Buy or build?

[wurly]

Having spent some time looking through this forum, i would assume there is a higher percentage of people who have bought their electric bikes rather than convert an existing one (nothing wrong that i might add).
But are people put off with problems sourcing parts to build there own? the reliability factor or wondering which parts to choose in the first place?

I know there are some who have built there own. As a newcomer i would be interested to know who and what kits/parts you used and where you sourced them from.
What was the reason for choosing them. Did you make a good choice or were there unseen difficulties.

Mel

 

[Nick]

Hi Mel

I went in between, so to speak, and bought a kit (BionX 350 li-ion) and fitted it to my Trek hybrid. It all fitted together very simply and works very well. I certainly see the appeal of a complete electric bike but I already had a fairly decent bike in the Trek, and wanted to stick with that, and have been very happy with how it's worked out.

 

[Jeremy]

I built mine, simply because I already had the bike, plus ready-built electric 'bents are pretty hard to come buy.

I opted to use parts (a Tongxin hub motor and controller, plus a home made LiFePO4 battery), rather then a kit, as few kits would fit directly to a 'bent without a substantial degree of modification.

Jeremy