Anyone here ever build an E-bike?
Wife and I have been thinking about getting E-bikes for a while. We have couple friends in our camping group who have folding E-bikes that they bring on every camping trip and they love them.
Seems like the quality E-bikes start around $1000 - $1500 and while that's not out of reach for us, the Scotsman and 'tinkerer' in me wonders if I can make my own for a lot less. There are lots of kits out there. Front wheel and rear wheel (I've heard there are even people out there making 2x2 "all wheel drive" bicycles.")
I have an older (circa 2007) GT hard tail (front suspension) Mountain Bike that I'm thinking of converting. Watched a few YouTube videos and the process seems fairly straightforward.
Currently I'm thinking of a 1000w rear wheel kit mated to a ~15ah battery in a rack on the back. The battery is by far the most expensive part (around $400.)
If I like it I might spring for a front wheel disc brake kit (my GT has V brakes front and rear but there are mounting holes on the fork and rear frame for disc brake calipers.) I'd most likely leave the V brakes on the rear since most of the braking comes from the front wheel anyway.
Any thoughts? Anyone done it? Tips and tricks?
