I've read about the e-grin that happens when you first get on an electric bike. I even imagined what it might be like when I got to do it. Today was that day, and I'm still smiling LOL.
I bought a 2016 Townie 7D EQ earlier this year with the sole purpose of converting it at some point this summer. I can't remember how many times I bounced back and forth, mid-drive or hub... hub or mid-drive, but I finally decided the BBS02 would be the best fit for me since I really wanted no part of changing a tire that had torque arms. Plus I really like the integrated PAS that comes with the Bafang motors. So a few weeks ago I placed the order with Luna...
⦠Bafang BBS02 750w Mid Drive KIT
⦠Lekkie Bling Ring for Bafang BBS02 - Black
⦠Carbon shark GA 48V
This was my first build and I'm not terribly mechanically inclined, so there was some trepidation involved. Realistically, I'm probably an ideal candidate for a pre-built bike but I just couldn't get past the fact that everything was so underpowered and expensive compared to what you get DIY. I was pleasantly surprised at just how doable this build was for someone with my skillset.
The bottom bracket was really easy to take off (probably because it was a new bike) using a bottom bracket removal tool and an 18" breaker bar. The cranks were definitely more difficult, but once I got the crank removal tool threaded properly, they eventually came off. Getting the new cranks on was no picnic either. I don't have a torque wrench but with the same breaker bar I got them tightened down pretty good. I'll check on them from time to time and apply thread locker if they start to loosen up on me.
I did a test fit on the motor and it fit perfectly in this 68mm bottom bracket. Initially I was a little concerned about crushing the shift cable when locking the motor up in place but it seems this wasn't a problem, it shifts great.
I would say the most difficult part of the build for me was the battery and getting solid connections from the cradle to the motor. As suggested by many, I picked up the XT90-S pigtails with the intention of soldering one end to the leads coming out of the cradle and the other to power coming from the motor harness. Well, the cheapo soldering iron I bought burned up on me and never got the wires hot enough to apply and solder so I went with the crimp method. For me that seemed to work much better, though I suppose time will tell how solid those connections are.
I feel a little shaky about how the battery cradle mounts to the water cage bosses. The existing bolts I had stuck up too high and interfered with the battery seating properly. I found some "flatter" head bolts that seem to work okay, but I couldn't use washers or else they could give me the same problem. So I've got an extra zip tie there and some velcro straps when the battery is on and it feels pretty solid for now.
The carbon shark style battery is an interesting animal. I really like the looks of it over the dolphin or shark. I like that it has the USB port and can be charged on or off the bike. What I'm not crazy about is how finicky it is to get it locked on to the cradle properly. You have to be super careful because it can appear to be seated and you lock it thinking you're good to go, when a simple lift of the handle (or worse, the first bump down the road) will pop it right out of the cradle. I always make sure after locking it that I can't lift the battery out... so far so good.
Life was pretty grand until I realized the two brake and one throttle cable weren't going to the reach the harness. I'm using mini ape-hangers for a more upright comfortable ride and that extra height is probably why. After my previous soldering adventure, and some good feedback on the forums, I decided that extensions were the answer for me. So I purchased (3) Brake/Throttle extension cables. They're 40" and I didn't need even half of that so I've got some good spaghetti action going on in front that will have to be cleaned up at some point in time.
So there she is for now. I took it for a test run and climbed this short steep hill in the subdivision like it was flat LOL! Before the conversion I could get up it in 2nd gear at about 5-6mph. With the BBS02 I was cruising up it at 12mph in 3rd gear... what a difference! Using throttle only on flats, I was able to get to 20mph. I've set up the PAS for 9 levels and have only tried up to 4 so far, PAS 2 or 3 is the sweet spot for me at this point. I would guess at the highest PAS and 7th gear I could get 25mph+ if I wanted to. But for me cruising around 15mph is all I really want.
This was made possible for me by this community. You guys are awesome, Luna is awesome. Thanks!
I bought a 2016 Townie 7D EQ earlier this year with the sole purpose of converting it at some point this summer. I can't remember how many times I bounced back and forth, mid-drive or hub... hub or mid-drive, but I finally decided the BBS02 would be the best fit for me since I really wanted no part of changing a tire that had torque arms. Plus I really like the integrated PAS that comes with the Bafang motors. So a few weeks ago I placed the order with Luna...
⦠Bafang BBS02 750w Mid Drive KIT
⦠Lekkie Bling Ring for Bafang BBS02 - Black
⦠Carbon shark GA 48V
This was my first build and I'm not terribly mechanically inclined, so there was some trepidation involved. Realistically, I'm probably an ideal candidate for a pre-built bike but I just couldn't get past the fact that everything was so underpowered and expensive compared to what you get DIY. I was pleasantly surprised at just how doable this build was for someone with my skillset.
The bottom bracket was really easy to take off (probably because it was a new bike) using a bottom bracket removal tool and an 18" breaker bar. The cranks were definitely more difficult, but once I got the crank removal tool threaded properly, they eventually came off. Getting the new cranks on was no picnic either. I don't have a torque wrench but with the same breaker bar I got them tightened down pretty good. I'll check on them from time to time and apply thread locker if they start to loosen up on me.
I did a test fit on the motor and it fit perfectly in this 68mm bottom bracket. Initially I was a little concerned about crushing the shift cable when locking the motor up in place but it seems this wasn't a problem, it shifts great.
I would say the most difficult part of the build for me was the battery and getting solid connections from the cradle to the motor. As suggested by many, I picked up the XT90-S pigtails with the intention of soldering one end to the leads coming out of the cradle and the other to power coming from the motor harness. Well, the cheapo soldering iron I bought burned up on me and never got the wires hot enough to apply and solder so I went with the crimp method. For me that seemed to work much better, though I suppose time will tell how solid those connections are.
I feel a little shaky about how the battery cradle mounts to the water cage bosses. The existing bolts I had stuck up too high and interfered with the battery seating properly. I found some "flatter" head bolts that seem to work okay, but I couldn't use washers or else they could give me the same problem. So I've got an extra zip tie there and some velcro straps when the battery is on and it feels pretty solid for now.
The carbon shark style battery is an interesting animal. I really like the looks of it over the dolphin or shark. I like that it has the USB port and can be charged on or off the bike. What I'm not crazy about is how finicky it is to get it locked on to the cradle properly. You have to be super careful because it can appear to be seated and you lock it thinking you're good to go, when a simple lift of the handle (or worse, the first bump down the road) will pop it right out of the cradle. I always make sure after locking it that I can't lift the battery out... so far so good.
Life was pretty grand until I realized the two brake and one throttle cable weren't going to the reach the harness. I'm using mini ape-hangers for a more upright comfortable ride and that extra height is probably why. After my previous soldering adventure, and some good feedback on the forums, I decided that extensions were the answer for me. So I purchased (3) Brake/Throttle extension cables. They're 40" and I didn't need even half of that so I've got some good spaghetti action going on in front that will have to be cleaned up at some point in time.
So there she is for now. I took it for a test run and climbed this short steep hill in the subdivision like it was flat LOL! Before the conversion I could get up it in 2nd gear at about 5-6mph. With the BBS02 I was cruising up it at 12mph in 3rd gear... what a difference! Using throttle only on flats, I was able to get to 20mph. I've set up the PAS for 9 levels and have only tried up to 4 so far, PAS 2 or 3 is the sweet spot for me at this point. I would guess at the highest PAS and 7th gear I could get 25mph+ if I wanted to. But for me cruising around 15mph is all I really want.
This was made possible for me by this community. You guys are awesome, Luna is awesome. Thanks!
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