Bafang 8Fun Front Wheel - Rim replacement?

[Boater Phil]

Hi, I need some advice please. A couple of years ago I converted my Carrera Crossfire 2 hybrid bike to an electric bike. In that time it has worked well and I've done about 6,500 miles. Unfortunately I often have to bike through muddy, gritty puddles and this has worn down my wheel rim to the point of splitting. The motor is still ok so I was hoping to replace the rim rather than buy a whole new wheel. The problem is that I am unsure of how to get the correct size rim. It's a 700c wheel (that's the easy bit), but the rim is quite a deep V profile so I am struggling to find one the same. If I get the wrong profile rim the spokes will either be too long or too short. The wheel is a Bafang 8Fun front wheel SWXK 36v 250w. I tried contacting the place where I bought the kit and they said they could get one but it would take up to 3 months to get here from China. I'd like to get up and running a bit quicker than that if possible. Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[Alan Quay]

Can't you take the rim to you LBS and see if they have anything with a similar profile? That way you can re use the old spokes.

That said, if they've done 6000 miles you probably be best putting new ones on. There are lots of spoke length calculators on line.

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[Yamdude]

I also fitted the 8fun front hub kit to my Crossfire, no probs with my rim yet but i'm nowhere near that sort of mileage yet. Good to see these 8fun kit motors can do a lot of miles tho.
Can you not just use the original front wheel that came with your Crossfire and have the motor laced into it ?
It would save you buying a rim and also make both wheels matching.

 

[Fordulike]

You could try contacting Pedelec member Catsnapper. I seem to remember that he rebuilds wheels. Don't quote me though

http://pedelecs.co.uk/forum/members/catsnapper.5280/

 

[Yamdude]

Scrap my last suggestion.... 36 spoke on the 8fun motor and 32 spoke on the Crossfire wheel.

 

[Alan Quay]

You could try contacting Pedelec member Catsnapper. I seem to remember that he rebuilds wheels. Don't quote me though

http://pedelecs.co.uk/forum/members/catsnapper.5280/

Catsnapper moved to Spain a number if years ago.

I suppose It's possible that the Junta bulldozed his house and has moved back.

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[Boater Phil]

Scrap my last suggestion.... 36 spoke on the 8fun motor and 32 spoke on the Crossfire wheel.

Thanks for the suggestion. Yes, the spokes don't match up. My old wheel is still working but that is quite worn as well.

 

[Boater Phil]

Can't you take the rim to you LBS and see if they have anything with a similar profile? That way you can re use the old spokes.

That said, if they've done 6000 miles you probably be best putting new ones on. There are lots of spoke length calculators on line.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

Travelling around on my narrowboat at the moment. Not really any bike shops all that close. Thanks

 

[Boater Phil]

Thank you all for your advice. I have contacted my local bike shop and they said they would be happy to replace the rim for me (about £20 or so)... but that I have to obtain the new rim myself! I have trawled the internet and have found many rims, but none quite the same as my original one. Can anybody please help me locate a 700c rim with 36 spoke holes. The depth of the V section needs to be about 29-30mm from spoke hole to outer edge. The inner width of the beading needs to be 18-19mm and must have a braking surface for V brakes. All the ones I have found are for road bikes with skinny tyres or only have 32 spoke holes.

 

[Boater Phil]

Hang on... I just might have found one!

 

[FJSebiker]

I have used an 8 fun front wheel drive unit for a few years and in 2013 decided that the original rim was somewhat agricultural in appearance and decided to change the rim. This meant also changing the spokes.
I used a Mavic A719 36h black rim with Sapim Strong spokes and nipples plus Proline 13g elbow washers, this wheel has worked without trouble ever since.
This work was completed with the help of Roger Mussons book 'Professional Guide to Wheelbuilding" which gives all the information of how to measure the ERD, rim and spokes. Before the purchase of this book I had never built any wheels. When using a readily available replacement rim in the future I will just need a rim of the same ERD (Effective Rim Diameter) for simple changeover.

I did not keep the original rim which was perfectly serviceable, Sorry!!

 

[Boater Phil]

I think that when I've got the wheel repaired I will change to disc brakes. This will mean buying new forks but it will stop the rim wear.
I have just ordered a new rim!
https://orangeimports.co.uk/collections/electric-bike-parts/products/econ10-front-rear-28-bicycle-rim-electric-bike-bicycle-lightweight-aluminium-36-hole

As far as I can tell it seems very close to the original so hopefully will be a straight swap. I have not yet received the rim so there could be problems?
I will update this thread when I have had this fitted and let you all know if it's any good.

 

[Boater Phil]

This rim I found online is a true replacement for the original rim. The same spokes can be used (if you can undo them!).
https://orangeimports.co.uk/collections/electric-bike-parts/products/econ10-front-rear-28-bicycle-rim-electric-bike-bicycle-lightweight-aluminium-36-hole
Orange Imports were very good but I did have problems with their delivery couriers - Interlink Express.