Conversion from Ebike to standar bike.

[Eeeber]

I have a Focus hyrid ebike which I was given unused. It has a rear wheel mounted bafang motor and no handle bar control panel. It's stated range is 40km.
It doesn't come anywhere near my Cube Kathmandu Pro in terms of usability so, as it is basically an OK bike, I would like to re-incarnate it as a standard human powered bike.
I have not measured the OLD but the axle takes an 18mm spanner. Would this larger axle size be problematic when I come to change the wheel? Also would the replacment of the single chain wheel to a 2 or 3 ring, be a problem? The current chainwheel is on a bafang BB.
Thanks.
Eeber.

 

[matthewslack]

I have a Focus hyrid ebike which I was given unused. It has a rear wheel mounted bafang motor and no handle bar control panel. It's stated range is 40km.
It doesn't come anywhere near my Cube Kathmandu Pro in terms of usability so, as it is basically an OK bike, I would like to re-incarnate it as a standard human powered bike.
I have not measured the OLD but the axle takes an 18mm spanner. Would this larger axle size be problematic when I come to change the wheel? Also would the replacment of the single chain wheel to a 2 or 3 ring, be a problem? The current chainwheel is on a bafang BB.
Thanks.
Eeber.

If it a working though basic ebike, give it to someone who needs one!

 

[lightning]

As above, give it away or sell it as an ebike, to convert it (to a non ebike) you'd need to replace the wheel for one without a motor, and then you'd have a heavy Klunker of a bike that nobody would want.

 

[Eeeber]

As above, give it away or sell it as an ebike, to convert it (to a non ebike) you'd need to replace the wheel for one without a motor, and then you'd have a heavy Klunker of a bike that nobody would want.

I have already considered those options but the bike is quite light even with the motor and battery attached. I had already worked out that I need to change the wheel and lose the battery. I am/was looking for information rather than disposal advice.
But thanks anyway.

 

[Bonzo Banana]

I can't see you having any difficulties you sound already quite skilled and familiar with bicycle standards. At worst you might have to change the axle on the replacement wheel from QR to bolted if the rear dropouts don't really support a quick release very well and you get any movement under high load. A more common issue on horizontal dropouts though.

I see it as a huge positive that hub motor ebikes can normally be returned to normal bikes when the e-bike components have worn out like the battery or motor and maybe beyond economic repair. It's great to hear it will be still be used. So much better than the dedicated mid-drive frames that really can't be used when the parts are beyond economic repair and those more complicated motor systems seem to have a much shorter life too partly because their highly proprietary nature means they are beyond economic repair sooner and partly I'm sure because they monopolise the serious e-mountain bikes sector which will get more abuse anyway. I mean a CF frame like that is pretty much straight to landfill.

Try to sell on the ebike bits though someone might have use for them, breaking down the battery to find decent cells or even fixing the Bafang hub maybe, whatever the problem is.

 

[matthewslack]

I can't see you having any difficulties you sound already quite skilled and familiar with bicycle standards. At worst you might have to change the axle on the replacement wheel from QR to bolted if the rear dropouts don't really support a quick release very well and you get any movement under high load. A more common issue on horizontal dropouts though.

I see it as a huge positive that hub motor ebikes can normally be returned to normal bikes when the e-bike components have worn out like the battery or motor and maybe beyond economic repair. It's great to hear it will be still be used. So much better than the dedicated mid-drive frames that really can't be used when the parts are beyond economic repair and those more complicated motor systems seem to have a much shorter life too partly because their highly proprietary nature means they are beyond economic repair sooner and partly I'm sure because they monopolise the serious e-mountain bikes sector which will get more abuse anyway. I mean a CF frame like that is pretty much straight to landfill.

Try to sell on the ebike bits though someone might have use for them, breaking down the battery to find decent cells or even fixing the Bafang hub maybe, whatever the problem is.

The difficulty here is that this is a brand new bike, and in this time of climate crisis could be the route out of fossil fuel transport for someone. There are plenty of non electric bikes capable of doing what the OP needs, not so many of these that can do so much more.

Of course the owner has the right to do with it what they will. But the more people who take a wider view and consider the greater good, the better we will fare collectively.

 

[Bonzo Banana]

I interpreted unused as possibly a ebike someone bought and just didn't regularly use so not brand new or maybe it did have a fault or other issue as I assumed if he was given it new as a gift the text would be different.

 

[Eeeber]

I interpreted unused as possibly a ebike someone bought and just didn't regularly use so not brand new or maybe it did have a fault or other issue as I assumed if he was given it new as a gift the text would be different.

 

[Eeeber]

Thanks for all your responses. Backgound: The bike is brand new and given to me by someone who rode it once. My Cube e bike is very heavy (25kg) before I even have the panniers on and loaded. This is not a problem unless I come across obstacles that force me to use rail station stairs, for example. So my thinking is that this lighter bike would be very useful in those situations where physical exertion is almost beyond my ability. As an e bike for touring its potential range is pretty useless even though some days I might not use a battery at all. In addition there are no handle bar controls which means when changing settings I have to get off and fumble around the bottom of the seat tube.
So I am in complete agreement this should not be junked. If I decide not to convert it I am sure someone would gratefully take it off my hands.
Any tips gratefully received.