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?
I think you look at it from two quite extreme angles. A ‘very good’ normal bike (no e) for 600€ would be seriously cheap. It might depend on where you by exactly, online vs bike shop and so on but for very good I would have guessed more around 1000€. It probably depends also what type of bike you prefer . Seems you are not keen on a city bike.
On he other side an ebike for 3000€ is definitely in the higher price range. You get something decent for ~2000€ as well. This would reduce the price difference.
The classic example for an ebike is that the breaks have to be set up for the higher demand, so you should ensure that you have that on your normal conversion bike.
There is also a difference in handling if you have a front/read engine or a middle engine.
Other than that I would think you can convert a bike as well. Not everyone can do it or wants to spend the time.
Seems you are not keen on a city bike
Hehe.
Thanks for the answer. I guess there’s not so much difference in price, but still significant.
I did not think about the brakes. On my road bike i go through brake pads quite fast. But i also frequently have to replace the chain, cassette, and even the crankset, due to wear. I don’t think the components will wear any faster than today, especially if I’m limited to 25kmph.
I think only mid engined bikes make sense. Though you could in theory put on three motors - engine in the front wheel, middle, and rear wheel!
Thinking about it more, it might be a personality thing:
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conversion kit - people who want to be able to keep and maintain the bike forever, like a road bike
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ebike - people who want to keep it a few years till it breaks, or the warranty runs out, then trade it in, like a car
I don’t think that is quite true. You may not be able to dirctly replace certain parts of an ebike’s electric drive system, but that will be true of a conversion too if your components come as a packaged system. The important thing if you want repairability for either of them is to get one that you understand and has standard specs so whatever parts are available in the future can be swapped in.
Hmmm i guess you’re right. It’s becoming a very complicated choice.
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Front wheel conversion was the most common last time I looked because you don’t have to mess withe the current drive train. In a hilly city front wheel drive loses traction on uphills especially if you put the weight of a kid on the back. I am talking about real steep hills - higher than 10% grade. No performance difference that I have heard of on flat areas.
I think it’s less efficient than the mid drive though - less power and less battery life - because the motor isn’t using the gears. Better to spend a few hours and buy a few tools, and get a better bike out of it.
With the front drive, I’d also be afraid of understeer in the wet, but i I’ve never heard that it’s a problem. The steepest hill on my route is 30%.
Some people like sleeker look which comes with integrated custom parts or they don’t want to tinker. Also, it’s easier to get smooth ramp-up in power with ready-made bikes (they use moment sensor). That said, I would buy a nice bike with good standard parts (somewhere around 800€-1000€) and a conversion kit. This way I can always remove / transfer the kit and fix my bike with standard parts.
Thanks. This is the answer i was hoping for.
You don’t have to build it, shops will service the motor (I’m sure there are some that will service conversions, but I don’t know any near me anyways), they may be more efficient (depending on the type of conversion/motor design you get), etc.
I’m with you, I’d do a conversion, but it’s something you’ll have to maintain and fiddle with where as the store bought ones will normally “just work” out of the box. No annoying rattles, no tweaking the motor position because it’s rubbing on something now, etc.
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.
