Walmart USA's Concord ebikes - the ezip of today?

[neptronix]

Saw this in store recently and was shocked by the $500 price. Especially considering the tariff action lately.


Robot or human?

36v/11ah battery with a 350w motor. 27.5" wheels.
Decent geometry but could use front suspension.

I wouldn't buy it but it seems like a nice starter ebike. If the battery took a dive, you could hollow it out and add a way better one on top of the existing, using a ebikes.ca triple bottom bob. The rear looks like a standard QR 135mm interface, so any hubmotor would do.

Nice that you can buy it from an American vendor though who would accept a return etc, instead of the usual aliexpress deal, where you'll never be able to return it if it's broken.

Whether it's good or garbage remains to be seen, just thought i'd pass along a note of it's existance.

 

[amberwolf]

I actually like that they didn't bother to go with a crappy "useless" suspension fork, and just stuck with the basic there, and they included fenders to make it more useful as a commuter or everyday bike in more places and conditions, rather than just a "fun toy". It wouldn't be tough to replace the fork with a useful suspension fork if the usage scenario needs that; looks like a typical threadless type, and I'd guess it's whatever the most common size and type of steerer for that.



While I don't like frames compromised by giant holes for batteries, or batteries forced to fit in a frame like that, they do make a cleaner bike that is easier for bicycle riders to accept, and for people that need a cleaner build for whatever other reasons.

The rack it uses isn't the greatest design but it's far from the worst, and isn't built into the frame so that could be replaced.

It uses 27.5" wheels so ride is a little better than 26" for the unsuspended frame, but it isn't "crippled" with giant balloon wheels that can be hard to pedal without power (and can waste range when powered).

36v 10A (350w) rear hubmotor system; 36v 10Ah battery, 4-6 hour charge time implies a 2A charger. Actual manfufacturer of the system isn't listed, and there's no pics of the individual parts (motor, controller, etc)


A quick search for parts for the bike finds a number of places with more info, including various reddit threads like this fairly info-rich (for reddit) thread

https://www.reddit.com/r/ebikes/comments/1f3gh56

that have the manual (concord1-compressed.pdf , 18.5mb so too large to attach here), and also state that the manufacturer ( Phoenix Bicycles phoenixus-support@phoenix-bicycle.com ) will sell a new batery for $218 shipped as of 7months ago.

Apparently Phoenix Bicycles also makes the walmart Ozark Trail series; like all the cheap bikes there are some serious complaints about them, as well as various levels of praise.

The manual has enough information in it for those familiar with teh menus and displays to guess the display and controller brand if not model.



Specs from the walmart page quoted below

The Concord 27.5" Step-Over Electric Commuter Bike features a 6061 Aluminum frame , rigid steel fork, and 36V 10Ah battery , providing up to 20 miles per charge . It has a 350W high-speed brushless rear hub motor and Shimano 7-speed gear . The bike weighs 49.6 lbs, has a charge time of 4-6 hours, and suits riders 5'1" - 6'1". It includes internal cable routing, integrated fender mounts, and a user-friendly display showing pedal assist level, power status, and speed. The bike has a 170mm crank length and 30.4mm alloy seatpost, making it suitable for adult, unisex use.

Product details​

Take on your next adventure with the Concord 27.5" Commuter Step-Over Electric Bike. This adult electric bike is equipped with a reliable 350W high-speed brushless rear hub motor, providing a torque curve that seamlessly augments your pedaling power. The 36V 10Ah battery, which is portable and lockable, offers a range of up to 20 miles per charge. The user-friendly display provides real-time information such as pedal assist level, power status, speed, trip distance, and headlight switch control. The gear level operates smoothly, mimicking a traditional bicycle without resistance. Additionally, the Shimano 7-speed gear with trigger shifters and derailleur ensures quick, precise gear shifts, enabling you to navigate any terrain with remarkable ease. Bring home the Concord 27.5" Commuter Step-Over Electric Bike today.

• Concord 27.5" Commuter Step-Over Electric Bike, 36V, Gray, Adult, Unisex
• Internal cable routing protects cables and gives the bike a clean, sleek look
• Frame: 6061 Aluminum
• Fork: Rigid steel fork, Integrated Fender Mounts, Quick Release
• Weight: 49.6 lbs
• Shifter: Shimano Tourney 7 Speed, SL-TX30
• Rear Derailleur: Shimano Tourney 7 Speed TZ500
• Crank: 170mm length
• Bottom Bracket: 73mm, sealed cartridge
• Freewheel: 14-28T, 7 Speed
• Chain: 7 Speed
• Pedal: Plastic, Wide Platform
• Saddle: Comfort Saddle, Steel rails, 175mm
• Seatpost: 30.4mm, alloy, 350mm length
• Charge Time: 4-6 hours

• Product	Viewing this item​ Concord 27.5" Step-Over Electric Commuter Bike, 36V, Gray, Fits Riders 5'1" - 6'1", Adult, Unisex Add $498.00 current price $498.00 Concord 27.5" Step-Over Electric Commuter Bike, 36V, Gray, Fits Riders 5'1" - 6'1", Adult, Unisex 3144.3 out of 5 Stars. 314 reviews	Concord Step-Over Electric Commuter Bike, 27.5" Wheels, 36V, Class 2, Gray, Fits Riders 5'1" - 6'1", Adult, Unisex Add $498.00 current price $498.00 Concord Step-Over Electric Commuter Bike, 27.5" Wheels, 36V, Class 2, Gray, Fits Riders 5'1" - 6'1", Adult, Unisex 3554.2 out of 5 Stars. 355 reviews	Concord Step-Thru Electric Commuter Bike, 27.5" Wheels, 36V, Class 2, White, Fits Riders 5'1" - 6'1", Unisex, Adult Add $498.00 current price $498.00 Concord Step-Thru Electric Commuter Bike, 27.5" Wheels, 36V, Class 2, White, Fits Riders 5'1" - 6'1", Unisex, Adult 3554.2 out of 5 Stars. 355 reviews	Vivi Electric Bike for Adults 26" Electric Mountain Bike 500W Cruise Control Electric Commuter Bike 21 Speed with Removable 48V Battery Up to 50 Miles Add Now $430.89 current price Now $430.89 $1,019.99 Was $1,019.99 Vivi Electric Bike for Adults 26" Electric Mountain Bike 500W Cruise Control Electric Commuter Bike 21 Speed with Removable 48V Battery Up to 50 Miles 2294.7 out of 5 Stars. 229 reviews	Viribus Electric Bike for Adults 26" Commuter Mountain Bike Disc Brakes 350W Motor 48V 10.4Ah Lithium, Mint Add $489.99 current price $489.99 Viribus Electric Bike for Adults 26" Commuter Mountain Bike Disc Brakes 350W Motor 48V 10.4Ah Lithium, Mint 114.9 out of 5 Stars. 11 reviews	RCB 500W Electric Bike 26" Electric Mountain Bike for Adults, E Bike with 36V/12 Ah Removable Lithium-Ion Battery, Shimano 7-Speed Commuter Bike - UL2849 Add Now $469.99 current price Now $469.99 $1,099.99 Was $1,099.99 RCB 500W Electric Bike 26" Electric Mountain Bike for Adults, E Bike with 36V/12 Ah Removable Lithium-Ion Battery, Shimano 7-Speed Commuter Bike - UL2849 204.7 out of 5 Stars. 20 reviews	Concord 20" Urbanfold Electric Folding Bike, 36V, Class 2, Blue, Fits Riders 4'11" - 6'2", Adult, Unisex Add $448.00 current price $448.00 Concord 20" Urbanfold Electric Folding Bike, 36V, Class 2, Blue, Fits Riders 4'11" - 6'2", Adult, Unisex 294.5 out of 5 Stars. 29 reviews	Gocio 500W 27.5" Electric Bike, Max 19.8mph Electric Mountain Bike 48V 10.4Ah Removable Battery Commuter Ebike for Adults, LCD Display Electric Bicycles, Shimano 21 Speed UL2849 Certified Add Now $539.99 current price Now $539.99 $685.70 Was $685.70 Gocio 500W 27.5" Electric Bike, Max 19.8mph Electric Mountain Bike 48V 10.4Ah Removable Battery Commuter Ebike for Adults, LCD Display Electric Bicycles, Shimano 21 Speed UL2849 Certified 1064.6 out of 5 Stars. 106 reviews	AOVOPRO EB60 Electric Bike 500W 48V, 14' Mini Ebike for City Commuter, Folding Electric Bicycle for Adult with Two Seats UL2849 Add Now $299.99 current price Now $299.99 $599.00 Was $599.00 AOVOPRO EB60 Electric Bike 500W 48V, 14' Mini Ebike for City Commuter, Folding Electric Bicycle for Adult with Two Seats UL2849 7134.5 out of 5 Stars. 713 reviews

  Comparison Chart:
  

  Bicycle Type	Commuter BikesConcord 27.5" Step-Over Electric Commuter Bike, 36V, Gray, Fits Riders 5'1" - 6'1", Adult, Unisex	Commuter BikesConcord Step-Over Electric Commuter Bike, 27.5" Wheels, 36V, Class 2, Gray, Fits Riders 5'1" - 6'1", Adult, Unisex	Commuter BikesConcord Step-Thru Electric Commuter Bike, 27.5" Wheels, 36V, Class 2, White, Fits Riders 5'1" - 6'1", Unisex, Adult	Mountain BikesVivi Electric Bike for Adults 26" Electric Mountain Bike 500W Cruise Control Electric Commuter Bike 21 Speed with Removable 48V Battery Up to 50 Miles	Mountain BikesViribus Electric Bike for Adults 26" Commuter Mountain Bike Disc Brakes 350W Motor 48V 10.4Ah Lithium, Mint	Mountain BikesRCB 500W Electric Bike 26" Electric Mountain Bike for Adults, E Bike with 36V/12 Ah Removable Lithium-Ion Battery, Shimano 7-Speed Commuter Bike - UL2849	Folding BikesConcord 20" Urbanfold Electric Folding Bike, 36V, Class 2, Blue, Fits Riders 4'11" - 6'2", Adult, Unisex	Mountain BikesGocio 500W 27.5" Electric Bike, Max 19.8mph Electric Mountain Bike 48V 10.4Ah Removable Battery Commuter Ebike for Adults, LCD Display Electric Bicycles, Shimano 21 Speed UL2849 Certified	Commuter BikesAOVOPRO EB60 Electric Bike 500W 48V, 14' Mini Ebike for City Commuter, Folding Electric Bicycle for Adult with Two Seats UL2849
  Bicycle Wheel Diameter	27.5 inConcord 27.5" Step-Over Electric Commuter Bike, 36V, Gray, Fits Riders 5'1" - 6'1", Adult, Unisex	27.5 inConcord Step-Over Electric Commuter Bike, 27.5" Wheels, 36V, Class 2, Gray, Fits Riders 5'1" - 6'1", Adult, Unisex	27.5 inConcord Step-Thru Electric Commuter Bike, 27.5" Wheels, 36V, Class 2, White, Fits Riders 5'1" - 6'1", Unisex, Adult	26"Vivi Electric Bike for Adults 26" Electric Mountain Bike 500W Cruise Control Electric Commuter Bike 21 Speed with Removable 48V Battery Up to 50 Miles	26"Viribus Electric Bike for Adults 26" Commuter Mountain Bike Disc Brakes 350W Motor 48V 10.4Ah Lithium, Mint	26"RCB 500W Electric Bike 26" Electric Mountain Bike for Adults, E Bike with 36V/12 Ah Removable Lithium-Ion Battery, Shimano 7-Speed Commuter Bike - UL2849	20"Concord 20" Urbanfold Electric Folding Bike, 36V, Class 2, Blue, Fits Riders 4'11" - 6'2", Adult, Unisex	27.5 inGocio 500W 27.5" Electric Bike, Max 19.8mph Electric Mountain Bike 48V 10.4Ah Removable Battery Commuter Ebike for Adults, LCD Display Electric Bicycles, Shimano 21 Speed UL2849 Certified	14"AOVOPRO EB60 Electric Bike 500W 48V, 14' Mini Ebike for City Commuter, Folding Electric Bicycle for Adult with Two Seats UL2849
  Maximum Travel Distance	40 miConcord 27.5" Step-Over Electric Commuter Bike, 36V, Gray, Fits Riders 5'1" - 6'1", Adult, Unisex	20 miConcord Step-Over Electric Commuter Bike, 27.5" Wheels, 36V, Class 2, Gray, Fits Riders 5'1" - 6'1", Adult, Unisex	40 miConcord Step-Thru Electric Commuter Bike, 27.5" Wheels, 36V, Class 2, White, Fits Riders 5'1" - 6'1", Unisex, Adult	50 miVivi Electric Bike for Adults 26" Electric Mountain Bike 500W Cruise Control Electric Commuter Bike 21 Speed with Removable 48V Battery Up to 50 Miles	93.2 miViribus Electric Bike for Adults 26" Commuter Mountain Bike Disc Brakes 350W Motor 48V 10.4Ah Lithium, Mint	-RCB 500W Electric Bike 26" Electric Mountain Bike for Adults, E Bike with 36V/12 Ah Removable Lithium-Ion Battery, Shimano 7-Speed Commuter Bike - UL2849	20 miConcord 20" Urbanfold Electric Folding Bike, 36V, Class 2, Blue, Fits Riders 4'11" - 6'2", Adult, Unisex	50 miGocio 500W 27.5" Electric Bike, Max 19.8mph Electric Mountain Bike 48V 10.4Ah Removable Battery Commuter Ebike for Adults, LCD Display Electric Bicycles, Shimano 21 Speed UL2849 Certified	28 miAOVOPRO EB60 Electric Bike 500W 48V, 14' Mini Ebike for City Commuter, Folding Electric Bicycle for Adult with Two Seats UL2849
  Maximum Speed	20 mphConcord 27.5" Step-Over Electric Commuter Bike, 36V, Gray, Fits Riders 5'1" - 6'1", Adult, Unisex	20 mphConcord Step-Over Electric Commuter Bike, 27.5" Wheels, 36V, Class 2, Gray, Fits Riders 5'1" - 6'1", Adult, Unisex	20 mphConcord Step-Thru Electric Commuter Bike, 27.5" Wheels, 36V, Class 2, White, Fits Riders 5'1" - 6'1", Unisex, Adult	20 mphVivi Electric Bike for Adults 26" Electric Mountain Bike 500W Cruise Control Electric Commuter Bike 21 Speed with Removable 48V Battery Up to 50 Miles	20 mphViribus Electric Bike for Adults 26" Commuter Mountain Bike Disc Brakes 350W Motor 48V 10.4Ah Lithium, Mint	-RCB 500W Electric Bike 26" Electric Mountain Bike for Adults, E Bike with 36V/12 Ah Removable Lithium-Ion Battery, Shimano 7-Speed Commuter Bike - UL2849	20 mphConcord 20" Urbanfold Electric Folding Bike, 36V, Class 2, Blue, Fits Riders 4'11" - 6'2", Adult, Unisex	19 mphGocio 500W 27.5" Electric Bike, Max 19.8mph Electric Mountain Bike 48V 10.4Ah Removable Battery Commuter Ebike for Adults, LCD Display Electric Bicycles, Shimano 21 Speed UL2849 Certified	20 mphAOVOPRO EB60 Electric Bike 500W 48V, 14' Mini Ebike for City Commuter, Folding Electric Bicycle for Adult with Two Seats UL2849
  Watts	350 WConcord 27.5" Step-Over Electric Commuter Bike, 36V, Gray, Fits Riders 5'1" - 6'1", Adult, Unisex	350 WConcord Step-Over Electric Commuter Bike, 27.5" Wheels, 36V, Class 2, Gray, Fits Riders 5'1" - 6'1", Adult, Unisex	350 WConcord Step-Thru Electric Commuter Bike, 27.5" Wheels, 36V, Class 2, White, Fits Riders 5'1" - 6'1", Unisex, Adult	500 WVivi Electric Bike for Adults 26" Electric Mountain Bike 500W Cruise Control Electric Commuter Bike 21 Speed with Removable 48V Battery Up to 50 Miles	350 WattsViribus Electric Bike for Adults 26" Commuter Mountain Bike Disc Brakes 350W Motor 48V 10.4Ah Lithium, Mint	250 WattsRCB 500W Electric Bike 26" Electric Mountain Bike for Adults, E Bike with 36V/12 Ah Removable Lithium-Ion Battery, Shimano 7-Speed Commuter Bike - UL2849	350 WConcord 20" Urbanfold Electric Folding Bike, 36V, Class 2, Blue, Fits Riders 4'11" - 6'2", Adult, Unisex	500 WGocio 500W 27.5" Electric Bike, Max 19.8mph Electric Mountain Bike 48V 10.4Ah Removable Battery Commuter Ebike for Adults, LCD Display Electric Bicycles, Shimano 21 Speed UL2849 Certified	500 WAOVOPRO EB60 Electric Bike 500W 48V, 14' Mini Ebike for City Commuter, Folding Electric Bicycle for Adult with Two Seats UL2849
  Volts	36 VConcord 27.5" Step-Over Electric Commuter Bike, 36V, Gray, Fits Riders 5'1" - 6'1", Adult, Unisex	36 VConcord Step-Over Electric Commuter Bike, 27.5" Wheels, 36V, Class 2, Gray, Fits Riders 5'1" - 6'1", Adult, Unisex	36 VConcord Step-Thru Electric Commuter Bike, 27.5" Wheels, 36V, Class 2, White, Fits Riders 5'1" - 6'1", Unisex, Adult	48 VVivi Electric Bike for Adults 26" Electric Mountain Bike 500W Cruise Control Electric Commuter Bike 21 Speed with Removable 48V Battery Up to 50 Miles	48 VViribus Electric Bike for Adults 26" Commuter Mountain Bike Disc Brakes 350W Motor 48V 10.4Ah Lithium, Mint	36 VRCB 500W Electric Bike 26" Electric Mountain Bike for Adults, E Bike with 36V/12 Ah Removable Lithium-Ion Battery, Shimano 7-Speed Commuter Bike - UL2849	36 VConcord 20" Urbanfold Electric Folding Bike, 36V, Class 2, Blue, Fits Riders 4'11" - 6'2", Adult, Unisex	48 VGocio 500W 27.5" Electric Bike, Max 19.8mph Electric Mountain Bike 48V 10.4Ah Removable Battery Commuter Ebike for Adults, LCD Display Electric Bicycles, Shimano 21 Speed UL2849 Certified	48 VAOVOPRO EB60 Electric Bike 500W 48V, 14' Mini Ebike for City Commuter, Folding Electric Bicycle for Adult with Two Seats UL2849
  Amps	10 AmpsConcord 27.5" Step-Over Electric Commuter Bike, 36V, Gray, Fits Riders 5'1" - 6'1", Adult, Unisex	10 AmpsConcord Step-Over Electric Commuter Bike, 27.5" Wheels, 36V, Class 2, Gray, Fits Riders 5'1" - 6'1", Adult, Unisex	10 AmpsConcord Step-Thru Electric Commuter Bike, 27.5" Wheels, 36V, Class 2, White, Fits Riders 5'1" - 6'1", Unisex, Adult	7.8 AmpsVivi Electric Bike for Adults 26" Electric Mountain Bike 500W Cruise Control Electric Commuter Bike 21 Speed with Removable 48V Battery Up to 50 Miles	-Viribus Electric Bike for Adults 26" Commuter Mountain Bike Disc Brakes 350W Motor 48V 10.4Ah Lithium, Mint	11.2 AmpsRCB 500W Electric Bike 26" Electric Mountain Bike for Adults, E Bike with 36V/12 Ah Removable Lithium-Ion Battery, Shimano 7-Speed Commuter Bike - UL2849	7.8 AmpsConcord 20" Urbanfold Electric Folding Bike, 36V, Class 2, Blue, Fits Riders 4'11" - 6'2", Adult, Unisex	2 AmpsGocio 500W 27.5" Electric Bike, Max 19.8mph Electric Mountain Bike 48V 10.4Ah Removable Battery Commuter Ebike for Adults, LCD Display Electric Bicycles, Shimano 21 Speed UL2849 Certified	-AOVOPRO EB60 Electric Bike 500W 48V, 14' Mini Ebike for City Commuter, Folding Electric Bicycle for Adult with Two Seats UL2849

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• 

 

[docw009]

Which reinforces the buy vs make decision for vanilla ebike conversions. If you have bike smarts, you can keep this one running well,

 

[Chalo]

I actually like that they didn't bother to go with a crappy "useless" suspension fork, and just stuck with the basic there, and they included fenders to make it more useful as a commuter or everyday bike in more places and conditions, rather than just a "fun toy".

Agreed on both counts. Given that the riders will probably range from 65 lbs. to well over 400 lbs., there was no other valid choice than a rigid fork in the feasible price range.

While I don't like frames compromised by giant holes for batteries, or batteries forced to fit in a frame like that, they do make a cleaner bike that is easier for bicycle riders to accept, and for people that need a cleaner build for whatever other reasons.

I hate 'em, and they're always a mistake. Whoever needs one should seek therapy for his OCD, rather than keistering his bike's battery.

I note that this bike boasts of internal cable routing like it's a good thing. It's very definitely not, most especially when the execution is at Wally World level.

The rack it uses isn't the greatest design but it's far from the worst, and isn't built into the frame so that could be replaced.

What I appreciate about it is that it has no adjustability, so it will benefit from much better structural integrity (like for like) than a similar rack for universal fit.

It uses 27.5" wheels so ride is a little better than 26" for the unsuspended frame, but it isn't "crippled" with giant balloon wheels that can be hard to pedal without power (and can waste range when powered).

It would have been better off with 26 x 2.5 to 3". Smaller wheels are better for hub motors, poofier tires pay more ride dividends and carry weight better. But BSOs gonna try to be bicycle-shaped, thus ignorantly following trends is to be expected.

36v 10A (350w) rear hubmotor system;

Most nominally 350W bikes and controllers I've seen are 18A. In this case, there's probably no knowing until someone does a teardown.

36v 10Ah battery, 4-6 hour charge time implies a 2A charger. Actual manfufacturer of the system isn't listed,

I'm pretty sure the manufacturer is "lowest bidder". Probably to be revised multiple times during the product run.

 

[neptronix]

Yeah as far as a better DIY ebike goes.. if you're cutting costs everywhere you can..

low tier bikesdirect bike: $250 shipped
low tier 250w geared kit: $250 shipped
low tier 10ah 36v battery: $250 shipped
= $750 for the DIY bike

So yeah at the low end, it's hard for DIY to complete.

But not everyone wants a low tier bike.
You start competing on price in the mid range and by the time you get to the high power range, DIY makes a ton of sense.

 

[The Toecutter]

Walmart lately also has offered a seemingly decent quality full-suspension mountainbike that would make a good base for dirt cheap:

Robot or human?

I'd trust this to cruise at 25-30 mph, and maybe take it to 45 mph in ideal/safe conditions for short bursts on extremely rare occasions. I've seen videos of it withstanding an impressive amount of punishment while careening downhill on rocky trails. It can also be upgraded as components wear out and/or fail.

I'd never have even considered a Walmart bike for a build until this came along. I already have a mountainbike build and don't need/want another, but if the frame failed, this might replace it given what you get for the price.

Add in a Leafbike 1500W motor, hubsink, CA3, Grin torquearms, hydraulic disc brakes, ASI BAC2000, 20S4P pack of Molicel P45B, set it up for maybe 8-10 kW peak, and you could have quite a capable, fun, and dangerous machine for under $2,500 all-in.

I share Chalo's genuine hatred of bicycle-shaped-objects, so I'm curious to see his opinion on this one.

 

[neptronix]

As someone who requires a 21 inch frame, most of the BSOs are out for me. That's why i'm such a big bikesdirect fan. But Walmart is starting to kick Bikesdirect's ass lately ( on price ) by using Chinese frames instead of Taiwanese ones. So they do warrant some attention.

Me, i'd trust a cheap Taiwanese frame because Taiwan's quality standards are higher, they don't like to cut corners, and most of the bike industry there is trained on making high quality bikes for big names. I notice that Chinese bikes can sometimes have joke quality welding whereas even the cheapest Taiwanese one looks good enough.

But for this bike, for the low speed duty it's designed for, middle of the road frame quality is fine.

 

[bananu7]

I hate 'em, and they're always a mistake. Whoever needs one should seek therapy for his OCD, rather than keistering his bike's battery.

I don't exactly get this (both to Chalo and amberwolf). You're getting a much larger diameter tube on the bottom that would otherwise be used, so I doubt it will actually be less stiff or durable, and the battery casing effectively acts as a frame stressed member, which is a technique well known, used, and producing good results. Is that really much different to the monster-ebikes that use triangular flat-panel frames filled with batteries internally? Plus it actually makes the battery mount rigidly, as oposed to a hodge-podge of wobbly mess that typically plagues diy ebikes with batteries strung all over the place with zipties, tape and a lot of belief.

As long as you can pull the battery out and semi-easily replace with a custom one, I fail to see the actual problem here. For me, it beats the plastic holders and a mess of cables by a long shot, but I'm very eager to hear what you'd design given the blank slate and the design constraints of the OP bike.

 

[slaphappygamer]

THIS is a great kids bike. You won’t see those teens doing wheelies on this thing, like they do on their e-motos now.

 

[hillslayer@]

Walmart lately also has offered a seemingly decent quality full-suspension mountainbike that would make a good base for dirt cheap:

Robot or human?

I'd trust this to cruise at 25-30 mph, and maybe take it to 45 mph in ideal/safe conditions for short bursts on extremely rare occasions. I've seen videos of it withstanding an impressive amount of punishment while careening downhill on rocky trails. It can also be upgraded as components wear out and/or fail.

I'd never have even considered a Walmart bike for a build until this came along. I already have a mountainbike build and don't need/want another, but if the frame failed, this might replace it given what you get for the price.

Add in a Leafbike 1500W motor, hubsink, CA3, Grin torquearms, hydraulic disc brakes, ASI BAC2000, 20S4P pack of Molicel P45B, set it up for maybe 8-10 kW peak, and you could have quite a capable, fun, and dangerous machine for under $2,500 all-in.

I share Chalo's genuine hatred of bicycle-shaped-objects, so I'm curious to see his opinion on this one.

It's a thru axle rear frame so only one expensive hub would work but would make a nice mid -drive conversion.

 

[neptronix]

Hey.. there's a decent amount of thru axle motors out there nowadays. In my recent research, i found 3 geared hub motors with thru axle lately.

 

[lnanek]

That's true, it isn't just the Grin All Axle any more. Would be neat to see reviews for some of the others, like the Keyde:.

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mMifT4F

 

[neptronix]

I looked at this bike again today.
Welds are high quality but use the minimum of weld material.
27.5 x 1.9" tires may be swappable out for 700C road wheels if you want to go that way. Bottom bracket is low, so gravel bike tires might work.
I wouldn't personally trust it for higher speeds than stock due to the weak welding, but it looks like a decent starter ebike if you are OK to accept it's limitations.