Complete bike or conversion?

[stodd]

Remember anything rated 350w is technically not legal for UK road riding (without insurance and lots of paperwork), or off road in publicly accessible places. The police seem much more active now than previously in chasing up such details.

[djnotts]

^ The signposted Yose kit indeed looks a bargain, but, as noted by Stodd, being actually sold and branded as 350W it is on the face of it simply illegal. The throttle issue I understand less well.
I have no wish to go down the restriction route and then having to prove that.

More generally, the more I read e.g. re battery life (3,000 miles?) and charging times (>6 hours?) the less attractive the whole idea becomes. Basically I'd need TWO to meet my ride every day requirements over 12 months.

My CTC friends using electric tend to do say 2, admittedly longer than I, rides per week.

I'd be forever removing, charging and monitoring the battery, as I certainly wouldn't leave one when out or asleep, even in an ammo box outside.

[Cugel]

^ The signposted Yose kit indeed looks a bargain, but, as noted by Stodd, being actually sold and branded as 350W it is on the face of it simply illegal. The throttle issue I understand less well.
I have no wish to go down the restriction route and then having to prove that.

More generally, the more I read e.g. re battery life (3,000 miles?) and charging times (>6 hours?) the less attractive the whole idea becomes. Basically I'd need TWO to meet my ride every day requirements over 12 months.

My CTC friends using electric tend to do say 2, admittedly longer than I, rides per week.

I'd be forever removing, charging and monitoring the battery, as I certainly wouldn't leave one when out or asleep, even in an ammo box outside.

Since I've never converted an ordinary bike to an e-bike with a kit of parts I can't be too critical. However ...... there does seem to be a wide range of traps, difficulties and potential issues, especially for the unwary and the untutored. It was for that reason that me and t'ladywife bought ready-made e-bikes designed as such, with well-specified and constructed features, of the bike as well as the motor, battery and charger.

Buying a whole e-bike, especially a good quality item, is no doubt more expensive that the conversion - initially at least. But longer term? Probably still less expensive .... if the conversion turns out suitable for needs and serious glitches don't develop.

Serious glitches can also occur with off-the-shelf e-bikes. It was for this reason that we decided to go the Fazua e-bike route, since the bike becomes an ordinary bike merely by replacing the motor/battery unit with an empty case; and the modular e-parts are all available at a reasonable cost and easily installed, should something go phut.

In practice the three Fazua bikes we have give no significant issues. The oldest (nearly seven years) had a battery glitch a couple of months ago but was fixed by a battery firm in Bristol who discovered tarnished internal contacts but cells still having 80% of their original capacity. All thoroughly examined, tested, disassembled, cleaned, cell-balanced, retested and returned for about £120. And working perfectly since.

*********
A Fazua bike probably wouldn't suit the OP (there's no small-wheeled folder with a Fazua motor that I know of) but that basic design approach of the Fazua Ride 50 system seems a good approach: modular, replaceable with an empty module case to make it an ordinary bike; modular parts always available and easily installed. They also now have a British distributor for parts who can also do fault diagnosis and fixing. The system is now near ten years old but all the parts are still available.

There is a risk with many other more integrated e-bikes that a serious problem with the motor can make the bike unusable, with spares to fix it no longer available. From that point of view both the conversion kits and the Fazua design approach are much better.

[Cowsham]

^ The signposted Yose kit indeed looks a bargain, but, as noted by Stodd, being actually sold and branded as 350W it is on the face of it simply illegal. The throttle issue I understand less well.
I have no wish to go down the restriction route and then having to prove that.

More generally, the more I read e.g. re battery life (3,000 miles?) and charging times (>6 hours?) the less attractive the whole idea becomes. Basically I'd need TWO to meet my ride every day requirements over 12 months.

My CTC friends using electric tend to do say 2, admittedly longer than I, rides per week.

I'd be forever removing, charging and monitoring the battery, as I certainly wouldn't leave one when out or asleep, even in an ammo box outside.

You may have to wait till the 250w 26" one is back in stock ( they only have 27.5 left ATM -- getting 26" a bit like the tyre and tube situation I fear.

You can specify the 17.5 amp hour battery if 60 miles range isn't enough.

[Cowsham]

It's in stock again or I've not been looking in the right place.

https://www.yosepower.co.uk/collections ... l1-battery

[djnotts]

^Thanks. I couldn't find it a couple of days ago either!

[Cowsham]

Get er bought -- even if you convert the bike and still don't like it you can sell it -- probably much easier than you could sell it non electric -- and put the money towards an off the shelf bike if you see one ( test ride one ) you do like.

[Edwards]

That is a genuine bargain as Yose are upgrading so that instead of the crank sensor there is one in the rear wheel.Thus they are clearing stock.

If you can put a male plug into a female socket (as in plug the kettle in) you can do the wiring. It is that easy as the plugs are sized to make mistakes nearly impossible.
The hards part will be removing the left hand crank. The crank sensor doesn't need setting up it is all built in in the one shown.

The only bad thing is that the controller is not fully waterproof in really heavy rain but covered in Cling Film the problem is usually sorted.

[Cowsham]

The only bad thing is that the controller is not fully waterproof in really heavy rain but covered in Cling Film the problem is usually sorted.

Or a shower cap ( get pack of 10 disposable ones )

[djnotts]

Thanks for all the comments and information.
I've read many "reviews" of Yose and sent a couple of questions. Neither encouraging - clearly reasons why so cheap. Took the potential recipient Univega for a typical ride - I prefer a Brompton!
Woosh for a Brompton only remaining contender, but the website is uninformative and confused/confusing and direct questions are only partially answeted. The "frog" kit is discontinued and the larger battery model seems to rely on seat post/saddle mounting and one has to source a bag.
I am not convinced that a DIY conversion is worth the savings.
A 16lb carbon road bike probably a better solution in the short, 6 month, term. Plus public transport and my further lightened part-Ti Brompton (which is 10-15% "faster" than the heavier ones) when appropriate.
Settle for 15-30 mile rides on routes of my choice.
Future options depend on final cost of much needed new bathroom!

[Cowsham]

I can only tell you of my experience with Yose which has been very good.

[Cadence]

I can only tell you of my experience with Yose which has been very good.

So has mine. I've converted three second hand bikes (90's Giant rigid MTB, 2016 Forme hybrid and 2020 Pendleton Brooke for my wife) with their kits and they were very good as supplied. I was skeptical about their batteries when I bought them but needn't have worried - the first one still holds it's full capacity after over 2 years. Considering the time and language difference I have found Yosepower's email customer service prompt and courteous. I have since upgraded them further with KT controllers and displays and the performance is excellent.
All this cost less than buying just one decent ready made e-bike and I had the satisfaction of tailoring them to my requirements. It's not for everyone though. I'm not into Bromptons or carbon road bikes!

[Detec52]

My yose conversion was rear wheel drive everything went very smoothly and I have covered over 200miles very pleased with the set up and it's loads cheaper than buying a bike from a dealer.