2012 Diamondback Overdrive Project

[JoePah]

sorry for the confusion...Thanks love it so far

Don't want to stop riding...think I'll need another battery hopefully they come down in price a bit. It would be awesome if they made this type battery in a LIPO....and a higher ah like 15 or 20 instead of 10.4ah...

Congrats Paul on the lightning fast build! Hope you enjoy it.

You should break in the battery properly.. Find out from your seller... For my bike I charged it 12 hours every time for the first few days to balance the cells.. But check the specifics for your bike.

 

[flymeaway]

sorry for the confusion...Thanks love it so far

in a LIPO....and a higher ah like 15 or 20 instead of 10.4ah...

I have the 750W 48V kit on a Mt1000 Cannondale tandem 20AH LiFeP04. You're going to find that the battery increase in size and weight from your current battery to 15AH or more is substantial. I doubt it would fit on the down tube and I wouldn't recommend putting it on a rack over the back wheel, it will dramatically change the handling of the bike.

For me, the battery on an ebike is crucial and size is a constraint. Have a great time with your bike!

Court J.

 

[Paul Dunford]

I have the 750W 48V kit on a Mt1000 Cannondale tandem 20AH LiFeP04. You're going to find that the battery increase in size and weight from your current battery to 15AH or more is substantial. I doubt it would fit on the down tube and I wouldn't recommend putting it on a rack over the back wheel, it will dramatically change the handling of the bike.

For me, the battery on an ebike is crucial and size is a constraint. Have a great time with your bike!

Court J.

Thanks....ill probably just get another battery and keep it in backpack if I even need it road yesterday 20 miles and no problem....chain came off a few times. Was thinking of single speed here in fl or a much more costly vinche?

 

[flymeaway]

chain came off a few times. Was thinking of single speed here in fl or a much more costly vinche?

Does the chain come off when shifting with the motor running? Or just come off when riding in gear?

Here's something I do that helps shifting. I set the left hand brake to engage about 1/2 way through the lever pull. The switch that turns off the motor engages almost immediately when you pull the brake lever so when I want to shift I keep pedaling and pull the brake lever to turn off the motor (without braking) shift and when the chain has settled into the new gear release the lever to start the motor. Works like a hand clutch on a motorcycle. You'll get very good at doing it quickly........no grinding, chain slamming.

Court J.

 

[vapb400]

Hi Paul, I have a Diamondback Overdrive as well and have been looking at the Bafang kits.

I was planning on having my local bike shop take off the existing bottom bracket and then doing the rest of the install myself. I see that you had shop do some work, can you comment on that? I saw one video of an australian Diamondback that required him to ream out the bottom bracket a little more to get it the BBS02 to fit.

Would you recommend this as a good platform for the Bafang?
Thanks!

 

[Paul Dunford]

I saw the Australian video also....what a bunch of @$@@ , I think he went to far and didn't know what he was doing. He should of had a professional look at project before he started or done more research. I spent over 50 hours researching before I starting buying anything. I search for diamond back conversions and found nothing but his video and it terrified me.

 

[Paul Dunford]

I saw the Australian video also....what a bunch of @$@@ , I think he went to far and didn't know what he was doing. He should of had a professional look at project before he started or done more research. I spent over 50 hours researching before I starting buying anything. I search for diamond back conversions and found nothing but his video and it terrified me.

This frame is perfect...he added some washers and bolts (used all slots) he also used a titanium small internal crank instead of the steel one that came with....maybe I'll have him post something about this for the 73mm conversion. This thing is awesome...everyone who rides it wants one. I like this frame because it supports the extra weight well and being aluminum it isn't as stiff. A seat with shocks is next purchase and extra battery maybe with the 25r cells Panasonic.

 

[Paul Dunford]

Just a quick video with phone

 

[Shea N Encinitas]

Oh great I just fell out of my chair,.. Hey congrats on the build, now go tear it up!

 

[Paul Dunford]

Thanks...video is bad...lol need a go pro and I'd be in business. This bike is a blast.

 

[Paul Dunford]

Does the chain come off when shifting with the motor running? Or just come off when riding in gear?

Here's something I do that helps shifting. I set the left hand brake to engage about 1/2 way through the lever pull. The switch that turns off the motor engages almost immediately when you pull the brake lever so when I want to shift I keep pedaling and pull the brake lever to turn off the motor (without braking) shift and when the chain has settled into the new gear release the lever to start the motor. Works like a hand clutch on a motorcycle. You'll get very good at doing it quickly........no grinding, chain slamming.

Court J.[/QUO

Thanks Court
Bought new chain and works better...important to clean chain regularly and new one only came off once big jump. Still debating on solution....

 

[MLB]

Does the chain come off when shifting with the motor running? Or just come off when riding in gear?

Here's something I do that helps shifting. I set the left hand brake to engage about 1/2 way through the lever pull. The switch that turns off the motor engages almost immediately when you pull the brake lever so when I want to shift I keep pedaling and pull the brake lever to turn off the motor (without braking) shift and when the chain has settled into the new gear release the lever to start the motor. Works like a hand clutch on a motorcycle. You'll get very good at doing it quickly........no grinding, chain slamming.

Court J.

Can't you give a tiny bit of backward spin to the pedals to stop the motor? Thought I'd read of doing that? Momentary pause to shift and then start peddling again to engage motor.

 

[MLB]

This frame is perfect...he added some washers and bolts (used all slots) he also used a titanium small internal crank instead of the steel one that came with....maybe I'll have him post something about this for the 73mm conversion. This thing is awesome...everyone who rides it wants one. I like this frame because it supports the extra weight well and being aluminum it isn't as stiff. A seat with shocks is next purchase and extra battery maybe with the 25r cells Panasonic.

Aluminum frames are the most stiff. They don't flex like steel does. Steel for the softest ride.

 

[JoePah]

Aluminum frames are the most stiff. They don't flex like steel does. Steel for the softest ride.

Steel is the best.. And the reality of aluminum vs steel frame weight isn't worth mentioning.

 

[Gus]

Steel is the best.

Amen to that.

 

[MLB]

Steel is the best.. And the reality of aluminum vs steel frame weight isn't worth mentioning.

Depends on what you want. Steel certainly isn't the best at being stiff for downhill. Aluminum OWNS the higher end bike market (below CF).
Steel is more flexible and gives a more compliant ride. Also cheaper and heavier.

 

[JoePah]

Depends on what you want. Steel certainly isn't the best at being stiff for downhill. Aluminum OWNS the higher end bike market (below CF).
Steel is more flexible and gives a more compliant ride. Also cheaper and heavier.

You're right.. except CF is prone to damage and a bitch to repair.. Aluminum is just painful to ride and doesn't save much weight.. Maybe with a CF fork it would work.

I am completely biased towards ChromeMoly Reynolds 531.. Have 3 bikes made from it@! Soft ride that doesn't wear me out.

 

[MLB]

You're right.. except CF is prone to damage and a bitch to repair.. Aluminum is just painful to ride and doesn't save much weight.. Maybe with a CF fork it would work.

I am completely biased towards ChromeMoly Reynolds 531.. Have 3 bikes made from it@! Soft ride that doesn't wear me out.

My MTB is full suspension, so I wouldn't know about a painful ride. IT's cushy as a couch.

 

[Paul Dunford]

Update....just put 400 miles on swalbe big apple...love the balloon no chain derailed...but no traction from rear tire on sand or gravel best on road...