I haven't owned a car since 2004. Originally from Ohio, I've ridden in sub zero temperature to and from work. Here in Arizona I've ridden in 100+degree. I'm now retired and have two Trek bikes. A 2005 7300 hybrid for commuting and a 420 for exercise. I have the tools and do all my own maintenance except wheel truing. I'm here to make the best decision on buying a new electric bike or converting one of my own, which I have serious hesitation about as they were not designed for electric power.
New to electric bikes
- Thread starter Randroid
- Start date
indianajo
Well-Known Member
Welcome to the site.
I too, have given up on cars. Too ****ed married to the dealer maintenance computer. And a 10 year life before the dreaded check engine light plague, even if the car only has 24,000 miles on it.
It takes a strong frame to undergo a conversion. I converted the cargo frame left with a $180 rear hub motor kit and a $620 battery. The battery is the wedge on the front. Wiring is a bit messy, there is no display to attract thieves, and the case on the battery is definitely part of the "what is this ****" experience. I've been parking it chained to poles for 12 weeks now and still have my battery.
Have fun reading reviews and varying opinions in the forums.
I too, have given up on cars. Too ****ed married to the dealer maintenance computer. And a 10 year life before the dreaded check engine light plague, even if the car only has 24,000 miles on it.
It takes a strong frame to undergo a conversion. I converted the cargo frame left with a $180 rear hub motor kit and a $620 battery. The battery is the wedge on the front. Wiring is a bit messy, there is no display to attract thieves, and the case on the battery is definitely part of the "what is this ****" experience. I've been parking it chained to poles for 12 weeks now and still have my battery.
Have fun reading reviews and varying opinions in the forums.
I've all but decided to forgo conversion and buy a new electric bike. I'm 73 and have had my fill, as George Orwell called it "times of universal deceit". I talked with a guy in a Walmart parking lot who had a Rad mini and you'd thought he was a salesman for them. The main concern I have is I believe all or most of the motors come from China. It has been my experience the Chinese don't give a hoot what they sell to Americans.
Didn't say it had to be be American made. As long as Americans accept crap from China, that's what they'll get. I come from an era before politicians and CEO's sold us out. I don't have to have an electric bike. I just won't buy something that's going to go south inside a year.
indianajo
Well-Known Member
If you're in the market for a whole bike, you can rely on the QA of the US distributor. If you buy from a local shop, you get even more help screening out the junk. The distributors watch their factories and keep their returns down.
With my conversion, I found about 60% junk from amazon & e-bay. $820 of good product, $600 of junk. Luna cycle is the high cost reliable US distributor of kits, In Canada, Grin tech. My good battery is from Luna. My junk batteries came from Amazon & E-bay.
With my conversion, I found about 60% junk from amazon & e-bay. $820 of good product, $600 of junk. Luna cycle is the high cost reliable US distributor of kits, In Canada, Grin tech. My good battery is from Luna. My junk batteries came from Amazon & E-bay.
Well, after rethinking my financial situation and that I'll only be using the bike once or twice a week to the local shooting range (15-20 miles round trip) I spoke too quickly about Chinese motors. Considering the Rad Wagon , 2019 model.
indianajo
Well-Known Member
The stretch frame radwagon would be a good grocery getter. I've got panniers (bags) on my stretch frame bodaboda left. I tried five years with rear baskets on a mountain bike. That unloaded the front tire too much which whipped sideways too often.
The rad cycles aren't perfect for everybody. There are advantages and disadvantages. Read through the threads on the brand specific forum for comments.
The rad cycles aren't perfect for everybody. There are advantages and disadvantages. Read through the threads on the brand specific forum for comments.
Bruce Arnold
Well-Known Member
If you check out the brand-specific subforum, you may see many complaints, but rarely of the motors. So your decision to consider an ebike with a Chinese motor is a good one. Rad makes good bikes and their service dept. gets a lot of praise (in case you need it.) For the same money, you could get a Juiced Bike with torque sensing. Most of us are agreed that torque sensing provides a smoother, more natural feel to pedaling. Juiced has needed improvement in customer service (although many of us have had good service from them anyway), and they've made some strides in this area. Whatever you choose, get out there and start riding! Joy is not too strong a word for what most of us experience.
Thanks for the heads up on the Rad/Juiced machines.
I am 74 and will be 75 soon and I had the debate of whether to buy a conversion kit or a new ebike. I read a lot both ways and saw so many people with warranty work from overseas vendors I decided to convert my Trek and I am so happy I did. I bought a 36 Volt 500 watt kit and received in two weeks and had it up and running in four hours. I am so happy with this bike as I have not had any trouble with it and so far I have put about a 500 miles on it. It made a wonderful bike and I have went from 10 miles a day to around 25 miles a day.
Attachments
Hi The Bikee Bike kit conversion I have found is wonderful quick conversion on either of your existing bikes , a little more expensive but built in Italy all steel internal gearing , its a mid drive ,
Best regards
Finian
I'll check it out.
Similar threads
