Help me pick a bike for TSDZ2 install!

[calabasasdan]

I am new and need your help guys. I dead set on converting my 2020 Marin Rift Zone 1 to an ebike using the TSDZ2. I bought everything and it turned out the motor was just impossible to fit in that frame no matter what.

I've now sold that bike and am "stuck" having some items that can't be returned (e.g. Pocket Rocket II battery from Battery Motor Works and not sure about the TSDZ2 kit from Electrify Bike) so I'd rather use it than buy an off-the-shelf ebike.

I want a nice donor mountain bike in the $1000-$2500 price range that will fit the TSDZ2 and the small battery. What would you get?

 

[AngryBob]

Well, if you planned on using it only to get to the church on sunday on smooth paved roads, I might have one or two suggestions, BUT ...

If you planned on daily high-speed highways runs to get to work 5 days a week, I might have one or two completely different suggestions, BUT...

If you planned on bombing down rocky mountainsides all weekend long, that would be something else altogether,

And, as always, if you weigh much over 200 pounds, and particularly a LOT over, then that would change everything, BUT...

Since I have no freaking clue WTF you want to do with the equipment, I find it absolutely impossible to make even a wild guess. Just pick one at random, maybe take a few measurements BEFORE you decide what to buy this time.

 

[calabasasdan]

Fair point. I'm looking for a versatile mountain bike that is good for intermediate-level use on singletrack, doubletrack and fire roads, including rock gardens, going over obstacles such as small logs without having to get off. This is in Southern California so there are steep mountain hills but no snow or anything like that. The Marin Rift Zone 1, with an MSRP of $1599 was a great entry-level full suspension bike for my needs and it was a good learning experience.

I prefer full suspension but am open to fat bikes and hardtails if there's a great option out there. Also open to buying new or used.

I'm hoping that you guys with your wealth of experience have looked at some bikes out there and there's something that stands out in the $1000-$2500 price range as your "if I was to build a lower-endish mountain bike, this would make a perfect foundation."

 

[Waynemarlow]

The best and easiest mtb bikes with greatest riding reward has been for us the Whyte T129 or Whyte M109, No mods needed and a bike with great components from the off with excellent reliability.

 

[Bigwheel]

As you probably found out bikes with a goose neck down tube to bb connection are not good for fitting a motor like the TSDZ2 and best is a straight downtube to bb. Other than checking your local CL, it is my impression that lot's of SoCal riders change bikes like, alot, so that might work although the used bike market is really hot right now.

Otherwise there is Bikes Direct and a quick perusal just now came up with this one:: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/full-suspension-mountain-bikes/hal5-nx-275-mountain-bikes.htm

They say it's a 5" travel bike but only list it with a 120mm fork.....price is in your ball park however but it is 27.5 as opposed to a 29"er like your last bike. It does have the desired down tube connection though and maybe there is something else in their catalog that would work?



I assume you have also trolled the local bike shops.