ymd
100 mW
My commute is about 19 miles each way including mostly flat asphalt, about 2 miles of rough road and 2 bridges with some stiff climbs. I have ordered Diamondback 2017 Trace Mountain Bike to convert to ebike.
Before deciding on building my own bike, I had bought a pre-built ebike with a hub motor. The motor failed the first day I used it. After banging my head for a month with a Chinese vendor in USA, I returned the bike. Based on that experience, I was almost decided on getting a BBSHD mid drive from EM3EV. When I wrote to them about my commuter requirements, they suggested I go with a MAC standard rear wheel drive. From what little I read on this forum, a MAC is very reliable so also is a BBSHD. I don't mind paying a difference of about $200-$300 going either way so long as I will have a very reliable set-up. What setup would be better for me?
My concerns with the hub motor are:
1. Painful to fix flats.
2. Difficulty in lifting the bike to put on a car rack or a bus rack (in case I want to use the bus as part of my commute). Not as balanced as a mid motor.
3. Do I need to be worried about broken spokes?
4. Where to mount the controller for a MAC (maybe minor issue)
5. What kind of display do I need to get. EM3EV seems to have a very basic display for the MAC. Display for BBSHD seems more rounded.
6. Do I need a Cycle Analyst to get full functionality (plus other things) that I get with BBSHD's display?
7. Is getting TDCM Torque Sensor worth it to go with the Cycle Analyst.
8. There are several rim type options for the MAC on EM3EV for 26 inch tyres. Which one should I get?
My concerns with the BBSHD are:
1. Wear on the chain. Don't want a broken chain when I am 10 miles from home.
2. Do I need to do maintenance on the motor?
3. Shifting gears is not smooth as need to cutoff motor while shifting gears.
I am thinking of getting 50V 18.6Ah battery to go with either setup. Will this battery be enough for my commute? I can charge at work. In intend to put in more pedal power on my way home and lighter while getting to work to avoid getting sweaty. I would like to average around 23-25 MPH.
Instead of carrying a charger with me, should I get two chargers, one at home and one at work? Is getting grin satiator worth the extra expense. One advantage with it is, I can mount it on the bike all the time. Does it make a lot of sense to charge only to 80% to increase life of battery?
Any good suggestions for a luggage rack on the back? What kind of kick stand is good for a heavy ebike. Is there a suggestion for a stable stand?
What are the other things I need to be concerned about.
I will be grateful for any comments or suggestions that help me make my decision and successfully build my first Ebike!
Before deciding on building my own bike, I had bought a pre-built ebike with a hub motor. The motor failed the first day I used it. After banging my head for a month with a Chinese vendor in USA, I returned the bike. Based on that experience, I was almost decided on getting a BBSHD mid drive from EM3EV. When I wrote to them about my commuter requirements, they suggested I go with a MAC standard rear wheel drive. From what little I read on this forum, a MAC is very reliable so also is a BBSHD. I don't mind paying a difference of about $200-$300 going either way so long as I will have a very reliable set-up. What setup would be better for me?
My concerns with the hub motor are:
1. Painful to fix flats.
2. Difficulty in lifting the bike to put on a car rack or a bus rack (in case I want to use the bus as part of my commute). Not as balanced as a mid motor.
3. Do I need to be worried about broken spokes?
4. Where to mount the controller for a MAC (maybe minor issue)
5. What kind of display do I need to get. EM3EV seems to have a very basic display for the MAC. Display for BBSHD seems more rounded.
6. Do I need a Cycle Analyst to get full functionality (plus other things) that I get with BBSHD's display?
7. Is getting TDCM Torque Sensor worth it to go with the Cycle Analyst.
8. There are several rim type options for the MAC on EM3EV for 26 inch tyres. Which one should I get?
My concerns with the BBSHD are:
1. Wear on the chain. Don't want a broken chain when I am 10 miles from home.
2. Do I need to do maintenance on the motor?
3. Shifting gears is not smooth as need to cutoff motor while shifting gears.
I am thinking of getting 50V 18.6Ah battery to go with either setup. Will this battery be enough for my commute? I can charge at work. In intend to put in more pedal power on my way home and lighter while getting to work to avoid getting sweaty. I would like to average around 23-25 MPH.
Instead of carrying a charger with me, should I get two chargers, one at home and one at work? Is getting grin satiator worth the extra expense. One advantage with it is, I can mount it on the bike all the time. Does it make a lot of sense to charge only to 80% to increase life of battery?
Any good suggestions for a luggage rack on the back? What kind of kick stand is good for a heavy ebike. Is there a suggestion for a stable stand?
What are the other things I need to be concerned about.
I will be grateful for any comments or suggestions that help me make my decision and successfully build my first Ebike!