You really sure its legal to use a motor above the 250W limit, on the road, just by making adjustments to the controller ?
Don't know about the 500w Bafang but I fitted a (in theory) 250w one to a Cube mtb about 18 months ago for daughter. (it's marked 250 w) and it's absolutely fine.
I was interested in the BBS02b because there is a 48V version of this and my bike is already set up to 48V. I don't want to go to 36V as it means buying a new battery etc. Plus I read that the motor controller etc is stronger on the BBS02 so it's less likely to blow up. I think the throttle behaviour can also be programmed - I'm quite happy for it to only work up to 6km/h, that's enough to get you moving which is all I use mine for now anyway.
I don't see why not, the Bosch and Shimano motors used on the pre-built e-bikes are capable of far more than 250W but they are de-rated in software. Those can be up-rated by plugging in a simple box, which you could do out on the road quite easily. The Bafang needs a laptop connected which is not really plausible while you're out and about. It's not exactly like there is a switch on the side of the motor you can flick to get 1000W
One of the things I hate most about the hub motor is the fact that it's virtually impossible to repair a puncture in the rear tyre out on the road. The wheel is tethered to the bike by the motor cable and there obviously isn't a quick release. There's no way I would be able to change an inner tube away from home, and it's only a matter of time before I need to.
I think Bosch use the same motors in their 250W/25kph e-bikes as in their 45kph speed pedelecs, just with a software change obviously to raise the cut-off speed. I don't see why a 500W Bafang will be different, I will remove any labels and put some of my own on stating the voltage, nominal output power and cut-off speed. These will be honest too - I'll set them in the software. I'm really not sure what lengths the rozzers will go to to prove it's an illegal bike...if they just ride it themselves they'll see on the display it's only kicking out 250W, and it cuts off at 25kph.
If I set the current limit on the Bafang to limit it to 250W will it be a hard limit or will it still draw more when it's under heavy load?
Carry a double ended tube as a spare. (and a small scissors/knife to cut off the old tube). Then no need to take off the wheel.
Most of the hub motors I have seen, including the 3 I have bought, have a short cable coming out of the hub which plugs into the extension cable going to the controller.
The 250w rating isn't a fixed limit, afaik a "250w" rated motor can be pushing 500w at times. There was also a comment that you'd need to carry a laptop to tweak your motor to 350w while out and about in the grounds of your mansion, no, the Android Speeed App works great, using the same cable. I know it isn't legal on the road, on the other hand, while officer Dibble might be a traffic cop with power to decide, he can check your speed limit readily, but not the internal motor settings. All he can see is that the motor is stamped 250w and appears legal. Afaik an ordinary plod isn't competent to rule on traffic related matters.
I had a rear wheel hub motor puncture a couple of weeks ago and still had a normal tube fitted. So wrapped the normal tube around the chain stays and fitted a Gaadi (I have two). Took the normal tube off when I got home.
