Bafang vs Bionx

[broadbentr]

Wondering if anyone has experience with both the Bionx D500 and a Bafang rear hub drive system. I blew my Bionx D500 and am thinking of replacing with Bafang. Wondering how the Bafang would compare?

 

[harryS]

You will lose the feel of the Bionx torque sensing pedal system. Bionx hubdrive kits are cadence sense. How it feels will depend on your controller. There are some horrible cadence systems out there, but I like the ones on my bikes.

Power/speed will be depend on whatever size Bafang motor you choose. I heard Bionx batteries are touchy on how they connect up. You may have to get a new battery and will definitely need to replace controller.

 

[broadbentr]

Thanks. Hadn’t realized Bafang doesn’t have a torque sensor. So does that mean you have to hold the throttle on? Can you set for a particular speed?

 

[JRA]

It is totally possible to have a torque sensing system with a Bafang hub motor, you just need a torque sensing bottom bracket. That is what they are using on bikes like the Orbea Gain with the rear hub motor. ebikes.ca is a good source for info and equipment.

Surprised to hear that a D500 blew up as I thought they were pretty bombproof. Anyway I would look at the Bafang g310 series hub motors but in addition you will have to have a separate controller as the Bion X had an internal one. You will also have to go with a different battery system as the Bion X ones are proprietary to their motors.

 

[Feliz]

Yup, there's not much to go wrong with the D500, I've had no issues and I've never know anyone who has. Lots of Bafang equipped bikes have torque sensing as pointed out above.

 

[harryS]

A torque sensor does add about $100-150 for the hardware and then there is the need for a $100 Cycle Analyst, plus a shunt for $20. You still need the controller, so you might as well get a Grin model which ensures everything will work, Those start around $125. Wiring should be simplified. Might not need the shunt.

All good stuff for $400 and up, motor extra, if you have to have it. And if you're using that as your infrastructure on your bike, I think you would want another motor from Grin vs a Bafang. He does sell some Bafangs, I think mostly the small ones.

 

[JRA]

A torque sensor does add about $100-150 for the hardware and then there is the need for a $100 Cycle Analyst, plus a shunt for $20. You still need the controller, so you might as well get a Grin model which ensures everything will work, Those start around $125. Wiring should be simplified. Might not need the shunt.

All good stuff for $400 and up, motor extra, if you have to have it. And if you're using that as your infrastructure on your bike, I think you would want another motor from Grin vs a Bafang. He does sell some Bafangs, I think mostly the small ones.

For about half that price you could have a complete, including battery, torque sensing system from Grin that won't limit future upgrades/replacements with proprietary components from a company that is basically gone out of business.

 

[broadbentr]

View attachment 30256

For about half that price you could have a complete, including battery, torque sensing system from Grin that won't limit future upgrades/replacements with proprietary components from a company that is basically gone out of business.

I have been looking at the Grin kits and while they are cheaper, nowhere near half the price if spec'd similar to the Bionx D500.

 

[JRA]

I have been looking at the Grin kits and while they are cheaper, nowhere near half the price if spec'd similar to the Bionx D500.

Well at least they are around to answer questions....and offer support on the back end.

Sorry to be inaccurate.