Originally Posted by
Calsun
The vast majority of people who want to have motor assistance while bicycling are not interested in learning how to buy parts and assemble them for a DIY e-bike. There is also the matter of integrating the drive controller with speed sensors and torque sensors as these are not open systems. Back in the 1980's many people assembled the parts for a white box computer but it did not save money if one added up the time invested as part of the cost. There is also the lack of support when there is a problem as a local bike shop is not going to take on the diagnostics and repairs of these DIY bikes.
Probably true, buying hubs, controllers and displays from different sources is a recipe for disaster, pay a little more and buy from a shop that sells them matched and tested for compatibility.
Biggest issue I had was with fitting rear hub spacing and spinout, the electrics was easy plug'n'play, local bike guy was fine with drive train jobs, grease them up by buying some stuff and they'll help you out!