Your thoughts and suggestions

[Nvreloader]

This build is for my better half, 77yoa, with bad knees etc.

We have a 55 yr anniversary that is coming up and I would like to get her riding with me,
and surprise her with this build. (fingers crossed).

I have been doing hours worth of searching about building a decent women's ebike,
using this type of Brand/style, and kind of bike, and have contacted Pedaluma, for his thoughts/suggestions.

BEST PRICE! Electra 'Cruise 7' 26" 7 Speed Shimano NEW COST - OVER $550.00!!! | eBay For comfort and style, nothing compares to an Electra Cruise 7. 3)
The linear pull brakes and 7-speed drive train give you range and stability.​

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Per information I have found, (unknown to me, if it is true), with this certain brand of bike,
I can remove the OEM pedal crank and insert a 120mm BBSHD Bafang motor shaft into the BB housing, AND HAVE the motor sitting on top and inside the bottom part of the frame ??,
better ground clearance and protection for the motor for around here.

The distance from the BB and seat down post allows this to happen?
Click on the photo to enlarge and see what I mean. Is this possible and wise to do?? Read safety here..
So far upon checking other standard bikes I have not found ANY frames with this setback option. so far.

The only info on the build of this type, he built on a men's style bike, but I need a women's style.

BBSHD on an Electra Cruiser - Electricbike.com Ebike Forum​

This thread starts over on the introduction section so I will refer back to the beginning.
electricbike.com
This build MUST have a throttle, until the wife can pedal, every thing around here is UPHILL,
except for the valley floor, also fenders and maybe a front basket for her stuff etc..
Also the motor used must be programable for her use, also have 26" 2-3"semi wide tires,
48v 15a or better, battery for the back rack, (in nylon bag).

Is there more building sites for this type of information, as I am in the dark here.??

Thank you for you time and trouble,
Don
ps, I'll also be riding it.

 

[Mike TowpathTraveler]

My advice would be to send it off to @PedalUma and let him work his magic on it. (that is, provided he does "mail order type-builds")! Or at a minimum, pick his brain while ordering the drive gear from him.

I would think the only people concerned about motor clearance-to-ground issues are the MTB, off-road crowd, and as I suspect this will be a road or light trail bike, this should not be an issue or consideration for this bike.

That frame is an Electra-exclusive, with it's feet-on-the-ground friendly approach at stops, etc. I think your missus will like it's feel. I think long time poster @tomjasz has liked these frames for a very long time, as well.

Build sites, etc? Not sure. You can wade through the tons of super techno stuff on endless sphere. Did you check out YouTube? That is why I think for the best and fastest way to getting on the road with Mrs NVRE is to get @PedalUma involved.....

Good luck and looking forward to how this turns out!

 

[teskow]

With the dynamite prices out there at this time it may be more prudent to just buy a factory made ebike.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I know nothing about converting bikes, but this will make a very cool e-cruiser if you can pull it off. Good luck!

 

[PedalUma]

@Nvreloader contacted me last week. The motor does not hang lower that the chainring. The battery goes in the triangle. Asymmetric conversion cups go in the American bottom bracket shell to make it English. The display wire runs through frame. Use a six-pin display with a 4mm wire.

 

[Tom@WashDC]

This build is for my better half, 77yoa, with bad knees etc.

Is there more building sites for this type of information, as I am in the dark here.??

Thank you for you time and trouble,
Don
ps, I'll also be riding it.

Don't do it.
Assuming that you can get the BBSHD Kit including 17.5Ah battery for about $799 (Amazon), you are going to spend a few extra dollars on miscellaneous things. But let's say $800 all in, which is conservative. Add the cost of the "used" bike at $330.00 s per the ebay ad.

Now you are up to $1,130. But i suggest your are going to spend another $100 upgrading your chain and getting a shift sensor, especially if your wife is going to ride it. You're gonna need to add a bike rack....
Now you are up to $1,280-$1,300? I think you will spend a bit more when all is said and done.

I recommend you get a brand new step thru ebike with torque sensing assist instead of just cadence sensing (BBSHD). You will get better exercise, and have finer control of the bike. The bike you are considering isn't really a practical step thru, you will want a real step thru if you have bad knees, and for quick and easy dismounts. It's also nicer on the ladies.

There are several quality bikes out there if you do some research. Off hand I recommend the Aventon Level. I've owned two of them for my wife and myself and I still keep one for guests. It's A true step thru, torque sensing assist, rather than cadence sensing only assist (BBSHD). Hydraulic brakes rather than line pull brakes. Front Suspension, Integrated brake light and headlight. It can be serviced by one of 1,000 authorized bike service centers in the U.S.

Aventon Step Thru $1,499 delivered.
Your project? $1,300+ (lots of little unforseen irritants and $)

You and your wife will be very happy if you go with a real step thru, with torque sensing assist, hydraulic brakes, and suspension for the price differential of $200. You will probably be riding a lot sooner than if you do the kit build.

Just my two cents, since you asked.

Level.2 Step-Thru | Urban, Commuter, City Electric Bike | Aventon Ebikes

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www.aventon.com

 

[tomjasz]

I gifted the Mrs. with an Electra Stepthrough eBike. I'm impressed but the ready made quality eBike. Our LBS is the dealer and I couldn't be happier with their service and care!
I'm guessing you're Mrs. like mine will be intimidated by the BBSHD. Mine road a converted BBS01 350W 36V happily for 7 years.

 

[PedalUma]

The HD is way overkill for this sort of application and the lag with overrun cadence sensor is not the way to go. I agree with @Tom@WashDC.

 

[Tom@WashDC]

I gifted the Mrs. with an Electra Stepthrough eBike. I'm impressed but the ready made quality eBike. Our LBS is the dealer and I couldn't be happier with their service and care!
I'm guessing you're Mrs. like mine will be intimidated by the BBSHD. Mine road a converted BBS01 350W 36V happily for 7 years.

Yes, Electra is another good choice. $1,600, torque sensing. My local Trek dealer sells and services them. And, after all, David Lee Roth rides the Electra Ace of Spades!

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

As a fellow member of the Bum Knee Club, I strongly recommend a torque-sensing step-thru with a progressive thumb throttle — specifically, one that's enabled in all non-zero assist levels and instantly delivers up to full power regardless of what she and the assist happen to be doing at the time. Not all throttles are implemented this way, so try before you buy.

This combo will get your wife's knees completely out of the acceleration biz — e.g., when starting out, and for instant bursts of speed in traffic. Acceleration is the only part of cycling my knees object to, and your wife's knees might well feel the same.

I personally find the torque-sensing + throttle combo as described a very flexible power delivery system, as throttles are good for many things besides just getting out of pedaling. And now that I have 2,000 mi on this combo, I"d say that even with good knees.

My neighbor, a roadie convert, loves his Aventon Level.2. I'll ask him if his throttle works in the way I described.

 

[EMGX]

I wouldn't recommend a DIY conversion unless you already have a bike that you like and want to convert or if your wife has some specific requirement that isn't fulfilled by a ready made ebike or if you just really want a project. Otherwise why bother when for similar cost you can get a new UL listed, warranted bike. I agree looking for one with torque sensing although my wife likes her cadence sensing Biria conversion as much as a prior bike that I converted for her with torque sensing TSDZ2. She needs a very low step bike and I already had the front hub motor from an old project which works great even in very hilly terrain. She doesn't mind the exposed wiring or battery on the back rack.

 

[Tom@WashDC]

My neighbor, a roadie convert, loves his Aventon Level.2. I'll ask him if his throttle works in the way I described.

The Aventon Level 2 does have throttle on demand.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

The Aventon Level 2 does have throttle on demand.

Yes, my friend confirmed all the requirements I gave except for the progressive part, which we'll test today if it stops raining.

My throttle's only progressive in the lever interval between about 40% and 60% of full throw. For the first 2 months, I didn't even notice. But with a little practice, it's fully functional as a progressive throttle. Which means you can feather in as little extra help as you'd like for as short a time as you'd like without changing assist level. Pretty handy.

 

[PedalUma]

@EMGX, I have purchased that exact basket three times. The first bike I placed one on sold within hours. I had a bouquet in it. That is all it took. Every time I put it on a bike and put flowers in the cupholder it sells fast. It looks great on that bike.

 

[harryS]

I also thought the BBSHD was way too much motor for a granny bike. Maybe Grandpa wants to ride it. I'd like to get my wife a Biria like EMGX, and it would be fine with a small hubmotor.and small battery. Could probably sell it every time we went riding.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Just tested my friend's Level.2, and the throttle is just as I specified above: Progressive, instantaneous, and works the same in all non-zero assist levels.

First time I'd ridden one. Nice bike!

 

[PedalUma]

It is a nice bike for the money. I didn't like its lag and over-run. I know that is intended to 'smooth it out' but I prefer immediacy. 90% will love it. They are not as picky as me. I met a guy with what I was later told was OCD yesterday. Then I joked, does he solder little wires through the frame for hours?

 

[Rome]

What! I know I read it correctly #1 post @Nvreloader congrats man 55 years anniversary that is rare, it's Golden.
I agree mostly with DC Tom take your wifi of 55 years to LBS let her pick her bike.
Hell she can pick the color if she can't choose a color? calmly say I can have it painted any color you like.

 

[Nvreloader]

Thanks guys for the info,
I would love to have a Ped bike, but I know I can't afford it right now, so I look at the suggested ebikes that you all have provided.
I am not sure the better half can pedal a ebike, but with the throttle use, I know she can go on a ride.
I am doubtful about the 36v batteries and the low amp batteries, I am hoping that they'll work in my hilly country, so I guess I'll find out, back to reading the spec's.

I'll take her into the local LBS of ebikes, in Reno to see the results etc.
Thanks Rome
Tia,
Don

 

[Rome]

Ride on!!!!.
You can still build that bike for her back up ride. Year and a half ago on EBR members was talking about N+1.