Almost done with the mid-drive conversion!

Posted by Lordy8719@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 6 comments

This used to be a Samebike 20LVXD30-II, but after a few hundred kms, parts just started to show significant wear, so I’ve started replacing them with more quality ones… finally got fed up with the ultra-basic controller that kept trying to kill me, I’ve decided to do a whole conversion, removed the motor from the hub and added a small torque-sensing mid-drive. Cables are still a mess, still waiting for the new lights, new chain… but hey, it’s rideable and I’m having a lot of fun with it. Do I recomment it to anyone to follow my footsteps? Nah, it would’ve been much easier to convert a non-ebike. But as a project, I’ve learnt a lot!

Reply to Post

6 Comments

[-]

Streamcruiser@reddit

Wow, thanks for taking the time to write this. You definitely took everything worth upgrading.. upgraded. You can't go wrong where you went and absolutely, the 500w would be a big one! Will look into some parts, especially the Shimano shifter.. there I agree the ratio is way to short for this bike. Everything above 25 km/h is like air paddling lol. But yeah, that's where the bike was built for: ,25 km/h. Forgot to mention a forklift driver rode over it (I am a international truck driver and use the bike for making my life more spacious) And have upgraded the saddle and pin. Upgraded for hydraulics, although just 2 pot per side. Your 500e intruiges me. Haha. Must be fast? And the shocks . Yeah, perhaps worthless. But does the job. All the golden midways aside, you have my respect. You made a serious bike out of it. But probably added quite a few bucks too! How fast is it now?

[-]

Lordy8719@reddit (OP)

Well, no, in all honestly this was a stupid project that I did, but I've learnt a lot about bikes and ebikes in the process and that part was fun! Also, it's super useful to have 20" folders because I can just throw 2 of them into the trunk (and still have 1/3 free for other stuff) when we go on a vacation and we can go have adventures! Last summer we've explored Pasman and Ugljan with our ebikes. 2 pot hydraulic brakes seem perfect for me, the 4-piston brakes are a bit of an overkill. I blame Dyisland, because the price difference was like 10 USD between 2-piston and 4-piston per set ;) The shocks I've had to replace because the original one got crooked after an incident with a drunk driver. I'd say if you want a good upgrade but simpler than mine, then look into replacing the electronics with a KT sine-wave controller and screen, it's a pretty easy process and one of those does a very good job on my GF's bike. Price-wise, I've spent well over the original cost of the bike on it just for the parts, but a KT kit should be under 150 USD. Well worth the investment. Speed-wise anything over 35 kph seems somewhat dangerous for me, so I'm usually just happily pedaling away at 25 kph :)

[-]

Streamcruiser@reddit

And also a Samsung cell battery uplifted the life too.. Have the Samsung cell 14AH.. and it contains juice! Can do like 40 km without paddling.

[-]

Lordy8719@reddit (OP)

Yeah, I'm also thinking of upgrading the battery to 14Ah although I do like paddling because the torque-sensing makes it feel very rewarding.

[-]

Streamcruiser@reddit

Really had so much struggles with the original setup? I'm army 940km and still going strong.. curious about your upgrades tho! How much watt is your engine now? https://preview.redd.it/n0huiik0d2qg1.jpeg?width=4624&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3af1d17ddfcb2403f5220afe58b954be2f9fbf1c

[-]

Lordy8719@reddit (OP)

Yeah, well, you know how it is with these Chinese ebikes... you can be lucky or... not. At this point, the following parts are original in my "Samebike": * The handlebar stem * The rims (but I've replaced the bearings) * The frame * The battery (but it's dying and anyway I've since confirmed that I've got the 7.8Ah one) Everything else is replaced either due to me wanting to upgrade or because it broke/was dangerous. So the current setup is: * Tongsheng TSDZ2B 500W torque-sensing mid-drive and I've removed the old motor from the hub. The difference is night and day, I'll never go back to hub drives. * Dyisland LD4X-300 hydraulic 4-piston brakes (bit of an overkill, but they work well) * Shimano Altus derailleur and rapid trigger shifter (very cool) * New, stronger chain * More comfortable handlebar & stuff * SR Suntour fork and seatpost (these make rides super comfy) * Racktime 2.0 rack (this was a PITA to install but it's very useful) * Schwalbe Big Apple tires * All bearings replaced with Enduro bearings I've only ridden the new setup for like 90 kms (it's been a long winter here) but so far I'm very satisfied.