Any recommendations for a lightweight ebike conversion kit for road bikes?

[PedalUma]

I smoke two Vados in the morning
I smoke two more at night
I smoke two Vados in the afternoon
It makes me feel alright
I smoke two Vados in time of Peace
And two in time of war
I smoke two Vados then smoke two Vados
Before I smoke two more
And then I smoke two Vados
Smoke two Vados!

On a private thread we were saying how the Tesla logo looks like an IUD. In 500 BC camel traders invented that, plus math, astronomy, alchemy, coffee, opium, and hash. Then when the religious right of correctness took over all creativity went out the window. No more wine, dancing, pictures, or Vados. And the ladies had to cover themselves. No more rabbit skin bikinis for them.

 

[EMGX]

One very last post on this thread. OP, post up what you decide to do, if anything.
I see the Keyde, laced into a 700c wheel with phone app and no battery, is now on sale for $516.96 and there is an AliExpress $70 discount listed for a total of $446.96. Battery sold separately or choose your own 36v battery as it isn't proprietary. Compared to anything else that could work with a thru axle carbon bike with 142mm OLD width, there is no comparison - that is if it works as advertised.

 

[Katrina92]

It sounds like you want a Mahle system and assuming you like your current bike why take a chance on disappointment and regret buying a $1000 - $2000 add on kit when there are better options for a complete bike for not that much of a premium?


video worth watching for scenery alone:

Scott Addict eRide 30 Bike

Engineered for cyclists who seek performance without compromise. Its lightweight HMX carbon frame, combined with the innovative Mahle motor hub, delivers an exhilarating ride on any terrain. With top-tier components and an aerodynamic design, this bike is ready to conquer challenging climbs and...

bikesonline.com

Front hub motors and cadence based assist (rather than torque based) are OK IMO for a casual cruiser bike rider like my wife but not likely to be satisfying for someone who is used to riding premium bikes like your Scott. Also front hub motors put a lot of stress on forks which can even damage or destroy steel and potentially more catastrophic failure with carbon.

Mid drive kits like Pedaluma uses are very heavy and not compatible with carbon frames, other than maybe a CYC Photon.

The Keyde thru axle rear torque sensing kit is interesting and potentially sub 10 pounds depending on the battery but not any real user reviews that I saw. Watch the installation video, looks as easy as changing a wheel and adding a water bottle cage.
Swytch is cadence sensing and just as heavy.

Edit: I watched a video that showed the Addict e-ride has a different more reinforced frame than the standard Addict which might be another reason to not try to kit your bike with an assist motor.

I'm with you on that. I checked out this Keyde product, and it seems to have a fake thru-axle (with two bolts securing it from the sides). What do you think about it?

 

[Katrina92]

My favourite local bike shop offered me a good deal on an Addict eRide, but I didn't like the bike's 'racer' geometry, which is a shame, because the bike looks awesome.
At 73 my body likes the more relaxed geometry.

One kit that looks interesting is the Boost kit from the UK. The two negatives with this kit is they presently only offer their kits in the UK and they have a 25km motor cutoff. They're very similar to the Mahle setup.
There's also BikeOn, but there has been some problems with their earlier kits.

Shop | Buy Boost electric bike conversion kits directly from us | Boost Bikes

Buy your e-bike conversion system online for DIY install.

boostbike.uk

BikeOn: Cycling Innovation | Smarter Rides, Smarter Training

At BikeOn we create intuitive electric drivetrains, advanced sensors and smart gadgets that make riding, training and moving smarter and more enjoyable. Our products include CycleClick power meter and a tool-free e-bike conversion kit.

bikeon.com

Another kit is Skarper

https://skarper.com/

The e-ride version does mess with the original bike's geometry, and it's not for everyone. I've looked into Boost too, and it just seems way too bulky!
What's your take on Skarper? I've noticed you've been mentioning it a lot.

 

[EMGX]

I'm with you on that. I checked out this Keyde product, and it seems to have a fake thru-axle (with two bolts securing it from the sides). What do you think about it?

I don't think it is "fake", it's just the way they made their motor work with a thru axle frame.

 

[Deacon Blues]

I think the Skarper looks weird, but it looks like it might actually work on carbon framed bike. What I really don't like is the price.

 

[Katrina92]

One very last post on this thread. OP, post up what you decide to do, if anything.
I see the Keyde, laced into a 700c wheel with phone app and no battery, is now on sale for $516.96 and there is an AliExpress $70 discount listed for a total of $446.96. Battery sold separately or choose your own 36v battery as it isn't proprietary. Compared to anything else that could work with a thru axle carbon bike with 142mm OLD width, there is no comparison - that is if it works as advertised.

Keyde seems too bulky

 

[Katrina92]

我不认为它是“假的”，这只是他们使用通轴框架使发动机工作的方式。

You're right

 

[Katrina92]

I think the Skarper looks weird, but it looks like it might actually work on carbon framed bike. What I really don't like is the price.

I agree, it does look kind of weird!
The price is definitely steep.
I wonder who would actually buy a Skarper. Really not gonna affect the handling at all?

 

[EMGX]

Keyde seems too bulky

One very last post +2, but this time I mean it. Good luck and I hope you end up with what works for you.
If you mean too heavy the motor itself adds 5# (minus the weight of your bike's current hub), the 7ah battery <3# - if listed weights are accurate. So if your current bike weighs 18# you would end up at ~26# which is the same weight as the Scott Addict eRide 30. Not too shabby.

 

[PedalUma]

If you are fixed on a hub-drive install torque arms. This will prevent the dropouts from stripping.

 

[Katrina92]

One very last post +2, but this time I mean it. Good luck and I hope you end up with what works for you.
If you mean too heavy the motor itself adds 5# (minus the weight of your bike's current hub), the 7ah battery <3# - if listed weights are accurate. So if your current bike weighs 18# you would end up at ~26# which is the same weight as the Scott Addict eRide 30. Not too shabby.

Thanks for your help! I'll think it over.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

Here's another cheap-ish drop bar hub motor ebike I just saw about. This one from Poland; EcoBike Forest. Not sure if they sell where you are, especially with Mr. Orange's love of tariffs. But it looks a good solid package. Nice drive train, tyres etc.

EcoBike Forest

The EcoBike Forest is a fun, free-rolling drop bar e-bike that’ll make light work of day-to-day commutes and will also be viable for getting out and about exploring at the weekend. It’s not without its foibles, but it’s affordable as these sorts of bikes go and I certainly enjoyed my time with...

ebiketips.road.cc

 

[PedalUma]

I finished this one today. My friend's wife and I hid it under a blanket in my friend's garage. He does not know about it yet and will get curious to peek under the blanket. I took a dropbar bike and made it upright and gave it beefy tires. It has a DM02 motor and Shimano GRX gravel specific group set.

 

[ghettoroadster]

I finished this one today. My friend's wife and I hid it under a blanket in my friend's garage. He does not know about it yet and will get curious to peek under the blanket. I took a dropbar bike and made it upright and gave it beefy tires. It has a DM02 motor and Shimano GRX gravel specific group set.
View attachment 196892

You really enjoy utilizing the UPP water bottle batteries. Assuming that's the 48v version, it is rated at 7ah. Is that really enough for the intended use? Cause I have a 52v 6ah pack that the kids basically have to charge every other day. W/ the 48v 15ah pack, they only have to charge once a week.

 

[harryS]

You really enjoy utilizing the UPP water bottle batteries. Assuming that's the 48v version, it is rated at 7ah. Is that really enough for the intended use? Cause I have a 52v 6ah pack that the kids basically have to charge every other day. W/ the 48v 15ah pack, they only have to charge once a week.

I have those UPP water bottle packs too, 36V10AH and 48V7AH, both with a nominal 350WH rating, Real life is about 300 WH, and I typically get 33-34 miles if I run them flat. AT home, we rarely go farther than 22-24 miles, Come home and recharge for the next ride,

I have a really old Luna 52V6AH mini, Have only used it about six times in 9 years, It's just too unwieldy. A 13 cell 48V pack with 21700 cells makes for a easy to carry spare though,

 

[alihyder]

If you’re aiming for something close to the Mahle X20 in terms of light weight and stealth, the best options are kits like the Swytch (especially the newer compact versions), the Lightest Bike Kit from Europe, or even Zehus, since they’re all designed to keep things minimal without adding much drag when the assist is off; while nothing matches the refinement of the X20, these are probably the closest alternatives unless you can find a used Mahle setup or donor wheelset to transfer onto your Scott Addict.