Trying to get back into cycling but have lots of questions!

[Percypig]

I am really keen to get back into cycling and seriously thinking that a DIY ebike conversion might be the solution but I am a complete noob.

I currently own a Voodoo cycles hardtail bike with hydraulic disc brakes and a rockshox fork which I probably have ridden for no more than 15 hours in the 3 years that I have owned it. I have just fallen out of the habit of riding and living in the middle of the Yorkshire Dales this is just criminal!

I was thinking about a Bafang 750w mid size conversion kit as I can ride off-road from my door step. Is this a decent option or are there better ones? My bike has an 11 speed cassette and a single 32T chainring. Should I just stick with a 32T offset chain ring or would I be better with a 44T and fit a longer chain? Do I need a shift sensor or can I just stop pedaling as I would do normally? Where is the best place to buy conversion kits from? PSW Power? There are lots on eBay from Poland. What battery voltage and size do most people go for when starting out? Can anyone recommend a decent battery retailer with at least a two year warranty?My budget is £650 max.

I will remove the cranks and BB on my bike when I get the chance to check that the motor will actually fit.

 

[Az.]

Which Voodoo bike do you have? Can you post some pictures please? Especially around BB.

750W rated motors are illegal in UK.

PSW is my favorite supplier.
48V 15Ah branded cells is a decent start. Not worth to go lower than that IMO. PSW has cheapest batteries.

Gear sensor is recommended,

 

[Percypig]

Cheers for the reply. I will post some photos later. What's the story with PSW power as their website has that confusing AliExpress vibe about it? Do you need to select delivery from the UK warehouse to avoid customs charges? Some things like batteries only ship from Germany or china, so I presume they add on custom charges at the point of sale?

 

[Az.]

Cheers for the reply. I will post some photos later. What's the story with PSW power as their website has that confusing AliExpress vibe about it? Do you need to select delivery from the UK warehouse to avoid customs charges? Somethings like batteries only ship from Germany, so I presume the add on custom charges at the point of sale?

It is a Chinese company. They used to have stock in UK, but after Brexit they slowly moved to Germany. Their shop is confusing, yes. I always choose German warehouse if I can simply because it is closer than China. Never had to pay any import fees.

 

[Percypig]

It's a Voodoo Bokor and has what looks like a 20 spline Shimano type BB.

 

[Az.]

Pardon our interruption...

This one? Nice bike, but I am not sure if it is suitable for mid drive conversion with a cheap motor (Bafang/Tongsheng) due to shape of the frame behind BB. Up to you if you want to buy motor to find out.

 

[Percypig]

Yep, that's the one. I think I saw a template somewhere that you can download and cut out to check for possible fitment issues. Definitely, won't be buying anything blind.

TBH after doing a bit more research, I am starting to go off the idea. Fitment issues aside, I would probably need to replace the 11 speed cassette with a 9 speed along with the chain, shifter and possibly the derailleur. Now that it looks less plug and play, I might start looking for a used conversion where someone else has got it all fettled, saving me the grief.

 

[Az.]

Yep, that's the one. I think I saw a template somewhere that you can download and cut out to check for possible fitment issues. Definitely, won't be buying anything blind.

I tried templates, but it didn't give me a conclusive answer, so I decided to take a leap of faith. I told myself in worst case scenario I will buy another donor bike. I filed frame a bit, filed motor a bit and I am very pleased with end result.

I might start looking for a used conversion where someone else has got it all fettled, saving me the grief.

That also sounds like a good solution.

 

[Saracen]

Why do you want to ride an illegal 750w bike in the UK

 

[Percypig]

Fo

Why do you want to ride an illegal 750w bike in the UK

I have not decided I that i will yet but am just exploring options. I may well just settle for a 250W conversion. The bike wont be ridden on public roads. The legislation is there to stop 12 year olds riding ebikes at 35mph in urban areas and killing people. I am a bit more mature and sensible than that.

Meanwhile, cranks and BB removed and I will see if any templates actually fit or not. Online searches showed a few cases where a Bafang mid size motor has been fitted to a Voodoo Bizango with varying success. One guy added a 2mm spacer on the motor side and then had to grind down the torque arm to get the screw on cover to fit. Another used the 100mm bottom bracket kit and spacers. I think I will find a specialist locally and see what conversion is viable if any. I am in no hurry. I think I can use an offset 36T chainring with my existing 11 speed cassette and derailleur.

 

[Az.]

Fo
I have not decided I that i will yet but am just exploring options. I may well just settle for a 250W conversion. The bike wont be ridden on public roads. The legislation is there to stop 12 year olds riding ebikes at 35mph in urban areas and killing people. I am a bit more mature and sensible than that.

Bike must be road legal to ride off-road as well, unless you ride on private land and with owners permission.

Legal motor can be very powerful (even 1000W). Legal restriction is on motor rated power, not on power output.

Motors are usually delivered with some spacers to give you some room for adjustment.

 

[Az.]

I may well just settle for a 250W conversion.

Just to let you know, my favorite mid drive is TSDZ8. Equipped with torque sensor, quiet and very powerful. Rated 250W and road legal when bought from Woosh.

 

[Percypig]

Yes I am coming round to this as well. The torque sensor sound ideal and does away with need for the need for shift and brake sensors.

Can you run a 11 speed cassette on these by either using a smaller chain ring or by not using the two largest rings on the cassette? Otherwise it's a new 9 speed cassette, chain derailleur and shifter.

 

[Az.]

Can you run a 11 speed cassette on these by either using a smaller chain ring or by not using the two largest rings on the cassette? Otherwise it's a new 9 speed cassette, chain derailleur and shifter.

I can't see why not, but also I can't guarantee anything. Chain line might be an issue especially with extra spacers.

https://ebikestuff.eu/en/content/16-tsdz8-review-and-tsdz2-osf-comparison-tsdz8-vs-tsdz2-osf

Andy from Woosh should help if you decide to buy from them.

 

[Percypig]

Game over sadly for the Voodoo. Tried a template in the BB and to get a 1mm clearance between the motor and chain stay leaves me with about an 8mm gap to fill with spacers which will give a shocking chain line. I don't think this will ever work properly!

Plan B is a 90s GT Zasker from the back of the garage. I might go for a retro rat look and try and pick up a cheap used motor and battery on eBay!

 

[Az.]

On this bike probably rear hub would be better solution. I see disc brake mounts on fork, which is good.

 

[Peter.Bridge]

Game over sadly for the Voodoo. Tried a template in the BB and to get a 1mm clearance between the motor and chain stay leaves me with about an 8mm gap to fill with spacers which will give a shocking chain line. I don't think this will ever work properly!

Plan B is a 90s GT Zasker from the back of the garage. I might go for a retro rat look and try and pick up a cheap used motor and battery on eBay!

I think there is a sweet spot of well maintained donor bikes made between 2005 and 2015 with disc brakes (sometimes hydraulic so don't have to upgrade), square taper bottom bracket, 8 or 9 speed cassette, not too "flarey" chainstay, nice size "triangle" for downtube battery placement, with air forks or full suspension. I'm starting with a Scott Genius MC40 which cost me £300 (In 2012 cost £2600) but there are plenty of cheaper suitable bikes on Facebook Marketplace and Ebay, Gumtree, etc. Earlier bikes often don't have disc brakes and newer ones have fancy bottom brackets, small triangles that are unsuitable for battery placement, flared chainstays, 11 or 12 speed cassettes, all of which aren't ideal for conversion

 

[saneagle]

N

On this bike probably rear hub would be better solution. I see disc brake mounts on fork, which is good.

No disc brakes. Forget it, and don'ttry to tell us how happy you've been with the rim brakes unless you weigh less than 70kg. You can always find a donor for between £50 and £100.

 

[Percypig]

Finally pulled the trigger on a TSDZ8 kit and a battery from PSW power. Let's see what arrives and when.

Gave the Zaskar a bath and the drive train a good clean, it was filthy. I have replaced the rear brake cable and given everything a good fettle. I even went out for couple of very brief shakedown rides taking my year to date mileage from zero to 9. They were all proper hard Yorkshire miles!

I have also ordered a few bargain bits off eBay, including a decent used front wheel with disc mount and hydraulic front brake kit.

 

[guerney]

I had a gander at a bunch of bikes parked outside a Cash Converters the other day, and the only one with thick tyres which had chainstays which didn't look too flared for a BBS01B, was a £29.99 full suspension monstrosity. Carrera Vengeance's looked too flared or borderline to me (wasn't carrying a measuring tool), the Specialized's chainstays deffo too flared. @egroover has a BBS01B on his Boardman MX, but I don't know which exact bike that is. Looks like the chainstay tubes of some Boardmans have flattened sides, allowing a couple more mm clearance for larger chainwheels. I should have taken a photo of the monstrosity.