'll still be an avid watcher of your shows, as they are very informative and well delivered. In other words, you have a real gift for being able to put complex issues across in a way most people can understand.

Hope you're right. If a US manufacturer made a Bosch-grade e-bike motor for conversions, I'd buy one.

I hope you are right. that EBikes will be the next HUGE thing here in the USA. I love my eBike

Hybrid Super Capacitor with Lithium battery setup. Capacitor charges in a minute, it feeds battery as needed. It should eliminate heavy battery packs and large battery fires. Make batteries easy to pull out for wear cycling and safety. You can still use standard controllers due to the battery buffer. Use that with a TQ-HPR 50 mid-drive motor, you got a light e-bike that's perfect for the City. 1 minute charge at any outlet.

I agree what about Juiced they make real nice batteries and when I saw the FLX motor with drives on both sides, that is sick !

Yes! Would love to see an American muscle e-bike. Nice T!

Thanks JNO for these great insights. I too wish for the same. But what @Silver Scythe said 13 days ago is also true (unfortunately), especially when one uses the present American corporate model filled with MBA types who will certainly ruin everything but not before siphoning/bleeding off enormous sums of the company's cash flow as their wages, and moving onto the next company to do the same thing. On the subject of prime e-bike related business opportunity, I'd like to add a couple of other much smaller scale ideas to the ones you pointed out: a) If someone could create a dependable and programmable torque sensing PAS add-on kit to the original Cyclone 3,000 watt mid-drive (the older version with dual chain rings, not the newer single chainring model). With the Cyclone's torque and power so massive, imagine if the present throttle was augmented with a Torque sensing PAS in which you could program up to 9 levels of PAS, and customize the amount of assist at each of those levels? On such a bike, you can go from "Clark Kent" window shopping cruising, to Superman/Superwoman mode with each press of the pedal! Can you imagine sticking this Cyclone kit on a recumbent tadpole trike? b) Speaking of trikes, one of the largest e-bike consumer segments are mid-lifer to seniors (45-72 yrs). But for many of us Boomers we will eventually have to go to a 3-wheeler. Presently there are only "tricycle" style (1 wheel in front, 2 in back) e-bikes for seniors. These very expensive machines have very low speed caps because these thing topple over so easily on any turn. What I'd like to see is someone make a "tadpole" style trike for seniors (two wheels and one in back. Rear wheel is powered. Step through frame. Sprung wide seat (Cloud-9 or Selle Royal Drifter) and/or suspension seat post. Mid-drive BBS02. Wide ratio gearing (maybe a 11t-46t cassette (or equivalent internal gear hub), and either a 36t BBS02 sprocket or allow for dual chain rings (26t-36t) or even triple (24t-32t-46t)

Great video, I just bought a e bike one of those cheap brands a ZNH mountain bike just to see if it’s for me. Yes I wish that we can make parts here.

Valeo showed a mid-mount ebike motor with an integrated automatic 7-speed gearbox late last year. It even has a reverse mode! Specs are 48V, 750W nominal 1000W peak (US, 250W elsewhere), 130Nm peak torque. At least three different battery pack sizes and either “shark fin” external of frame-integrated designs. They have several manufacturing facilities in the US, so components could be manufactured or assembled in them. I haven’t seen any recent news, but they have been shopping their ebike systems around. I know they were prototypes so have large bulky enclosures, but I hope they’ve invested in ASICS so their display/control pad offerings are much sleeker than what I’ve seen.

Hey Johnny! Would you mind uploading the physical sizes of the batteries you sell on your website? Also, for your complete custom ebikes, this is probably a lot of work but could you add in the description which batteries you sell that are compatible (size wise) with each bike?

If you make batteries, make LiFePO4 - most housing is banning the older chemistries that tend to thermal runaway, making people not be able to own an ebike

John Holms in the RC Crawler world is the man.

Agree , America needs to build things in good old USA . I did in the 70s . And still doing it at 62 . Tool up and get busy 🇺🇸

Maybe not in USA but Mexico is a good option to manufacture cheap motors and batteries, there are some companies here that already do crane and forklift motors and the lithium industry is about to boom.

No one will insure you if you make batteries, if something happens, like they use the wrong charger and it causes a fire, they will sue you. It will cost you time and money even if it not your fault.

Definitely a good idea everybody's buying them now I can imagine in the future too bad I won't be around to see it

Lectric e bikes has a mid drive 500 watt motor, folding bike, with two 10 watt hour batteries and hydraulic brakes for $1599 right now. It doesn't have the 750 watt motor (yet) but it is certainly capable. I know because I ride one and it is awesome!

Yea you nailed it. I’ve been building ebikes for 15 years now. I started with modifying a lashout ebike in 2007. I got it going over 30. To make a very efficient motor is very complicated. I have a computer science degree with study’s in physics. Lucid’s electric motor is 67 lbs 12” in diameter as produces 680 hp. I’m sure they could build and ebike motor the best on earth

A motor that charges the batteries while you petal would be a great advancement

Can you get a 20ah 36 volt e bike battery?

I don't know labor costs are pretty high in America, I think the next big thing is the DIY full suspension bikes. These $10,000 specialized bikes are just stupid. Real expensive bikes with underpowered motors what's the point. We already have the motors the only thing we really need is custom fit battery packs because, it's tough to mount battery on a full suspension bike in a way that doesn't throw off the weight distribution off. I love Bosch, they make the best electric hammer drills, at a very fair price, but their electric bicycle motors wimpy, wimpy, wimpy.

i think the grin all axle motors are one of the best hub motor advances put 72 to 85 volts and few hundred amps through one and youll be doing 100 km per hour easy

Bicycle to E-Bike is like black and white TV to color or Dial telephone to smart phone.

I am about to buy a 2nd hand hardtail with bafang motor. Any tips on what to check if the battery and motor are in good condition? Thanks, love your videos

I already have one plan on getting another one

Hey I have that same shirt. Got it after I snapped my collar bone.

Johnny's video channel is good. But I am wondering where people keep up to date on some of these new motors coming down the pipe? Are their web sites of forums where people that like to build their own bikes to know what is available, differences in motors, where to buy etc?

Make it so!!!

Axial Flux Motor and a Super Capacitor/Battery Hybrid is probably the direction to pursue. Obviously the advantage of current technology is low cost, I agree that there should be on-shore manufacturers producing more efficient and powerful replacement motors.

I agree with everything you are saying. I’m in Australia so if you think it’s bad in the states try living in the arse end of the world. We are always the last ones to get any of the new tech that gets developed. Even if it gets invented here it always goes to the rest of the world first. Countries like Australia and America need to start bring manufacturing back in house and stop relying on places like China to be doing. Also we can then control the quality of products being shipped out as well. Keep up the good work

Guesses: 1) internal two to six speed “transmissions” built into mid-drives; 2) hard-case 35+ amp batteries which are serviceable/rebuildable.

I want to prototype motors and speakers, and we need someone to engineer the speed controller software similar to asi grin and kelly, which all have pretty similar os running the microprosessors imho.... but i could be wrong about that but the menus look strikingly familiar.... so that would be the next big thing would it not........

I like that shirt, been there...

At what price point is the biggest question. My 52V 1000W Tongsheng motor rocks!

As a business owner, try and hire someone in today’s market. I would not foresee anyone wanting to start a new business in what we now have as a market. A sole proprietor with a good idea can do well, But put large upfront money with the supply chain, labor, and regulations, not very likely.

I'm looking for an Ebike or maybe a kit for the bicycle that I have. I have three EGO 56 volt batteries and one 60 volt Toro battery, which I've seen adapters to use for ebike kits. My point is that some guys already have capable batteries so there is a savings there. Genteq is a motor manufacturer that makes frequency drives and motors. Fasco makes fractional HP freq drive motors. Emerson and Honeywell make freq drives for them. There are residential furnace and air handlers that have 1/3, 1/2, 3/4, and 1hp motors with the freq drive module that bolts on the motor and can be speed controlled with a 9volt battery and potentiometer. (standard 0-10vdc speed controller) Just need a 12 VDC to 120 VAC inverter of appropriate wattage. Unfortunately, I don't see motors and controllers built here being closely competitive.

Hey Johnny!!!! I'm waiting for technology for my carbon gravel Niner. There's a company out of UK that has a 7lb self contained motor that attaches to the chainstay. Its called Skarper....love to get your opinion on it. They launch 2023....

I'm studying software engineering at OSU right now, where would you suggest I start with making ebike software?

ebikes desperately need improvements in power delivery. Cadence sensing pedal assist, and the on/off throttles found on many ebikes lead to a terrible user experience.

When we start making motors, we won't be able to afford them. Even Bosch, Brose etc use parts that are supplies by Asia. I'm very happy with my BBS02(s).

Nope. Never gonna happen. Regulations, product liability, workman comp, brick and mortar.

It's not really that simple. It takes a lot of specialty machines to make a motor like stamping machines to make the laminations, winding machines for the coils, diecasting machines for the housing and so on. It is basically impossible to do at a competitive level without at the very minimum using third party companies to make a lot of the parts.

chainess pedal assit ,hands down

Waiting for jackshaft ebikes

I have a Diamond back front suspension bike that would be great to convert to a mid drive, but the problem I would like it to be a much lighter bike. As it sits it is 35lbs. which is fine on its own, but adding a motor and battery easily will see it being a fat tire ebike unpractical in peddling without electricity. We go from 35lbs. to 58lbs. I also have a single speed weighing in 20lbs. but it would be ideal to have the bike at least have front suspension, and come in weighing around 23lbs max although I’d still be wheeling/lugging around a 48lb. bike which is seriously not ideal. I think I’ll stick to a no suspension bike that can come in soaking wet if possible 12lbs. as that will have me seeing an absolutely practical ebike weighing in at 34lbs. max without even having to take out the battery even if I chose to ride it around always as a non ebike, but of course once I choose to switch in the power well we know the rest everything becomes even easier.

I got Raleigh taulus,you got the video. I want the same,how much cost Please

Over regulation and high fixed operating costs in the US make for a challenging business case. There are many high end motor mfrs in the US but they only support high margin markets. The design for an ebike application would have to incorporate a high percentage of automated manufacturing to make it cost viable.

I wish I'd known about last spring had a busses take 3800$ form me and I live on a small pension but thank for this now

I have 3 until I found one that works for me. There are very few places in the northeast to try them out. Frustrating.

Only just come to your KZfaq channel and agree with what yotare saying and asking .I have a 10 year old battery witch only gives me about 5 miles distance .but to replace it is between 250 to 500 UK pounds .= 295 to 590 dollars for a aftermarket battery or a to replace cells . witch is more than I paid for the bike 3year ago second hand .I have been to 5 different bike shops including Halfords the biggest shop UK nobody is interested unless the battery is Bosch Samsung. Or Panasonic .ps Have you ever come across Robert Murray smith . T n T. KZfaq channel he is a very clever guy just watching him make a sand battery out of a electric kettle element . Keep up the good work .👍

Labour costs? But I share your enthusiasm.

It is the same like mostly any other situation... the labor cost in America prevents companies to manufacture most things to stay competitive, the labor alone China would kill us on! The most we could do is set up factories in China or Asia! Otherwise you still have to get parts from China... Lectric and Juiced ebikes don't make their own from start to finish, they go to China to have the parts made! Also, and I hope this doesn't happen...is the law change that requires license/plate and/or they restrict bikes to no more than 15 mph if enough accidents happen! Looks like it's just a matter of time!

Ever heard of GRIN TECHNOLOGIES ! Better than American,Canadian!!! Plus BAC controllers.

Rather have small electric car that incloses the rider from the elements but still have small form factor like ebike.

Regenerative braking system for Ebikes!

You should make one from ego batteries

If you could get Louis Rossmann to get involved that would be a homerun

Consumers just aren't going to pay more for locally made, even if it does have some advantageous differentiators. They are the reason why all these industries were lost to overseas, and I can't see a mindset or wallet change any time soon. Not to mention inflation and interest rates. Stick to your knitting, you're good at it.

One of the power tool manufacturers could make an ebike that can run off multiples of their tool batteries, especially with some kind of cargo / trailer feature with knobbly tires for sites

and it still looks like all the big motor players all build their stuff out of the same factory or the same templates...... and rebrand depending on who wants to distribute.....

The Canadians already beat the Americans to the punch.... Grin Industries have been putting out superior hub motors for over 3 years now that is years ahead of the Chinese.

Powerful Lithium USA is the best battery manufacturer on the east coast!🎉

How is domestic production a big advancement? I thought you meant technology wise

what about arcimoto, it's an USA company.if they willing to fabricate and sell the mid-drive motor for custom build e-bikes all the parts and components. Maybe you will design the motor and they would do rest

We have to get the price down and right now the dollar is toast, A new system will be born let's hope it's in our favor.

I actually have a better idea. I want to design a really cheap, loud and unreliable 2 stroke motor made from sub par craftsmanship and then be able to zip tie it to a cheap Walmart bicycle. Then target ex cons and DUI folks as alternative transportation. Who's on board!?

So the next big advancement is one country being able to make something that in your words is simple and copy what has been done in other countries already ? Doesn't sound like a big advancement to me. Not saying having a local producer is bad but i really hope we see better advancements than this.. But what do i know living in a country that sells more ebikes than normal bikes...

The US and now Europe have deindustrialize. I wouldn't hold my breath waiting.

WoW! I completely agree. I used to laugh at those lazy asses riding e-bikes, until I tried one....now I have two.

Tesla e-bike to go along with the Cyber truck? We'll be waiting for years and years. Lol

Lol Tesla bike $5000. Plus $1000 more to unlock top speed. Tesla is greedy.

The e bike industry won't take off until ws have good safe bike infrastructure and bikes are thought of as a viable commuting and transportation option for cars. Then we will e bike industry will innovate and grow exponentially. Bikes are still thought of as RVs for sport and recreation, not transportation. We need to change the automotive mindset to a bike mindset for both conventional and e bikes to innovate and again become a domestic industry.

The Tesla bike concept was a stupid design that ignored basic bicycle physics and for no good reason decoupled the handlbars from steering. The real profit is in complete ebikes, so I don't imagine a rush to do domestic ebike component manufacturing. And with complete heavy, clunky hub motor ebikes shipping from US warehouses at cheap prices, I don't see much middle room. I do see a few big brands pushing out somewhat lower (but still expensive) pricepoint complete bikes, but they're all built in Asia. I hope the CYC Proton is as good as it could be, but that small company has had QC issues and I wonder if they could scale if the new motor was a real hit. Seeing how long it's taken CYC to improve and refine its products where they have ready access to manufacturing, a domestic startup would have an even steeper path.

The reason there is no competition, is because workers in the US want to get paid more than the current manufacturers and US customers, can't aford the higher price! 🤣

How about General Electric?

Johnny: We need USA motors? Industry Guys: Best we can do is Mexican Motors...

I'm really surprised I can't talk to you personally without paying I would love to order a motor and have you sell it to me but I guess you don't work that way

It's simple. The reason for off-shoring all of our manufacturing is mostly because of the cost of manufacturing in the US. The cost is so high here due to over-burdensome regulation imposed by governmental agencies. That's it. It's not just e-bike components either. It's all manufacturing. Artificial market distortions caused by government interference in the free market is why it is so much cheaper to manufacture overseas. It's sad to see the once leader of all industrialized nations reduced to what we are now. I'll leave with this prime example; supply chain shortages during covid due to Chinese shut downs that should have opened our eyes, but unfortunately, no...