Mid drive conversions on bikes with T47 BB

[raylo32]

I am playing some what ifs, looking at potential gravel bikes to convert and many have T47 BB. Is it possible to do a CYC Photon on one of these? I assume one would need some sort of T47 to BSA adapter? But what would that do to the chainline?

 

[2old]

Yes, FSA EL316 (or equivalent). You'll need to play with the numbers , but I think it's feasible.

 

[Apartunis]

Gravel bikes' qualities only make sense for all day endurance riding and a physically committed riding position. The qualities that make them gravel bikes are at odds with the benefits and capabilities of an ebike. You do you, but my experience of e-gravel bikes is that they hold a grudge against themselves and they are dissonant to ride.

Dutch bikes are harmonious with e-assist. So are cargo bikes. So are commuter bikes and comfort bikes and cruisers. Drop bar bikes are not. It is like adding e-assist to your weight lifting bench.

 

[raylo32]

LOL... a bunch of folks in our bike club riding $10,000 Specialized Creos would beg to differ. Pretty funny that this thread went sideways so fast with such a presumptive and off topic post.

Input on the mechanical question will be appreciated. If nothing else we might learn something.

Gravel bikes' qualities only make sense for all day endurance riding and a physically committed riding position. The qualities that make them gravel bikes are at odds with the benefits and capabilities of an ebike. You do you, but my experience of e-gravel bikes is that they hold a grudge against themselves and they are dissonant to ride.

Dutch bikes are harmonious with e-assist. So are cargo bikes. So are commuter bikes and comfort bikes and cruisers. Drop bar bikes are not. It is like adding e-assist to your weight lifting bench.

 

[dgc]

You can buy a T47 to BSA adapter or 3D print a sleeve, it's a case of there is enough radial clearance to allow the mid-drive to fit, Bafang and Tongsheng will not fit I believe but a CYC Photon may, you need a tech drawing for the CYC Photon to check the clearances, gap between the motor casing and the pedal shaft housing.

 

[Apartunis]

LOL... a bunch of folks in our bike club riding $10,000 Specialized Creos would beg to differ.

The Specialized Turbo Creo was the first bike that showed me how e-gravel is a misguided combination of conflicting checklist items that puts its identity crisis in its own way. There is a used one on the sales floor where I work but nobody is interested. Maybe some people would find it more interesting if it were priced at 10k though.

I guess T47 is something else people buy without appreciating why it is not worth it. ISIS-OS was a similar bad idea long ago laid to rest. Like ISIS-OS, T47 will be difficult to support and maintain soon enough. To me that is a good reason to avoid it rather than try to work with its existing incompatibilities.

 

[dgc]

Go on the CYC Photon website they are manuals and tech info on the mid-drive you are thinking of using.

 

[raylo32]

I have asked CYC the question... It would also some down to how these adapters fit to the frame and whether they make the shell a tad wider or not. It may be that the standard Photon 68/73/83 version could fit a 73mm T47 frame with adapter but maybe not an 83mm. These T47s seem to be getting more and more common on MTBs and gravel bikes. Just what we didn't need, another BB standard. Sheesh.

Go on the CYC Photon website they are manuals and tech info on the mid-drive you are thinking of using.

 

[raylo32]

Not sure how you ride but these folks are a bunch of high mileage club roadies aging out of the peloton and needing some help to keep up. The Creos are a good choice for that use case, not so much for commuting or getting groceries. But, yeah, they are ridiculously priced and my old hardtail conversion with Photon Gen 1 and city tires can do those same rides even better and faster. But most folks aren't like us and can't do their own. Nothing wrong with that.

The Specialized Turbo Creo was the first bike that showed me how e-gravel is a misguided combination of conflicting checklist items that puts its identity crisis in its own way. There is a used one on the sales floor where I work but nobody is interested. Maybe some people would find it more interesting if it were priced at 10k though.

I guess T47 is something else people buy without appreciating why it is not worth it. ISIS-OS was a similar bad idea long ago laid to rest. Like ISIS-OS, T47 will be difficult to support and maintain soon enough. To me that is a good reason to avoid it rather than try to work with its existing incompatibilities.