Bafang bbso2 500watt 36v or 48v?

[EbikerNick]

Hi,

Was just ordering my bafang kit,

Could anybody advise me which would be best for my needs?

I was originally going for the 36v system as I thought this would be lighter with the battery and fast enough. It has a higher amperage.

I live in a hilly area, so need enough to get me up hills.

I notice the 48v 500 motor can have its settings changed to the same as the 750watt.

I didn’t realised this couldn’t be done on the 36v.
As you would need to change the controller.

I like the idea that of having the option of more power later, kind of future proof it.

But do I really need it? One man has been killed here - west Yorkshire - coming off a modified e-bike. An acquaintance I met on the day I was about to purchase broke his hip coming off his bafang last winter.

I’m leaning towards 36v as I think the battery pack will be lighter and I think will be a bit safer.
I hear I won’t be able to go faster than 20mph, but surely that is fast enough or am I missing something?

Thanks and hello,

Nick

 

[m@Robertson]

I live in a hilly area, so need enough to get me up hills.

I like the idea that of having the option of more power later, kind of future proof it.

Do the 48v for exactly this reason. You can dial down the power without difficulty. And you should because Bafang pedal assist programming is just plain awful.

But do I really need it? One man has been killed here - west Yorkshire - coming off a modified e-bike. An acquaintance I met on the day I was about to purchase broke his hip coming off his bafang last winter.

You are under a mistaken impression about these motors. The BBS02 is a very mild motor. 120 Nm (which is what the 48v '02 is rated for) sounds like a lot on paper. But ride with it and you will find it isn't.

I live where there are steep hills and my 1750w BBSHD can get me comfortably up a 16% grade while I pedal at around 5-8 mph. 8 mph... not Warp 8. If I throttle it I can get up to 10 or 12. Here again 1500w plus sounds like an enormous boost and it just isn't. Its more... sure. But its not the crazy increase the raw numbers indicate.

I’m leaning towards 36v as I think the battery pack will be lighter and I think will be a bit safer.
I hear I won’t be able to go faster than 20mph, but surely that is fast enough or am I missing something?

The 36v BBS02 (also known as a BBS01) is ideal for folks in the EU where generally speaking 250w is the limit... and everything is flat as a table. Throw some hills in and you will REALLY appreciate the additional power. And you won't be going fast on flat ground unless you demand it... and even then you'll have to work your way up to that speed with a little '02.

Look at this: The 'flat land' config I show here peaks my BBSHD (!) at about 400w of output when pedaling. Anyone riding an 'HD or an '02 really, REALLY owes it to themselves to adjust the motor settings as otherwise you have a motor whose pedal assist settings will let the motor run away from you.
https://talesontwowheels.com/2023/08/09/bbshd-settings-for-a-pedaling-cyclist-2023-edition/Dialing back the assist (and also eliminating both the power overrun and bang+clang engagement to the drivetrain) totally change the character of these motors and make them vastly more refined, as well as a more natural cycling experience.

 

[EbikerNick]

Hi thanks for your reply -

I live in the uk, we have a limit of 15mph.

The 36v has more amperage than the 48, surely this gives more torque up hills?

I’m not to bothered about top speed. 20mph I believe is ok and safe.