Cycling UK Forum

There is a difference in how ebikes deliver their assistance; Hub motors will get the bike to 15.5mph quite rapidly, the wheel being driven directly. They struggle a bit on steep hills. Mid-drives operate through the gears, like a motorcycle and therefore are more suitable for those hills. Some Mid-...

I've only lived here 20 years, but I'm sure we've waved to each other Mick, I'm usually on a light blue Salsa Vaya or occasionally on my wife's white ebike, The point I was making is that ebikes get people out of cars and reluctant, unfit riders back on two wheels, and environmentally they seem to b...

In my experience, people are buying ebikes to help them up the hills, not go faster. I live in Calstock and probably ride up the hill in Mick F's post, as do the dozen or so people I have built ebikes for in the village. I enclose a photo of the latest build; alloy hardtail with Bafang mid-drive and...

Have a look at the Wild Country Etesian 4. We replaced our very old Wild Country Quasar with this, and its been great, combined with a Coleman blow-up double bed, folding chairs and table. It's 4 years old now and no problems. I think it was £250 from Cotswold, but I'm sure cheaper online.

I've done two conversions on standard 1990's Bromptons for friends. First one was with a complete Nano kit including battery, still working very well after 6 years. Second one I did a couple of years ago, using Nano motor and controls and a 4ah Bosch drill battery, plus a spare, all in the front bag...

My current sealant is 'Joe's No Flats'. It seems to stay liquid longer than 'Stans' and 'Muc Off', which I used for a couple of years. I checked it today after 4 months of regular mountain biking and it had gone from about the original 60ml to about 30ml You don't have to pull the whole tyre off to ...

To echo the previous post, go for a rear drive cassette hub. Yosepower are really good suppliers, I have fitted several, all being used in a very hilly part of Cornwall

Here's my 1960 Bsa 650cc Super Rocket, rebuilt last year.

A Bafang BBSO2 or smaller BBSO1 will be ideal for your bike, or try a Tongsheng TSDZ2 mid drive; these are just as easy to fit, a bit lighter and the bike is a bit easier to pedal with power switched off. If using a downtime battery, you have to use rivnuts to fit the holder onto your frame. I just ...

I would like to thank the original poster for opening this very interesting and important discussion. I managed without a car throughout the 1990's whilst living in the city (and running a bike shop); I did hire a van occasionally. I now live in rural, hilly Cornwall and still cycle most days, but I...

Dave, I think you can fit them to most normal looking hardtails with threaded 68mm bottom brackets. I haven't done one with a pushfit, but I think it might work. As you mention, the only issue can be the chain stay flaring out too close to the bb and fouling the Bafang casing; a careful tap with a h...

Hi UpWrong, I've fitted Works Components 40t and Superstar 40t expander rings both worked very well. I haven't done any recently as quality 11-42 cassettes have dropped in price, the Deore are good and the better Sunrace one I've had on my mtb for over a year, it's excellent. I agree with Brucey abo...

If it's 1 x 10 then you should be fine without the goat link. Just screw the 'B' screw all the way in. I've done several conversions, using that mech with 40t expanders and with new 11-42 cassettes. I haven't tried it with a double chainset, but I don't see a problem.

Can I recommend a crank drive motor, such as this Bafang BBSO2 which I've fitted to my 27.5 hardtail. Easy to fit, low centre of gravity and the bike pedals fine with it turned off. I put a big 15ah battery on, which lasts 4-5 hours off road, but a 9ah would be ok and much lighter. I used to ride hu...

I've converted a couple of Bromptons to electric for friends. Both using Nano motor kits. The radial spoking works fine, the rims look very strong. The battery on the newer kit was a 4aH Bosch, like that from a large Sds drill. It fits in an adapter in the front bag. Carrying the the folded bike in ...