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Sorry as I know DIY ebikes has been done a few times, but I can't find a relatively new thread so thought I'd ask as the technology moves so fast.
Having thoughts about turning my box of bits into an ebike. I've got 90% of bits to build a 27.5" Plus tyred hard tail with half decent equipment. Something that would probably sit around £2k new as a non powered bike.
Don't need a new bike but love building them so thoughts come round to making it into an ebike and maybe using it for commuting 16 miles each way to work once or twice a week should we ever go back into the office.
Maybe also off road, so I'd like it to function and stand up to abuse as well as a half decent emtb.
What is the go-to motor and battery nowadays for such a beast? Not interested in going 50mph or having 3KW, so within the law is good enough.
Thinking of a bottom bracket mounted motor like the Bosch ones but totally bewildered by the options - hence this open question for ideas.
Could probably spend about £1k tops but ideally less.
Or is it simply not worth going DIY with the market for new such as it is?
Thoughts and opinions most welcome 🙂
I have a tongsheng kit. Very pleased with it
Note it needs chainstays not to be too wide. Check clearances
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/tongsheng-tsdz2-ebike-kit/
Could probably spend about £1k tops but ideally less.
Just buy a decent road bike and within a few weeks you'll be fine for your commute.
Thanks TJ, I’ll have a read and research your setup 😄
@intheborders I was expecting that reply but it misses the point. I don’t want a road bike , have had many before and it’s just not my thing. Fancy building an emtb for the fun of building it predominantly, that’s all.
But if I’m going to do it, might as well make one that’s half decent, hence the question.
I'm signed up for the indiegogo Lightest kit. Italian, with some proper engineering going on.
1.6kg mid drive 250-1000w. (exc battery of course!)
I'm putting mine on my carbon fat bike. Fatties are ideal for e-conversions I think.
It will have a 104bcd crank and fit onto any BB shell.
Interesting @richardthird that was until I saw their bit about the motor only being a 1/3 of the output torque when compared to the competition. Their reasoning and figures relating to smaller gears thus the same torque at the rear wheel is sound, but they neglect to say the back wheel will then be spinning at 1/3 of the speed of the others for the given torque. Whether this is detrimental or not needs further reading.
Not entirely sold on this concept or theory and don't really like their minimal chain contact points on the chainring (accept the motor does most of the work) but will read a bit more.
I think they are saying their design negates the need for a reduction gear at the crank end, so 30nM at the wheel is 30nM at the wheel, equal to proprietory motors with 90nM @ cranks which is then reduced to 30nM at wheel. This is the fundamental basis of their design for a light weight but powerful motor, so they must be sure about it.
For the money involved, I'm willing to have a crack anyway, love building stuff! Not attracted to the established Chinese mid drives nor the heavy hub motors and I don't want a 25kg+ 5k+ shoddy OE-bike (they all seem to need warranty!)
Bafang mid drive here (BBS02 i think), very pleased with it. admittedly it's on my commuter/'utility' bike not an MTB but it's been faultless so far.
Ridden in all weathers, about to go through it's second winter and I'm confident it shouldn't cause any problems. The only concern that i have is the battery is losing condition now (circa 2k miles). Not been a problem yet as i can charge each evening and the commute is short/sharp, but it's giving me range anxiety if i go for a longer trip out!
Insta link no worky??
Be warned that unless yo have lots of hills legal ebikes make little difference on the road as you hit the limiter on the flat in about 4 turns of the pedals!