My "New" Ebike

[Jeremy McCreary]

Well, I have ordered all that I need to re-cell the Giant Twist's two 24v batteries. Was about $300, so my total cost in the bike is now about $550.
Don't think I'll be able to ever sell it at a profit. Then I see this at a yard sell for $20:
View attachment 198115
Not that I need is another bike, but this thing is begging for a front hub motor and a battery on the rack, like how the Giant Twist is built.
It's a sickness I know, but the supply of used pedal bikes seems to be endless, and it would be a shame for them to just rust away or be crushed.

Nice snag! You should come to my aging neighborhood with a fistful of dollars. Nearly every open garage I pass on neighborhood laps has old bikes gathering dust inside. Many are unmotorized, but some are ebikes you could scavenge.

Seems like an opportunity waiting for an entrepreneur with your skills.

 

[gromike]

Seems like an opportunity waiting for an entrepreneur with your skills.

I'm a bit too old to get all that serious, but the more I learn the less expensive it becomes to convert a bike.
My least expensive conversion was about $350, built with mostly free parts and zip ties. Sold it for $300, though I would of given it to the guy as his need for reliable transportation was urgent:

Even with a free donor bike it costs, with decent electrics and new tires, between $600-800. Obtaining quality batteries is a major issue and liability risk.

 

[Chazmo]

Well, I have ordered all that I need to re-cell the Giant Twist's two 24v batteries. Was about $300, so my total cost in the bike is now about $550.
Don't think I'll be able to ever sell it at a profit. Then I see this at a yard sell for $20:
View attachment 198115
Not that I need is another bike, but this thing is begging for a front hub motor and a battery on the rack, like how the Giant Twist is built.
It's a sickness I know, but the supply of used pedal bikes seems to be endless, and it would be a shame for them to just rust away or be crushed.

Looks like that bike was never ridden! Wow!

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I'm a bit too old to get all that serious, but the more I learn the less expensive it becomes to convert a bike.
My least expensive conversion was about $350, built with mostly free parts and zip ties. Sold it for $300, though I would of given it to the guy as his need for reliable transportation was urgent: View attachment 198119

Even with a free donor bike it costs, with decent electrics and new tires, between $600-800. Obtaining quality batteries is a major issue and liability risk.

Didn't realize conversions were that expensive. Maybe not a good business model after all. Different when a customer brings you a beloved bike to convert, as in @PedalUma 's case.

 

[stompandgo]

Electra makes good bikes. I could flip that for $150 staying analog.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Electra makes good bikes. I could flip that for $150 staying analog.

Gorgeous, too. Daughter's old Electra city bike is a blue and silver work of art.

Photo doesn't do it justice. I've got first dibs if she ever decides to sell it.

 

[Gionnirocket]

Electra is a fitting name for a conversion