Anyone here ever build an E-bike?

[Martinjmpr]

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?

[Erni]

No direct experiance but I did some looking a while back.
There are in wheel motors and up front motors. The up front will drive through the crank system and alows you to gear.
I think there is tons of kits and vendors out there but no idea who is reliable and has good battery pack.

[TheNash]

Oh I almost forgot about Duane he is near coal mine and pierce. http://www.thatsdax.com

[Martinjmpr]

Oh I almost forgot about Duane he is near coal mine and pierce. http://www.thatsdax.com

That's literally blocks from me. I'm in Columbine Knolls North

[TheNash]

This is the forum I have been on since the early 2000’s. https://motorbicycling.com
There is a whole section on from scratch home builds to off the shelf parts and complete bikes.
It will narrow out the different venders ( good and the bad)