Converting townie with Bafang

[Anon554477]

Hi, I sm thinking of converting my Townie 7D EQ instead of buying new e bike. I am looking at the bbs02 and just installing that, the gear sensor, and mechanical brake levers. Will the Townie hold up? Will I need anything else? Are the brakes sufficient? Should I just pickup a Magnum ranger instead? Thanks

 

[AHicks]

My vote: The Magnum Ranger

Why: I would absolutely have to have disk brakes on my e-bike, -and- a throttle.

 

[Anon554477]

My vote: The Magnum Ranger

Why: I would absolutely have to have disk brakes on my e-bike, -and- a throttle.

Would the Verve+3 be a better bike than the Magnum? I prefer a more upright position and the dealer would drop the priced to 2699 so it's essentially the same price as the Magnum.

The Townie with the bafang setuo would have a throttle, just no disc brakes.

 

[gkgeiger]

Hi, I sm thinking of converting my Townie 7D EQ instead of buying new e bike. I am looking at the bbs02 and just installing that, the gear sensor, and mechanical brake levers. Will the Townie hold up? Will I need anything else? Are the brakes sufficient? Should I just pickup a Magnum ranger instead? Thanks

I was going to do the same thing but did the math and bought a Rad City.

 

[Browneye]

If you're a DIY extraordinaire and aircraft mechanic, building an ebike is a great option and tons o' fun. Otherwise buy one from a dealer that will back you up with service and warranty. It can be the difference between satisfaction and frustration.

After everything I've seen and heard I still recommend something from the 'big-3' - Trek, Specialized, or Giant. There are other good up-and-comers, less well known brands, so be sure to do your homework if you're going that route. And see as many dealers and test ride as many bikes as you can stand. You'll be much more well informed when it comes time to pull the trigger on one.

Good luck and let us know how it goes, what you decide.

 

[stanmiller]

Hi, I sm thinking of converting my Townie 7D EQ instead of buying new e bike. I am looking at the bbs02 and just installing that, the gear sensor, and mechanical brake levers. Will the Townie hold up? Will I need anything else? Are the brakes sufficient? Should I just pickup a Magnum ranger instead? Thanks

I converted my Townie to electric in 2018. I've logged over 2500 miles - though today I mostly ride an electric Mongoose Envoy.

Electra Townie conversion with kit from Bluenergy

After a few years of lurking around here and endless-sphere, I finally took the plunge and converted my Electra Townie to an e-bike. I’m now over 530 634 1386 2000 2530 miles in and couldn’t be happier. I had ridden this Townie and prior Trek Pure thousands of miles and along the way tuned...

electricbikereview.com

The bike will hold up just fine and you don't need disc brakes (assuming you're not exceeding the manufacture weight limit. 275lb?)

But you will want to upgrade the rim brakes and pads.

I upgraded to these from Shimano.

Amazon.com : Shimano BR-T4000 Rear V-Brake, Black : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : Shimano BR-T4000 Rear V-Brake, Black : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

That said, $1500 will get you a lot of e-bike these days. In 2018, doing a conversion was much more compelling.

 

[AHicks]

Would the Verve+3 be a better bike than the Magnum? I prefer a more upright position and the dealer would drop the priced to 2699 so it's essentially the same price as the Magnum.

The Townie with the bafang setuo would have a throttle, just no disc brakes.

Thought you were going with a low "stand over"/pedal forward design?

Better would be about which bike best suited what you are looking for.

Also, though I don't think you need to be an aircraft mechanic, good workmanship will be apparent in the end product. If the plan is to take a day and just throw something together and go for a ride, you may be in for a disappointment. That said, I believe there are some buys that are hard to compete with when building a quality DIY bike, especially if resale value is factored in. Rad being one of them, and maybe Juiced for their 52v batteries and hyd brakes.

 

[Anon554477]

Thanks guys, I just got a sweet deal on a Rampage Nomad e bike at 2500. Guy bought it at work and needs cash. Is this a good bike? Or stay with trek?

 

[Anon554477]

Thought you were going with a low "stand over"/pedal forward design?

Trek doesn't have disk brakes either.

Also, though I don't think you need to be an aircraft mechanic, good workmanship will be apparent in the end product. If the plan is to take a day and just throw something together and go for a ride, you may be in for a disappointment. That said, I believe there are some buys that are hard to compete with, especially if resale value is factored in. Rad being one of them, and maybe Juiced for their 52v batteries and hyd brakes.

Thanks, I do not need pedal forward. I would prefer more upright riding position. Thanks for the advice

 

[AHicks]

The pedal forward design (like the Townie and Magnum) allow you to get full leg extension, AND still be able to reach the ground easily (flat footed vs. tippy toes) due to a seat height that's quite a bit lower to the ground than a conventional bike (easier to swing a leg over as well) . Nobody "needs" this, but it's a pretty popular design.

 

[tomjasz]

Perfect bike for a conversion.

 

[JohnCJ]

Hi, I sm thinking of converting my Townie 7D EQ instead of buying new e bike. I am looking at the bbs02 and just installing that, the gear sensor, and mechanical brake levers. Will the Townie hold up? Will I need anything else? Are the brakes sufficient? Should I just pickup a Magnum ranger instead? Thanks

Were you able to complete the conversion using the bbs02? I tried to convert a Tony seven and found I could not remove the bearing housing on the bottom bracket.

 

[tomjasz]

Were you able to complete the conversion using the bbs02? I tried to convert a Tony seven and found I could not remove the bearing housing on the bottom bracket.

Are you trying to remove it and turning in the wrong direction? The right side is reverse threaded.

 

[JohnCJ]

Are you trying to remove it and turning in the wrong direction? The right side is reverse threaded.

I just found a thread. Shimano is left handed. Thanks. 40 years of industrial engineering and I got beat by LH threads!

 

[tomjasz]

I got beat by LH threads!

In 2013 doing my first kit I destroyed the chainguard bracket trying to remove the bearing cup. DOH moments are just all a part of the process! Glad you got it sorted. Flat Foot frames are my preferred ride. Townie builds are my absolute favorite. I'm always on the lookout, here in MN and WI, for early Townie frames when they were made in WI. 13 years ago they were $800 bikes.

 

[tomjasz]

Shimano is left handed.

ALL square taper bottom brackets are.

 

[JohnCJ]

ALL square taper bottom brackets are.

All finished but the battery charge. I even modified (bent) the chain guard supports to clear the chain ring. I could not fit the control wire through the frame without cutting the end off and splicing. Looking for a good way to attach the cable to the lower frame. You can see the cable hanging and I don't want to put a zip tie through the Townie decal.
Thanks again.

 

[tomjasz]

Route under the top tube? I did find red zip ties for my red bike. Blue? Petaluma may have an idea.
That is one of the few downsides of a DIY conversion, zip ties!

 

[EMGX]

All finished but the battery charge. I even modified (bent) the chain guard supports to clear the chain ring. I could not fit the control wire through the frame without cutting the end off and splicing. Looking for a good way to attach the cable to the lower frame. You can see the cable hanging and I don't want to put a zip tie through the Townie decal.
Thanks again.

Stick on cable guides might work for you.

 

[JohnCJ]

Great idea! Found some on Ebay. Thanks again!