Hi Johnny & Gang,
I have not biked for years and am planning on getting back with an E-Bike. I found Johnny's Channel very informative as it confirmed some of my suspicions. I have yet to choose in what direction I will go. Love the idea of a folding bike which would be difficult to source without going direct to a manufacturer. I have no problem contacting a company and giving them a set of specifications for them to produce an E-Bike for me. Here's the rub, what's the best way to start researching? How would you suggest finding out who is actually producing a companies E-Bikes? Obviously the name companies, who are the middlemen, that are selling these bikes and are ordering from overseas are going to protect their sources as to who manufactures their bikes. So my first task is finding out how to source a company who is producing the kind of bike I'm looking to get. Any suggesting would be greatly appreciated as far as how to start this type of research.
Now, It is also possible to purchase a new bike and converting it myself, but I do have a few questions. It will be a jack of all trades bike capable of a weekly commuter bike as work is about 4 miles from where I live. Additionally, I would be using this bike on weekends to bike some trails off road. A mid drive is a must as we have some fairly high hills where I live, USA NorthEast, and the roads are questionable though they are getting better...lol. Does an off the shelf mountain bike have have the strength to handle the conversion to a mid drive conversion? I would assume adding a motor would require a stronger stiffer frame which may be available, as I said I am at the early stage and am just starting to look into this. As I said, I am also not against going to a manufacturer if the frame quality and strength would benefit as to a longer lifespan, and give them specifications as to what to produce. Any information and suggestions would be greatly appreciated as I"m assuming this will be a year long project to be ready for spring time...
Thanks to all that a valuable input.
Greg S.
Thanks for the information. I foresee a project in the near future over the winter...if I get bogged down and have issues and or just get too busy I will keep you in mind as to an outlet to progress this project.
Thanks Again,
Greg
its a bit simpler than that, you dontneed to go have a custom bike made for you, there are a plethora of good bikes out there. sounds like you need an all terrain emtb. you choose a suitable mtb frame that fits you with the features and ideally full suspension, and a compatible bottom bracket, space for a battery, and you can convert. i went with a custom slim battery pack, and a bbshd motor kit on a specialized stumpjumper. youll want the bike to have a BSA threaded 68-73mm BB. a few others can work with adapters. see my victory posts on this forum, i did a folding ebike conversion, and a full susp conversion, both very good performers. as far as strength, yes you get a known solid frame - aluminum or steel, no carbon, and as long as you dont overload the bike too much with weight beyond the motor and battery, ride it safe, dont expect to do jumps etc on a heavy bike - not recommended! doing the conversion yourself is pretty straigtforward, but you may run into caveats like you have to dremel this off the frame to make it fit in rare cases. check out johnnys bafang install guide video and other videos.