Asking for a friend

safreek

safreek

*******
Hi guys, got a friend that is looking at an ebike, cheapest giant hardtails being 3 + grand it seems that building one out of one of my precious classic bikes may be the go.
What's the best way to convert, rear wheel motor or mid drive. I believe that rear wheel drive is much cheaper. Cheers for any info
 
Calvin27

Calvin27

Eats Squid
Rear wheel is inferior to mid drives imo. They are slightly cheaper than mid drive but that's because they are a lot less sophisticated. A lot of folks run these simply because htye overcome the shortcoming with more power lol. The other thing is the weight in the back wheel is a very different ride to mid drive weight. Mid drive is where it's at if you intend to ride anything that requires agility. Front wheel motors are the cheapest and easiest solution and probably what I'd recommend if it's just to potter along.

Having said that my main ebike is mid drive and it's been in service for 8 years.
 
safreek

safreek

*******
Calvin27 said:
Rear wheel is inferior to mid drives imo. They are slightly cheaper than mid drive but that's because they are a lot less sophisticated. A lot of folks run these simply because htye overcome the shortcoming with more power lol. The other thing is the weight in the back wheel is a very different ride to mid drive weight. Mid drive is where it's at if you intend to ride anything that requires agility. Front wheel motors are the cheapest and easiest solution and probably what I'd recommend if it's just to potter along.

Having said that my main ebike is mid drive and it's been in service for 8 years.
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Cheers mate, the front wheel ones Just worry me for an inexperienced rider. I could see a wheel turning to far and the inevitable crash.
Thinking of doing the rear wheel setup for 2 reasons
  1. I'm a dummy with mechanical things
  2. as I am going to use the yetis rear wheel for the specialised I thought it would save buying a new wheel. E-powered asx would be cool for a beginner
 
C

coarselanguagw

Likes Dirt
Go mid motor. There are many excellent guides on youtube.

For a hardtail, something like:
For a dual suspension something like this:

Also everything fits better on a L or XL frame. So if they fit a M consider getting a L and then move the seat forward on the rails and/or shorten the stem.
 
Calvin27

Calvin27

Eats Squid
safreek said:
  1. I'm a dummy with mechanical things
  2. as I am going to use the yetis rear wheel for the specialised I thought it would save buying a new wheel. E-powered asx would be cool for a beginner
Click to expand...
Mechanically, they are both pretty simple. For a dually, I'd go mid drive. Unsprung mass and all that jazz.
 
rowdyflat

rowdyflat

chez le médecin
Just converted to rear drive wheel due to steep tracks, it has a throttle and due to the width of the hub you have to use a 140mm rotor to avoid rubbing on the frame.
Other advantage is its not hard on chains like mid drive and looks less clunky
The weight on the back gives excellent grip.
Happy with it so far, would nt want to have a flat tyre though you have to carry a spanner.
 
S

SummitFever

Eats Squid
I just built my wife an ebike by adding a tsdz2 mid drive to a spare Anthem X. Motor required a bit of machining to clear the lower linkage but otherwise went together in minutes. I went the tsdz2 over the bafang because the tsdz2 is a torque sensing system without throttle so a more natural riding experience. Got the advice on here. Couldn't be happier.
 
link1896

link1896

Mr Greenfield
SummitFever said:
I just built my wife an ebike by adding a tsdz2 mid drive to a spare Anthem X. Motor required a bit of machining to clear the lower linkage but otherwise went together in minutes. I went the tsdz2 over the bafang because the tsdz2 is a torque sensing system without throttle so a more natural riding experience. Got the advice on here. Couldn't be happier.
Click to expand...
Photos please my man. What retailer did you facilitate this great purchase via?
 
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