Your thoughts on building FLX Trail from Frame and Motor Only

[byunbee]

Lots of experts on this forum and I would appreciate your thoughts, opinions, advice, suggestions, and recommendations on a potential bike building project. Thanks in advance!

I have someone that's willing to give me the 2016 FLX Trail that he gutted to upgrade to FLX F2. It only comes with the frame and the motor. Couple of options that I'm considering.

• Option 1: Source low cost components from Alibaba or used market and build the bike. If the parts cost goes beyond $700 range which I'm pretty sure it may since it doesn't come with the battery, it may not be worth it for me. I thought it would be a good project for me to build the bike and get a wealth of experience and knowledge.
• Option 2: Give it to my neighbor that has an analog Trek hardtail mountain bike that maybe he can pull the parts off that bike onto this frame and motor. He would only need to buy brake set (his Trek has rim brakes), battery (highest cost), and display.

The EBR review of the bike is here https://electricbikereview.com/flx/2016-trail/

Based on the review video, it sounds like the motor is Boffelli Gen 3 motor (250W nominal, 500W peak).

Some pictures of what I'm getting.

 

[Nova Haibike]

People always come to my co-op and ask about building up a bike, and I always tell them that it is always cheaper and certainly easier to find a complete used bike that needs some work than to try and piece one together. Now, if you want to build a bike for the fun of it, then knock yourself out.

You could combine option 1 and 2 by using your neighbor's bike as the donor. You do all the work so you gain the experience and knowledge, and he foots the bill and gets a bike out of it.

 

[Clyde]

A decent wheelset with tires will be at least $500.
A decent suspension fork will be about the same.
>$700 already.

 

[byunbee]

I'm not looking to outfit this bike with exceptional components. Low price and good value that'll work is fine.

 

[Clyde]

But you'll need all of them. Handlebar, grips, brake levers, fork, wheels, cassette, discs, brakes, derailleur, chain wheel, crank arms, pedals, & chain off the top of my head.

 

[harryS]

People always come to my co-op and ask about building up a bike, and I always tell them that it is always cheaper and certainly easier to find a complete used bike that needs some work than to try and piece one together.

So get a used bike and move everything over. It's got a motor, he doesn't need any high end low weight hardware. It will be the seviceable same stuff they put on Rad's, Aventons, etc,

 

[byunbee]

I did a Amazon scavenger hunt. What do you guys think? The battery, I think I will have to source from Alibaba - 36v 17ah around $200-250.

 

[byunbee]

Anyone know where I can source a low priced (durable) 27x2.4 wheel set for under $100?

 

[Nova Haibike]

Anyone know where I can source a low priced (durable) 27x2.4 wheel set for under $100?

I cannot say if they are "durable," but THESE are $150 with tires and tubes.

 

[byunbee]

I picked up the frame and motor today. It doesn't look half bad, just a bit dirty.

I'm going to have a lot of questions while I source parts and start the build. With that said, I'm planning on ordering Shimano MT200 Brake set. Amazon offers this via JGBike for $129 while ebay Chinese vendor offers the same set for $57.88. They both include rotors. JGBike version seems to come with front and rear adapters while the ebay one only comes with rear(?). So questions:

• I'm assuming you don't always need the adapters, so how do I know whether I need it or not? Does it depend on the fork I get?
• What rotor do I need to get?
  • JGBike: RT56: 180mm + 160mm
  • Ebay: G3 160mm or HS1 160mm

EBAY

JGBIKE

 

[dunksalot]

Lots of experts on this forum and I would appreciate your thoughts, opinions, advice, suggestions, and recommendations on a potential bike building project. Thanks in advance!

The Electrify Trail FS+ is available from a company in Utah. You may be able to get a nice fitting battery from them as it sure looks similar down to the naming.

 

[Clyde]

• I'm assuming you don't always need the adapters, so how do I know whether I need it or not? Does it depend on the fork I get?
• What rotor do I need to get?
  • JGBike: RT56: 180mm + 160mm
  • Ebay: G3 160mm or HS1 160mm

1. The adapters, if I understand correctly, are for the calipers if you run a larger disc than the one the frame is built for. They position the calipers so they'll fit the larger disc, so you'll need one (or more) for each wheel where you'll be running a larger than standard disc.

2. I'm running 160mm front and rear, but lots of people upgrade to a larger front, as it does 70% of your stopping.

 

[byunbee]

1. The adapters, if I understand correctly, are for the calipers if you run a larger disc than the one the frame is built for. They position the calipers so they'll fit the larger disc, so you'll need one (or more) for each wheel where you'll be running a larger than standard disc.

2. I'm running 160mm front and rear, but lots of people upgrade to a larger front, as it does 70% of your stopping.

That makes sense as to why JGBike comes with the extra adapter since their front rotor is 180mm. Not worth more than double the price.

 

[byunbee]

Here's my running component list as of 7/31/2020. This will be updated as I find more cost effective alternative parts. I won't be doing the build until I can get the costs significantly down. This may come in the form of donor bike or components local or otherwise. Please feel free to make suggestions or recommendations.

FLX Trail Build Component List
Component	Vendor	Price	Tax	Total
2021 Brand New SHIMANO Deore M4100 1X10 Speed MTB Groupset 4 Pcs 46T	https://www.ebay.com/itm/2021-Brand...TB-Groupset-4-Pcs-46T-W-M5120-RD/122171761772	$ 114.99	$ 8.91	$ 123.90
Shimano MT200 Brake Bicycle Bike MTB Hydraulic Disc Brake Set HS1/G3 Optional	https://www.ebay.com/itm/Shimano-MT...HS1-G3-Optional/283640143557?var=584961326547	$ 57.88	$ 4.49	$ 62.37
Suntour XCT 100mm travel front suspension fork steer 177mm long	https://www.ebay.com/itm/Suntour-XC...863343?hash=item3b10ad4cef:g:-4gAAOSweqJbHkZb	$ 99.95	$ 7.75	$ 107.70
King-Meter SW-LCD	E Bike Lcd Display,Sw-lcd Display For Electric Bicycle,Electric Bike Sw-lcd Display - Buy Lcd Display For E Bike,Sw-lcd Display,Electric Bike Lcd Display Product on Alibaba.com E Bike Lcd Display,Sw-lcd Display For Electric Bicycle,Electric Bike Sw-lcd Display , Find Complete Details about E Bike Lcd Display,Sw-lcd Display For Electric Bicycle,Electric Bike Sw-lcd Display,Lcd Display For E Bike,Sw-lcd Display,Electric Bike Lcd Display from Display Modules Supplier or... www.alibaba.com	$72.41	$0	$72.41
Reention Dorado Pro 36v 17ah, 505mm, 458x61.4x84.3mm		$ 400.00	$ 31.00	$ 431.00
UPANBIKE MTB Mountain Bike Bicycle Extra Long Handlebar φ31.8mm 700mm Riser Bar	https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071P6C9YV/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_1FijFb8GF655B	$ 21.99	$ 1.70	$ 23.69
31.8 Stem 45mm Bike Stem Wake Mountain Bike Stem Short Handlebar Stem	https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071YV77R7/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_2GijFbWVET4MK	$ 9.97	$ 0.77	$ 10.74
MTB Tubeless: 27.5 WTB ST i25 Rims with Shimano Deore Hubs and Maxxis High Roller II Tires	https://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_STOR20.cgi?Action=Details&ProdID=3431	$ 199.99	$ 15.50	$ 215.49
FSA Orbit MX Threadless Bicycle Headset 1-1/8" 34mm W/Top Cap Red Black White	https://www.ebay.com/itm/FSA-Orbit-...640838?hash=item2f0ef8abc6:g:a58AAOSwpJReLVtr	$ 21.00	$ 1.63	$ 22.63
WELLGO MG-3 Fixed Pin Bike Pedals for MTB BMX DH Platform 9/16'' Silver	https://www.ebay.com/itm/WELLGO-MG-...735916?hash=item2f145769ac:g:tu8AAOSwq15eLVsb	$ 21.90	$ 1.70	$ 23.60
Ergon GP1-L/-S Large or Small Ergo Handlebar Bike Grips Folding Bike MTB Touring	https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ergon-GP1-...617748?hash=item2f38df3f54:g:ki8AAOSw69teLVs2	$ 25.90	$ 2.01	$ 27.91
Haibike Xduro Urban Saddle	I have	$ -	$ -	$ -
Haibike Xduro Urban Seatpost	I have	$ -	$ -	$ -
		$ 1,045.98	$ 75.45	$ 1,121.43

 

[Clyde]

I've been looking at 1 1/8" suspension forks, and would highly recommend having a look at a Manitou for an entry level fork over the Suntour.

 

[byunbee]

The Manitou FS forks start at $230 or so which is more than double the Suntour. The goal of this build is to minimize the cost investment and build a bike that still has similar level of capability as the original.

 

[byunbee]

This bike will not be used on single track. Mostly paved roads and some fire roads.

 

[byunbee]

The original spec for the bike is:

GEARING DETAILS:
9 Speed 1x9 Shimano Alivio, 11-40T
CRANKS:
Prowheel a004n, 48T Chainring

Can anyone tell me whether SHIMANO Deore M4100 1X10 Speed MTB Groupset 4 Pcs 46T will work?
Specification:

Shimano Deore SL-M4100 Rapidfire Plus shifting lever W/Optical Window The Shimano Deore SL-M4100 shift lever is characterized by its simple and smooth-running operation so that the driver can concentrate solely on the trail ahead, Proven features such as Rapidfire Plus and 2-Way-Release have of course been adopted by the SL-M4100 shifting levers. Shifter Type: Rapidfire Plus Bar Mount Gear rear: 10-speed Instant Release: Yes Cable adjust: Yes Shimano Deore RD-M5120-SGS Shadow RD+ Rear Derailleur - long - 10/11-speed Thanks to its Shadow RD+ design, the Shimano Deore RD-M5120-SGS rear derailleur delivers consistent MTB shifting performance over rough terrain. The low profile design avoids damage from rocks whiles Shimano's chain stabilizing technology reduces chain drop, achieving a quiet drivetrain in all gear positions at the same time. The Top Normal rear derailleur is suitable for 1x10-speed (max. 11-46 teeth) as well as 2x11- and 2x10-speed (max. 11-42 teeth) drivetrains. The guide and tension pulley of the long SGS cage feature 11 teeth each. Cage: Long Technology: Shadow RD Plus Gear: 2x10/11-speed Shimano Deore CS-M4100 cassette 11-46T With its lightweight sprocket carrier, the Shimano Deore CS-M4100 cassette delivers smooth and precise shifting performance. The 10-speed cassette features the proven Hyperglide technology and is available in 2 versions with a sprocket ratio of 11-46 Teeth: 11-46T Gear: 1X10 Speed Micro Spline freewheel system Gear Ratio: 11-13-15-18-21-24-28-32-37-46 teeth Shimano Deore CN-54 1X10 Speed chain The Shimano Deore CN-54 chain provides fast, precise and smooth shifting in both directions even under highest loads thanks to its precisely formed contact surfaces to Dynamic Chain Engagement+ chainring and Hyperglide+ cassette teeth. In addition, the SIL-TEC coated inner plates increase the durability noticeably.