Good morning and thanks for allowing me to join.
I would really appreciate your help, please.
Last year I took my MB to a company local to me so they could check whether it was suitable for a rear-hub conversion. It was wheeled off to the workshop and 5 minutes later the answer was “yes, no problem “. I brought the bike home to give it a thorough clean and remove various accessories and before I got chance to return we went into the first lockdown.
Fast-forward to last week. I prepped my bike, paid for the conversion and dropped it off to be done. The same mechanic took a look at my bike and said “oh, I am not sure if I can do this “. He then went on to explain that because I had a Hollowtech bottom bracket the normal way to fit the pedal assist sensor wouldn't work and that he would look at removing the smallest chainwheel and modifying the magnet disc to fit. I agreed.
But the following day he rang me to say that it couldn't be done. For the reason previously explained plus I have hydraulic brakes and “there is no way to fit a brake sensor”. Dejected, I brought the bike home yet again. And began reading... and reading......... and reading. (I know what some of you are already thinking).
I decided that I was going to attempt the conversion myself. I am reasonably adept with tools and repairs (the main reason I was going to have the conversion done for me is because a different company had told me that the setup “had to be programmed and calibrated” to stuff such as wheel size, gearing and my weight etc (naively I accepted this).
But the more I read the more confused I get.
My bike is a Boardman Pro FS (2009), not the absolute highest spec but certainly decent and in remarkably good condition because it has hardly been used (because of injuries sustained at work) and I am determined that it won't collect any more dust. When I was originally thinking of the conversion, front or rear hub were the most affordable. Plus, I like the idea of keeping the bike fairly “stock” as my intention is to actually pedal as much as possible and only use the drive when absolutely necessary. My other consideration was that I could (if there was ever a problem with the electrics etc) just swap out the rear wheel, remove the battery pack and still use the bike without too much faff.
But I now need to find a way to fit the pedal assist sensor and also which one/where from? Another question for a rear hub setup is this... let's say that I am half way up a long hill and my legs are knackered, can I just use the throttle and (without the pedals turning) continue on electric only (hope that makes sense)?
If the answer to the last question is no, I may well go mid-drive, that throttle question becomes moot because obviously the pedals will turn if a throttle is fitted and used (which is, I now realise, the reason most oem bikes with MD have no throttle) . But, although in some ways the MD system is more straightforward, swapping back out (if needed) is more work.
I have spent hours and hours now and my head is about to explode. As much as I would like to save a few quid by ordering direct from China, I am convinced that buying from a UK supplier will be preferable because not only will I have the benefit of a warranty but most importantly, we all need to start supporting UK shops/companies more because if we don't, they are doomed.
What system do you recommend and why?
Which UK based companies do suggest?
I am mid 50’s, about 13 stone (82.5kg) which is a bit over my preferred 11 stone, but my stamina has dropped off a cliff. My days of proper off-road mountain biking are way behind me so most of my riding will be roads and canal/river paths but I do want to be able to explore a bit too as I have a little holiday shack on the outskirts of the Wyre Forest.
Thank you in anticipation.
I would really appreciate your help, please.
Last year I took my MB to a company local to me so they could check whether it was suitable for a rear-hub conversion. It was wheeled off to the workshop and 5 minutes later the answer was “yes, no problem “. I brought the bike home to give it a thorough clean and remove various accessories and before I got chance to return we went into the first lockdown.
Fast-forward to last week. I prepped my bike, paid for the conversion and dropped it off to be done. The same mechanic took a look at my bike and said “oh, I am not sure if I can do this “. He then went on to explain that because I had a Hollowtech bottom bracket the normal way to fit the pedal assist sensor wouldn't work and that he would look at removing the smallest chainwheel and modifying the magnet disc to fit. I agreed.
But the following day he rang me to say that it couldn't be done. For the reason previously explained plus I have hydraulic brakes and “there is no way to fit a brake sensor”. Dejected, I brought the bike home yet again. And began reading... and reading......... and reading. (I know what some of you are already thinking).
I decided that I was going to attempt the conversion myself. I am reasonably adept with tools and repairs (the main reason I was going to have the conversion done for me is because a different company had told me that the setup “had to be programmed and calibrated” to stuff such as wheel size, gearing and my weight etc (naively I accepted this).
But the more I read the more confused I get.
My bike is a Boardman Pro FS (2009), not the absolute highest spec but certainly decent and in remarkably good condition because it has hardly been used (because of injuries sustained at work) and I am determined that it won't collect any more dust. When I was originally thinking of the conversion, front or rear hub were the most affordable. Plus, I like the idea of keeping the bike fairly “stock” as my intention is to actually pedal as much as possible and only use the drive when absolutely necessary. My other consideration was that I could (if there was ever a problem with the electrics etc) just swap out the rear wheel, remove the battery pack and still use the bike without too much faff.
But I now need to find a way to fit the pedal assist sensor and also which one/where from? Another question for a rear hub setup is this... let's say that I am half way up a long hill and my legs are knackered, can I just use the throttle and (without the pedals turning) continue on electric only (hope that makes sense)?
If the answer to the last question is no, I may well go mid-drive, that throttle question becomes moot because obviously the pedals will turn if a throttle is fitted and used (which is, I now realise, the reason most oem bikes with MD have no throttle) . But, although in some ways the MD system is more straightforward, swapping back out (if needed) is more work.
I have spent hours and hours now and my head is about to explode. As much as I would like to save a few quid by ordering direct from China, I am convinced that buying from a UK supplier will be preferable because not only will I have the benefit of a warranty but most importantly, we all need to start supporting UK shops/companies more because if we don't, they are doomed.
What system do you recommend and why?
Which UK based companies do suggest?
I am mid 50’s, about 13 stone (82.5kg) which is a bit over my preferred 11 stone, but my stamina has dropped off a cliff. My days of proper off-road mountain biking are way behind me so most of my riding will be roads and canal/river paths but I do want to be able to explore a bit too as I have a little holiday shack on the outskirts of the Wyre Forest.
Thank you in anticipation.
