Got a new coffee maker to replace the one that broke a couple of days ago so I'm not nearly as grumpy this morning. I'm not actually that price sensitive, I just don't want to spend a lot of money for a bike that is a collection of compromises from my point of view. So I'll back up and try to describe what I really want and why I think I want it. This combination of things isn't available at any price on the existing e-bikes I've seen, which is why I've been thinking about buying components and building it myself.
- Internally geared hub in the rear. Needs to be more than 3-speed so I have a reasonable granny gear on the low end. Even if I wasn't looking at crank-forward frames, I'm not a stand-up-and-pedal type of guy.
- Crank-forward frame. I rode a Linear recumbent for a while but it's too long and weird. I like the idea of semi-recumbent comfort in a "normal looking" bike with standard components.
- Lots of torque and extra power that I may never need or use. This and the facts that I weigh over 300# and I want a sealed internally geared hub (see bullet 1) lead me to mid-drive, specifically Bafang 750W. And as big a battery as I can afford.
- Multiple levels of pedal assist. I intend to ride a century on this every once in a while. I want to make sure I can ride it like a real bike as long as possible and only dial in the assistance as I need it (see gears and extra power above). I want to be able to make it last all day.
Ideally I'd also like the e-kit parts to support:
- Power feeds for front and rear lights and phone. Should I get a dynamo in the front hub too?
- I don't know if I care about crank vs. torque sensors never having tried the latter, but I'll assume there's a reason to want both.
- A thumb throttle that works while in pedal-assist mode so I can goose it a little when I want. Not sure why I think I want this. At most it's a very low priority.
- Bluetooth connection to my phone with all the data I could care to consume about the system.
- Interface between the gears and motor so I don't have to think about shifting. Maybe an automatic transmission like the NuVinci with H|Sync.
Probably several other things I've forgotten or haven't thought of yet. I think I can get most of this today, with the possible exception of the last two.
Based on the excellent feedback from you folks and follow-up reading I've been doing here are some refinements to my original specs/shopping list.
Frame: sounds like I probably want to stick to steel for strength if I'm converting a regular bike to an e-bike. I could buy a RAMS crank forward aluminum frameset for $1200 if someone can come up with a convincing reason why it's worth 5x the price of an Electra Cruiser 1. The Cruiser doesn't look quite as beefy as the Townie frame, but it has the right geometry and not many extras to throw away. It's certainly cheap @ $275 MSRP. I'd love to hear other frame suggestions. And I'd really like to make that limited edition Mickey Mouse Huffy work, but am not sure it's crank-forward enough even if the cheap aluminum frame would hold up.
Gearing / wheels: it seems I probably want to avoid the Shimano Nexus because V or roller brakes may not be ideal. Rohloff is almost certainly overkill for me. So, Alfine. On the fence if I'd want more than 8-speeds to sustain pedaling over 20mph. Alfine 8 apparently cruises at about 20mph in 8th gear, Alfine 11 up to 27mph in 11th. Both seem geared about the same in 1st. Probably better off getting the 11 and not using the higher gears than the 8 and wishing I had them. Looking on Amazon I can get a German-built 26" 36 spoke wheel with Alfine 11 for about $600. For another $200 I could get a matching front wheel with a Shimano dynamo hub.
E-kit: for now, stick with the original $1670 Bafang kit with 50V 24.8Ah battery
Other: assume another $700 or so for disc brakes, fenders, cables, kevlar tires, other random missing parts and beer.
Somewhere in the $3500 range, which is about what a new Pedego Interceptor with fenders and the 48V 15Ah battery would cost me.
