I finally took my ebike for a test ride.

[PCeBiker]

Are you going to pick up the waxing sideline?

No, I just heard about it a few years ago and thought I'd give it a try.
I do all my own work on my ebikes (including All Kinds of unnecessary stuff. ) but I don't want to work on anyone else's ebike.

@PCeBiker, You know how a BBS02 comes with a chainguard covering the chainring. That can easily be removed and replaced with another differently sized chainring using the original ringbolts.

Yeah, I've been looking into the different options.
I can get a "Spider" that mounts to the motor, then mount different sized chainrings to it.

But that 42T offset chainring looks pretty , and with my 52T chainring on top of it, I should have a pretty straight chain line for both chainrings, especially if I don't need to use 8th gear at 20 mph?


I ordered my mid-drive with a 36T chainring (flat, no offset), but the chain was scrubbing on the motor housing, so I decided to just get the "standard" Bafang 52T steel chainring for it.

I can still use the 36T chainring if I use spacers for clearance.
I actually bought a spacer, but didn't install it.

I'm pretty sure that my 36T chainring would work with a thinner 10 or 12-speed chain?
My 8 speed chain is pretty sloppy on the fat-skinny chainring teeth.

I'm still not sure what I'm going to do with it?


I'm not sure how my 52T chain wheel is going to work out, but with my 20 mph speed limit, I may not need to use or wear out my 8th gear?

My cadence is irrelevant, so I'd like to get my motor spun up to the most efficient RPM.
I may not need to use my smallest cog, at 20 mph to do that?


One thing that I noticed is that there's Huge drag on the clutch when I'm not pedaling, so I think my hub-drive is going to be my "go-to" motor?

The clutch might loosen up a little with time, but with my hub-drive pushing the ebike, the entire drive-line, and mid-drive motor sits idle, so the mid-drive is just dead weight being carried around.

I was out for another ride today, and everything feels fine.
I can ride no-hands as easily as ever, in fact maybe even easier?

The wind gusts have a harder time knocking me off-line with more inertia on my side.
It tracks straighter and smoother.
(Especially with my tires now properly inflated to 32 psi instead of the 42 psi maximum. )

You know how a BBS02 comes with a chainguard covering the chainring.

I'm not too keen on the plastic chaingaurd, and I'm really not impressed with the plastic motor housing.


My Voltbike came with Bash Guards to protect the chainring and chain,..

 

[PCeBiker]

I just checked my chainring and it turns out to be a 46T.
It's the same as the original.

It was my first ebike that had the 52T chainring.


So, I decided to spend another $90 and bought a 42T chainring with a 14mm offset, and a 52T regular Bafang steel chainring, with a 6.5mm offset to stack on top of it.

I'm going to need longer bolts, but I want to make sure I get the proper hardened steel hex bolts.

I'm pretty sure that I need 5mm bolts (the chainrings are drilled for 5mm).

I'm thinking maybe brake caliper bolts would be the right choice?

I'll be able to reduce the offset of the 52T chainring by the thickness of the 42T chainring, and I can add the spacer as well.
That will give lots of clearance between the chainrings for the chain.



I just found this on AliExpress:
Bafang BBS01B BBS02B Mid Motor Chain Wheel Chainring 44T 46T 48T 52T Electric Bicycle Conversions 8FUN Parts

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mMNSkD9

I just found this on AliExpress:
BAFANG 42T/44T/46T Chain Wheel for BBS01B BBS02B BBSHD Mid-drive Motor Chainring Sprocket Electric Bicycle Conversion Kit Parts

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mPp4Kmf