Best cheap 29er FS bike for conversion?

[Metzgersdog26]

Suggestions on a solid inexpensive full suspension 29er that would play nice with a BBSHD?

Previous build was a hardtail 29er w/ BBS02. With enthusiastic pedaling it would hold 35 mph, but bumps at that speed were rough and that motor isn't meant for prolonged hills.

Doesn't have to be lightweight or high end suspension - this is a comfortable high speed commuting build. Does have to be trustworthy at 35 mph and fit a 56-58T front chain ring (BBS02 never saw below the top 4 gears even with the 52T chain ring).

Been eyeing up Craigslist for the last few months, but in Bay area most of the used full suspension 29ers are $5k+ not the $1500 I'd like to spend. Any more than that and it makes more sense to do a Luna X2 or Frey CC.

Preference is 29" over 27.5 tires for stability at prolonged 30+ mph, and yes I'm aware of local laws and regulations regarding ebikes.

Thanks for any help!

 

[JRA]

Have you looked @ Bikes Direct dot com?

 

[Merle Nelson]

I'll be interested to hear how your full suspension conversion goes. One person who posts here has done a lot of conversions and I thought I read he does not do FS. I assumed, but do not know, that it was because of fitment issues.

Welcome to posting by the way Metsger....

 

[Metzgersdog26]

I'll be interested to hear how your full suspension conversion goes. One person who posts here has done a lot of conversions and I thought I read he does not do FS. I assumed, but do not know, that it was because of fitment issues.

Welcome to posting by the way Metsger....

Oh there's plenty of ways to crash and burn on an FS build. Battery at least I can get creative - under the lower tube if I undersize? Rear rack mount if I throw in the towel on high center of gravity? Dual pannier batteries if I don't?

This may have to get occasionally street parked in SF, so conventional norms are getting tossed out. HD motor casing is getting hard points welded on to lock to, battery needs to be welded in a cage or easily removable.

Issue I'm concerned about is up front motor fitment issues, as that can't be fixed with a grinder + flux core. Can't find any sort of list of FS 29ers that people have successfully converted, hence asking around.

And thanks for the welcome! Long time lurker, just didn't think I had much to contribute.

 

[Merle Nelson]

Anything you're interested in is of interest to someone else, me for one.

The member @PedalUma might be able to shed light on whether FS bikes are problematic to bring to successful conversion.

 

[tomjasz]

Have you looked @ Bikes Direct dot com?

Lots of bikes there that have been converted. I think electricbike.com/forum has a list of compatible bikes. When you find a candidate simply Google the model. More often than not we'll find a build thread that typically will provide an overview and list any issues.

 

[tomjasz]

I'll be interested to hear how your full suspension conversion goes. One person who posts here has done a lot of conversions and I thought I read he does not do FS. I assumed, but do not know, that it was because of fitment issues.

Welcome to posting by the way Metsger....

Press-fit BB's and more are an adventure. In my experience, there's no point in cheap FS bikes. Some are priced less than a real, responsive, reliable, suspension fork.
empoweredcycles.com
Owner Matt has a great primer on press-fit and adapters. And like California eBike can support a n00b.
(Not referring to the OP a n00b!)

The original lectric cycles and their former tech guy reported the BBSHD over powered some FS frames. Don't remember which brand but it was a respected mainstream not so cheap FS bike. The high torque and power destroyed the swing arm.

 

[tomjasz]

HD motor casing is getting hard points welded on to lock to,

Interesting, but aren't there easier solutions?

 

[PedalUma]

FS bikes are problematic

A full suspension is coming in for conversion. It is a neighbor's bike and he knows a rancher who welds aluminum for a twelve pack of IPA. He is going to attach a secondary motor mount I gave him to the bottom bracket shell just behind it. If your are using a full suspension bike, like a full suspension, bike then you want that motor solid. The question is why? Do you really need a FS?
I just made this $300 bike a Class 3. Those flowers don't grow here. But this one is in front of a Southern facing mirrored wall so it thinks it is in LA.