Self build: £324

Alan Quay

Esteemed Pedelecer
Dec 4, 2012
2,351
1,076
Devon
Over the last few years the accepted wisdom has been that self builds don't make financial sense so are only worth doing if you want something unusual, are an enthusiast, or already have a decent bike you want to convert.

I have just built two bikes for my neighbours. Reasonable quality second hand eBay bikes, new electrics.

Total cost, including tax/duty/postage: £324 each (£648 total)

For that, they got a Kona hardtail MTB with 11.6 ah bottle battery, and a Trek Navigator Step through with 15ah on the rear rack.

Both with 250w motors (admittedly second hand, £50 each).

Obviously this does not cover my time, but it does show that you can once again build a half decent bike for less money than you can buy one.

A strong pound is obviously helping matters.
 
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STEVEMANFA

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 27, 2015
731
359
60
Forest of Dean
I'm with you on this one
I just put a kit on this bike
It's a oxydrive kit and was on sale at £450.00 and I was on the road.
But if you buy a bike for £300 and a kit for £500 you will have a good e-bike and all for £800 image.jpg
 

trex

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 15, 2011
7,703
2,671
The OP got two e-bikes for £648, with nice size batteries too.
I reckon that could be a record on this forum.
 
D

Deleted member 4366

Guest
Ask Twinkle how much she paid to build and electrify her trikes. I think it was a lot less than that.
 

electrickery

Pedelecer
Jun 8, 2015
135
124
71
fife scotland
just built this..IMG_20150816_191140.jpg

using this kit from ebay.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/250w-Electric-Bike-Conversion-Kit-Including-Battery-Full-Kit-26-Inch-Rear-/111741740901?hash=item1a0453a765

bike £250 (in sale ) kit £375.
A very comprehensive kit includes 6 speed twist gear changers, a 6 speed freewheel,13 ah battery , even a crank puller and a usb stick with video of installation. The wheel is well built with heavy gauge spokes nicely tensioned. The controller comes programmed to cutout immediately you stop pedalling which has allowed me to retain my original click shift gear/brakes and ive not installed the throttle . A very nice complete kit at the price some places will ask for a battery this size..

Also came across this site..looks like nice stuff..
http://ebike-sales.co.uk/

Seems like the market is becoming more competitive and a lot of nice stuff out there becoming affordable..
 
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