Hello, all. Completely new topic for me, but I've watched every YouTube review of every ebike I could find, a dozen or so build videos, checked every listing for amazon, ebay, alibaba, etc. Trying to decide between a few options direct from Chinese manufacturers and doing a homebrew. Just looking for any input from those who've made it to the other side of the chasm.
I'm in Florida, and looking for a cross between the go anywhere handling of a motocross bike, and the ability to ACTUALLY go anywhere without being arrested, paying for insurance, etc. (roads, bike paths, etc)... oh, and just to muck things up, I want to be able to go on sandy trails too, if not outright beaches. Ebikes are not popular here, so it's probably possible to go incognito as far as motorized vehicle bans on nearby paths so long as it LOOKS like a bike. No, I'm not looking to speed past people or use motors around other cyclists, and yes, I'm aware of the basic issues there. I just don't want to have to buy one bike for the the nearby bike trails, another bike for the dirt trails once I reach them, and yet another for electric assist on the street. One bike to rule them all. Common sense applied. I'm a responsible(ish) adult. Promise(ish).
Not entirely sure I'm prepared to sacrifice agility needed to go for full fatbike, but sandy trails around here means 2.5" tires is probably a minimum. I do like, however, that some of the fatbikes do have beefed up fiddly bits which translate well to conversion.
So, here's what my research has led me to:
Cost: Under $2k, so self build, limited domestic options, or order from China via AliBaba.
Tires: 2.5 - 4"
Frame: Full suspension if 2.5" tires, Front only is probably ok if running 4" fatties.
Battery: Looking for beefy high power with low slung weight, so biggest I can fit in triangle or otherwise centrally frame mounted. 10Ah minimum.
Motor: Able to pull me up a hill without assist. I'd guess 750 watt, 48v would be a minimum. Want quiet and minimal maintenance, so leaning toward rear hub.
Gears: Mountain bike type ratio options. No fixed gear cruiser. I want this to be a fully functional MB with the batteries disconnected.
Style: Pedal assist and throtle. I want solid uncompromised grips, so either thumb throtle, or grip that can be disabled with handy button.
Gettin geeky: I've done a lot of reading up lately on drive systems, brake and shift inhibitors, torque sensors, etc. I realize a lot of that stuff applies more to mid-drive systems, but if I do a custom build, I would like to retain as much advanced functionality as possible, so if there's any way to get regen breaking, or any other intelligent functionality out of the power setup, I'm all for it. Definitely want intelligent charging.
Dual drive: Can't help it, I'm just fascinated with the idea of going AWD (especially with all the sand around here). I've read a few threads on here about potential issues with front wheel spinning out, or steering issues, but thought I'd toss AWD into the mix to see if there's any feedback on that topic specifically for a beefier all-terrain ride like this.
The elephant in the room: I'm just going to start by assuming that every company in existence will be out of business in the next few years, that any custom parts will fail, and that the coming zombie apocalypse will severely hamper my ability to source replacement parts. The more standard and off the shelf, the better. The more hackable the firmware, the better. Looking for standard and interchangeable parts wherever possible. The mad scientist in me can't help but wonder if I'll want to beef up the power supply, etc. The last thing I want is a broken ebike that fails at being a standalone mountain bike. This is actually my main reason for considering self build.
Here's a couple examples of bikes I've found that are contenders for one reason or another:
http://ezbike.en.alibaba.com/produc...wheel_suspension_dirt_bike_electric_bike.html
OK, so not really incognito, but nito nonetheless. I think the tires are only like 2.24", but I like that it's NOT spoke wheels, they make a 750W version too, as well as a fatbike version with 4" tires (though that one has 12 guage spoke wheels). Keep coming back to this one, though, because it just looks extremely agile like it could run up a flight of stairs better than Rocky. Trail cops might take issue with it though... if they could catch me. There's a US seller that started reselling these (at twice the cost) recently as well.
A more incognito option might be this:
http://www.alibaba.com/product-deta...60379347626.html?spm=a2700.7724838.0.0.tOb9Lt
Still got a big ol' battery hump, but looks pretty modular, and like it fits the overall bill, though sacrificing agility for tires approaching monster truck status.
Definitely looks like an ebike if you know what to look for (though I'm not sure many people around here do).
The true incognito option would be one of those bullet style battery packs that looks like a water bottle, but that appears to be a 36v and around 9Ah or so only option.
So, perhaps I am better off with one of the less obtrusive integrated frames like this:
http://www.alibaba.com/product-deta...60462658831.html?spm=a2700.7724838.0.0.hrgaJ8
Although... that leads me back to the proprietary issue. You know... zombies and all.
Dunno. Thinking out loud. Looking for three actually (me, wife, kid), so may try three different approaches just for variety.
Thoughts? Concerns? Did you once sound noobish like me, and are now a wanted criminal for trail violations? Self-build issues I haven't considered? Regret going full fatty? Wish you were more incognito? Less? Other safety issues? AliBaba nightmares?
Sock it to me.
I'm in Florida, and looking for a cross between the go anywhere handling of a motocross bike, and the ability to ACTUALLY go anywhere without being arrested, paying for insurance, etc. (roads, bike paths, etc)... oh, and just to muck things up, I want to be able to go on sandy trails too, if not outright beaches. Ebikes are not popular here, so it's probably possible to go incognito as far as motorized vehicle bans on nearby paths so long as it LOOKS like a bike. No, I'm not looking to speed past people or use motors around other cyclists, and yes, I'm aware of the basic issues there. I just don't want to have to buy one bike for the the nearby bike trails, another bike for the dirt trails once I reach them, and yet another for electric assist on the street. One bike to rule them all. Common sense applied. I'm a responsible(ish) adult. Promise(ish).
Not entirely sure I'm prepared to sacrifice agility needed to go for full fatbike, but sandy trails around here means 2.5" tires is probably a minimum. I do like, however, that some of the fatbikes do have beefed up fiddly bits which translate well to conversion.
So, here's what my research has led me to:
Cost: Under $2k, so self build, limited domestic options, or order from China via AliBaba.
Tires: 2.5 - 4"
Frame: Full suspension if 2.5" tires, Front only is probably ok if running 4" fatties.
Battery: Looking for beefy high power with low slung weight, so biggest I can fit in triangle or otherwise centrally frame mounted. 10Ah minimum.
Motor: Able to pull me up a hill without assist. I'd guess 750 watt, 48v would be a minimum. Want quiet and minimal maintenance, so leaning toward rear hub.
Gears: Mountain bike type ratio options. No fixed gear cruiser. I want this to be a fully functional MB with the batteries disconnected.
Style: Pedal assist and throtle. I want solid uncompromised grips, so either thumb throtle, or grip that can be disabled with handy button.
Gettin geeky: I've done a lot of reading up lately on drive systems, brake and shift inhibitors, torque sensors, etc. I realize a lot of that stuff applies more to mid-drive systems, but if I do a custom build, I would like to retain as much advanced functionality as possible, so if there's any way to get regen breaking, or any other intelligent functionality out of the power setup, I'm all for it. Definitely want intelligent charging.
Dual drive: Can't help it, I'm just fascinated with the idea of going AWD (especially with all the sand around here). I've read a few threads on here about potential issues with front wheel spinning out, or steering issues, but thought I'd toss AWD into the mix to see if there's any feedback on that topic specifically for a beefier all-terrain ride like this.
The elephant in the room: I'm just going to start by assuming that every company in existence will be out of business in the next few years, that any custom parts will fail, and that the coming zombie apocalypse will severely hamper my ability to source replacement parts. The more standard and off the shelf, the better. The more hackable the firmware, the better. Looking for standard and interchangeable parts wherever possible. The mad scientist in me can't help but wonder if I'll want to beef up the power supply, etc. The last thing I want is a broken ebike that fails at being a standalone mountain bike. This is actually my main reason for considering self build.
Here's a couple examples of bikes I've found that are contenders for one reason or another:
http://ezbike.en.alibaba.com/produc...wheel_suspension_dirt_bike_electric_bike.html
OK, so not really incognito, but nito nonetheless. I think the tires are only like 2.24", but I like that it's NOT spoke wheels, they make a 750W version too, as well as a fatbike version with 4" tires (though that one has 12 guage spoke wheels). Keep coming back to this one, though, because it just looks extremely agile like it could run up a flight of stairs better than Rocky. Trail cops might take issue with it though... if they could catch me. There's a US seller that started reselling these (at twice the cost) recently as well.
A more incognito option might be this:
http://www.alibaba.com/product-deta...60379347626.html?spm=a2700.7724838.0.0.tOb9Lt
Still got a big ol' battery hump, but looks pretty modular, and like it fits the overall bill, though sacrificing agility for tires approaching monster truck status.
Definitely looks like an ebike if you know what to look for (though I'm not sure many people around here do).
The true incognito option would be one of those bullet style battery packs that looks like a water bottle, but that appears to be a 36v and around 9Ah or so only option.
So, perhaps I am better off with one of the less obtrusive integrated frames like this:
http://www.alibaba.com/product-deta...60462658831.html?spm=a2700.7724838.0.0.hrgaJ8
Although... that leads me back to the proprietary issue. You know... zombies and all.
Dunno. Thinking out loud. Looking for three actually (me, wife, kid), so may try three different approaches just for variety.
Thoughts? Concerns? Did you once sound noobish like me, and are now a wanted criminal for trail violations? Self-build issues I haven't considered? Regret going full fatty? Wish you were more incognito? Less? Other safety issues? AliBaba nightmares?
Sock it to me.