gepinniw
10 mW
I've been intrigued by ebikes for years, but I never had the $ before now to take the plunge. I've started to do some research and I'd like to get an ebike before the end of spring.
I've looked at direct drives, geared hub motors and mid drives and I have a basic understanding of each. I like the idea of buying a kit and doing a custom build to save money, but my knowledge of bikes and electronics is very rudimentary, so I'll probably be buying a prebuilt bike.
I've narrowed it down to the following:
VoltBike Interceptor - http://www.voltbike.ca/interceptor.html
Voltbike Yukon Limited - http://www.voltbike.ca/voltbike-yukon/voltbike-yukon-500w-limited.html
Biktrix Juggernaut Mid Drive - http://www.biktrix.com/collections/bikes/products/biktrix-juggernaut-mid-drive
Biktrix Juggernaut Hub-Drive - http://www.biktrix.com/collections/bikes/products/biktrix-juggernaut-hub-drive
The above companies are both Canadian suppliers, and since I'm in Canada, this means lower shipping costs and more predictable pricing (shipping from the USA means unpredictable brokerage fees).
The fat bike is appealing as a pothole-resistant bike that I can ride in all kinds of weather, but I can also take in onto some hiking trails. I'm also open to a beefier hybrid, or a mountain bike.
I like the Rad Rover too, but with $400 US shipping and potential custom brokerage fees, the price from the Canadian suppliers are better.
Desired max speed on level ground - 32km/h is the legal limit, and I'm fine with that.
Desired max range - My work is 25 kms away. It would be nice to be able to go at least that far.
Preferred bike wheel size - a 27.5 would probably be my preference if I were to go the custom build route, but I'd be flexible on that. No strong preference.
Brake type - No strong preference. With a more powerful bike, disks would be better, I suppose.
Rider weight 205 lbs
Terrain- quite flat, some short hills on hiking trails but those will be ridden only once in a while
Budget - I'd like to keep my all-in budget to $2500 or less. The less expensive the better.
I have been looking at the Bafang 500 watt hubs. I was thinking I could get more bang for my buck by buying a new donor bike like a Giant Roam 2 or something similar and building my own. I haven't completely closed the door on this idea, but without some guidance it would probably take me too long. If someone had made a step-by-step guide for dummies that I could follow I'd be more inclined to give it a go.
Kit options that look good:
http://www.ebikes.ca/shop/conversion-kits/geared/ezee-rear-kit-advanced-pas.html
http://www.ebikes.ca/shop/conversion-kits/crystalyte-h-series/crystalyte-rear-hs-kit-advanced-pas.html
http://www.biktrix.com/collections/conversion-kits-and-accessories/products/bafang-bbs02-500w-750w-kits?variant=14962862214
What do you think? Any advice or relevant experience you'd like to share?
I've looked at direct drives, geared hub motors and mid drives and I have a basic understanding of each. I like the idea of buying a kit and doing a custom build to save money, but my knowledge of bikes and electronics is very rudimentary, so I'll probably be buying a prebuilt bike.
I've narrowed it down to the following:
VoltBike Interceptor - http://www.voltbike.ca/interceptor.html
Voltbike Yukon Limited - http://www.voltbike.ca/voltbike-yukon/voltbike-yukon-500w-limited.html
Biktrix Juggernaut Mid Drive - http://www.biktrix.com/collections/bikes/products/biktrix-juggernaut-mid-drive
Biktrix Juggernaut Hub-Drive - http://www.biktrix.com/collections/bikes/products/biktrix-juggernaut-hub-drive
The above companies are both Canadian suppliers, and since I'm in Canada, this means lower shipping costs and more predictable pricing (shipping from the USA means unpredictable brokerage fees).
The fat bike is appealing as a pothole-resistant bike that I can ride in all kinds of weather, but I can also take in onto some hiking trails. I'm also open to a beefier hybrid, or a mountain bike.
I like the Rad Rover too, but with $400 US shipping and potential custom brokerage fees, the price from the Canadian suppliers are better.
Desired max speed on level ground - 32km/h is the legal limit, and I'm fine with that.
Desired max range - My work is 25 kms away. It would be nice to be able to go at least that far.
Preferred bike wheel size - a 27.5 would probably be my preference if I were to go the custom build route, but I'd be flexible on that. No strong preference.
Brake type - No strong preference. With a more powerful bike, disks would be better, I suppose.
Rider weight 205 lbs
Terrain- quite flat, some short hills on hiking trails but those will be ridden only once in a while
Budget - I'd like to keep my all-in budget to $2500 or less. The less expensive the better.
I have been looking at the Bafang 500 watt hubs. I was thinking I could get more bang for my buck by buying a new donor bike like a Giant Roam 2 or something similar and building my own. I haven't completely closed the door on this idea, but without some guidance it would probably take me too long. If someone had made a step-by-step guide for dummies that I could follow I'd be more inclined to give it a go.
Kit options that look good:
http://www.ebikes.ca/shop/conversion-kits/geared/ezee-rear-kit-advanced-pas.html
http://www.ebikes.ca/shop/conversion-kits/crystalyte-h-series/crystalyte-rear-hs-kit-advanced-pas.html
http://www.biktrix.com/collections/conversion-kits-and-accessories/products/bafang-bbs02-500w-750w-kits?variant=14962862214
What do you think? Any advice or relevant experience you'd like to share?