I've landed on a Vector Vortex as the best, most cost effective solution to my needs. Now I'm faced with the decision to build or buy.
I definitely don't need all the features of the fully assembled one, so that might offer some cost savings right there. It looks like the factory one with the large battery would be 6800, and adding up all the individual parts I would need for a no frills build with the same battery it looks like I would be in it for about 4500.
I've researched pretty thoroughly what the build would involve, and I'm very confident that I can pull it off. I've built 3d printers from parts kits, and this feels like a lot of the same things on a much larger scale. I've also programmed lots of radios, and that looks like its oddly similar to programming the controller (assuming I can't talk Vector into flashing their stock settings for me). So assuming I can get the stock settings, programming the controller shouldn't be a problem.
So that's where I'm at mentally right now. I'm thinking I can pull this off for about 5k or maybe a little less, all in, and I'm not expecting any major headaches in the assembly process. I also have the basic tools I would expect to be required, like sockets, hex keys, torque wrenches, etc.
One major question I still have though is if I will get hit with a huge customs bill. I will be ordering almost everything from Vector, including the frame, motor, battery, brakes, and probably the fork. So moral of the story is it's going to be about a 4k dollar order coming through customs, so if the tariffs are high that could potentially eat up anything I saved by building.
I definitely don't need all the features of the fully assembled one, so that might offer some cost savings right there. It looks like the factory one with the large battery would be 6800, and adding up all the individual parts I would need for a no frills build with the same battery it looks like I would be in it for about 4500.
I've researched pretty thoroughly what the build would involve, and I'm very confident that I can pull it off. I've built 3d printers from parts kits, and this feels like a lot of the same things on a much larger scale. I've also programmed lots of radios, and that looks like its oddly similar to programming the controller (assuming I can't talk Vector into flashing their stock settings for me). So assuming I can get the stock settings, programming the controller shouldn't be a problem.
So that's where I'm at mentally right now. I'm thinking I can pull this off for about 5k or maybe a little less, all in, and I'm not expecting any major headaches in the assembly process. I also have the basic tools I would expect to be required, like sockets, hex keys, torque wrenches, etc.
One major question I still have though is if I will get hit with a huge customs bill. I will be ordering almost everything from Vector, including the frame, motor, battery, brakes, and probably the fork. So moral of the story is it's going to be about a 4k dollar order coming through customs, so if the tariffs are high that could potentially eat up anything I saved by building.