Solving which Ebike to buy/build has become a hobby

[jplanaux]

I've been a cyclist for about thirty years. I am now 62. I have lived in Louisiana my entire life (up until now). I ride for exercise on a flat asphalt carless trail along the Mississippi River. The weather is mostly mild so I can ride all year long comfortably. I don't really need or want a Ebike for the riding I do in Louisiana. Since I retired, I have bought a second home in Colorado (Colorado Springs). I am very much looking forward to riding the trails in Colorado.

For all of my thirty years riding, I bought an entry level Trek (road bike) and resisted the urge to replace it with the shiny new expensive bikes. I replaced everything (but the frame) on that bike several times. Two years ago, I decided that I wanted a more "comfy bike". I bought a dual sport Trek. It is a lot heavier and slower, but it is much more comfortable to ride.

So for the last year I have been tossing the idea around that I want an Ebike for the hills/trails in Colorado. Even though I have been cycling, and performing my own bike maintenance, I am totally overwhelmed about the buying selection process of Ebikes. So I see enough ads for bikes in the $2k range. In the last two months, I discover this forum which leads me to many web sites, videos, etc. I have visited bike shops in Louisiana and Colorado. The prices, lack of stock, and limited selections nudges a person like me towards on line purchasing (which I am fine with). However, the more I read and learned from this web site convinced me that I can get the best Ebike via conversion. So I transitioned from wanting to buy a complete Ebike to a conversion. If I convert, I can customize it to fit my requirements better than any purchased bike ... and it will be less expensive.

Thanks to all the contributors taking their time to share their knowledge. I am hoping you have given me confidence, saved me time and hopefully prevented me making a mistake.

 

[AHicks]

I'm a very avid DIY'er. I researched and built the first few bikes the wife and I rode (we're both in our 70's now), and we've been hooked since. We have homes in a relatively flat area in Mi, and a fairly hilly are in Florida. I started out carting the bikes on our 1100 mile trip back and forth. Now we have bikes on each end (older=smarter/lazier?). Anyway, I would not loose sight of buying a production bike with solid bones (right general lay out, type of power, battery size), riding it for a bit, then converting as necessary. This leaves you with a bike that fit's your needs exactly, and generally includes (if you want) the latest buried or semi buried battery for the latest styling.

Depending on your size, and the size of the hills you're going to be riding in Colorado, you may want to consider a mid drive for their ability to climb easily. Production bike or conversion, the mid drive Bafang motors work really well. -Al

 

[6zfshdb]

My wife and I have been riding our Trek MTB's for many years. We're in our 70's now and it became necessary to switch to ebikes about 4 years ago. I've been a DIY'er all my life and first considered converting our Trek's. After some extensive research, I found, with our bikes anyway, the conversion costs were just slightly less than buying new.

The time element was also a factor for us. We wanted to get back on the trail as soon as possible and the conversion would take time to build & work out all the "kinks".
This of course will vary greatly depending on the existing bike, the type of conversion planned, and the finished product you desire.

In our case, we ultimately chose to buy new, although I'm considering a conversion as a winter project.

 

[Merle Nelson]

I've been a cyclist for about thirty years. I am now 62. I have lived in Louisiana my entire life (up until now). I ride for exercise on a flat asphalt carless trail along the Mississippi River. The weather is mostly mild so I can ride all year long comfortably. I don't really need or want a Ebike for the riding I do in Louisiana. Since I retired, I have bought a second home in Colorado (Colorado Springs). I am very much looking forward to riding the trails in Colorado.

For all of my thirty years riding, I bought an entry level Trek (road bike) and resisted the urge to replace it with the shiny new expensive bikes. I replaced everything (but the frame) on that bike several times. Two years ago, I decided that I wanted a more "comfy bike". I bought a dual sport Trek. It is a lot heavier and slower, but it is much more comfortable to ride.

So for the last year I have been tossing the idea around that I want an Ebike for the hills/trails in Colorado. Even though I have been cycling, and performing my own bike maintenance, I am totally overwhelmed about the buying selection process of Ebikes. So I see enough ads for bikes in the $2k range. In the last two months, I discover this forum which leads me to many web sites, videos, etc. I have visited bike shops in Louisiana and Colorado. The prices, lack of stock, and limited selections nudges a person like me towards on line purchasing (which I am fine with). However, the more I read and learned from this web site convinced me that I can get the best Ebike via conversion. So I transitioned from wanting to buy a complete Ebike to a conversion. If I convert, I can customize it to fit my requirements better than any purchased bike ... and it will be less expensive.

Thanks to all the contributors taking their time to share their knowledge. I am hoping you have given me confidence, saved me time and hopefully prevented me making a mistake.

Welcome to EBR Jp. Your comprehensive post begs the question, So what are your requirements?

 

[rich c]

In my opinion the only way to choose is ride. I knew nothing about eBikes and bought my first one off Craigslist. They when I wanted to upgrade, I went to a shop 200 miles away in Madison, WI. They kept rolling out eBikes for me to ride and it made the decision so much easier. No amount of reading can replace that experience. No way can you decide between mid drive and cadence by reading, and cost comparison means nothing until you feel the difference. Spending $3,500 was easier when I found out how natural mid drives are. Also don't be swayed by the flood of fat bikes on the market. With a well designed eBike with 2.4" tires you can go anywhere and they aren't like driving a truck.

 

[PedalUma]

@jplanaux, Welcome! Just about any bike can be converted and they can look better and outperform the ones from stores. And will have lower parts and maintenance costs. If you use an existing bike than you are pushing forward its imbedded carbon footprint. That is much more efficient and better for our planet than mining, manufacturing and shipping a whole new bike. This blue one has a carbon footprint imbedded for forty-years. It hunts down expensive ones from stores in the hills of San Francisco and eats them for lunch.

 

[PSm]

I've been a cyclist for about thirty years. I am now 62. I have lived in Louisiana my entire life (up until now). I ride for exercise on a flat asphalt carless trail along the Mississippi River. The weather is mostly mild so I can ride all year long comfortably. I don't really need or want a Ebike for the riding I do in Louisiana. Since I retired, I have bought a second home in Colorado (Colorado Springs). I am very much looking forward to riding the trails in Colorado.

For all of my thirty years riding, I bought an entry level Trek (road bike) and resisted the urge to replace it with the shiny new expensive bikes. I replaced everything (but the frame) on that bike several times. Two years ago, I decided that I wanted a more "comfy bike". I bought a dual sport Trek. It is a lot heavier and slower, but it is much more comfortable to ride.

So for the last year I have been tossing the idea around that I want an Ebike for the hills/trails in Colorado. Even though I have been cycling, and performing my own bike maintenance, I am totally overwhelmed about the buying selection process of Ebikes. So I see enough ads for bikes in the $2k range. In the last two months, I discover this forum which leads me to many web sites, videos, etc. I have visited bike shops in Louisiana and Colorado. The prices, lack of stock, and limited selections nudges a person like me towards on line purchasing (which I am fine with). However, the more I read and learned from this web site convinced me that I can get the best Ebike via conversion. So I transitioned from wanting to buy a complete Ebike to a conversion. If I convert, I can customize it to fit my requirements better than any purchased bike ... and it will be less expensive.

Thanks to all the contributors taking their time to share their knowledge. I am hoping you have given me confidence, saved me time and hopefully prevented me making a mistake.

Yes, waaaay too many options. But have to make sure a bike conversion frame can support the weight and demands of an ebike motor.

To throw out another idea, I have a Ride1up Roadster v2, that I really enjoy. https://electricbikereview.com/forums/threads/2000-mile-review-of-roadster-v2-updated.46186/

And they just came out with a Gravel version. Only $1100 for the standard version, and $1300 for the Gravel version. Great value, lightweight, and a blast to ride, as long as you're an enthusiast rider, and have reasonable range expectations.

 

[tomjasz]

Kit your favorite most comfortable bike. I found it near impossible to have the features I wanted in a prebuilt eBike. See fellas like Pedaluna here for inspiration. I will differ with some builders in that I don’t have the interest in budget kits. Grin kits are my favorites but there are other very good choices. Above all, ENJOY the process!

 

[EMGX]

I like my Tongsheng torque sensing mid drive kit bikes as much or more than my Yamaha PW-SE mid drive gravel bike (which also is a great bike). A TSDZ2 complete kit minus battery can cost as little as <$400 depending on the vender and is a quick and easy install on a compatible bike. They provide good assist and being torque sensing have a very natural feel, like it's me but as if I was much stronger. They are also battery efficient so a huge battery isn't necessary.
Here is my favorite conversion of a Walmart Schwinn hybrid that I've had for more than 10 years before doing the conversion.

Battery range depends on a lot of variables but I've done well over 100 miles on a single charge of a 48v 15ah battery and now usually ride with a smaller 10ah battery,

this was from a range test on the 15ah battery, I live on a mountain and ride mostly hilly routes.

 

[tomjasz]

Many posters will peddle the bike they pedal as being the best. Hang out ask questions and consider YOUR needs. Every choice has trade offs. Building requires tools, not many but an added expense.
I tend to over build others can guide a tight budget. Most here prefer buying and riding.

 

[indianajo]

Conversion is inexpensive, but not visually appealing. See my battery up front left, the controller under the seat out of the rain. There is a motor on the front wheel now; was on the back in that picture.
I bought a bike that wouldn't throw me over the handlebars on my chin (shown left) with 24 speeds that would get me up 15% grades self powered. 32:32 to 52:11 ratios. Then in 2018 my 27 miles commute from summer property took me 5.7 hours into a 25 mph headwind at 120-140 bpm all afternoon. I don't need that much exercise. So I added electricity for $840. A $221 ebikeling.com geared hub motor power wheel I could pedal unpowered without drag, and a $630 luna 48 v 17 AH battery. You see the battery mounted on the front in the avatar. Wore that motor out ~4500 miles, pedalled the bike halfway out & all way back unpowered with bad gears in the motor, no drag. I had a Mac12T power wheel installed in 2 afternoons. It took longer to change the chain @ 5000 miles than changing the motor+controller. I deleted PAS pickup, hated it, but since I don't use motor often throttle only is fine.
I loved the mac12t hub motor, but it came new (maybe) with a clutch that missed 10% of the time and progressed to halt the times at 2 years ~4000 miles. So when a rain July 14 burned the pins off the controller & wire harness, I ditched it for something else. A bafang "500 w" front power wheel from batteryclearinghouse.com for $36. They had $45 rear bafang motors last time I looked. Took 10 weeks to find converter parts for the weird juli 11 pin connector but I have power again. Hint, don't buy a ASI controller if it ever rains & you are going to ride, the pins are too close together. I'd like another mac12t but nobody in the US is selling them. 8 are available from alibaba for only twice what I paid for one, but I can't tell if I was buying front or rear motors, what type connector, or how long the cable (too short probably).
My motor is on the front. Balances the bike better IMHO. I do carry up to 80 lb groceries or ag supplies on the back. I do cross ~80 hills on the way to summer property, and the ebikeling & mac12t would drag me + groceries +94 lb bike+tools+racks+stand+water up 15% grades without help from me. Do not use a geared hub motor to climb slowly up 1000' in an hour, they will burn a winding. Do not ride a front motor powered across ice, wet rock steel or lumber, or in any slick situation. I don't.
There are lots of mid drive battery addicts on here that love changing their chains. Yes, I'd like torque sense. No, I'm not going to give up riding without electricity most of the time. Most mid drives drag the motor with your feet unpowered and eat up chains. At age 71 my rest pulse is 66, my cloresterol is 150, my weight is 160 down 53 lb from 2008 when I quit working. I'd like to keep it that way. High wind days are more & more frequent and I don't get to choose what day I commute or which direction I travel. So I travel 27 miles in 3.7 hours whatever the wind is doing and don't sweat using electricity if it avoids 2 more hours of struggle. If I lock up my Army damaged knee by twisting it walking, I don't pedal at all, and don't feel guilty even though that is a crime in Poland & Massachusetts.
Happy shopping, riding, maybe building.

 

[Deacon Blues]

@indianajo, a agree with you that DYI kits are not visually appealing (unless it's built by PedalUma)
I already have two ebikes and a light carbon road bike, but I have the itch to build a light DIY e-road bike.
The main thing that stops me is the excess wires with a DYI build. Quite frankly, it makes the bike look like crap.

Presently, I looking at a Kona Roadhouse for a conversion (which I will need to buy).
It has a steel frame and should be perfect for a conversion.
My main concern is how do I deal with all that extra length of wires?

Saving money is important, but it's not the most important thing for me. To be honest, I can afford to buy an e-road bike, like a Specialized Creo, but I want to build one myself.

@PedalUma, that dark green Republic conversion is beautify.

 

[PedalUma]

Thanks. The guy is a public official with coat and tie job and he wanted something more polished than the ones from stores to commute to the office. Check out the rims.
The Kona Rove is nice too. I also like the Marin Nacasio + with the 650b's. They are based in my town. The derailleur housing must be contiguous and go just over the bottom bracket to not get mashed by the motor install. A little stem riser would be more comfortable.

 

[EMGX]

@indianajo, a agree with you that DYI kits are not visually appealing (unless it's built by PedalUma)
I already have two ebikes and a light carbon road bike, but I have the itch to build a light DIY e-road bike.
The main thing that stops me is the excess wires with a DYI build. Quite frankly, it makes the bike look like crap.

Presently, I looking at a Kona Roadhouse for a conversion (which I will need to buy).
It has a steel frame and should be perfect for a conversion.
My main concern is how do I deal with all that extra length of wires?

Saving money is important, but it's not the most important thing for me. To be honest, I can afford to buy an e-road bike, like a Specialized Creo, but I want to build one myself.

@PedalUma, that dark green Republic conversion is beautify.

For the tongsheng, when used with one of the small displays, there are only a wire to the display, a wire to the rear wheel speed sensor and the battery loom. If you don't use the speed sensor on the rear wheel then you lose that wire, so only two wires. I like the speedometer/odometer function so I use the rear wheel speed sensor. No more wires than on my BH gravel with the Yamaha motor.

 

[indianajo]

a agree with you that DYI kits are not visually appealing (unless it's built by PedalUma)
but I have the itch to build a light DIY e-road bike.
The main thing that stops me is the excess wires with a DYI build. Quite frankly, it makes the bike look like crap.

Presently, I looking at a Kona Roadhouse for a conversion
My main concern is how do I deal with all that extra length of wires?
Saving money is important, but it's not the most important thing for me. To be honest, I can afford to buy an e-road bike, like a Specialized Creo, but I want to build one myself.

People in cars throw half full drinks, beer bottles, an iron bar at me when I'm riding a non-electric bike. Why should I worry about what they think of the wires? I'm invisible to the road bike club in lycra. They don't make eye contact and especially don't wave back. I'm sitting wrong, wear long pants, obviously I'm homeless. (Actually I have 2 homes).
I roll the excess wires up under the seat and bundle with tie wraps. With the controller under the seat & wire entry pointing down, it makes a big drip loop for the wires to not funnel rain into the controller. The ASI controller had no excess wire so I had to mount it under the battery and above the fender on the front wheel. The ASI controller is now a bench ornament after the rain burnt two pins off & melted them into the motor harness 7/14.

 

[AHicks]

@indianajo, a agree with you that DYI kits are not visually appealing (unless it's built by PedalUma)
I already have two ebikes and a light carbon road bike, but I have the itch to build a light DIY e-road bike.
The main thing that stops me is the excess wires with a DYI build. Quite frankly, it makes the bike look like crap.

Presently, I looking at a Kona Roadhouse for a conversion (which I will need to buy).
It has a steel frame and should be perfect for a conversion.
My main concern is how do I deal with all that extra length of wires?

Saving money is important, but it's not the most important thing for me. To be honest, I can afford to buy an e-road bike, like a Specialized Creo, but I want to build one myself.

@PedalUma, that dark green Republic conversion is beautify.

I can handle that I think. The easiest way is to locate a section of the wire that's going to be out of sight, and you splice it there. If it's 10" too long, cut an 8" section out and splice the remaining ends, For a neat job, you would avoid making these splices in plain sight. Regarding cables, you make your own. Cut the jacket to length, then make a new inner. Sounds like a big deal, but after doing several, you won't think twice about it - or hesitate to replace one that's giving you trouble down the line somewhere... -Al

 

[tomjasz]

Conversion is inexpensive, but not visually appealing.

Inexpensive because, remember I respect you, you choose a cheap seat and then complain about failures. @PedalUma and others have shown a well researched and planned project can eclipse the quality of a $3000 ready built. Please let’s not make our failures, mine included, as being a reason to not build and research.

 

[tomjasz]

TSDZ2 The only motor I disliked enough to gift.

 

[indianajo]

Inexpensive because, remember I respect you, you choose a cheap seat and then complain about failures.

I've had a brooks seat, it was ****. I've had a $55 selle royale respiro seat, it was ****. Cloud 9 won't fit a 1.240" diameter seat post. Suspension posts won't fit a 1.240" diameter seat post. The seat rails to 9/16" seat post converter failed 2 different ways. I have a $32 Uno rail seat, it is merely unbearable after 4 hours.
The ugly ebikeling electrical system has lasted 4 years & 5500 (of 8000) miles. NO electrical failures. No loose batteries, stuck in batteries, ittermittant batteries, stolen batteries. 2 times somebody tried to steal the battery while I was shopping, and failed. The invisible ASI electrical system with short wires burnt up in a rainstorm after 18 months & 1500 miles.

 

[tomjasz]

I guess you have a special ass.
I have all three seats you mentioned and are all fine. Maybe we should pay more critical attention and research reliable sources before deciding? I mean we are all different but your complaints seem shallow and not well thought out?