Please advice - is this a good deal for first e-bike?

[Carmageddon]

Well guys, I've read and considered everything, perhaps indeed I should compromise on something cheaper to get me started, and see how it goes
I need to answer urgently, as he will be able to bring it to me tomorrow during the day.

I have a guy who has (disassembled) e-bike, albeit somewhat slow - it only reaches about 35kph (so he claims..).
He is willing to sell it for about 130$, and says I will need about 100$ more to have some shop assemble and fix all the cables.
I know the guy so he cant just lie to rip off and disappear - so if he says the hubmotor, controller and batteries are good, they are probably good.
He also says it is about 1 year old, and was disassembled 4 months ago due to kids breaking it, and cant bother to fix it..

I am attaching pictures of it, I am thinking it is a cheap, GOOd option, the frame looks durable and strong, and could be a good basis for later upgrades?
I know it looks dusty and dirty there in his garage

So, what do you think? Is it good purchase? Can you figure out what kind of motor is that? watts, gears? he says it is quite while riding so I suspect not geared motor.

14 Pictures of the bike from all possible angles (due to size restriction only 1 pic as uploaded):
http://imageshack.us/g/1/9861248/

Or here:

 

[e-beach]

Well guys, I've read and considered everything, perhaps indeed I should compromise on something cheaper to get me started, and see how it goes

So what part of the world you you live? The reason I ask is that other options might be available without the hassle of trying to resurrect that thing. Depending on what it costs to ship stuff to you you might be able to get a new kit at at comparable prices adding into the equation repair costs and such of what you showed us. That is, if you haven't already bought it. So where are you located?

 

[Carmageddon]

Well guys, I've read and considered everything, perhaps indeed I should compromise on something cheaper to get me started, and see how it goes

Short answer:
So what part of the world you you live? The reason I ask is that other options might be available without the hassle of trying to resurrect that thing. Depending on what it costs to ship stuff to you you might be able to get a new kit at at comparable prices adding into the equation repair costs and such of what you showed us. That is, if you haven't already bought it. So where are you located?

I am located in Israel, so shipping is going to be costly and engines above 250 watt are illegal so will be hard to sneak it until I fly to Canada sometime in half year I hope.

 

[ohzee]

Yea that's what I was thinking.. A mxus kit from cell_man would just run 200 plus shipping ..

I looked at those pics and that thing looks like a dinosaur to me. The guy may be honest , but there could be issues
that he's not even aware.

 

[Drunkskunk]

That controller looks to be totaly trashed. its missing it's cover and has tape wrapped around it? I'd count on the battery being shot as well. But the motor looks ok. Seems to be a 9C/MXUS/Clone style with a drum or band brake attached.

With a Lot of labor, you might be able to build an interesting scooter style bike from that. It would be a serious project, that bike needs a lot of help.

No, not a good 1st ebike.
Yes, would be an interesting and fun $100 project, but that will likely cost you another $6 or $700 to get it running as a viable Ebike.

 

[arkmundi]

Look, the trade-off is always your own time/expertise versus spending the money for something off the shelf. It could be a useful exercise to attempt getting the thingy working, if you have the hobbyist inclination. As a novice, you'll want to know as much as possible about what you're getting, however. I'd inspect the frame, rims, tires etc and insure they're OK. Then I'd see if the motor works. eBike hub motors are nortoriously long-lived and indestructable if treated properly. I'd make sure the motor works OK. The battery, controller and wiring can all be easily replaced. A simple multimeter will tell you what's OK or not. So yea, go for it if you're inclined, understanding what you're getting in the deal. And remember, your friendship is the most important thing, so take care there.

 

[The fingers]

The best way to keep your friendship would be for him to donate the bike to you for free, then your success or failure with the project shouldn't interfere with your relationship. (unless you were to downplay the worth of the item and later parade the finished project in front of him)
Then the proverb:
" 'It's no good, it's no good', says the buyer. Then off he goes, bragging about his purchase." might apply.
Free rocks! As they say in Califrugalista.

 

[NeilP]

Or even just get the motor and forget the rest. battery is sure to be dead, controller does not look much better.

 

[Carmageddon]

Well, I did check already the option to get the stuff I need from cell_man, however I am afraid to try it, because it might not pass the Israeli customs because of the laws regarding hubmotors.

Which is why my best sure alternative is to get it personally on a flight - but I hope to fly only on March/April, and was hoping until then to have something else...
He promises me that everything can be fixed and sorted for total of about 130$ or so (with purchase price of the disassembled bike being another 130$).
Total - 260$.

Are you claiming that getting battery pack, controller, hubmotor etc+shipping would cost me the same money? I am not so sure about this, looking at the site it starts at 200$ without extras, shipping, and without even knowing it will pass customs.

The tires look good, the frame looks strong and designed for higher speed than my simple cheap mountain bike I have.

However, my technical expertise or understanding is nearly zero, which is why I am inclined to first get something working, understand the components etc, and only then go on upgrades.

So, IF the parts work, and indeed it would look like it can be up and running for a total of 260$, do you think it is a good deal? I will get him to agree to get money once I get it running, otherwise I will return it to him 8)
I can get a multimeter, but could you tell me how to test the motor, controller and battery?

 

[NeilP]

Are your Customs really that knowledgable about e bikes? Will they even care?
We have the same rules in UK and europe and there are no issues with Customs at all regarding this. As long as they get their import taxes they will be happy I am sure.
Just get Cell Man to label it up as 250 W motor and controller, they are not going to know a 250W motor from a 2.5kW motor

 

[Carmageddon]

Are your Customs really that knowledgable about e bikes? Will they even care?
We have the same rules in UK and europe and there are no issues with Customs at all regarding this. As long as they get their import taxes they will be happy I am sure.
Just get Cell Man to label it up as 250 W motor and controller, they are not going to know a 250W motor from a 2.5kW motor

Well, it is a bet - I saw in local forums that some ppl got troubles in customs, if they figure out it is intended for an ebike, they will want various confirmation that it is "certified" by institutions and stuff like that...

I dont know... another option is again to do nothing, and wait out the winter until I fly, and bring one for sure this time


The original thread's question was whether THIS specific alternative, is good? considering its price... ASSUMING everything is working as he says.

 

[HAROX]

The original thread's question was whether THIS specific alternative, is good? considering its price... ASSUMING everything is working as he says.

Assuming it's working, I like your idea of paying up after you verify that.
1)how many people buy a used-up system, as if it's not used? very few. you may be his only choice.
2)somebody has to show some "expertise", in evaluating it, and he hasn't shown that.
3)out of every one who has answered you here, I'm the only guy who is NOT either a guru, or qualified to be a guru...so I'm just hearing what they say, and your best choice, verification before remuneration, is conservative and wise.

 

[Drunkskunk]

He promises me that everything can be fixed and sorted for total of about 130$ or so (with purchase price of the disassembled bike being another 130$).
Total - 260$........

Sure. Right. Yep.



Be aware, thats Not realy a strong frame.And thats not a design that would be good for fast speeds. 20mph sustained speeds should be fine with that bike. 25mph for short distances. But it's a short wheelbase, single speed, low stepthrough design, with very low COG, and inadequate brakes for high speeds. Its also got a pogo spring style front fork that may or may not be better than no suspension at all.

The only reason I mentioned that being a good project is because of the motor. if it is indeed one of the 9C/MXUS/Clone types, it should be good for a peak output of over 2000 watts. they sell those motors labled as anything from 500w to 1000w motors, and it would be worth $100 if it is in good shape.

But to make that motor worth the effort it would need a controller and battery that can tap it's potential. and seeing the pics of the rest of the bike, the whole thing needs an overhaul. it realy would be a serious project.

As for importing, the battery won't matter, they aren't designed for a specific motor size. Same with the controller. the only thing customs might object to is the motor. But even if you travel to get the motor, you still have to carry it back through customs, right?

Does Customs even care? Are the laws in your country written to prevent you fron using the motor on your own propperty above the written standards? or do they just apply to what can be used in public, or on the public roads? In the U.S. we can do what we want "Off Road", as in, off the public roads. If I had a farm for instance, I could use any vehicle I wanted on my propperty. Customs would have no say in what I imported to use on my farm. If I took it off the farm, then local law enforcement would be the one to pursue the issue.

This bike would make an interesting project, as I said. But it will take a lot of skill and knowledge to make it worth anything. It would make a really bad first Ebike.

A simple 250watt kit might make a far better 1st bike and a basic mountian bike should be able to handle more speed than this scooter thing.

 

[e-beach]

Have you considered a dual 250w setup. One motor on the front and one on the back of a mountain bike? 500w total?

Also, If you can salvage that bike you showed us, then you can save money and do this yourself.

http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=30211&p=436758

http://www.electricbike.com/hub-motor-wires/

http://www.electricbike.com/modified-hub-motor/

 

[dnmun]

if you are newbie, no reason not to go ahead and buy it and learn stuff on that one putting it back together, imo.

pretty standard chinese ebike from the looks of it with the big hubmotor. it may well be a brushed hubmotor and has SLA i suspect so that would be a reasonable learning exercise, and it won't matter much if and when it is stolen.

 

[NeilP]

The original thread's question was whether THIS specific alternative, is good? considering its price... ASSUMING everything is working as he says.

No , sorry do not think it is a particularly good deal, which is why I suggested just seeing if you can get just the motor, sorry if I did not make that clear when I posted. The earlier post was meant to imply that it was not a good deal to get it all, but getting the motor and other small parts maybe a good deal.

All the other bits look trash..frame looks a waste, and battery is sure to be dead. May be worth getting the controller, and the throttle and any small parts liek switches etc. But save your money on getting the frame sent to you and fit the motor to a bike that you have locally.

It seems crazy to spend money on shipping postage of bits that are not going to be any good like the frame and the battery.
So see if he will strip the electrics and motor and controller off the frame and send just those bits to you.
I am not sure what the dollar is worth to you in regard to a days wages, but I would nto want to be paying more than half a days pay at most for those bits..and that is the highest I would consider.

 

[dnmun]

i thought this was local, i agree it may not be worth the shipping but it could be a good platform to learn on imo. then build a bike later.