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I came across this awesome looking machine whilst hunting for something a little more rugged than the Tern GSD. I've emailed XACD to see if they'd consider doing a version of this with the Bosch CX motor system. If they do, and it doesn't cost a king's ransom, does anyone have experience of building up a custom ebike, in terms of sourcing the motor/battery system as standalone parts? The Tern is >£5k and it feels like that's a fairly healthy budget to make something really good, and kind of justifiable if it becomes a replacement for a car.
I've also been thinking about details like wheel size and axle standards but that's probably getting a bit ahead of myself. The main downside to the Tern that I can see is the tiny wheels, which make it nice and compact, probably not being much good off road. 26" fat tyres should be pretty capable, and the motor would make up for their dragginess on the road.
I ride our gsd off road with 2 kids on, copes well but it's not what the cargo bike is for though it's it
That looks flipping brilliant however I think I'd just put a Bafang motor on an existing longtail fatbike. I doubt Shimano or Bosch would sell you just one motor so getting something custom made seems an unnecessary expense.
I've taken a GSD slightly offroad and there's a guy near me who does a lot of fire road on his, they are fine but not as fun as you might expect given thats its a 25kg bike to start with.
I’ve taken a GSD slightly offroad and there’s a guy near me who does a lot of fire road on his, they are fine but not as fun as you might expect given thats its a 25kg bike to start with.
Same here - a GSD will plod along most trails quite happily to be honest. The biggest issue is carrying anything loose cos it'll get all rattly but the bike itself will do average gravel / towpath stuff no problems. The stock tyre on them is Schwalbe Big Ben 2.35
Surly skid loader says it will take 26x2.8 with mudguards or 3.0 without, Bosch motor and less than 5000 US dollars so probably about £5000.
Could that be a suitable compromise?
https://surlybikes.com/bikes/skid_loader
I’ve bought a couple of frames from XACD - they can be a bit direct in terms of communications and every variation from what they call standard comes at a price. Quality is workmanlike/functional.
I think long tail fat cargo bike is a great format for an e-bike, particularly the extra grip and stability.
Bet it would be expensive but this popped up on my Insta:
https://instagram.com/forsgrencycles?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Sadly the xacd budget price is about $1.5k more than I'd hoped for 🙁
That Surly Skid Loader looks pretty good - shame it's not available in the UK.
What kind off off road you think you'll be doing with a very top heavy, very long, very cumbersome bike?
This is a nice GSD alternative which also mentions its capable on light off road.
https://ebiketips.road.cc/content/reviews/e-cargo-bike/velosta-1-4225
Electric fat and trailer?
What are you planning to use it for? The reason I'm asking is that I'm happy to do light off road and fire roads on my cargo bike but if things aren't super secure it all rattles around like hell!
Bigger wheels would be a lot more comfortable off road but your centre of gravity would also be that bit higher. A mullet would be a good approach. I think the xtracycle is 26 on the front and 24 on the back
26 on the front and 24 on the back
smaller wheels crash into bumps harder. Our babboe is pretty rattley on 20" wheels up front, where a 26" wheel is much better.
I wouldnt get hung up on a bosch system perhaps? the Bafang units are excellent. weve got a 10+ yr old front hub motor, and while i wouldnt reccomend using a hub motor off road i dont think, its been faultless and service free and i wouldnt heistate to spec a bafang mid drive. Infact a guy at nursery rides a mid drive converted big dummy, no reason why you couldnt use a fat dummy i dont think? Might be a bit of a personal challenge to hide as much wiring as possible and make it neat, though if i was building one i might try and see if i could build a headless one, so just have the motor and the battery and drop the display and interface as far as possible.
There is a guy on the interwebs who rides an omnium off road, for bike packing and trails.
https://theradavist.com/omnium-cargo-bike-review/
slightly different layout but last time i looked the frame prices were very reasonable. much cheaper thanmost others.
Salsa Blackborrow and aftermarket motor?
That link is for the big dummy rather than a blackborrow though... Blackborrow looks like great fun
I have a Big Dummy with a bafang conversion. I had it converted, it has definitely increased its usability and is excellent for making it a general form of transport
I'm still pushing ahead with this project. I've found various examples of titanium fat mid-tail cargo bikes, one with a pinion and some with motors. Most based around the Salsa Blackborow with bolt-on racks. I've also found a Ukrainian guy making amazing withing with thin steel tubing, so hoping to get him to make the rack. The best motor at the moment seems to be the Bafang M560 which is quite new, but should be available by the time I'm ready.
I'm working on my design still and waiting for info on the motor mounting bracket. Need to decide about wheel size (allow for 26" fat and most other options should fit), axle width (148x12?), sliding dropouts for hub gear vs normal ones, adding a break somewhere for belt drive, etc...
Would you ever really ride it without the rear rack? For me, I'd get the frame and rack built as one.
For me, I’d get the frame and rack built as one.
I agree - also go for the fattest tube that will work for the largest size pannier clip - Ortlieb now go up to 16mm