Converting a Montague Boston?

[Jimmy666]

Hey all.
I have a thing for the Montague Boston and I am thinking about converting one and would like to hear thoughts from you guys and gals about doing this. Mid drive or rear hub? I would probably swap the fork to add a disk brake. any advise would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Dewey]

Either motor type works, the official Montague conversions for the US and EU markets use two variations of the all-in-one hub motor wheel concept: in the US the Superpedestrian Copenhagen wheel, in the EU the Zehus. But you can do a Bafang mid-drive, sign up for an account at https://electricbike.com/forum (click the Signup link in the top right corner) and do a keyword search for Montague to see some example build threads, you might need to secure the motor with some large hose clamps as others on that forum have done, because I'm not sure the BSB-1 torque arm for a Bafang mid-drive works on the Montague.

 

[Jimmy666]

Either motor type works, the official Montague conversions for the US and EU markets use two variations of the all-in-one hub motor wheel concept: in the US the Superpedestrian Copenhagen wheel, in the EU the Zehus. But you can do a Bafang mid-drive, sign up for an account at https://electricbike.com/forum (click the Signup link in the top right corner) and do a keyword search for Montague to see some example build threads, you might need to secure the motor with some large hose clamps as others on that forum have done, because I'm not sure the BSB-1 torque arm for a Bafang mid-drive works on the Montague.

greatly appreciated!

 

[Dewey]

greatly appreciated!

No worries, if you decide to fit a Bafang mid-drive then if at all possible I would recommend fitting a BSB-1 torque arm or your motor will likely rotate in the bottom bracket.

 

[JES2020]

Hey all.
I have a thing for the Montague Boston and I am thinking about converting one and would like to hear thoughts from you guys and gals about doing this. Mid drive or rear hub? I would probably swap the fork to add a disk brake. any advise would be greatly appreciated!

Hey
That's a snazzy looking frame, looks tough as nails.
You didn't say how handy your are mechanically speaking.
If you're looking for the fastest and easiest install. it would be a front hub motor (but they do have some draw backs) like strange handling performance and needing to beef up the fork for the torque.
next would be the rear hub (my personal favorite), drives like a motorcycle and not that much more complicated to install. lastly would be the mid drive which requires much more skill, tools and uisally a new drive train (because all the power goes through the chain and derailleur). Many people like the weight distribution of the mid drive and the torque sensing PAS capability.( the other installs usually have cadence sensing PAS).
Good luck and have fun, I know I enjoyed building mine.

 

[Dewey]

The Montague Boston is a single speed so no worries about the drivetrain. Mid-drive offers best balance and IMO is the way to go for Montague folders. OP could choose the Tongsheng TSDZ2 motor if he wants a torque sensor

 

[JES2020]

The Montague Boston is a single speed so no worries about the drivetrain. Mid-drive offers best balance and IMO is the way to go for Montague folders. OP could choose the Tongsheng TSDZ2 motor if he wants a torque sensor

Good points. I was just offering the OP my opinion according to ease of build. I think you would agree the mid drive is the most complicated install wouldn't you?

 

[EMGX]

Good points. I was just offering the OP my opinion according to ease of build. I think you would agree the mid drive is the most complicated install wouldn't you?

Not by much. I've installed a TSDZ2 on a couple bikes, tested on my Dahon Jack then put it on my wife's Dahon Briza. Because of the frame design the Briza required some frame modification but it was a simple and quick install on the Jack which took less than an hour. I'm not sure which conversion would be best for a single speed bike like the Montague Boston, depends on the intended use. In the past I installed a MXUS 36v 250w geared front hub motor with throttle only on the Jack - it did pretty good on flat to mild inclines but that wasn't what I needed it for. The Montague looks like a nice bike.

 

[ki11a]

Ive seen a redditor or two who had convered their Montague...they used a Middrive TSDZ2 with a in gear hub...

Heres one with a BBSHD

One with a hub motor ....

so yeah, it definitely can be done

 

[Dewey]

From reading the electricbike.com forum it seems the Montague Paratrooper is a popular model to convert. Great to see full size wheel folding bikes.

 

[EMGX]

Here is the TSDZ2 temporarily installed on my Dahon Jack when I was testing it prior to doing the required frame alteration on my wife's Briza. I thought the motor performed very well on the 26" Jack. As an aside, if rim brakes work well for you on your bike why convert to a disc in the front? The TSDZ2 with a 36v 15ah battery adds about 16# to the bike (actually less because the old crank assembly is swapped out), would you need disc brakes if you carried a 16# load on your bike as it is currently? You can ride just as fast on a non-assist bike as one with assist, it is just easier to get there with assist (up to mid 20s on the Jack).

 

[JES2020]

Not by much. I've installed a TSDZ2 on a couple bikes, tested on my Dahon Jack then put it on my wife's Dahon Briza. Because of the frame design the Briza required some frame modification but it was a simple and quick install on the Jack which took less than an hour. I'm not sure which conversion would be best for a single speed bike like the Montague Boston, depends on the intended use. In the past I installed a MXUS 36v 250w geared front hub motor with throttle only on the Jack - it did pretty good on flat to mild inclines but that wasn't what I needed it for. The Montague looks like a nice bike.

Interesting, You are the first person that has said there is not much difference in install complexity between hub and mid drive motors. I have watched several mid drive instals and compared to just changing the wheel it seems VERY much more complex. But to each his own.

 

[EMGX]

Interesting, You are the first person that has said there is not much difference in install complexity between hub and mid drive motors. I have watched several mid drive instals and compared to just changing the wheel it seems VERY much more complex. But to each his own.

the only added complexity is that you have to remove your current bottom bracket assembly. The Tongsheng just slips in the bottom bracket. Depending on the bike frame the "torque arm" device might not work, I didn't bother with it on the Jack. The Briza was a different story because it required some frame modification but it was still doable. Looking up the Montague Boston it appears that the stock chainring is 42t so for that bike no chain modification would be necessary. The electrical wiring is no more complex on the TSDZ2 than a hub motor. For the front hub motor I had to file the dropouts a little. Overall I don't think there was any significant difference in difficulty or time of installation. I glanced at a couple youtube install videos, it didn't look difficult and it wasn't.

Eco Cycles – Opening Soon

www.eco-ebike.com

 

[JES2020]

the only added complexity is that you have to remove your current bottom bracket assembly. The Tongsheng just slips in the bottom bracket. Depending on the bike frame the "torque arm" device might not work, I didn't bother with it on the Jack. The Briza was a different story because it required some frame modification but it was still doable. Looking up the Montague Boston it appears that the stock chainring is 42t so for that bike no chain modification would be necessary. The electrical wiring is no more complex on the TSDZ2 than a hub motor. For the front hub motor I had to file the dropouts a little. Overall I don't think there was any significant difference in difficulty or time of installation. I glanced at a couple youtube install videos, it didn't look difficult and it wasn't.

Eco Cycles – Opening Soon

www.eco-ebike.com

Which is harder and requires special tools, removing the crank and bracket or removing a wheel? I can't make it any clearer than that..

 

[EMGX]

The "special tools" are common, inexpensive, what I already had and many others who do any work themselves already have. The cadence sensor that came with my MXUS geared hub motor required a crank to be removed also.

 

[JES2020]

The "special tools" are common, inexpensive, what I already had and many others who do any work themselves already have. The cadence sensor that came with my MXUS geared hub motor required a crank to be removed also. What is clear is that this sort of thing is just not your cup of tea but that doesn't make it any more difficult for someone with the modest ability that it takes to accomplish it.

You missed the point completely... I was offering my opinion to the OP not to you.
We don't know what the OP's experience is.
Dewy replied he prefers the mid drive to which I answered, I was only listing in order of ease of installation...and then I clearly asked Dewy if he agreed the mid drive was harder to install than the hub. At which point, you answered for Dewy (don't know why) , but so be it.
Now you act as if this whole conversation was about you and you skill set, it isn't AND it's not about what my cup of tea is, it's about offering advice to the OP.

Oh and FYI the cadence sensor can be bought in two pieces so, no you don't have to remove the crank.

 

[Dewey]

I think you would agree the mid drive is the most complicated install wouldn't you?

Yes, for sure, I've paid my local bike shop to remove the bottom bracket and make the new front chainring work with the bike's gearing on both my mid-drive conversions. I admire the simplicity of the all-in-one hub concept but feel the cons outweigh the pros for me particularly the inability to remove the battery because I keep my bike in a shed and prefer to remove and store the battery indoors out of the cold/heat - I suppose you could remove the rear wheel or fold and store the whole bike inside. My first attempt at an ebike was using a Hill Topper front hub kit, very simple to install, the current 36v version is better/more powerful than the 24v version I tried then returned 4 years ago.

 

[EMGX]

No problem, I was just relaying my experience. I've installed the same MXUS front hub motor on a couple bikes that I have and the TSDZ2 on two different bikes but you indicate "I have watched several mid drive instals and compared to just changing the wheel it seems VERY much more complex". So I'll just defer to your youtube expertise.

If someone finds they have to pay a LBS to remove the bottom bracket assembly I would agree that a DIY mid drive conversion might not be a good choice for them.

If the OP hasn't been put off by the vitriol then they can watch the installation video that I linked (yes I found it that straight forward and easy) and read the attached written instructions and decide for themselves. As I said in a previous post I don't know what would be the best choice for a single speed bike and other variables that the OP faces. The few extra steps/minutes spent on installing a mid drive might be easily made up the first time you have a flat tire and have to remove a wheel with the motor to fix it. As always YMMV.

 

[nate_lynch]

Hey
That's a snazzy looking frame, looks tough as nails.
You didn't say how handy your are mechanically speaking.
If you're looking for the fastest and easiest install. it would be a front hub motor (but they do have some draw backs) like strange handling performance and needing to beef up the fork for the torque.
next would be the rear hub (my personal favorite), drives like a motorcycle and not that much more complicated to install. lastly would be the mid drive which requires much more skill, tools and uisally a new drive train (because all the power goes through the chain and derailleur). Many people like the weight distribution of the mid drive and the torque sensing PAS capability.( the other installs usually have cadence sensing PAS).
Good luck and have fun, I know I enjoyed building mine.

Do you have any recommendations for the front hub install kit/parts? Looking to do this with the Montague Allston.

 

[LimboJim]

Yes, for sure, I've paid my local bike shop to remove the bottom bracket and make the new front chainring work with the bike's gearing on both my mid-drive conversions.

How did they make the front chainring work? Chain guide? More offset chainring?

The 10mm offset on the TSDZ2 isn't enough for the cassette's first two gears on my bike.