New Ebike build Advice
Posted by vinco555_1@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 5 comments
Hi
I’m looking to build my first E-bike to use mainly on roads and want to make sure that the motor will fit the bike. Especially the crank. Going from a 36t to a 46t is worrying me that I won’t fit. Would I be better going for an urban style bike that already has a bigger chain ring?
[BIKE](https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/products/calibre-rail-29-mountain-bike-red-514825)
Calibre Rail 29
[MOTOR](https://varstrom.com/products/varstrom_tsdz16)
TONGSHENG 48V 1000W TSDZ16
[BATTERY](https://varstrom.com/products/52v-ebike-battery)
52v 20ah 1040wh 5000mAh Samsung cells.
bBaobab@reddit
That Rail 29" looks like the chainstays would interfere with mid-drive motor's chain rings. You're better off looking for an older - prob. 26" wheel - mtn bike with a long chain stay length (where chainstay widens for the the wheel clearance further back). Modern mtb geometry often has as short as possible chainstays that widen immediately (and a lot to clear fatter 2.6-2.8 tires). I recommend going with the Bafang BBSHD. The TDZ16 may have solved these problems but all the predecessors had issues with stripping the nylon gear and with torque sensor failing. The BBSHD doesn't have torque sensing but I don't find it a problem, although I don't ride on mtn bike trails with it (too tall gearing for that anyway). In 2016 I built an (approx. 2008) Norco Charger (26in wheels) with a Bafang BBSHD. I bought a 130mm BCD spider adapter off Aliexpress and a 44t (or 42, I forget) chainring to bolt to it to replaced the stock 46t steel chain ring - to get better gearing, save weight and get better chain alignment. This helped inboard the chain alignment slightly to correct the chain dropping off the front chainring sometimes when in the largest/easiest cog (chain was angled too much). To completely solve the problem I got a cheap shimano 8spd cassette that can be disassembled and I moved one of the middle cogs to the far inside, effectively deleting it and using it as a spacer that re-positioned the larger cogs outward. Apparently the Gustav replacement chainrings for the BBSHD have a large offset that inboards the chain further so the cassette cog move that I did may not not be necessary, depending on the frame. The bike works fine with 7spds. It has been very reliable. I ride it everywhere in the lowest power setting and have no problem climbing the steepest hills in 1st gear (many hills where I live). Is important to replaced/repacked the grease when it is new (is easy to do - google it). The other key reason to go with the BBSHD is that custom and replacement parts for it are readily available and quite cheap.
Ambitious-Age-2117@reddit
Hey bro,
Really appreciate the post man. All very interesting stuff. I’ll look more into the BBSHD, I’ve heard they are bullet proof,
I’ll also look into the smaller chain ring and different cassette for the back.
I’ll keep looking for another bike here and post a pic of if I find one sure.
Thanks man
wincelet@reddit
It's always difficult to tell without direct inspection, but I can tell you that I did a similar conversion, and the motor usually spaces the chainring a bit further out, so you should be ok, but if you can prefit before buying that bike, that would be ideal. I did a 42T chainring, and I like it though I have a lot of hills near me. You didn't mention the bike size, but if it's small or medium I would double check if that battery will fit the triangle.
vinco555_1@reddit (OP)
Hey mate,
Thanks for reply. What setup did u build?
I have loads of steep ass hills near me too, hence why I want the motor.
To answer ur question. I would be ordering the bike online. So no chance of a pre-fit unfortunately.
I’m 5’10. So inbetween the medium/large size frame. So was gonna just order the large for more room and hope it’s not too big for me.
I was originally gonna do a single speed steel frame setup. Which already has a bigger crank fitted. And a massive triangle for battery etc. but thought a gear setup would work better with the mid-drive system.
I found another bike from the same brand which is an urban style (No front suspension) which is 16 speed and has a 50t big sprocket upfront. This might be a better bike for the motor. What you think mate?
Urban bike
wincelet@reddit
I got a craigslist dual suspension mountain bike, a Bafang BBSHD, and a 52V 20AH Hailong bag battery.