TinyBear

I looking to build myself a EBIKE for next summer. But can’t decide on which of my bikes to be the sober. I presently have a Giant Boulder SE (cheaper hardtail Mountain bike) and a Giant Seek 1 (mid level hybrid bike).

I like both bikes BUT the mountain bike sees far far more use as I just enjoy it more. But it’s fork is kinda weak especially for my weight (260lbs) and has rim brakes.

The Seek feels much higher end rolls sooo much easier and is a ridged bike front and back so handles my weight a bit better in that regard. It also has AWESOME hydraulic disk brakes. The only issue I have here is I dislike the ultra narrow wheels (they are sketchy on imperfect roads paths and gravel around here). and the tire fill nipples on this thing at a bit of a pita.

Id love to get a Giant Fathom E+3 as It seems perfect for my use looks great and I love the larger tires over my 26”s on my mountain bike. But the cost is just not achievable at this time, and I really think electric ASSIST is perfect way to help me get back into this great sport so I’m looking at kits from Befang and TongSheng. Still trying sort out what’s best use for me and compatible batteries etc.

Doc_Wui

I would do the newer bike. I've read a few posts where owners complain about the lack of power on the Tong Sheng, but have never seen that said about the Bafang. .I have the BBS02 since 2016. Plenty of power. I do have a Tong Sheng, but it's been sitting in it box waiting for a donor bike, probably a mild mannered donor bike. Basically wanted to see what all the fuss about torque sensor was about, although the most common complaint about the Tong SHeng was torque sensor not working.

Dewey101

Try one then if you don't like it try the other, this is what I like about DIY if you don't like it just move it over to something else.

Doc_Wui

That is true. It's not a one way trip to convert to an ebike. Unless you did what I did, not having a $4 chain breaker, I cut off the front derailleur instead of breaking the chain and unlooping it.

Robert C

I am going to suggest the Giant. That is mostly because of the brakes. It also looks like it has a larger triangle for putting the batteries in.

I have both the BaFang and the TongSheng. I recommend the Bafang. You can just choose to use a lower setting on the Bafang if you want more motor input (input into the total amount of power produced). I have never seen my TongSheng approach its supposed 750W rating. That being said, the torque sensor on the TongSheng does work better than the rotation sensor on the BaFang if you are planning to use it without a throttle.

All that said, I do not see myself ever getting another TongSheng.

open5g

I have converted a couple of hard tale Cannondale which have conventional rectangular frames and built an eBike using a 29er carbon frame with carbon seat post, integrated bar, titanium BB.


I prefer using rear-wheel mounted electric motor conversion kits because they have more power/weight and better drive characteristics if you balance the rear motor with a triangle battery pack. This is the arrangement the Israeli military and other special units forces have come to use. They build custom center triangle compartments that attach via locked brackets for 30 second swap-outs. The triangle battery can be large. Using a large battery means the weight has to be distributed lower and more central.


If range and power are not a priority, then you should determine what battery you will use and then measure the frame... measure it again. See what others things as you are doing here. The first choices are how you will use the bike... how far, hot fat and lazy you are (being funny), or if this is one of multiple eBikes you plan to play around with so can build multiple ones to suit.


Suspension on eBikes is not important to me: a $120-$200 suspension seat post with good air shocks in front can do all you need. eBikes are heavy and too much suspension can lead of the '1950s Cadillac ride' phenomena. That can be bad on a two-wheel vehicle which is why motorcycles have much stouter frames and suspensions.

TinyBear

Thanks all. Seems I will likely opt for converting the hybrid bike. This bike will be a exercise, bike path, and general run about for now. I say likely because I still researching complete bikes and weighing benefits and costs etc.

By looks of things a Befang BBSHD kits for my bikes going run me around $1700cdn shipped to my door taxes in. And a few hours in the garage.

Alternately I can opt for a rad power Bike for similar $$$ go up to spending around $3000 for a good hard tail Giant e bike from my local bike shop or something like https://www.voltbike.com/voltbike-enduro.html. The last bike is interesting to me as it’s the cheapest full suspension mid drive e bike I have seen. BUT $3000 is still a lot of money to me to spend on a bicycle. I have purchased street legal motorcycles for far less.

That being said. Any one know much about volt bikes. Not much in way of reviews etc and info on them. Worth the cost?

JehD

I would use the Seek, beacuse of the disks. Get a decent suspension fork, put some wider tires on it and if its the presta valves that are a PITA drill the wheels to accept Schraders. Its a 2 minute fix with a drill and a small file to clean the holes a little.