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  1. reluctantsuburban

    Help Me Build My Daily Commuter?

    Back again with another Craigslist bike to see if anyone has any feedback. At this point, I am keeping a search on CL for used MTBs while I wait for doing some test rides next weekend to get a better feel for the range of bikes that are out there. In particular I am hoping to come away from the...
  2. reluctantsuburban

    Help Me Build My Daily Commuter?

    Yeah, good call. Read a bunch about it on a forum over at Electric Bike Review and came away inconclusive. Sound like the motor is not wound for higher speeds? Link here: https://electricbikereview.com/forum/threads/would-like-to-go-faster.2929/page-6 One thing that was interesting to me was a...
  3. reluctantsuburban

    Help Me Build My Daily Commuter?

    Thanks wturber. I think you are right in terms of choosing a direction and just going. I am scheduled to rent an ebike next weekend to drive it around a bit. I hope that will allow me to choose FS or hardtail with confidence. Once I have that, it's just a matter of picking the kit (assuming hub...
  4. reluctantsuburban

    Help Me Build My Daily Commuter?

    Hey Craig, this is helpful to hear, especially if you know the type of roads that I'm talking about. The variety of opinions here is...overwhelming :) Do you still have a front suspension fork? Or totally stiff frame? Honestly, I would be very interested in a mid drive for the ability to...
  5. reluctantsuburban

    Help Me Build My Daily Commuter?

    Definitely an option. Major concerns for me are: lack of top speed (limited at 20mph, I believe?)with it being a fat bike, do I need to worry about tire wear on a 20 mile one way commute? whether or not the owner did a good job of maintaining battery None of those are a deal-breaker to me...
  6. reluctantsuburban

    Help Me Build My Daily Commuter?

    Hey All, Really appreciate everyone continuing to comment. Even in the midst of some disagreement, as a noob, I am benefitting from hearing the different perspectives. Sorry for not posting for a while. I think I'm getting to the point where the sheer amount of advice is more confusing than...
  7. reluctantsuburban

    Help Me Build My Daily Commuter?

    Agreed to MadRhino's point that this will likely not be my last bike. I can imagine I won't know what I want until I'm regularly riding. That's part of the reason that I don't want to break the bank on this build. But, if that means selecting a frame with a clearer upgrade path later, I would...
  8. reluctantsuburban

    Help Me Build My Daily Commuter?

    Hey MadRhino, thanks, this is helpful. I definitely don't know my MTBs. If I don't have plans to upgrade would you still say no the Fuel 80? Or if I went geared hub instead? Eager to hear your thoughts. At this point in time, I can't see myself comfortably riding beyond 30 mph. Seems like a lot...
  9. reluctantsuburban

    Help Me Build My Daily Commuter?

    Just looked at Luna and priced it out, mine came closer to 1000...what battery did you go for and what's your top speed?
  10. reluctantsuburban

    Help Me Build My Daily Commuter?

    I think given my relatively flat commute and budget, I'm better off with a hub drive. Less wear on components, too. Although, if your experience is different. I'd love to hear why you prefer the mid drive!
  11. reluctantsuburban

    Help Me Build My Daily Commuter?

    Really briefly (replying from work), the ebay motor you linked says it is compatible with v-brakes, which I assume means I am good to go if I do purchase that Trek. Just FYI! Thanks for all the feedback.
  12. reluctantsuburban

    Help Me Build My Daily Commuter?

    yes - based on color and brake, I think I narrowed it down to the 2003 model. Thanks for the link!
  13. reluctantsuburban

    Help Me Build My Daily Commuter?

    Sorry for incorrectly labeling that as a DD motomech. I see now it is geared--my mistake! I think a front disc, air shock rebuild kit, and air pump are all reasonable. You prefer the WTB Slicks over Marathon Plus? That's what I have seen recommended most frequently so far. Do you think I could...
  14. reluctantsuburban

    Help Me Build My Daily Commuter?

    Hey wturber--thanks again for your feedback. Very helpful. The rear rack seems like it may be a challenge, as that is something that I don't think I can commute without. I think you are right on listing out all of these extras, but considering what a deal I am (potentially) getting here on the...
  15. reluctantsuburban

    Help Me Build My Daily Commuter?

    Would anyone be able to weigh in this Trek Fuel 80? https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/bik/d/trek-fuel-80-full-suspension/6711453532.html
  16. reluctantsuburban

    Help Me Build My Daily Commuter?

    Thanks Wturber--I think that makes a lot of sense to me. Especially sports car vs sedan--it's easy when reading these threads on a build to get caught up in how cool a build is and not think about what practically will make the most sense. I think DD fits my needs pretty perfectly. Now I just...
  17. reluctantsuburban

    Help Me Build My Daily Commuter?

    Haha! I love this summary. I really like the idea of a rear DD in a FS frame if I can find a good one. So far, I am leaning towards the DD hub suggested by motomech: https://www.ebay.com/itm/ebikeling-36V-500W-Geared-Rear-Front-26-Electric-Bicycle-Conversion-Kit/312058788232?var=610800250059...
  18. reluctantsuburban

    Help Me Build My Daily Commuter?

    Thanks for the connection, Amber! I had seen his builds referenced but hadn't figured out which user.
  19. reluctantsuburban

    Help Me Build My Daily Commuter?

    Ah, I reached out Barent when I first started shopping around. Looks like he makes/assembles some quality stuff. At the time I was pretty set on IGH so we didn't pursue it much further. Maybe I should reach out again.
  20. reluctantsuburban

    Help Me Build My Daily Commuter?

    Thanks for the input, Donn. I think you're right that I will have to try to feel it out. I wish I could try for a while before putting some serious money in, but looks like I will try to build something that can handle my worst case scenarios instead of planning for the best. I think that has me...
  21. reluctantsuburban

    Help Me Build My Daily Commuter?

    Awesome, thank you. Perhaps the ebay kit that motomech posted above? Thanks so much for linking your ride--very helpful. Seems like the residential portions are fairly similar. There's a big lack of bike lanes here, unfortunately. How do you find the sidewalks? Does the front fork suspension...
  22. reluctantsuburban

    Help Me Build My Daily Commuter?

    Can you not coast on a DD? That might be a deal breaker for me--I tend to pedal like you described--ride up to speed and let it coast for a bit. Mid-speed is desirable based on the speed that I generally travel? My cadence? To my uneducated mind, faster = better, all else being equal. Any...
  23. reluctantsuburban

    Help Me Build My Daily Commuter?

    Thanks for the reply motomech. Reading a lot of your stuff on here has been very helpful to me. To clarify, would you recommend going the route madrhino is suggesting, with a hardtail and ebay dd kit, or something more along the q100h route? Both seem to have their positives, but perhaps the...
  24. reluctantsuburban

    Help Me Build My Daily Commuter?

    Thanks for the breakdown--I am not very familiar with mountain bikes, but I do scan Craigslist often to see if anything seems like a good find and to familiarize myself with the market. I see a fair amount of Diamondbacks, KHSs, and Konas. I will continue to look for a deal there, in accordance...
  25. reluctantsuburban

    Help Me Build My Daily Commuter?

    Seems like I will need a larger chain ring. I have checked out sheldonbrown's stuff, most of it goes right over my head. Really trying to understand it, though. This sounds very similar to where I ride, although perhaps if I do a good job of mapping our a route with mostly residential, I can...
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