Anyone had any experience with the Ebike Marketplace mid-drives? They've got a 350w kit where the motor hangs below the bottom bracket rather than extending forward, and this unit includes a torque sensor: https://ebikemarketplace.com/collec...ue-sensor-mxus-mid-drive-motor-kit-e-bike-kit
1st e-bike conversion, talk me up, or talk me down!
- Thread starter Clyde
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pedallingsucks
New Member
Hi there,
As a bit of a ebike build veteran I can say with all due respect that bike is the antithesis of an ebike candidate. Put down on paper what you would like to end up with, get on ebay buy a cheap frame that can accomodate the battery, disc brakes, a gear set if you want mid drive, and so on, you will be surprised how cheaply you can achieve a high spec bike and a huge sense of achievement and its great fun.
As a bit of a ebike build veteran I can say with all due respect that bike is the antithesis of an ebike candidate. Put down on paper what you would like to end up with, get on ebay buy a cheap frame that can accomodate the battery, disc brakes, a gear set if you want mid drive, and so on, you will be surprised how cheaply you can achieve a high spec bike and a huge sense of achievement and its great fun.
Thanks PS,
I appreciate the response, and I've come to more or less the same conclusion. I still think I could pull it off, but I'd be limited to a 350w mid-drive like the https://ebikemarketplace.com/collec...ue-sensor-mxus-mid-drive-motor-kit-e-bike-kit or the https://www.amazon.com/TongSheng-Version-Conversion-Chainwheel-Electric/dp/B01JP6M3AE/ to fit the weird bottom bracket / downtube architecture, which would be wimpy, but probably suitable for a lightweight build. But then there's the battery question. I found a 36v 10ah bottle style that would probably fit on my seat tube, but then I'm down to 36v. So, in the end, the best I could reasonably hope for would be a low-powered, short-range, indisputably good-looking bike that cost well over $1000 to build. I'll probably end up doing fantasy / vapor builds based on the advice here for a year or two while saving up for a Luna Fat BABE.
I appreciate the response, and I've come to more or less the same conclusion. I still think I could pull it off, but I'd be limited to a 350w mid-drive like the https://ebikemarketplace.com/collec...ue-sensor-mxus-mid-drive-motor-kit-e-bike-kit or the https://www.amazon.com/TongSheng-Version-Conversion-Chainwheel-Electric/dp/B01JP6M3AE/ to fit the weird bottom bracket / downtube architecture, which would be wimpy, but probably suitable for a lightweight build. But then there's the battery question. I found a 36v 10ah bottle style that would probably fit on my seat tube, but then I'm down to 36v. So, in the end, the best I could reasonably hope for would be a low-powered, short-range, indisputably good-looking bike that cost well over $1000 to build. I'll probably end up doing fantasy / vapor builds based on the advice here for a year or two while saving up for a Luna Fat BABE.
indianajo
Well-Known Member
If you want a mid drive, buy a harley v-twin. You are not going to get any exercise on a mid drive. Except a yamaha or brose which doesn't drag with the power off. I ride power off for my heart/lungs, but when the wind was 40 mph in my face yesterday, the geared hub motor dragged me into the storm. Good time to have extra lung capacity, I've got covid19 and it has slowed me down but didn't put me on oxygen.
I think katysax must never ride in the rain. Rim brakes don't work in the rain after a puddle, I don't care what pads they have. Disk brakes do; I have cheap tektro mechanicals. Your proposed donor bike is all wrong. You can get something better with rusted chain & cables at a charity resale shop for <$50.
The warnings about conversion cost are bogus. My conversion was $820, getting me a 17.5 AH 48 v battery that will take me 30+ miles across 77 hills. You can't hardly buy a built bike with bigger than 14 AH battery. Cheap ebikes don't have enough frame to carry groceries home, not even to carry a full tire changing kit as I do. Rear baskets mounted to the seat post sway from side to side, always scrape the rear tire. You need a wide yoke in the back to really support even a wald basket.
I think katysax must never ride in the rain. Rim brakes don't work in the rain after a puddle, I don't care what pads they have. Disk brakes do; I have cheap tektro mechanicals. Your proposed donor bike is all wrong. You can get something better with rusted chain & cables at a charity resale shop for <$50.
The warnings about conversion cost are bogus. My conversion was $820, getting me a 17.5 AH 48 v battery that will take me 30+ miles across 77 hills. You can't hardly buy a built bike with bigger than 14 AH battery. Cheap ebikes don't have enough frame to carry groceries home, not even to carry a full tire changing kit as I do. Rear baskets mounted to the seat post sway from side to side, always scrape the rear tire. You need a wide yoke in the back to really support even a wald basket.
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pmcdonald
Well-Known Member
Whoah, almost missed that revelation in there. Are you doing okay @indianajo?
indianajo
Well-Known Member
34 days of 3.5 deg fever is annoying and tiring. Not dangerous, since my normal is 95.7 deg. The only thing physician has for this is acetamenaphen & asperin. Disease fatigues me into a nap every day after lunch, which ruins my productivity while the weather is good. Glad it is not worse. Main way I know I have it, 3 days in beginning I couldn't smell food, not even diet sunkist soda. Get out there & build up your lungs, everybody. While you have the chance.
@indianajo
Sorry to hear about your illness, and wish you a full and speedy recovery.
I'm sure you didn't mean for your reply to come off as arrogant, but it kind of does, and in all honesty it's filled me with the desire to toss this (https://www.amazon.com/TongSheng-Version-Conversion-Chainwheel-Electric/dp/B01JP6M3AE/) on my bike just to post pictures of the fun I'd have on it here, but I'm too old and wise to act out of spite.
Not everyone wants/needs an ebike for the same reasons you do.
I've ridden motorcycles as my daily driver for decades, in all kinds of weather, and am fully aware of the importance of disk brakes in adverse conditions, and have no intention of riding any bicycle in them. Nor do I need my ebike to carry all of my worldly possessions, or serve as my only means of transport. When it rains or snows, or I need to bring home groceries, I use my car. For exercise I ride my analog bike, or go rowing, or hit the gym. And while I'm sure lugging around 17.5 AH of battery at all times (plenty of factory bikes meet or exceed this capacity, by the way) improves your workout, my needs would be adequately met by 14 or even 10 AH, as I live 2 miles from work.
I want an ebike to ride to work on nice days without showing up sweaty, and to bomb around the paved network of trails around here. I want a mid-drive because it's quite hilly where I live, and it's a more durable investment than a hub motor, as it can be easily swapped to a new build in future regardless of the type of bicycle if that's something I decide I'm interested in.
Happy biking.
Sorry to hear about your illness, and wish you a full and speedy recovery.
I'm sure you didn't mean for your reply to come off as arrogant, but it kind of does, and in all honesty it's filled me with the desire to toss this (https://www.amazon.com/TongSheng-Version-Conversion-Chainwheel-Electric/dp/B01JP6M3AE/) on my bike just to post pictures of the fun I'd have on it here, but I'm too old and wise to act out of spite.
Not everyone wants/needs an ebike for the same reasons you do.
I've ridden motorcycles as my daily driver for decades, in all kinds of weather, and am fully aware of the importance of disk brakes in adverse conditions, and have no intention of riding any bicycle in them. Nor do I need my ebike to carry all of my worldly possessions, or serve as my only means of transport. When it rains or snows, or I need to bring home groceries, I use my car. For exercise I ride my analog bike, or go rowing, or hit the gym. And while I'm sure lugging around 17.5 AH of battery at all times (plenty of factory bikes meet or exceed this capacity, by the way) improves your workout, my needs would be adequately met by 14 or even 10 AH, as I live 2 miles from work.
I want an ebike to ride to work on nice days without showing up sweaty, and to bomb around the paved network of trails around here. I want a mid-drive because it's quite hilly where I live, and it's a more durable investment than a hub motor, as it can be easily swapped to a new build in future regardless of the type of bicycle if that's something I decide I'm interested in.
Happy biking.
tomjasz
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Pure drivel! An urban legend with no facts to back it up. We sell thousands in parts every month. And have a dozen dealers. None sold this year or last year. We did repair some BBSHD's with cranked up wattages. But not s single warranty return for a plastic gear in 3 years. Biktrix reports just a few. This whole ridiculous urban legend happened when a builder ran a fatbike in deep snow.
tomjasz
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Please take good care, the golden years can resemble products from Uranus!
tomjasz
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One exception to a high mount seems to be longer wheelbase flat foot/crank forward frames. IME with the 4 I still own. I was pleasantly surprises that common wisdom had at least one exception.
FlatSix911
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We hope you are feeling better soon!
Ask your doctor about other therapies that are now approved on a trial basis... I won't recommend anything specific so as to not create controversy on EBR.
Thanks, Thomas. Good information!
I've landed on this single-speed Gravity Deadeye 27.5Plus MTB on as the build bike.
Save up to 60% off new Mountain Bikes - MTB -NEW Gravity DeadEye 27PLUS CrMo Bladed Forks, Disc Brake Mountain Bikes w/SINGLE SPEED Drivetrain and Hydroform ALU
Mountain Bikes - MTB - NEW Gravity DeadEye 27PLUS CrMo Bladed Forks, Disc Brake Mountain Bikes w/SINGLE SPEED Drivetrain and Hydroform ALU
www.bikesdirect.com
Planning to rebuild the back wheel with the Sturmey 5-speed IGH, shift the brake cable that runs under the top tube to that, then run new hydraulic calipers to the existing discs. Wish there was a 2nd set of guides under the top tube. Problemsolvers has a nice item that fits in the cable stops and provides a hydraulic line guide, but I'll be needing that.
Once it's working as a bike I'll turn my attention to the Bafang.
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FlatSix911
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Clyde, welcome to EBR!
Great idea to build the Gravity as a EMTB 27.5 Plus... BD had a similar idea with the Gravity Fat Tire Monster.
Electric Bikes | Fat Bikes | Gravity Bullseye Monster Xe Electric
Explore a wide range of electric bikes and fat bikes, including the Gravity Bullseye Monster Xe Electric. Save up to 60% off on new models. Discover affordable ebikes with SRAM and Shimano equipped options, all built with durable Aluminum frames for a smooth ride.
www.bikesdirect.com
tomjasz
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Single-speed can be a problem with a mid-drive unless the gear ratio is well thought out. I built out a single speed MAC but it's more of a commuter than multiple duty bike. I did run a BBSHD as a single speed on a 7speed freewheel. It took throttle starts from a dead stop without shifting in 3 or 4 the gear (memory fails) and still was quite quick to top speeds over 25MPH. I put 1000 miles on it. Much easier on the chain too.
Very kind, oh air-cooled one!
The Gravity bikes do seem solidly built, and you can't argue with the price. I actually ordered two, as I wanted the 27.5x2.8 wheelset but waited too long. They only had the 19" frame left, so I ordered the 29er for the 17.5" frame. The fact that the 'Matte Black' of the 27Plus is wildly inferior to the 29er's 'Super Stealth Dark' did not enter into the equation!
As excited as I was to use the Sturmey 5-speed IGH, more research last night reveals that nothing beats a 3-speed for durability in the IGH world (Sheldon Brown needs a hobby!) unless you've got Rohloff money between the sofa cushions. The external shifting mechanism that sits out on the end of the axle in the Nexus-3 is a hideous eyesore, and the chain-through-axle, while less visually heinous, reminds me of the unit from my 1974 Bluebeard banana bike. So it's the Sturmey-3 that wins the day for its lack of protrusions outside the frame (and six-bolt disk mount).
Anyone tried the pre-bled hydraulic brake kits you see on Amazon? They appear to be decent Shimano gear and priced between $90-300? This one looks pretty sweet:
The Gravity bikes do seem solidly built, and you can't argue with the price. I actually ordered two, as I wanted the 27.5x2.8 wheelset but waited too long. They only had the 19" frame left, so I ordered the 29er for the 17.5" frame. The fact that the 'Matte Black' of the 27Plus is wildly inferior to the 29er's 'Super Stealth Dark' did not enter into the equation!
As excited as I was to use the Sturmey 5-speed IGH, more research last night reveals that nothing beats a 3-speed for durability in the IGH world (Sheldon Brown needs a hobby!) unless you've got Rohloff money between the sofa cushions. The external shifting mechanism that sits out on the end of the axle in the Nexus-3 is a hideous eyesore, and the chain-through-axle, while less visually heinous, reminds me of the unit from my 1974 Bluebeard banana bike. So it's the Sturmey-3 that wins the day for its lack of protrusions outside the frame (and six-bolt disk mount).
Anyone tried the pre-bled hydraulic brake kits you see on Amazon? They appear to be decent Shimano gear and priced between $90-300? This one looks pretty sweet:
Thanks Thomas,
Yeah. Getting the gearing right would be critical for a single-speed. But why spend extra for a mid-drive and not take advantage of the possibility of a low and high gear option, amirite? I think a 42-44T up front and an 18 out back should make for a nice all-around street/trail range. If my Nexus-4 were disc rather than just a freewheel I'd have tried that, as it's 1:1 in first gear. Speeeeeeed!
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FlatSix911
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Sounds like a great build!
BD also has a new page listing wheel and tire deals including a complete 27.5"x 2.8" wheelset for $250.
PAIR of 27 PLUS FatBike WTB TCS Tubeless Compatible Wheels + FREE Tires: VeeRubber TraxFatty 27.5x3.25 inch
FREE SHIP 48 STATES* FAT BIKE TIRES PROMO SALE 120TPI Folding Bead Vee Rubber Your Choice - Vee8 or Mission 26x4inch Compare to +$185/Pair Tires from Surly, 45NRTH, Origin8, Kenda and others
www.bikesdirect.com
The price for a complete set is really hard to beat including resin pads... just remember to pair with ice-tech rotors for max cooling.
ICE TECHNOLOGIES | SHIMANO BIKE COMPONENT | SHIMANO BIKE-EU
To Build Closer Relationships between People, Nature, and Bicycles. We believe in the power of cycling to create a better world as we move forward. We inspire all people to enjoy our products in their everyday lives and where they take them.
bike.shimano.com
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