Which bike to convert?

[Scottyf]

Sounds good. BMS battery should be all up and running now with a backlog though from the Chinese new year. I wouldn't expect super quick delivery anytime soon.

Good luck with the build. If you do go with a bottle battery which is a neat design. Yes it is limited in amp draw. But if you carry the charger around a couple of hours charge at where ever you stop will be fine.

Look forward to your build.

 

[FJJ]

After doing a bit of research it seems I should be looking for a bike with:

Cable rather than Hydraulic disc brakes front 180mm rotor or larger.
rear rack mounts
forks 100mm wide and not inbound of drop out.

not to say I couldn't do a bike without these features, but probably easier to do with given the choice.

I was looking for something similar a few months ago and settled on (from Halfords as was using the Cycle2Work scheme limited to them) a Carrera Subway Hybrid 2011 - really happy with it. Didn't need any filing to the dropouts at the front with the 8fun / Bafang SWXK (10mm axle) , they are 100mm, and although the included front disc brake didn't have enough clearance, a 180/200mm rotor and the right IS adaptor and you are fine (I switched the included Tektro calliper for an Avid BB7 with 200mm rotor, but have tested a 180mm too and it's just ok).

The Topeak Super Tourist DX Disc rack also fits fine if you need a pannier rack. The bottle battery fits, although I returned it and went for a PingBattery (36V/15Ah) in a Topeak MTX DX quick release rack pack as the bottle battery didn't have quite enough range / amps.

 

[clv101]

wow, just been on bmsbattery to have a look, very competive prices even with import duty.

will probably stick with the 36v 250watt bafang front hub for ease of installation but now swayed between a little bottle battery or a big fat 15amp one. Ive got a fair commute, so maybe the bigger battery is better suited.

Yeah, they are looking good. I was just thinking about this:
BPM 36V350W Front Driving Bike Conversion Kit $179
36V 15Ah 40152S LiFePO4 Battery 12 Cells EBike Battery Pack $310
Alloy Shell 240W LiFePo4/Li-Ion/Lead Acid Battery EBike Charger $29.90
For a total of $518.90 (~£350)

How much delivery and import duty is due on top of that?

 

[Deleted member 4366]

How much delivery and import duty is due on top of that?

None, if you're lucky. Previously, we never had to pay, but more are getting caught now. About £25 if you're unlucky, and more if you haven't helped any old ladies across the road recently.

For other people that are thinking about a kit. the battery size has an affect on power as well as range. The 8aH bottle batteries (from reports here) seem to struggle with hills. If the controller demands more power than what the battery can give, the BMS will shut it down - not what you want half-way up a steep hill. So. if you're riding is hilly, unless you're very fit. get a 12aH or bigger battery, or make your own out of lipos or A123 cells.

 

[Caph]

Didn't need any filing to the dropouts at the front with the 8fun / Bafang SWXK (10mm axle) , they are 100mm, and although the included front disc brake didn't have enough clearance, a 180/200mm rotor and the right IS adaptor and you are fine (I switched the included Tektro calliper for an Avid BB7 with 200mm rotor, but have tested a 180mm too and it's just ok).

The Topeak Super Tourist DX Disc rack also fits fine if you need a pannier rack. The bottle battery fits, although I returned it and went for a PingBattery (36V/15Ah) in a Topeak MTX DX quick release rack pack as the bottle battery didn't have quite enough range / amps.

When I did mine, I went for 8FUN Bafang SWXK, Avid BB7s with IS adaptor for the oversized rotor and Topeak MTX DX for the battery. Great minds eh? Someone should sell the whole lot as a bundle!

BTW, I can vouch for the RockShox Dart 3 forks being compatible with the SWXK if that is any help.