Hello from Kansas

[Hasaf]

Short Bio, I lived in Northern California for many years, in and about Yreka. Then I left the country and returned to South-West Kansas, the rural part of the state. Here I teach computer applications and robotics at a middle school.

My first eBikes were a couple of motor scooter looking things in China. When I returned to the states I started riding my bicycle every day, but the wind was getting me down and I decided to put a motor on my commuter:

My first commuter

Then I got the idea that I wanted to ride from Kansas to Utah one summer. I added the requirement that I needed to be able to make it without plugging in along the was. So, I built a solar eTrike:

I ended up long term loaning the first eBike commuter to my sister. As such, I ended up building another one:

At present, I am putting a NuVinci on my commuter bike. I am also in the process of building up my Rotovello to be BaFang powered

 

[byunbee]

Short Bio, I lived in Northern California for many years, in and about Yreka. Then I left the country and returned to South-West Kansas, the rural part of the state. Here I teach computer applications and robotics at a middle school.

My first eBikes were a couple of motor scooter looking things in China. When I returned to the states I started riding my bicycle every day, but the wind was getting me down and I decided to put a motor on my commuter:

My first commuter

Then I got the idea that I wanted to ride from Kansas to Utah one summer. I added the requirement that I needed to be able to make it without plugging in along the was. So, I built a solar eTrike:

I ended up long term loaning the first eBike commuter to my sister. As such, I ended up building another one:

At present, I am putting a NuVinci on my commuter bike. I am also in the process of building up my Rotovello to be BaFang powered

Hi and welcome to the forum!

I'm curious about the costs of building your ebike conversions. The reason I ask is I've been given a donor frame and motor from an 2016 FLX Trail ebike and been trying to source parts to keep the project worthwhile. But with the battery, drivetrain groupset, brake set, wheel set, etc., the cost is approaching $1000 at which point it doesn't make sense economically. Are you doing this on your own just because you can and as a hobby, or are you actually saving money going this route?

 

[Bigal1463]

Welcome Hasaf, you sure are a talented individual that this community is fortunate to now have. Your knowledge will be a huge contribution. Please keep us updated with your solar applications. Thank you very much and good luck with your future endeavors.

 

[Hasaf]

In the case of the first one, I already had the bike. Of course, no one makes solar trikes (I don't want to the of how much it would cost if anyone did). IN the third one, I had heard how the Tongsheng motor was so much better than the BBS02 and I wanted to see.

That said, for similar motor and battery, I consider it to still be cheaper than purchasing a complete eBike. There is also the hobby aspect. All that said, I am looking hard at the Sonders Rockstar, a prebuilt bike, for commuting.

 

[byunbee]

That said, for similar motor and battery, I consider it to still be cheaper than purchasing a complete eBike. There is also the hobby aspect. All that said, I am looking hard at the Sonders Rockstar, a prebuilt bike, for commuting.

That's assuming that you already have an analog bike to begin with correct? In my case, I'm missing everything except the motor and frame which drives up cost. The battery alone (sourced from China, not FLX) was $440 (I believe FLX charges some outrageous mount like $799.)

 

[Hasaf]

That's assuming that you already have an analog bike to begin with correct? In my case, I'm missing everything except the motor and frame which drives up cost. The battery alone (sourced from China, not FLX) was $440 (I believe FLX charges some outrageous mount like $799.)

I looked at my records, here it is:

$357.00	36Vx20AH Battery ( just double-checked, the shipping was included)
15.67	Battery bag
368.00	TSDZ2 Mid-Drive Motor
399.00	Bikes direct bike with HYDRAULIC brakes
1,139.67	Total

This was less than the mid-drive bikes, that I knew of, at the time. Yes, there were odds and ends, such as connectors, but by that time I had connectors, crimping tools, and the like.

 

[byunbee]

Yeah, for you that makes sense. I'm trying to build hardtail front suspension mountain bike. Probably end up with better specs than the original FLX Trail, but still can't swallow spending $1000+ on components. Now if I can figure out to reduce the budget by 50% would be the motivator to pull the trigger on this project.

Preliminary Component Research:

Component	Vendor	Price	Tax	Total
2021 Brand New SHIMANO Deore M4100 1X10 Speed MTB Groupset 4 Pcs 46T	https://www.ebay.com/itm/2021-Brand...TB-Groupset-4-Pcs-46T-W-M5120-RD/122171761772	$ 114.99	$ 8.91	$ 123.90
Shimano MT200 Brake Bicycle Bike MTB Hydraulic Disc Brake Set HS1/G3 Optional	https://www.ebay.com/itm/Shimano-MT...HS1-G3-Optional/283640143557?var=584961326547	$ 57.88	$ 4.49	$ 62.37
ZTZ Magnesium Alloy Mountain Front Fork Air Pressure Shock Absorber Fork Fork Bicycle Accessories 27.5 Lock Out	https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PFDS9QR/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A2WNOCG413RCP6&psc=1	$ 129.99	$ 10.07	$ 140.06
Reention Dorado Pro 36v 17ah, 505mm, 458x61.4x84.3mm		$ 400.00	$ 31.00	$ 431.00
Wake MTB Riser Handlebar, Aluminum Alloy Mountain Bike Handlebar 720/780mm Bicycle Bars	https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z36NXLM/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_rc9hFbDZC9KB1	$ 29.99	$ 2.32	$ 32.31
FOMTOR 31.8 Stem 35 Degree 70mm 90mm 110mm Bike Handlebar Stem Riser MTB Stem Suitable for Mountain Bike, Road Bike, BMX, MTB	https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C2KDXB6/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_xe9hFbMFGR72Z	$ 16.99	$ 1.32	$ 18.31
MTB Tubeless: 27.5 WTB ST i25 Rims with Shimano Deore Hubs and Maxxis High Roller II Tires	https://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_STOR20.cgi?Action=Details&ProdID=3431	$ 199.99	$ 15.50	$ 215.49
FSA Orbit MX Threadless Bicycle Headset 1-1/8" 34mm W/Top Cap Red Black White	https://www.ebay.com/itm/FSA-Orbit-...640838?hash=item2f0ef8abc6:g:a58AAOSwpJReLVtr	$ 21.00	$ 1.63	$ 22.63
WELLGO MG-3 Fixed Pin Bike Pedals for MTB BMX DH Platform 9/16'' Silver	https://www.ebay.com/itm/WELLGO-MG-...735916?hash=item2f145769ac:g:tu8AAOSwq15eLVsb	$ 21.90	$ 1.70	$ 23.60
Ergon GP1-L/-S Large or Small Ergo Handlebar Bike Grips Folding Bike MTB Touring	https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ergon-GP1-...617748?hash=item2f38df3f54:g:ki8AAOSw69teLVs2	$ 25.90	$ 2.01	$ 27.91
Haibike Xduro Urban Saddle	I have	$ -	$ -	$ -
Haibike Xduro Urban Seatpost	I have	$ -	$ -	$ -
		$ 1,018.63	$ 78.94	$ 1,097.57