Advice on which donor bike to buy please.

[quackstar84]

So just spend another few hours researching which bike to buy for this kit setup which Nealh recommended me (Thank you);

Either get the 20a controller kit Wheeliepete linked to or this 17a one with lcd3b option no 4 to the left.
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/36V-48V-350W-Brushless-DC-Sine-Wave-Controller-LCD-or-LED-Throttle-Brake-Lever-PAS-Speed/1314442_32622212646.html?spm=2114.12010612.8148356.36.48b211baFieZps

For hub get this Bafang bpm2 48v 350w freewheel hub 205rpm and get the hub laced in to rim in the UK.
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Black-Bafang-BPMII-36V-48V-350W-Rear-Permanent-Magnet-E-Bike-DC-Motor/1314442_32828671549.html?spm=2114.12010612.8148356.10.285951e8aTSqe3

Although now i'm clueless about which bike to get. I've done searches for donor bikes on here and endless-sphere but just keep ending up confused. I've looked through the https://www.thebikelist.co.uk although it seems they stopped reviewing back in 2015. I did use their size framing guide which with my height being 185cm and my lnside leg at 81cm it gave me "stack 558 mm and reach 388 mm" which hopefully will help me avoid buying a bike which could end up giving me back pain.

I've been watching https://www.hotukdeals.com and two deals have come up;

https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/carrera-parva-mens-hybrid-bike-blue?utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=drytinder&utm_campaign=phgreferral

and

https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/carrera-sulcata-mens-mountain-bike-silver?utm_campaign=phgreferral&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=drytinder

Although are carrera's even worth the money? I'm looking to spend around £600-800 quid. I've got listings in ebay and gumtree for second hand bikes searches each day but nothing seems to pop up in my area.

I'll be sticking to the roads and gravel so an hybrid sounds ideal. Is there an go to bike for ebikes or is it just whatever you like the looks of?

Thank you.

 

[Woosh]

if you want value for money, Halfords Voodoos are hard to beat. They come equipped with hydraulic brakes and a budget but practical front suspension.
The only problem is they don't take Bafang BBSes, so if you want to change from hub drive to crank drive later, you'll have to change bike.

 

[danielrlee]

The only problem is they don't take Bafang BBSes.

Is this due to having a press fit bottom bracket? If so, a BB adapter can usually be used to accommodate a BBSxx motor.

 

[Woosh]

Is this due to having a press fit bottom bracket? If so, a BB adapter can usually be used to accommodate a BBSxx motor.

no, it's due to the 'sporty look' of the chainstays. They flare out too close to the bottom bracket, touching the BBS gearbox casing and the BB shell is 73mm long instead of 68mm. If you pad out the BB with 6mm spacers on the gearbox side, you run out of thread on the non drive side.

 

[danielrlee]

no, it's due to the 'sporty look' of the chainstays. They flare out too close to the bottom bracket, touching the BBS gearbox casing and the BB shell is 73mm long instead of 68mm. If you pad out the BB with 6mm spacers on the gearbox side, you run out of thread on the non drive side.

I hadn't realised about the oversized chainstays, although in my experience, a 68mm BBSxx motor should fit a 73mm BB along with a spacer and longer bolts for the fixing plate. There's also the BBSHD if a longer BB is required.

 

[Woosh]

I hadn't realised about the oversized chainstays, although in my experience, a 68mm BBSxx motor should fit a 73mm BB along with a spacer and longer bolts for the fixing plate. There's also the BBSHD if a longer BB is required.

the Vooodoos shell length is already 73mm. You need 6mm more thread to fit the BBS to the Voodoos, that's why there is no solution unless someone is enterprising enough to make a CNC piece specially for it.

 

[danielrlee]

the Vooodoos shell length is already 73mm. You need 6mm more thread to fit the BBS to the Voodoos, that's why there is no solution unless someone is enterprising enough to make a CNC piece specially for it.

Sorry, a total brainfart moment from me there. I was picturing a 73mm motor, along with a spacer in a 68mm BB. You are of course totally correct. A BBSHD in a longer length would be the only option.

 

[Woosh]

Sorry, a total brainfart moment from me there. I was picturing a 73mm motor, along with a spacer in a 68mm BB.

no, it's a 73mm BB, 73mm motor offset by 6mm to the drive side, that's why you run out of thread.
If you make a CNC piece that replaces one of the M33 nuts so that you can hang the motor on to it, you may salvage the situation.

 

[danielrlee]

If you make a CNC piece that replaces one of the M33 nuts so that you can hang the motor on to it, you may salvage the situation.

This has definitely been done before, although I think it was a one-off fabrication. I can't remember where I saw it (probably on ES), but I stumbled across it recently while looking for a PF41 to JIS BB adapter.

EDIT: I've not managed to find it having just spent 15 mins looking, so I'm starting to wonder if I'm getting mixed up with something else I saw (entirely possible considering the mare of a morning I'm having).

 

[RobF]

So just spend another few hours researching which bike to buy for this kit setup which Nealh recommended me (Thank you);



Although now i'm clueless about which bike to get. I've done searches for donor bikes on here and endless-sphere but just keep ending up confused. I've looked through the https://www.thebikelist.co.uk although it seems they stopped reviewing back in 2015. I did use their size framing guide which with my height being 185cm and my lnside leg at 81cm it gave me "stack 558 mm and reach 388 mm" which hopefully will help me avoid buying a bike which could end up giving me back pain.

I've been watching https://www.hotukdeals.com and two deals have come up;

https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/carrera-parva-mens-hybrid-bike-blue?utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=drytinder&utm_campaign=phgreferral

and

https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/carrera-sulcata-mens-mountain-bike-silver?utm_campaign=phgreferral&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=drytinder

Although are carrera's even worth the money? I'm looking to spend around £600-800 quid. I've got listings in ebay and gumtree for second hand bikes searches each day but nothing seems to pop up in my area.

I'll be sticking to the roads and gravel so an hybrid sounds ideal. Is there an go to bike for ebikes or is it just whatever you like the looks of?

Thank you.

Most bikes can be converted, so it is whatever you like the look of.

If your bike budget is around £200 either of the Halfords bikes are about as good as you will get.

Going second hand would get you a better quality bike, although at that money you would need to know what you are looking at.

 

[quackstar84]

if you want value for money, Halfords Voodoos are hard to beat. They come equipped with hydraulic brakes and a budget but practical front suspension.
The only problem is they don't take Bafang BBSes, so if you want to change from hub drive to crank drive later, you'll have to change bike.

Thank you Woosh. I've come across many of your replies to people and saw one which you state the benefits of hubs over mid drives and for that I will be sticking with hubs. I wonder if a thread could be made for showing discounted bike other users come across such as ones found on hotukdeals.

While looking for the top ten hybrid bikes I came across this deal;

https://www.cooksoncycles.co.uk/product/bikes/hybrid/mens-hybrid/escape-city-711141/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw77TbBRDtARIsAC4l83nhzrGLbSry3h-aCRBC-vsI4x6Rb1RmcPOoMo7uF5lJ7pIlnbNo56UaAqSzEALw_wcB

I normally wouldn't go for this style of bike but I like this. It's only in small though, does look lovely though. £350 is pretty good when the rrp is around £440.

 

[Woosh]

the Giant Escape 2 is easy to convert with an XF08C kit, you'd like the lightness of the result..

 

[quackstar84]

Most bikes can be converted, so it is whatever you like the look of.

If your bike budget is around £200 either of the Halfords bikes are about as good as you will get.

Going second hand would get you a better quality bike, although at that money you would need to know what you are looking at.

I just need to get out in the road. If I get an halford bike then convert it to an ebike the warranty will be voided understandably. So I might just get that £180 one to start with and then keep a look out for others.

I can get 10% off with the British cycling membership which isn't a lot but I figure I'll be using it again as it can be used not only at halfords but chain reaction cycles;

https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/membership It's £25 quid.

 

[Woosh]

if you want to fit a BBS01B to the Escape 2 for speed, it's dead easy.

 

[quackstar84]

the Giant Escape 2 is easy to convert with an XF08C kit, you'd like the lightness of the result..

I would pick the SWX02 48V 250W although then I would have a spare 48v 12ah battery to sell. Also how does the Kingmeter lcd hold up against the LCD3? Doesn't look like the wheel hub cable is compabtable with the LCD3's controller though has it has the five cables; https://www.aliexpress.com/item/36V-48V-350W-Brushless-DC-Sine-Wave-Controller-LCD-or-LED-Throttle-Brake-Lever-PAS-Speed/32622212646.html?spm=a2g0s.13010208.99999999.262.3e7b3c00XCrOx6

 

[quackstar84]

if you want value for money, Halfords Voodoos are hard to beat. They come equipped with hydraulic brakes and a budget but practical front suspension.
The only problem is they don't take Bafang BBSes, so if you want to change from hub drive to crank drive later, you'll have to change bike.

The voodoo's hydraulic brakes aren't compatible with this kit are they?

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/36V-48V-350W-Brushless-DC-Sine-Wave-Controller-LCD-or-LED-Throttle-Brake-Lever-PAS-Speed/32622212646.html?spm=a2g0s.13010208.99999999.262.3e7b3c00XCrOx6

I'd need a magnet sensor right?

 

[Woosh]

the LCD3 needs to be paired with Kungteng Hailong-1 controller. The King Meter on my kits are paired with Lishui HL controllers. They can't be mixed and matched.

 

[Woosh]

The voodoo's hydraulic brakes aren't compatible with this kit are they?

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/36V-48V-350W-Brushless-DC-Sine-Wave-Controller-LCD-or-LED-Throttle-Brake-Lever-PAS-Speed/32622212646.html?spm=a2g0s.13010208.99999999.262.3e7b3c00XCrOx6

I'd need a magnet sensor right?

the Voodoo hydraulic brakes would require hydraulic brake sensors:

http://wooshbikes.co.uk/2018/hubkits/hydraulic-brake-sensor.jpg

I don't have 48V SWX02 kit on 27.5" wheels for Voodoos. Only on 26" rims at the moment. 700C 48V SWX02 arrives around 17-August.

 

[quackstar84]

Thanks for your help Woosh.