E-Bike/ E-Bike kit recommendation needed
Posted by HEROBRINE-666@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 30 comments
Hi everyone, wish yall a great day!
I need help finding a suitable E-Bike or E-Bike kit for my daily commute, grocery runs and occasional towing up to 100kg (220 lb). I would rather the total cost stays under 1000 CAD, and lower would be nicer. My location is Toronto-Canada (North York-Jane/Wilson)
My height is around 160cm (5ft 3in), and weigh around 61-62kg (134.48 - 136.68 lb)
Range: 10-20km one way
My daily commute atm is around 7km one way. Some POI is around 10-12km away, and I will need up to 20km one way if I want to travel and pick up stuff downtown
Power: 500W
I would rather the power stay within the law of 500W. Though if it compromise too much on its ability to tow, Im kinda willing to skirt the law a bit...
Speed: 15-25km/h
I don't really care much about speed, its nice, but staying alive is nicer. My rough flat ground speed is around 15 km/h, max at around 20km/h, uphill I can only do 7-10km/h, and briefly up to 25-30km/h on steep downhill section, though I don't really feel comfortable at that speed
Preference:
Im leaning towards a mid-drive motor, based on online review, it can stretch range more, have a more natural feeling and is better for carrying load since it can take advantage of drive train
A suspension fork would be nice. Its helps alot with winter riding since its absorb alot of the bumpiness from snow and ice, and general riding too
I dont want those fat tire e bike or e motorcycle with decorative pedal
Currently, the Fifth Wheel Mate e-bike doesn't look like to bad of an option specs wise (500W, 70km, 37km/h) (for a drop ship e bike from who knows where), though Im unsure of how long it will last since I wasnt able to find much review about it. And marketing seems deceptive, since the range nor speed cant actually reach what is advertised based on some review
For kits, Bafang BBS02 BBSHD seems to basically be the go to for such a convertion
Thanks in advance everyone!
FlatwormOk8682@reddit
If you’re doing a 20km trip to downtown and back, range anxiety is real. A mid-drive electric bike kit helps stretch your battery further since you aren't just relying on raw motor power. Just make sure your donor bike has hydraulic disc brakes stopping 100kg of towed weight on a Jane Street downhill requires some serious, reliable braking power.
jafiishaik@reddit
I’d be wary of those off-brand bikes like Fifth Wheel; the specs are often exaggerated, and repairs are a nightmare. Building your own with a Bafang electric bike kit means you can actually find replacement parts in local shops. Plus, keeping it under 1,000 CAD is totally doable if you find a solid used mountain bike first.
Embarrassed-Eye-7213@reddit
Speed isn't everything, especially when you're navigating snow and ice. I totally agree that staying alive is the priority! A quality electric bike kit allows you to customize your PAS levels so you feel stable at 15km/h without the motor jerking you forward. It makes the commute feel much safer and more controlled during those heavy winter months.
Negative-Wishbone634@reddit
You got a great ebike company in Canada. Grin! Home page https://share.google/cLA2hoIB4710EpIgE
KevinBillingsley69@reddit
https://tomofree.com/products/xt90-ebike
Full suspension, bigger battery than the Mate, same power as the Mate, $100 cheaper. Make no mistake, both of these bikes are cheap and will require some upgrades soon. Hydraulic brakes should be at the top of the list.
Slee777@reddit
5'3? you tried one of these?
HEROBRINE-666@reddit (OP)
Im a short human shaped blob of meat and bones I know
You got a link on where to buy something like that tho? Looks fun
Keljian52@reddit
Ok so my recommendations are:
1. Go with a BBS02 if you must go 500W, or go BBS01B 250W - it's well documented, and you can get parts everywhere, and they're reliable.
Stick to 500W as a maximum. I'm about 30-40% heavier than you and I can get those speeds easily on a 250W BBS01B. 250W means your battery will last longer.
KMC e8/10 chain will outlive other chains on an eBike
Remember the ancillary things, brakes, fork and tyres. Most people (and cheaper ebikes) seem to forget or cheap out on these but they will save your skin, 32mm stanchion forks or above, or a good rigid aluminium fork (eg mosso m5l), steel internal cam skewer on quick release front wheels. 180mm disc on the front, sintered metal brake pads. Good ebike rated tires.
40km distance return is within scope for a 36V/15Ah battery if you are actively pedalling. 48v/20Ah would be "safer" if you're running a 500W motor
HEROBRINE-666@reddit (OP)
How well does 500W do when towing heavy stuff (up to 100kg more)? I wanna have that option available since dragging big heavy items using the TTC is very awkward and is only doable very off peak hours and an empty bus
Keljian52@reddit
Consider that every 250W is like having two strong cyclists pedalling along with you. 500W will push 800-1000W going up hill for periods, so think 10 strong cyclists pedalling with you.
+100kg is a lot, Brakes and tires begin mattering a lot more. Consider something like the Shimano M520 for instance with the 180mm RT66 disc, and 34mm stanchion or rigid fork. You want to go as wide and big tires as you can so you have a wide contact patch, and make sure you have a nice "granny" (1st) gear for the big hills if you have them. The Schwalbe Energizer Plus is the direction I would lean for tires.
HEROBRINE-666@reddit (OP)
Hot dang, I didnt expect it to have that much power in such little size
I just did some recalculation and you are right, +100kg is definitely extremely, considering the heaviest item I transport via the TTC is around 50kg
Keljian52@reddit
Even 50kg is a lot - Consider the bike (20-25kg) plus you = approx 90kg, add 50kg and you're adding 56% mass, so you need exponentially more energy to get moving, and you are carrying exponentially more inertia when you're moving, and you have a whole lot more inertia going downhill.
This is why I'm saying things like brakes, pad type, skewer, tires and fork are important. Better brakes (including disc) mean you can put more force onto the wheel, but you need to make sure everything around the brake can handle this. Higher spoked wheels (36-40) also help with this as the force is distributed across more channels.
For example: A thinner (30mm or less) or cheap fork will twist and potentially pogo when you stop going downhill once you have enough mass, which will mean that the tire isn't connecting as well with the ground. An alloy cam skewer can twist out and loosen the front wheel under this kind of braking, as it won't bite hard enough into the fork - which can lead to wheel and rider ejection.
I'm not saying "this will happen" I'm saying "this can happen" and I'd really rather a lower chance of that happening.
HEROBRINE-666@reddit (OP)
Yea, Im definitely not arguing with you about brakes, I definitely need disc for an e bike, rim caliper brakes aint gonna cut it
May I know what you mean when you say the fork will pogo?
As for wheel, Im currently running at ~57mm width at relatively 16psi due to the snow atm, normally I do ~25psi
Keljian52@reddit
All good. Many people say "you don't need this" - I'm trying to cover my bases.
Pogo - jump up and down like a pogo stick.
You didn't mention snow - so I didn't talk about snow tires - let me know if you want some thoughts about that, but realistically I'd just look at the Schwalbe site for appropriate tires, check for weight handling, make sure I go for the "plus" version for puncture protection and sidewall cushioning, and go as wide as I can.
https://www.schwalbe.com/en/bike-tires/
Keljian52@reddit
Physics: 27.5inch wheels, 150kg system (rider + cargo+ bike) mass, 30kph downhill hitting a 4-5cm rock.
Braking: 214kg of force per leg for 1.5 seconds to stop
Brake + bump = >3500N/leg (\~350kg of impact mass per leg of the fork, \~700kg load total)
This is why a cheap suspension fork is likely to be destroyed on an e-bike.
HEROBRINE-666@reddit (OP)
Tbh, the path is plowed decent enough that I can already travel just with leg power, though it do take a decent amount of effort
My current bike doesn’t have any winter tire available due to its size (24 inch), I only have a pair of MTB tire on it that isn’t exactly knobby but it is doable in the snow
So dedicated snow tires will be very nice
Any chance you have hear of the brand YunSCM? Its what Im running in the snow atm
Keljian52@reddit
never heard of it.. but schwalbe have 24 inch tires for mixed terrain and high weight capacity:
https://www.schwalbe.com/en/Smart-Sam-Cargo-11159601.01
prefix_code_16309@reddit
Steel frame used bike and add a DIY Bafang kit. Best bang for the buck out there.
HEROBRINE-666@reddit (OP)
Im a-bit unsure about the steel frame due to the heavy salt usage here during winter… But Im very much leaning on DIY
prefix_code_16309@reddit
The reason I use steel is extra stress put on the frame due to motor and higher speeds, ie the motor is introducing new forces the frame was not designed for when you're doing a conversion. Steel frames typically fail less spectacularly than alu from what I've seen. You have a higher safety factor built in so to speak.
MarcoEastVan@reddit
https://voltbike.com/products/venture check out the Voltbike Venture. I've had a Voktbike for over a decade,no problems.
Neenknits@reddit
I stripped down my 2013 terratrike rambler, scrubbed everything, put vinyl on the frame, and rebuilt it. So, it’s all tuned up perfectly. My kids helped me, having insisted that we could do the project. One was my phone consult for getting the disc brakes properly aligned (I’d only done caliper brakes before). The other one had a blast installing the middrive. It was under US$1000, through greenbikekit. Before the tariffs went up. I couldn’t be happier!
I wanted to add the vinyl, and wasn’t going to strip the frame, but my son insisted I should. Turns out, he was right. I did most of the stripping and rebuilding, but he helped me when stuff was stuck (I have mobility issues) and he did the wheel alignment. He gleefully installed the motor…he is in a mechanic apprenticeship program…he likes his engines!
I didn’t expect to enjoy the project, but it turned out fun! And look at the COLOR! I live Glinda’s wild rainbow colors.
When vinyl wrapping an older frame, be sure to find a print that you won’t mind piecing and having bits of the old color peeking out, like at the fork drop outs. It was just easier to stop wrapping an inch away, and my orange went find with the rainbow,mane the crazy print didn’t how when I put pieces against other bits, I didn’t need to match.
hakapes@reddit
Bafang is a good option.
1000 CAD seems a but tight, with motor, battery, acessories.
HEROBRINE-666@reddit (OP)
I checked some kit on Amazon and basically if I stick to my lean of a mid drive, I have to go past the 1000 mark, and a bit over 1500 CAD depending on the motor power
Only hub kit would allow me to stay under
I could saves up longer but for now, thats my set budget and I will try to make something work
hakapes@reddit
I use the Geeko 100 kit on a bike. Works ok. Hub motor, no torque sensor. Needed a bit of fixing, but works, takes from A to B.
https://www.100g.tech/
Busy_Manager_6818@reddit
Just get a bbs02, it's perfect
prefix_code_16309@reddit
I have a bbs02 and bbshd. I'd also recommend the 02 for the average user. If OP is a heavy throttle user and/or heavier or high speed rider with cargo, bbshd. It also handles heat a little better 02 is a great motor and I'd opine what 75% of people should go with.
HEROBRINE-666@reddit (OP)
I guess it would sometime see some heavy towing when I get some new second hand shelving unit
Im not sure how much of a throttle user I would be… I can see myself abusing it to get a lighter commute, but I can also see myself only remember to use it half way up a hill
prefix_code_16309@reddit
02 would likely be fine, go HD if you want a stouter motor with more power that is a little more tolerant of abuse. The 02 is smaller physically and lighter, therefore has its own advantages. I have 2 HD bikes and one 02, my next will be 02 because I've found U prefer the more compact package and I want an ebike not an emoto.
RadroverUpgrade@reddit
I started with a 500w bike;
it had issues with hills and towing.
Bafang kit for power and budget...