Which conversion kit?

[HarryHu]

Hi all

After a recent move to the top of a hill in Edinburgh we've decided my wife needs a bit of extra help if she's to commute by bike. The plan is to retrofit her Specialized Ariel - a hybrid with a 3x9 drivetrain & suspension forks. I've spent a happy couple of hours looking into kits and this dillenger kit looks like good value

http://dillengerelectricbikes.co.uk/electric-bike-kits/street-legal-kits/street-legal-electric-bike-kit-samsung-power-13ah-by-dillenger.html

Anyone had any experience with it? Or any advice on alternatives we should consider?

Note that her commute is about 5 miles either way with a fair bit of climbing, including some steep climbs. She also trails our daughter sometimes and we hope to be able to do some mini-tours over the summer (me trailling daughter and gear, her whizzing off with the new motor...)

Cheers for any advice

 

[anotherkiwi]

I would go for a rear wheel or mid drive kit if you have hills. I think that sometimes the roads in Edinburgh may be a wee bit slippery(...) front wheel drives weak point.

Which frame style does she have? The low entry frames will require a rack mounted battery.

 

[HarryHu]

I would go for a rear wheel or mid drive kit if you have hills. I think that sometimes the roads in Edinburgh may be a wee bit slippery(...) front wheel drives weak point.

Which frame style does she have? The low entry frames will require a rack mounted battery.

Thanks for this. It's actually a men's frame so it does have space for a frame-mounted battery, which I think is preferable as she will have a pannier on the back so distributes the weight better.
Rear wheel motor would be better but I haven't seen as many kits for this. I'll have another look though. Presumably they work with a standard 9 speed cassette?

 

[Kinninvie]

I wouldnt use a front wheel kit in Edinburgh due to the cobbles and tram tracks.
I have a 1000 watt front wheel kit so know what I am talking about!
A BBS01 or a GSM would be the best type for the area and if you browse through these forums you will find plenty of advice and where to buy.
Those Dillenger rear racks are rubbish and snap in no time as they are only aluminium.
They promised me a replacement for mine over 18 months ago and I am still waiting.
Dillenger UK is based in Australia by the way!

 

[anotherkiwi]

Rear wheel motor would be better but I haven't seen as many kits for this. I'll have another look though. Presumably they work with a standard 9 speed cassette?

Yes you can BUT 9 speed is about the maximum because of the drop-out width. When you have a hub motor a 7 or 8 speed cassette is plenty, you don't need as many gears.

This is one of the reasons a mid drive can be a more convenient conversion. Aluminium frame is another - you don't have to add torque arms and file dropouts to fit a 14 mm axle.

 

[Benjahmin]

I have an Ezee front wheel conversion and can confirm that things get 'interesting' on loose or shiny surfaces. Bags of hill climbing power though. Have a look at Whoosh and Cyclezee.
When you've done the conversion I bet it won't be long before you do your own, 'cos you'll be getting left behind. That's why I ended up doing mine. My girl sailing past me me, giggling, on a sit up and beg was just too much to bear.

 

[HarryHu]

Thanks all

Mid-drive it is then - best suited to the conditions and it looks straightforward enough.

Looks like 8fun have a bit of the monopoly on the market so not too much choice to dither over either!

 

[OldBob1]

Has your Lass had a go on a Mid drive Bike? if not see if you can get a test ride on one

 

[Nealh]

BBS or GSM are the two main ones available if you can go the extra £100 get the BBS it is the better kit.

 

[HarryHu]

Neither of us have tried mid-drive, although we've tried a bike with rear wheel hub motor. Is the riding experience significantly different?

We're happy to take the plunge and see what it's like. Have read lots of reviews online, etc.

 

[Benjahmin]

Is the riding experience significantly different?

I'd say so. Gear changes have to be managed carefully, on the mid drive, to avoid 'orrible crunching noises.

 

[OldBob1]

But if you manage the gear change correctly then mid drive can feel very natural riding.

 

[footpump]

hi I have a specialised sirrus elite 3 x 9 speed in my case I am using ebc rear wheel kit but with throttle.
on the rear I lose 2 cogs so 7 speed not a problem as its the higher gears that are affected,

if you fit bbs or gsm you will I believe only have one front chainring 46t whereas you have 46/36/26 . and less clutter on handlebars as you lose 3 speed front changer and deralier, but a gsm or bbs kit can be used on different bikes as its not dependant on wheel sizes.

are your brake levers ,gear changers separate or integrated? disk or v brake as my kit will add 17lbs to bike.

also would recommend whatever kit get something with controller either intergrated in battery mount or in the moter as per gsm less wires ,

the spec frame on mine is narrow with gear and brake cables , I will have difficulty in running the cables