It seems obvious. If i spend 600€ on a new bike and 600€ on a conversion kit, i will get a very high spec e-bike. But i would have to spend double that, about 3000€ to get an okay quality off-the-shelf e-bike.
The off-the-shelf e-bike won’t be the exact size/style i like. They are nearly all city-bike style. Not many sizes are available, usually just small, medium, large (whatever that men’s).
It will be much heavier.
It will be more difficult to customise, for example with baby seat, lights, horns, mirrors.
It will probably be impossible to de-restrict, to be usable at normal cycling speeds.
Most importantly, it will not use standard parts. For example if the battery or motor dies after a few years, i have to buy a replacement from the same manufacturer, if that is even available. For a converted bike, i can change the components independently and choose any brand for the new parts (i think).
What is the argument for buying an off-the-shelf e-bike? Why would anyone do that?
It’s a very personal choice that’s for sure. Totally dependent on what is most important to you. It sounds like you are pretty set on the control of putting your own together and I was in the same boat for years planning my dream build. I could never quite come up with the right combination of frame and parts for a price I wanted to spend. I was too picky I guess X-). Eventually I waited long enough that an off-the-shelf ebike came along that was REALLY close to what I wanted to build and for less than I would have spent so I went for it and I’m really happy with it.
I will say that some of your points about off-the-shelf bikes are not entirely accurate though it depends on the specific bike. The one I have uses a fairly standard battery pack and there are plenty of 3rd party batteries available that are compatible. The motor is a standard bafang motor that can even have a more powerful version swapped into the hub as is. It is also a hub motor so it would not be difficult to put a completely new and different wheel with a hub motor in its place in the future. It is also not any more difficult to customize than a normal bike. I’ve put 3 different models of child seat on it with no problem. It comes with a headlight and the connections are standard and you could swap in a different one of your choice if you wanted.
There is no right or wrong decision. Entirely up to how you want to go about it. I was sure I was going to build an ebike exactly how I wanted it until I realized I might never get around to it because I’m too picky, haha. I’m may still build one myself in the future but I’m happy and getting lots of miles in on my off-the-shelf ebike.
Thanks that’s very interesting. I slightly know what in doing now, that it’s okay to just buy an ebike and how to choose one that will last. How did you figure out what are the standard connectors and know if a bike will be maintainable - is there an online guide or so you just have to look closely at lots of models for sale and figure it out?
I’m not aware of any guides regarding repairability or use of standard bicycle parts. In general the stuff not related to the electric portion is usually standard bike parts. The main thing to look out for is the ebikes with mid-drive motors which might be specifically designed to match that particular motor and frame. Also I would be careful with any that have really wild or custom frame design. The keys are if the rear dropouts and the fork are a standard width then you’re probably in good shape as far as repair/upgrade flexibility.
thanks. i hadn’t thought about that either - that the other components might be non standard - stem, seat post, drop outs, bottom bracket…
my current bike has larger-than-normal handlebar diameter, and it’s a real nightmare equipping it with bells and whistles that will fit.