Cebtral drive conversion kits

[asinus]

Has anyone any experience of conversion kits to add a central drive to a standard bike? I'm thinking of doing so, as an interesting project, and cheaper and greener than buying a whole new e-bike. In particular, any experience of either the Dillenger or Cyclotricity kits, ease of fitting, performance, reliability and safety. I'm only interested in kits that are strictly UK road legal
Thanks

[rjb]

Lots of advice about middrive motors on the forum. Search for Tongsheng or Bafang.
I got my Tongsheng kit from PSW power, 250w UK legal. Has done over 10k miles in 3 years.

https://www.pswpower.com/

[stodd]

I'd really recommend Woosh for their excellent pre-sale advice and post-sale customer support. https://wooshbikes.co.uk/ Especially important on a first conversion. They have Tongshen and Bafang kits. They are often a little more expensive than some other suppliers, but at the moment they have some very good deals. eg https://wooshbikes.co.uk/?tsdz2
TSDZ2BT 48V with 10AH bag battery -New! was £579 now £499
(remember a 48v 10AH battery has the same capacity as a 36v 13.3AH battery, and generally 48v systems are punchier than 36v ones)

Fitting is usually easy (so I've read, I've never done a mid drive conversion) but you may have problems if cables are routed under the bottom bracket or there are other awkward brazings. You'll probably need to lose the front changer with a mid-drive.

You don't say what sort of riding you expect to do. Generally people advise the simpler rear hub over mid-drive unless you have very steep hills or want to do technical mountain biking.

Lots of expert advice to be had at https://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/forums ... ussion.42/

Cyclotricity say on one of their kits 'Restricted to 250W by default as a road legal kit.'. The law is somewhat absurd, but for legality what it important is the power rating label or engraving on the motor, which is only very loosely related to the actual power available.

[asinus]

Thanks. That's really useful.
Edmund

[willcee]

Been using and building mid stuff since 16/17.. this section was started by my interest back before there was much E knowledge within the CtC Forum.. really when you say you want E power there are a few necessary things needing asked, your weight, your age, relative cycle and overall fitness, the area you cycle in and your overall distance requirements daily..is this for commute, or for general cycle use and fitness retention... those who get annoyed around UK'S silly power and speed limits probably drive vehicles capable of over 100mph, yet are sensible enough to maintain limits when they are required, my take on this is simple.... 250w limited to 15ish mph hauling 10st is OK but when required to do same on a cold morning with a 20mph headwind and a cyclist weight of say 16 st or more is a totally different situation.. i would use Bafang kit in over 50 conversions i have had in 7 years 2 issues one a controller after hard use in a 3 year period, other a non metallic noise in one i used myself which was a chinese build issue and easily remedied by my professional electric tek guy who then bought it off me.. so that would be my thoughts.. done correctly on the right chassis with disc brakes ime essential .....its a much cheaper , easier battery and replacement parts wise , not perhaps as photogenic as a factory machine....one thing though, and it was outed to me by Brucey back then its cold riding an E bike..w

[asinus]

Thanks. I'd use it for rural rides, up to 100 km, as well as towing. I live in north Lancs, so some fair hills, and am about 75 kg but 1.94 m tall so create a fair bit of drag.

[willcee]

ok understood Bafang either 500 or 750.. the towing is the real issue either motor will sort hills, at least a 17.5 ++amp battery.. would be my recommendations.. either motor can be set whatever way you wish...w

[stodd]

I think that the 500 and 750 in the Bafang motors are rated continuous power of 500w/750w. If that's right, neither is street legal as a pedalec.

[asinus]

Illegal e-bikes, and the anti-social use of any e-bikes, will increase the demand from the anti-cycling community for licensing, insurance etc. etc. Let's stick within the law on the road.

[willcee]

As i wrote earlier it was MY interest in E stuff that got this Forum heading started, either of the units mentioned can be set to the UK's 15mph limits very easily.. myself and friends have been using E stuff before many adopters right through covid and never had a pull from the law, except to admire the machinery....then you'll remember that it was the BBC's Steven Nolan and a silly female ex -motorcyclist that highlighted no E bike could be legal in Ulster.. since corrected by a competant knowledgeable Alliance minister and sadly no longer member at Stormont.. proven sensible use won't get notice and the law ...they're busy chasing noisy motocrossers around suburban urban streets and housing estates...w

[francovendee]

I went for a Tongshen kit due to the Torque sensor. I've been very pleased and it came in at around £400 including the battery.
It will last me close to 100 miles on a charge, in flat terrain on a low setting.
The only negative is that it's not the quietest around but still pretty quiet.
The loons flying around on de-restricted illegal ebikes need to be stopped before more people get hurt.