E bike conversion kit

Hugo

Just Joined
Feb 13, 2021
3
0
65
Pretoria South Africa
I converted my GT iDXC3 softail into a crusher. I currently riding A Momsen 29 hardtail. Back to the crusher. Lifted and replaced handle bars with “dutch” style comfortable ones. Nice big soft saddle and removed the cleats. I want to convert it to an ebike. I thought easiest is front wheel system. With Rand Euro conversion not on my side I hope to get away with between 200 and 300 euros. I like pedal assist. If throttle is more cost effective then so be it. The bike is 12 to 13 years old. In good condition. Any suggestions on what to buy? I’m technically minded. Will use it to go nowhere slowly and in style.
 

MontyPAS

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 16, 2020
390
148
I converted my GT iDXC3 softail into a crusher. I currently riding A Momsen 29 hardtail. Back to the crusher. Lifted and replaced handle bars with “dutch” style comfortable ones. Nice big soft saddle and removed the cleats. I want to convert it to an ebike. I thought easiest is front wheel system. With Rand Euro conversion not on my side I hope to get away with between 200 and 300 euros. I like pedal assist. If throttle is more cost effective then so be it. The bike is 12 to 13 years old. In good condition. Any suggestions on what to buy? I’m technically minded. Will use it to go nowhere slowly and in style.
What's a crusher?
 

sjpt

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 8, 2018
3,850
2,763
Winchester
I converted my GT iDXC3 softail into a crusher. I currently riding A Momsen 29 hardtail. Back to the crusher. Lifted and replaced handle bars with “dutch” style comfortable ones. Nice big soft saddle and removed the cleats. I want to convert it to an ebike. I thought easiest is front wheel system. With Rand Euro conversion not on my side I hope to get away with between 200 and 300 euros. I like pedal assist. If throttle is more cost effective then so be it. The bike is 12 to 13 years old. In good condition. Any suggestions on what to buy? I’m technically minded. Will use it to go nowhere slowly and in style.
You'll be lucky to get anything decent for much under 500 euros. The battery will be quite a bit of the cost, if a really small one will be enough for the distances you want can save a little.

Do NOT fall for the cheap direct drive hubs (many seen on ebay). They are pretty bad at everything except going fast on the flat, and consuming lots and lots of battery. As they require a big battery they don't even end up cheaper.
 

Nealh

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 7, 2014
20,980
8,565
61
West Sx RH
For kits even in S.A. one might still be best looing at China sites or AliExpress.
Top bike kit.
BMS Battery.
Green bike kit.
As always one will have to factor in the P&P and possible import duty to your country.
 

vfr400

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 12, 2011
9,822
3,993
Basildon
For kits even in S.A. one might still be best looing at China sites or AliExpress.
Top bike kit.
BMS Battery.
Green bike kit.
As always one will have to factor in the P&P and possible import duty to your country.
Just to tidy that up, we get our stuff from:
www.greenbikekit.com
www.PSWPower.com same company as www.elifebike.com
www.bmsbattery.com
www.amazon.com
www.aliexpress.com

Show us a decent picture of your bike and tell us exactly what you want to do withit regarding riding, and tell us how heavy you are if you want specific advice.
 

Gringo

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 18, 2013
1,346
842
Northampton
Cruisers look cool but I've always wondered if I'd end up with more shoulder pain using those, with arms held out like superman for long periods of time.
Strangely not, cruising along at 6 to 8 mph on the flat for an hour or so is very comfortable. It’s a different story when you have a hill to climb as you can’t put your body weight onto the pedals, you have to push the pedals forward while pulling/bracing your upper body with the handlebars.
All in all it’s a pleasant ride (I’m lucky enough to have about 8 miles of flat paths following a river close by) alternatively throw in a good few hills and you Legs will ache, not because it’s harder to ride than a normal bike, it’s just that this style of riding uses leg muscles that don’t get used on your average bike. As the weather improves I’ll cruise more and my muscles will get use to this style of riding ;)

PS: My legs are cycle fit as I ride 2 or 3 times a week, each ride is about 20 miles on my mtb or 30/40 miles on my e-mtb all without muscle pain :cool: