Legal change European Union.

[Manu]

year 2017
Bicycle + electric kit = illegal for all purposes.

Users with installations 1500w electric kit in carbon frame, early structural fatigue because its design is for human pedaling.No homologation

Pedelec: engine max/top 500W / 25kmh.
Equal circulatory regulation to the bicycle.

(It is an improvement since before it was in 250w).

 

[Dmitri]

I can tell you what happens on EU country borders right now. If they see an ebike with a throttle, they kindly ask you to remove the throttle switch. People have already learned this and remove the throttle before they approach the border point.

There are no checks on the bike's power unless your bike looks like a motorcycle or moped, in which case border guards have special equipment (I kid you not) they attach to the bike to measure overall torque/speed. If your bike looks like a bike, nobody asks any questions... hell, last time I had the border guards help me assemble the bike (hey it's Finland, people are nice) as I was ready to set off.

Regarding motors in carbon frames, I have some things to say, namely:

• You don't need carbon. You just don't need it! You need it for a mechanical bike, not for an ebike. Who cares if an ebike weights 30kg?
• Dropout reinforcements. Seriously, if you decide to install super-powerful hub motors, dropout reinforcement is a must. It's just pieces of metal, not exactly difficult to install.
• In line with the above, consider stronger forks such as Magura Boltron. Has a 20mm TA, was specifically designed for ebikes. Probably a pain to service though.

TL;DR things are great in EU, don't worry and enjoy life!