diplomatically
1 mW
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2018
- Messages
- 17
So I jumped right into my e-bike conversion project with no real research, no bike and no real biking experience (I last road a bike when I was 10) - I love to tinker and have a couple hundred 18650 li-on batteries so that's all I needed to get started right away LOL. Ordered a 48V 1500W 700c rear wheel drive kit with 7 speed freewheel (eBikeling) off eBay. I picked up a 2005 Fuji Sagres Forza Series 8 speed aluminum hybrid bike (with 700x25c tires) off Craigslist, but immediately felt it wasn't beefy enough (frame, tires) for the project. Then I picked up a 2011-ish Specialized/Globe Vienna 7 speed aluminum hybrid bike (with 700x35c tires) off Craigslist and while beefier than the Sagres it still didn't seem beefy enough. Then I finally sat down and spent a lil' more time researching and discovered the discussions recommending using mountain bikes even cheap models from Walmart/department stores, going with steel frames or at least steel dropouts, front suspension, disc brakes, wider tires, 29ers are the same size as 700c, etc. Then I figured to save this project I'd just get a 29er mountain bike with at least decent front suspension, disc brakes and 7 speeds used off of Craigslist/OfferUp/Letgo or new and cheap from Walmart and upgrade components later. Does this get me back on track or should I look in another direction?
P.S. - I started this project because my car has become sort of unreliable (and I barely drive it anyway) so this e-bike would be an alternate mode of transportation for getting to my clients (all within 10 miles of me) and running errands. I'll mainly be on the road/streets, commuting essentially. I'm in Seattle, WA so there's steep hills. I also hope to tow my toddlers around in their trailer to the park and around the neighborhood.
P.S. - I started this project because my car has become sort of unreliable (and I barely drive it anyway) so this e-bike would be an alternate mode of transportation for getting to my clients (all within 10 miles of me) and running errands. I'll mainly be on the road/streets, commuting essentially. I'm in Seattle, WA so there's steep hills. I also hope to tow my toddlers around in their trailer to the park and around the neighborhood.