Build your own DIY electric bike for under $500

[mikeschn]

Came across this DIY build by Micah Toll this morning...

Weekend Project: Build your own DIY electric bike for under $500. I'm not going to build this, but maybe for some DIYers with not much money? Your thoughts?

Weekend Project: Build your own DIY electric bike for under $500

If you know anything about me or the topics I cover, you’ll know two of my biggest hobbies revolve around electric bicycles and DIY projects. So combining them has always been a natural conclusion for me – to the point that I even wrote the book on the subject. With so many great electric...

electrek.co

 

[mikeschn]

This appears to be the correlated video!

 

[Gionnirocket]

Micah is losing his relevance

 

[JES2020]

Fairly easy to do.
I converted my old Trek into a 2000w 48v 21a battery, beast for $600 , not including the Trek.

 

[mikeschn]

@JES2020 Even the mid drive TSDZ2 is fairly easy to do... I looked to see if Micah Toll had a youtube of a TSDZ2 build, but I couldn't find one. So that might confirm what @Gionnirocket said! Ha!

 

[JES2020]

@JES2020 Even the mid drive TSDZ2 is fairly easy to do... I looked to see if Micah Toll had a youtube of a TSDZ2 build, but I couldn't find one. So that might confirm what @Gionnirocket said! Ha!

There is really no comparison between the two.
You won't find a video that installs a mid drive in less than 10 min.
Which is how long it to me to install the hub, (my first one no less). It's literally just changing the wheel ! A child can see the difference.

 

[Gionnirocket]

And that's why hub drives are for children

 

[harryS]

My first conversion was just under $500 for motor kit and battery in 2015 and it's still intact and runnng. I've built a few for under $300, with second hand battery, and haven't worn the battery out yet.

However, you can watch Walmart,com for clearance sales and pick up an entire ebike for under $500 and a 2 year warranty for $59.. Plus I think there's a 30 day return policy.

 

[Slaphappygamer]

That is a weak kit. Hills would be rough. Rider weight can easily be an issue for this kit. The battery on the handlebars must be pretty heavy. You really get what you pay for.

Walmart cheap ebike.

Of course, I’m sure there are better ones. This is just an example of where costs might be cut to achieve such price.

 

[mikeschn]

I don't think one should try to do the bike and the kit for those crazy low prices. Come on... start with a real bike... my last bike was a Cypress DX, which I bought for $710.

Then I bought a Mid Drive kit for $500.

Yeah, I reused a battery I already had.

So in Micah talk, I spent $500 to build a mid drive ebike. (I had the bike and the battery! ha!)

Mike...

 

[tomjasz]

@harryS Not to debate or diss you but for n00bs it can be a really tough process. Witness the hoards of clueless that come here completely confused. Daily posts on every eBike forum. Our easy is often others nightmares.

 

[mikeschn]

Tom,

I didn't realize you are German!

Mike...

 

[tomjasz]

Tom,

I didn't realize you are German!

Mike...

Sorry hunt and peck on iPhone. Posted without review. Argh!

 

[JES2020]

I don't think one should try to do the bike and the kit for those crazy low prices. Come on... start with a real bike... my last bike was a Cypress DX, which I bought for $710.

Then I bought a Mid Drive kit for $500.

Yeah, I reused a battery I already had.

So in Micah talk, I spent $500 to build a mid drive ebike. (I had the bike and the battery! ha!)

Mike...

The point is , it can be done for very little money. In my case, like I said, I used an old Trek.
So the cost of the bike was not even an issue. I think I paid $50 for the used Trek Mountain track, many years before I even converted it.
It is a sturdy bike, which after over 2000 miles of massive power, has given me no issues whatsoever.

 

[tomjasz]

7 years of support showed me many kit buyers are unprepared for the adventure. We forgot what the learning curve could be be.