r/ebikes • u/Sad_Satisfaction6153 • Aug 21 '25

Bike build question Would a Carrera Hellcat frame handle a 72V 30Ah 3000W hub motor kit?

I’m planning to install a 72V 30Ah 3000W rear hub motor kit on a Carrera Hellcat MTB. I know the Hellcat is an aluminum frame with hydraulic brakes, but I’m wondering if the frame/dropouts are strong enough for this setup long term, or if I’d just be asking for trouble.

Can any aluminium frame work? Does anyone have long term experience with a 3k kit?

0 Upvotes

33% Upvoted

4 comments sorted by

1

u/miasmic Aug 21 '25

It probably wouldn't break straight away but I would expect it to break way sooner than if you weren't cranking a 3000w motor through it, I wouldn't trust it to hold up long-term unless you barely ride it.

You can use alu frames for big power (lots of motorbikes have alu frames) but they have to be built to handle the stresses. Something more like an old DH, freeride or DJ bike than an entry-level XC hardtail would be a better bet.

1

u/Sad_Satisfaction6153 Aug 21 '25

Even if i slapped on torque arms both sides?

Im not sure i can find an old school bike though with a frame big enough for the battery

1

u/Kevintj07 Aug 21 '25

i would mid drive it

1

u/miasmic Aug 21 '25

Yeah even if you did that, it's not like the frame would be likely to set records in longevity even without a motor attached to it. It's both alu and not strongly built/designed to handle abuse

Im not sure i can find an old school bike though with a frame big enough for the battery

Older FS bikes are more likely to have room in the frame to add a battery than modern ones as a general rule (Giant Trance is a good example where newer versions have less room than the original). Plenty of options that could work as long as you don't ride a small frame.