skestans
100 W
I live in a rather hilly area (Switzerland) and want to build an e-bike that will provide some assist while I pedal: I don't want a moped but rather a "bionic legs" bike. I don't want to go super fast (25-35 km/h on flat is plenty) but I do have pretty steep hills (8-10% grade). I want disc brakes because of the potential high speeds + going down steep hills + rain/snow.
I'm not sure how realistic it is, but I'd like to get 50-75km of range. That sounds like a lot for a hub motor, but I'm considering the TSDZ2 and I'm hoping that if I pedal normally as I would on a non-powered bike then it would drastically improve the range? I also can't decide between 36 or 48V.
My budget is around 1500 EUR for bike + e-bike parts. I'll use the bike to commute, run errands (groceries, will add a rack and removable paniers), or go for a ride on the weekend to the lake or on a forest trail.
Because I don't want to feel like I'm riding a moped, I am considering the TSDZ2 mid-drive along with the 850c display and the OS firmware. The OS firmware is an amazing project that the geek in me loves, and I like how much control it gives over the performance and limits of the motor.
To manage my cash flow, I'd first buy and use the bicycle without a mid-drive. Then wait until 11.11 (singles day, huge sale in China apparently?) to order the battery and drive.
Now, Switzerland is expensive so I'm planning on buying the bike in Germany. From what I could find, a used bike in Switzerland costs as much or more than the same bike new in Germany. I'd rather ride the train for 45 minutes and get a brand new bike with a warranty all else being equal.
Here are the bikes I'm considering:
1. Giant Escape City disc (https://www.giant-bicycles.com/gb/escape-city-2017)
520 EUR/460 EUR (after German VAT refund + Swiss VAT)
Meets my bare requirements: rack with the option to hang paniers off it, fenders, hydrualic disc brakes (160mm)
I wonder if the parts are good enough to handle the mid-drive though because it's clearly the budget/entry-level grade. Shimano Tourney/Altus + 160mm hydraulic disc brakes.
2. Trek FX3 disc (https://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/bikes/hybrid-bikes/fitness-bikes/fx/fx-3-disc/p/28474/)
750 EUR/645 EUR
I'm wondering if it's high quality enough to be converted to a mid-drive. It has a carbon fork (totally unnecessary but there is no option not to) and an aluminum frame (again, unnecessary but no configuration option). The drivetrain is Shimano Acera M3000, 160mm hydraulic disc brakes.
3. Radon Solution Sport 7.0 (https://www.radon-bikes.de/en/trekking-cross/trekking/solution-sport/solution-sport-70-2019/)
800 EUR/700 EUR
I don't know this brand, but it seems to have better components than the Trek with Deore parts but the same 160mm disc brakes. I also think the frame is steel because they don't say anything to the contrary. I didn't have the best experience asking pre-sale questions to their customer service so I'm wary of this unknown (to me) brand.
4. Canyon Commuter 4.0 (https://www.canyon.com/en-de/urban-bikes/commuting-bikes/commuter/commuter-4.0/1954.html)
1099 EUR/950 EUR
The most expensive, but the best looking and with superior (I think) components.
It doesn't have a front derailleur, which is good for the e-bike conversion (wont have to pay for a part I wont use) but also not so great in the meantime because I worry going up the hill will be tough even with the 10 speeds cassette. The downside is that it's an aluminum frame (not so good for e-bikes, although I think that only applies to hub motors and not mid-drives?), and I can't see what's the diameter for the disc brakes. I also worry this is absolutely not made for riding anywhere else than on paved, city roads and short distances.
5. Canyon Grail AL 6.0 (https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/road-bikes/gravel-bikes/grail/grail-al-6.0/2195.html)
1199 EUR/1050 EUR
Love the Canyon bikes, and I think this one is closer to a hybrid. But I don't like the "racing" position as I find it harder to ride in the city where you constantly have to look around and behind to not get hit. And with an e-bike, aerodynamics aren't *that* important. I'd have to stretch my overall budget a bit for this bike.
I know this is a long post, and I'd appreciate any thoughts more experienced e-bikers than me would have both on the donor bike and whether a TSDZ2 is right for me.
I'm not sure how realistic it is, but I'd like to get 50-75km of range. That sounds like a lot for a hub motor, but I'm considering the TSDZ2 and I'm hoping that if I pedal normally as I would on a non-powered bike then it would drastically improve the range? I also can't decide between 36 or 48V.
My budget is around 1500 EUR for bike + e-bike parts. I'll use the bike to commute, run errands (groceries, will add a rack and removable paniers), or go for a ride on the weekend to the lake or on a forest trail.
Because I don't want to feel like I'm riding a moped, I am considering the TSDZ2 mid-drive along with the 850c display and the OS firmware. The OS firmware is an amazing project that the geek in me loves, and I like how much control it gives over the performance and limits of the motor.
To manage my cash flow, I'd first buy and use the bicycle without a mid-drive. Then wait until 11.11 (singles day, huge sale in China apparently?) to order the battery and drive.
Now, Switzerland is expensive so I'm planning on buying the bike in Germany. From what I could find, a used bike in Switzerland costs as much or more than the same bike new in Germany. I'd rather ride the train for 45 minutes and get a brand new bike with a warranty all else being equal.
Here are the bikes I'm considering:
1. Giant Escape City disc (https://www.giant-bicycles.com/gb/escape-city-2017)
520 EUR/460 EUR (after German VAT refund + Swiss VAT)
Meets my bare requirements: rack with the option to hang paniers off it, fenders, hydrualic disc brakes (160mm)
I wonder if the parts are good enough to handle the mid-drive though because it's clearly the budget/entry-level grade. Shimano Tourney/Altus + 160mm hydraulic disc brakes.
2. Trek FX3 disc (https://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/bikes/hybrid-bikes/fitness-bikes/fx/fx-3-disc/p/28474/)
750 EUR/645 EUR
I'm wondering if it's high quality enough to be converted to a mid-drive. It has a carbon fork (totally unnecessary but there is no option not to) and an aluminum frame (again, unnecessary but no configuration option). The drivetrain is Shimano Acera M3000, 160mm hydraulic disc brakes.
3. Radon Solution Sport 7.0 (https://www.radon-bikes.de/en/trekking-cross/trekking/solution-sport/solution-sport-70-2019/)
800 EUR/700 EUR
I don't know this brand, but it seems to have better components than the Trek with Deore parts but the same 160mm disc brakes. I also think the frame is steel because they don't say anything to the contrary. I didn't have the best experience asking pre-sale questions to their customer service so I'm wary of this unknown (to me) brand.
4. Canyon Commuter 4.0 (https://www.canyon.com/en-de/urban-bikes/commuting-bikes/commuter/commuter-4.0/1954.html)
1099 EUR/950 EUR
The most expensive, but the best looking and with superior (I think) components.
It doesn't have a front derailleur, which is good for the e-bike conversion (wont have to pay for a part I wont use) but also not so great in the meantime because I worry going up the hill will be tough even with the 10 speeds cassette. The downside is that it's an aluminum frame (not so good for e-bikes, although I think that only applies to hub motors and not mid-drives?), and I can't see what's the diameter for the disc brakes. I also worry this is absolutely not made for riding anywhere else than on paved, city roads and short distances.
5. Canyon Grail AL 6.0 (https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/road-bikes/gravel-bikes/grail/grail-al-6.0/2195.html)
1199 EUR/1050 EUR
Love the Canyon bikes, and I think this one is closer to a hybrid. But I don't like the "racing" position as I find it harder to ride in the city where you constantly have to look around and behind to not get hit. And with an e-bike, aerodynamics aren't *that* important. I'd have to stretch my overall budget a bit for this bike.
I know this is a long post, and I'd appreciate any thoughts more experienced e-bikers than me would have both on the donor bike and whether a TSDZ2 is right for me.