Mid-Drive motor commuter bike

[tomjasz]

I sold all of my BBSHD motors and resurrected 36v 250w and 350w BBS01/BBS01B motors. In my case I bought more than I needed.

 

[AHicks]

yup! there are very few stepthru designs that i trust at my size! 6/3 235/240lbs.

I think some step thoughs are very likely sturdier than others, but I have the same thought, even with knowing I'll never be pushing it hard. At 70 years old, and 6'2"/315, I'm realizing full well there may come a day when I'm no longer able to get a leg over that seat, and I'll be forced into a step though or to stop riding. That's an easy call to make. When I'm gone, pretty sure my heirs will be dealing with an e-bike or 2..... step through or not! -Al

 

[billmeek]

yup! there are very few stepthru designs that i trust at my size! 6/3 235/240lbs.

How about this big beast?

 

[SpartyOn11]

I sold all of my BBSHD motors and resurrected 36v 250w and 350w BBS01/BBS01B motors. In my case I bought more than I needed.

@tomjasz what do you mean by this? Are you saying the BBSHD is a bad motor (M620)? I am looking at the Dost vs Rize and am leaning towards the Rize RX but that has the M620 motor.

 

[ElevenAD]

@tomjasz what do you mean by this? Are you saying the BBSHD is a bad motor (M620)? I am looking at the Dost vs Rize and am leaning towards the Rize RX but that has the M620 motor.

A BBSHD is not an M620, they are 2 different motors, an M620 is an Ultra.

 

[ElevenAD]

I think some step thoughs are very likely sturdier than others, but I have the same thought, even with knowing I'll never be pushing it hard. At 70 years old, and 6'2"/315, I'm realizing full well there may come a day when I'm no longer able to get a leg over that seat, and I'll be forced into a step though or to stop riding. That's an easy call to make. When I'm gone, pretty sure my heirs will be dealing with an e-bike or 2..... step through or not! -Al

I saw a guy on the Rize FB owners group whose Leisure Stepthru snapped in half last week.

 

[SpartyOn11]

A BBSHD is not an M620, they are 2 different motors, an M620 is an Ultra.

Thanks for that clarification. I assume the Ultra is better? Thoughts on the Ultra?

@ElevenAD can you imagine just riding along and your bike falls in half

 

[tomjasz]

Thanks for that clarification. I assume the Ultra is better? Thoughts on the Ultra?

@ElevenAD can you imagine just riding along and your bike falls in half

A bad parts stream for DIY riders.

 

[ElevenAD]

Thanks for that clarification. I assume the Ultra is better? Thoughts on the Ultra?

@ElevenAD can you imagine just riding along and your bike falls in half

My thoughts on the Ultra is that it is the greatest motor ever!
I imagine the Rider who broke the frame was probably riding on some type of rough terrain when it happened, but yeah i dont trust some of the stepthru bikes i see these days!
Luckily Rize dont use this frame design anymore!

 

[AHicks]

My thoughts on the Ultra is that it is the greatest motor ever!
I imagine the Rider who broke the frame was probably riding on some type of rough terrain when it happened, but yeah i dont trust some of the stepthru bikes i see these days!
Luckily Rize dont use this frame design anymore!

Same thoughts here. Makes little difference what their weight rating is, if it doesn't look like a really sturdy design, I'm not going to trust it. As regarding my weight (over 300), I have no plans that would include a step through design. That said, my wife, on her first step through bike ever, LOVES hers (Espin Flow) once we got it all straightened out/set up the way we like them....... (spoiled that way).

Point being, I don't think a step through can be judged as an entire class. Too many variables. Each step through needs to be judged on it's own.

 

[ElevenAD]

Same thoughts here. Makes little difference what their weight rating is, if it doesn't look like a really sturdy design, I'm not going to trust it. As regarding my weight (over 300), I have no plans that would include a step through design. That said, my wife, on her first step though bike ever, LOVES hers (Espin Flow) once we got it all straightened out/set up the way we like them....... (spoiled that way).

Point being, I don't think a step through can be judged as an entire class. Too many variables. Each step through needs to be judged on it's own.

I agree some look safe and others not so much, that's why I was sure to say some, I don't want to lump them all together. I actually really like the New Cyrusher Kamota!

 

[SK55]

I've been looking at both the Dost Drop and the Rize MD. Am I the only one who thinks there's some sort of connection between Dost and Rize? They're both out of Canada, and IIRC, the founders of Rize left another company to form Rize. The colors of some of the bikes look the same (Dost only offers 2 models); the motors are the same; they can both use 2 batteries. Maybe it's just me but those are a lot of similarities to just be coincidences.

 

[PedalUma]

This one is huge and very strong. Classic Dutch with a mid-drive. Three-speed with internal roller brakes. It is not a wet noodle like many step throughs and mixite frames.

 

[AHicks]

I've been looking at both the Dost Drop and the Rize MD. Am I the only one who thinks there's some sort of connection between Dost and Rize? They're both out of Canada, and IIRC, the founders of Rize left another company to form Rize. The colors of some of the bikes look the same (Dost only offers 2 models); the motors are the same; they can both use 2 batteries. Maybe it's just me but those are a lot of similarities to just be coincidences.

I think that the more you look, the more similar situations like this that you are going to find. You need to remember there are hundereds of "bike manf's" selling bikes and maybe not so many that are actually building frames in China.

 

[PedalUma]

Get a classic frame made in Taiwan and convert it. The heavy low end stuff is a waste. Here is what a decent conversion looks like. See attached. It is a mid-drive. That is the way to go.

 

[m@Robertson]

Get a classic frame made in Taiwan and convert it. The heavy low end stuff is a waste. Here is what a decent conversion looks like. See attached. It is a mid-drive. That is the way to go.

Its interesting how the gum sidewalls reduce the perceived tire profile vs. the image in white. Those are nice big tires but the sidewalls kind of conceal that.

 

[PedalUma]

Its interesting how the gum sidewalls reduce the perceived tire profile vs. the image in white. Those are nice big tires but the sidewalls kind of conceal that.

I a wild for gum walls. White tires do not work, that is unless you are riding exclusively on new white shag carpet. Exception Proves Rule. There are people who live in Manhattan who get white tires! I go for the WTB gum walls. These gravel tires have a hard center rib that works great on the road. The edges have nubs that are soft for trails. Check out images of the WTB Venture. My lugged bike with fenders has Riddler's because it cannot fit the wider ones.

 

[m@Robertson]

yeah I have to say I don't get the white tire thing. My 2wd 2Fat ti bike is being quasi-converted into a sand bike and I was just considering Snowshoe XLs for it today in the white compound. Not because I wanted it but cuz there's nothing else available. Opted out. The white just doesn't make any sense for the reasons you state. Plus that tire's white compound is extra soft for the snow which I'm not riding on.

 

[PedalUma]

I have a Boda Boda to convert. I purchased it for $650 and knew it would find a home. It will be ridden by a city council member who knows everyone. My problem is that the tires are new, perfect, and they are white. If I change them out, that is out of my pocket. It still could be worth it because it would look so much better. Not in an initial photo. After 30-days. I let a bike roll out with white tires two weeks ago. All I could do is tell the guy. He didn't want to spend the money. It was a spanning new Public town bike. A cool Public is coming in tomorrow which is also brand new.

 

[m@Robertson]

I have a Boda Boda to convert. I purchased it for $650 and knew it would find a home. It will be ridden by a city council member who knows everyone. My problem is that the tires are new, perfect, and they are white. If I change them out, that is out of my pocket. It still could be worth it because it would look so much better. Not in an initial photo. After 30-days. I let a bike roll out with white tires two weeks ago. All I could do is tell the guy. He didn't want to spend the money. It was a spanning new Public town bike. A cool Public is coming in tomorrow which is also brand new.
View attachment 106852

tell the customer what you want to do and why, and you're taking care of the cost. That lets you find out the easy way if he is in love with the white tires for some reason. And gives him one more reason to sing your praises.