UK based Paratrooper Pro conversion-First time build

[djsb]

Hi,
I have just bought a new Paratrooper Pro (20" frame) with the specific intention of converting it to an E-Bike. I have been reading this forum and other internet sources for about a week and I've narroewd down few ideas. First some info about me and my requirements. I'm 6' 2" tall weigh 210 pounds (95Kg) and I need MINIMUM range of 40 miles as I commute 20 miles each way to work. Range is more important to me than speed as the legal limit here in the UK is 15.5 MPH and I don't want to go any faster. As I have a few steep hills to climb a motor with plenty of torque is important as well. I have considered a mid drive Bafang BBS02 conversion but I have not seen any Paratroopers with this kit fitted. I have read about the Duty Cycle AWD and I would love to build one similar to this in the long term but I'm not sure I need anything this powerful.
I did consider spending £1800 on a Bionx D Series conversion kit but then read about all the problems with the fancy electronics and expensive battery so ruled that out. Seems I will be better off with a rear direct drive hub from Heinzmann but I'm not sure to what extent I can mix and match a controller, battery etc with this hub.
Yesterday I found a post by Hi power Cycles in the USA and found a battery bag that they make for the Paratrooper which I would like to use. I've sent them an email asking about the bag and their batteries and several other questions( the main one being can they supply to a UK buyer). Hope I'll get a reply after the holidays. So I'm just crawling towards some kind of understanding of my needs. Has anyone from the UK ever done a similar conversion and can they help me? Thanks.

 

[craneplaneguy]

I have a thread here on just such a build, and I also am a first timer. It seems the Montague is particularly well suited for the mid drive Bafang in the way the frame is built, it allows you to really tuck the motor up nice and high. Best of all, the folding action is not compromised at all . The battery hanging from the top frame tube seems to be working OK, but is not stealthy at all obviously. I may still play around with a backpack at some point, once I find mine (I know it's here...). https://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=74781

 

[djsb]

Thanks Craneplaneguy,
It's great news that I can fit a bafang mid drive as that leaves the wheels free for a rim upgrade and eventual fitment of a Rohloff hub. Do you have any close up pictures of how the motor is situated on the frame. I just want to understand how it all fits. Thanks.

David.

 

[craneplaneguy]

I'll post a close up tomorrow. My bottom bracket had a slight obstruction mid way, preventing the new drive from sliding in. A minute or so with the die grind solved that.

 

[craneplaneguy]

I'll post a close up tomorrow. My bottom bracket had a slight obstruction mid way, preventing the new drive from sliding in. A minute or so with the die grind solved that.

On second thought, find my ongoing thread "BAFANG power for the folding Montague for the airplane", it already has many pictures showing how it worked out. I see it on the second page of the E-bike general discussion