E-bike conversion kits

[RC]

Not sure where this topic belongs, but since I'll be using this deer hunting, figured I'd post it here.  Feel free to move the topic elsewhere if you wish.

With that said, I'm looking at upgrading my regular mountain bike with one of the e-bike conversion kits.  Has anybody had any experience with these? Been doing some research and there lots of different ones, so looking for more input.  Been checking out this one here:

https://www.amazon.com/ebikeling-Waterproof-Electric-Bicycle-Conversion/dp/B07MY9CMLQ/ref=pd_bxgy_img_2/145-3332862-8152157?pd_rd_w=SkWWe&pf_rd_p=c64372fa-c41c-422e-990d-9e034f73989b&pf_rd_r=WS4WMXCZZWZ0ZZKVHTTK&pd_rd_r=3cb200f9-a93f-4659-975f-1ee0ca6c04b1&pd_rd_wg=kFMP5&pd_rd_i=B07MY9CMLQ&psc=1

Any thoughts?

[CP]

You'll need a battery. 

I've never done a kit, can't give you any advice on that.

[Mfowl]

I'd recommend a Bafang BBSHD or BBS02 mid drive motor/battery combo. Bosch also offers a kit worth a look. I bought a BBSHD 1000w for my build. Check out Youtube for instructions/reviews of converted bikes. Its not terribly difficult to do and I have been happy w/mine. I am in to my bike and kit for about $1800 and a few hours assembly. Keep in mind that regular bikes are not built to the tolerances that e bikes are and parts may fail. My 1000w motor puts out crazy torque! I can do 35mph on E alone in sport mode 5. I usually ride on eco mode 3. How I ride in eco mode can give me 40+ miles of range in hilly terrain. Sport mode eats battery a lot quicker. I got the 17ah battery. I would not recommend a rear hub conversion kit. 

*I should add that I intended to go w/BBS02 750w but matching sprockets was proving difficult and the 1000w was a direct fit for not much more $. I actually ride it on the 750w/20mph setting.

[outdooraddict]

interested in this too, or just building one, my stepdad built an E bike and they use them to get into the woods during turkey season.  my question is, is this a "motorized vehicle"  yes i know the quick answer is, "well duh, it has a motor so its obviously a motorized vehicle" but is there an argument that "but its a bike and bikes are allowed behind this gate etc"?

[CP]

interested in this too, or just building one, my stepdad built an E bike and they use them to get into the woods during turkey season.  my question is, is this a "motorized vehicle"  yes i know the quick answer is, "well duh, it has a motor so its obviously a motorized vehicle" but is there an argument that "but its a bike and bikes are allowed behind this gate etc"?

The answer depends on the gate, and the ebike.  But universally, any bike with more power than 750 watts, might as well be a motorcycle. 

[phildobaggins]

If I had a mountain bike sitting around, I would 100% do that conversion! So sick!

[Pinetar]

I'd recommend a Bafang BBSHD or BBS02 mid drive motor/battery combo. Bosch also offers a kit worth a look. I bought a BBSHD 1000w for my build. Check out Youtube for instructions/reviews of converted bikes. Its not terribly difficult to do and I have been happy w/mine. I am in to my bike and kit for about $1800 and a few hours assembly. Keep in mind that regular bikes are not built to the tolerances that e bikes are and parts may fail. My 1000w motor puts out crazy torque! I can do 35mph on E alone in sport mode 5. I usually ride on eco mode 3. How I ride in eco mode can give me 40+ miles of range in hilly terrain. Sport mode eats battery a lot quicker. I got the 17ah battery. I would not recommend a rear hub conversion kit. 

*I should add that I intended to go w/BBS02 750w but matching sprockets was proving difficult and the 1000w was a direct fit for not much more $. I actually ride it on the 750w/20mph setting.

Mfowl's advise above is spot on!. I own several Ebikes and have since they first came out. Again, great advise above

[logola512c]

interested in this too, or just building one, my stepdad built an E bike and they use them to get into the woods during turkey season.  my question is, is this a "motorized vehicle"  yes i know the quick answer is, "well duh, it has a motor so its obviously a motorized vehicle" but is there an argument that "but its a bike and bikes are allowed behind this gate etc"?

The answer depends on the gate, and the ebike.  But universally, any bike with more power than 750 watts, might as well be a motorcycle.

Also depends on the timber company, if it's timber company land.  Campbell Global near North Bend, WA doesn't allow any bikes with motors of any size on their property. I recently bought a Mongoose Dolomite ALC (non-motorized fat bike) and I use it to get into the escapement areas behind the locked gates.  Works pretty well, as long as I'm not climbing any big hills, but half of their property is flat anyway.  I use 2  handlebar gun mounts for my rifle, and that works pretty well.  I also have a bakcou bike trailer that I leave in my vehicle, with the assumption that if I shoot an animal, I can quickly bike a mile or two back to my minivan (yes, I'm the minivan guy) and grab the trailer to load up the meat.  It's pretty slick...and let's me cover a lot of the flat ground in there. 

[RC]

Awesome, thanks for the info Mfowl.  That's a nice looking setup. 

Question, how is it for waterproofness?  I'd mostly be using it on the west side.  Any issues with this at all?

[Mfowl]

Awesome, thanks for the info Mfowl.  That's a nice looking setup. 

Question, how is it for waterproofness?  I'd mostly be using it on the west side.  Any issues with this at all?

The motor is not waterproof. You can ride on wet ground or in light rain but it is not intended to get wet. You cannot ride through a stream and you are not supposed to hose it down. BUT that is true with a lot of e bikes. I have a rear hub bike too that the same rules apply. I did purchase a cheap rain cover like a motorcycle cover that packs up and sits on the rack I installed. I have splashed through puddles and mud and not worried about it. I'm mostly concerned about it sitting out in the rain. I do use a plastic bag to cover the display when its in the back of my truck.