EMTB Advice?

[Gionnirocket]

Is your Zen frame the same as the photon ultra with the battery built into the down tube?

This is my Zen

How did you attach the other battery and cover the hole in the frame? I had mine weighed at my LBS and they said it weighed close to 85lbs.

What I did is buy the empty battery case and fit the 10Ah battery inside.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805084340611.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.227.3c961802svgZLI&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

Wired up the charge and discharge ports and it looks and functions as the stock battery. The seller was even able to match the very hard to find charge port.
Yet another reason why I appreciate non proprietary hardware


The Biktrix equivalent is this model.

Juggernaut FS Step-Thru MTB

Unleash the power of the Juggernaut FS Step-Thru, Biktrix’s latest masterpiece in electric mountain biking. Designed with the seasoned rider in mind, this Full Suspension, Low Step eMTB combines power, endurance, and comfort for an unparalleled riding experience. Key Features: Powerful...

biktrix.com

But do your research as I know nothing about it other than it looks to be using a very similar frame.

 

[PedalUma]

Both of those bikes would work. Any feel for a comparison?

I have learned my lesson with mail order e bikes. Twice I have ended up selling the bikes as they did not work and once paying over $300 to ship it back. I will wait on Aventon until I go to Boise on a shopping trip.

That CC Frey is not legal to ride on a road, bike path, bike lane, or anywhere in public. Around here it would be impounded. Since Amazon dropped selling illegal electric motorcycles in California prices on them are discounted by up to 58%. The Frey does not comply within the three class system. Class 2 has a throttle and is limited to 750 watts and 20 mph. Heavy ilegal motorcycles suck and get all assisted bikes painted with the same brush, including cargo moms just getting kids to school.

 

[Cybersnow]

Good info Pedaluma. We winter in the Southbay LA (Calif) area and have 2 Aventon bikes there. Our riding is relatively flat and there are great bike roads along the beaches. The heavy duty bikes are for use in very rural and mountainous Idaho where the e mopeds abound and the local county Sheriff is understaffed and not enforcing Idaho E-Bike laws (whatever those are).

 

[Gionnirocket]

That CC Frey is not legal to ride on a road, bike path, bike lane, or anywhere in public. Around here it would be impounded. Since Amazon dropped selling illegal electric motorcycles in California prices on them are discounted by up to 58%. The Frey does not comply within the three class system. Class 2 has a throttle and is limited to 750 watts and 20 mph. Heavy ilegal motorcycles suck and get all assisted bikes painted with the same brush, including cargo moms just getting kids to school.

No one is interested in the vagina police opinion

 

[PCeBiker]

,.. The heavy duty bikes are for use in very rural and mountainous Idaho where the e mopeds abound

Canada has much simpler ebike laws.
You must be 16 yrs old.
You must wear a helmet.
Motor power is limited to 500 Watts nominal.
And your not allowed to exceed 20 mph

I'll have over 2000 watts continuous available with both motors and batteries working, but as long as I don't go over 32 kph, the cops don't bother me.

I've passed cops riding no-hands and not pedaling, and they took no notice.

I ride alone on rural gravel roads and see almost no traffic.
I always grab my handlebars when there's any approaching vehicles.


I'm not a teenage hooligan on a Surron ripping down the sidewalk at 40 mph.

 

[Gionnirocket]

Canada has much simpler ebike laws.
You must be 16 yrs old.
You must wear a helmet.
Motor power is limited to 500 Watts nominal.
And your not allowed to exceed 20 mph

I'll have over 2000 watts continuous available with both motors and batteries working, but as long as I don't go over 32 kph, the cops don't bother me.

I've passed cops riding no-hands and not pedaling, and they took no notice.

I ride alone on rural gravel roads and see almost no traffic.
I always grab my handlebars when there's any approaching vehicles.


I'm not a teenage hooligan on a Surron ripping down the sidewalk at 40 mph.

I concur...
I've stopped and spoken to local police, county police and NYPD riding my 1000w and they were more interested in the pretty mommies walking by.
As long as you're not an ass and harass.. they just give you a nod as you go by.

 

[Cybersnow]

My old Bafang kitted bike which was purchased before the speed limits were hard coded into the system would do in excess of 47mph. I never had any issues with the police as I would always ride at the prevailing speed of the other bikes on the paths. However early in the morning when the 25 mile beach trail was empty was a different story. I am over 10 years older and more afraid of how long it would take to heal the road rash or broken bones.

 

[PCeBiker]

,.. I am over 10 years older and more afraid of how long it would take to heal the road rash or broken bones.

That's always on my mind.

I will look down at the gravel road when I'm "only" going 20 mph, and know that it would hurt like Hell if I went down hard.

I Always wear my helmet, my Carhartt work pants with knee pads inserted, a jean jacket, boots and gloves, even when it's over 34°C with a humidex in the 40's, but I don't pedal and if I keep moving I don't overheat.

I've "fallen over" dozens of times but never at speed so I've never really "crashed".
(I've fallen over inside my house 3 or 4 times. I almost wiped out my TV. )

 

[Cybersnow]

I don’t mind pedaling as I am trying to stay relatively fit. However those days of high speed downhill, jumping over stuff and zigzags between trees are long over. Now it is more like 25-50 mile rides at about 17 miles an hour, with a stop somewhere for a little water and maybe a healthy snack. Once in a while we will do an overnighter or two, but will motel and restaurant it.

 

[LandoftheGiants]

Another option would be to buy a decent MTB and add a motor/battery kit. The third option is to take my current heavy hardtail out and give the trail a try (when it stops raining). The last option is to give up riding on intermediate and rougher trails and ride on roads and easy trails (which usually are very dirt road like).

A decent MTB won't set you back a lot and if you are happy to add a motor and battery you might want to look at the Giant Stance. It has a dropper post that goes so low I can sit on the bike and actually flat foot the ground, I'm 6'. That might not be low enough for you though, to be able to swing your leg over? The BB takes a stock BBS middrive and the triangle a Hailong battery. Many MTB have the shock up high and it swallows up all the room in the triangle but this one is a short vertical tucked well back near the seat post. Good luck in your hunt

Edit: Actually the seat can go a few inches lower too as the outer tube of the dropper on mine is up a ways and is adjustable as you can see in this pick. If I went that low it would feel like a BMX lol. I haven't converted it yet but have all the bitz, just waiting on the new e-bike laws here. I've ridden it around a bit though and once on it and moving it's a simple matter to lift the seat to where I can spin efficiently. Even easier to drop it as I come to a stop.