New Bafang Mid Drive

[Deleted member 4366]

The Bagang Max-drive has been around for over a year, but this is the first bike I've seen for sale in the UK with it. Are there others?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GREENWAY-Electric-Cross-City-bike-700C-Samsung-cell-Li-ion-battery-BAFANG-Drive-/121927007291?hash=item1c636a7c3b:g:xYYAAOSwubRXEiSC

 

[tommie]

Seems reasonably priced compared to similar item in China https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/aluminum-alloy-frame-bafang-max-mid_60429803521.html?spm=a2700.7724857.29.206.SKsjYe

 

[trex]

too expensive for what it is and also, the torque sensor will never be as popular as the throttle. Take away the motor, the rest is pretty much a nondescript mtb with a 10AH battery.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

too expensive for what it is and also, the torque sensor will never be as popular as the throttle. Take away the motor, the rest is pretty much a nondescript mtb with a 10AH battery.

You could say the same about any of the Bosch bikes, Kalkhoffs, KTMs and other similar bikes. This one has an advantage over them in that you can use any battery, and other electrical parts would be cheap and easy to replace. You wouldn't be held to ransom by the dealer network.

I think it looks pretty good. Did you notice the hydraulic brakes. I expect we'll be seeing a lot more bikes with these motors soon.

 

[anotherkiwi]

Oh! Thanks for this d8veh.

I wonder if they would sell just the frame with motor mounted (and LCD of course)???

The brake cable run is as ugly as sin...

PS ebay UK in it's infinite wisdom won't let me sign in with my US login and password...

 

[Artstu]

the ebay ad says Shimano hydraulic brakes. I thought Shimano don't make sensored brake levers, so they could be M355, £30 a pair.
If you give woosh £1300 target for a bike, woosh would rather spend the money on mechanical components than on a CD motor.

Perhaps they don't actually need cut-out switches, just like Bosch and Yamaha.

 

[tommie]

and another one https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/27-5-mid-drive-electric-bike_60398735987.html?spm=a2700.7724857.29.56.SKsjYe

Haibike alternative maybe!!?

 

[Artstu]

and another one https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/27-5-mid-drive-electric-bike_60398735987.html?spm=a2700.7724857.29.56.SKsjYe

Haibike alternative maybe!!?

That was funny

 

[dinger19]

and another one https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/27-5-mid-drive-electric-bike_60398735987.html?spm=a2700.7724857.29.56.SKsjYe

Haibike alternative maybe!!?

No that one won't lose its nuts and bolts.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

At the Shanghai bike show last year, there were bikes on virtually every stand in the electric bikes hall with these Max-drive motors. Some of them were real Haibike alternatives. I'm very surprised that our UK dealers didn't order some of them then. I expected to see them appearing in March this year. Maybe, we'll be seeing them soon.

Don't underestimate the Chinese. Bafang is the biggest motor manufacturer in the world. Wuxing introduced the Toyota Production System into their factories. By now, the other big manufacturers will be doing likewise. When you have the volume of production, you can do serious quality management.

There were a lot of exquisite components at that show too, which some of you would die for to get them on your bike. I don't know where they all go because I don't see them on UK bikes. You'd also be surprised at how many of the absolute top high-end bicycles were being displayed on stands that had unbranded or differently branded versions sitting next to them.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

No that one won't lose its nuts and bolts.

A bit below the belt!

 

[trex]

... I'm very surprised that our UK dealers didn't order some of them then.

Maybe KD will have one like this shortly.
I don't see the $200 premium that Bafang charge on this kit as justified.
$100 maybe, but not $200.

 

[tommie]

That was funny

something even funnier... http://www.ebikereviews.com.au/news/team-bafang-wins-the-24-hour-e-bike-race-at-the-nurburgring/

 

[anotherkiwi]

If you are Bosch you are not laughing...

 

[Deleted member 4366]

something even funnier... http://www.ebikereviews.com.au/news/team-bafang-wins-the-24-hour-e-bike-race-at-the-nurburgring/

Nice one., Tommie. I forgot about that one. I like the way a couple of the Bafang guys look relaxed wearing normal trousers, while all the Bosch guys are all in lycra. It reminds of our World Championships when the warehouse assistant from Oxygen was commandeered into competing on their new MTB and beat the pros, who were a bit better prepared regarding clothing.

 

[shemozzle999]

The Bagang Max-drive has been around for over a year, but this is the first bike I've seen for sale in the UK with it. Are there others?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GREENWAY-Electric-Cross-City-bike-700C-Samsung-cell-Li-ion-battery-BAFANG-Drive-/121927007291?hash=item1c636a7c3b:g:xYYAAOSwubRXEiSC

One here (Sobowo brand) already discounting, trying to find a price level?

http://segboarder.co.uk/product/s29-max-mid-drive-8fun-motor-electric-bike-powerful-2016-full-suspension-e-bike/

 

[Kudoscycles]

Maybe KD will have one like this shortly.
I don't see the $200 premium that Bafang charge on this kit as justified.
$100 maybe, but not $200.

These Bafang Max Drive units are very good quality. Freego had a couple of bikes on their stand at the Cycle Show.
The problem is that the UK price would be about £1300-1500, that is getting very close to the price of the cheaper Bosch German bikes. However,good the quality of these Chinese bikes,they have a price ceiling of about £1100.
So we have looked at putting this excellent motor into a good spec Chinese bike but all our new models due soon will be less than £1k.
Not sure if Freego took their prototypes into production.
KudosDave

 

[Deleted member 4366]

One here (Sobowo brand) already discounting, trying to find a price level?

http://segboarder.co.uk/product/s29-max-mid-drive-8fun-motor-electric-bike-powerful-2016-full-suspension-e-bike/

Hmmm! That one does look a bit over-priced, even when discounted. Cable brakes, Suntour XC forks, Shimano Altus gears, pretend(?) rear suspension. If it has ball bearings in the top rear pivots, maybe £1400 -£1500. less if it hasn't, which i suspect is the case.

 

[Emo Rider]

Hmmm! That one does look a bit over-priced, even when discounted. Cable brakes, Suntour XC forks, Shimano Altus gears, pretend(?) rear suspension. If it has ball bearings in the top rear pivots, maybe £1400 -£1500. less if it hasn't, which i suspect is the case.

Freego has two bikes with the Bafang drive. The Martin Sport 27.5 and Martin City. Both have two battery options. I have ridden both, both very quick, quiet and smooth. I think the sport will be competition for the Hardseven once people know they are out there and give them a try.

 

[KTM Bike Industries UK]

Kudos makes a good point, at £1350 its getting into very competitive territory.

For instance our Ventura Cross 9 is just £149 more...

http://www.flidistribution.co.uk/2016-ktm-ventura-cross-9

and for that you get a quality KTM frame, Shimano Steps drive, and a few notable upgrades including hydraulic brakes, an Alivio mech, branded wheels and Schwalbe Marathon tyres.

Plus the Ventura comes in 5 frame sizes / styles, not one fits (or doesn't fit) all.

I don't think it'll be long before you start finding European built bikes at that price point.

The Chinese bikes are getting lots better and for c£1000 things have definitely improved in terms for reliability, performance and equally importantly design and look of the bikes. Its certainly a much better time to be selling eBikes in the UK.