I have to address this so-called "reliability" issue with kit bikes vs pre-made.
All you have to do is take a little bit of time and read, on this fairly small forum, just how many people have a totally non-functional "reliable" ebike that requires custom and/or proprietary replacement parts which are out of production and no longer available. For those parts which ARE available, the failure rate is no different than the similar or identical parts which are part of a homebuilt kit. Also, often they are available, but several times the cost of an equivalent, generic, replacement.
The homebuilder can choose his parts to more closely match their own needs, and also which are widely available and/or have compatible replacements.
I built my bike 10 years ago. Flawless functionality as primary transport for well over 20,000 miles now. The motor is still in production. The controller and display are still in production, standard, common connectors, and there are numerous compatible replacements for both. The battery has industry standard connections for both charge and output, and generic mounting of my own design which has now been swapped to a third donor bike. Without paying extra for a custom mount and packaging, my replacement, generic shrink-wrap battery was just over $200 delivered and has performed well for several years.
The frames and accessories of most factory ebikes are no different than standard bicycles, other than some with battery mounts which are designed for the single purpose of locking the buyer into buying ONLY the expensive replacement batteries from the manufacturer.
Most any decent "mountain bike" is more than sturdy enough to stand up to conversion, and with inexpensive, easy mods can handle power levels far beyond what is available on almost any factory bike, and all with a reasonable price tag. Other types of standard bicycle are just as capable, with reasonable use.
What you actually want is an inexpensive, mild steel frame. The expense of carbon fiber, aluminum, or hi-tensile steel to stiffen and save a few pounds is no longer necessary with a motor, and can be traded for a slightly heavier, less stiff, but durable and inexpensive frame.
Most kit companies pay out far less money for people willing to pimp their products, however.
Have you seen the multiple posts from the guy who uses his ebike for hunting? Gives the full, entire, and complete company name and detailed model of e-bike in every single post. Do you think he just enjoys typing out the full company name, and detailed model of his bike, EVERY SINGLE TIME?
I am not saying he is being dishonest in his enthusiasm for his bike. I am saying he gets some compensation for doing so, and that is a shill, and a shill is, in fact, very fundamentally dishonest.
I think I have mentioned the model of my motor ONCE, and have NEVER stated where I bought it, or the battery, or my replacement battery, or my first or last donor bike. I think I mentioned the second bike once. $350 total for all three bikes. $220 for latest battery. $325 for motor. Ten years, 20,000 miles of EXACTLY the performance and features that I wanted. Total cash in current bike is actually just under $600.00.
Original battery was hi-grade from a known non-chinese vendor, and high-priced. I was most concerned about this component, and spent several times what I should. That was a mistake, in hindsight. Have bought a second unit of the new replacement battery for a neighbor, and it is also functioning well for several years.
As for a truing stand, you need a thing to hold the wheel while you spin it. You have two of those, just turn your bike upside down, fold a piece of paper to just not touch the rim, and tape it to the frame.
Edit to add -
My bike does not have radar, it has a rear view mirror. It does not count my calories, but I can carry a granola bar in the handlebars bag. It will carry a small load of groceries, in a cargo box I can remove or install in about one minute. It does 20 mph, with gearing I can assist with at that speed, even with my slow cadence. I can pedal it for miles with no power if I have to, though the only time I had to was when I effed up and unplugged the throttle without realizing it. The seating position, seat and handlebars are comfortable, for me, for an hour of continuous saddle time. It weighs less than 50 lbs, so I can easily get it on and off a bus rack. It looks like a crackhead bike, so no one has ever even attempted to steal it.
2nd edit - It also has a cupholder.
All you have to do is take a little bit of time and read, on this fairly small forum, just how many people have a totally non-functional "reliable" ebike that requires custom and/or proprietary replacement parts which are out of production and no longer available. For those parts which ARE available, the failure rate is no different than the similar or identical parts which are part of a homebuilt kit. Also, often they are available, but several times the cost of an equivalent, generic, replacement.
The homebuilder can choose his parts to more closely match their own needs, and also which are widely available and/or have compatible replacements.
I built my bike 10 years ago. Flawless functionality as primary transport for well over 20,000 miles now. The motor is still in production. The controller and display are still in production, standard, common connectors, and there are numerous compatible replacements for both. The battery has industry standard connections for both charge and output, and generic mounting of my own design which has now been swapped to a third donor bike. Without paying extra for a custom mount and packaging, my replacement, generic shrink-wrap battery was just over $200 delivered and has performed well for several years.
The frames and accessories of most factory ebikes are no different than standard bicycles, other than some with battery mounts which are designed for the single purpose of locking the buyer into buying ONLY the expensive replacement batteries from the manufacturer.
Most any decent "mountain bike" is more than sturdy enough to stand up to conversion, and with inexpensive, easy mods can handle power levels far beyond what is available on almost any factory bike, and all with a reasonable price tag. Other types of standard bicycle are just as capable, with reasonable use.
What you actually want is an inexpensive, mild steel frame. The expense of carbon fiber, aluminum, or hi-tensile steel to stiffen and save a few pounds is no longer necessary with a motor, and can be traded for a slightly heavier, less stiff, but durable and inexpensive frame.
Most kit companies pay out far less money for people willing to pimp their products, however.
Have you seen the multiple posts from the guy who uses his ebike for hunting? Gives the full, entire, and complete company name and detailed model of e-bike in every single post. Do you think he just enjoys typing out the full company name, and detailed model of his bike, EVERY SINGLE TIME?
I am not saying he is being dishonest in his enthusiasm for his bike. I am saying he gets some compensation for doing so, and that is a shill, and a shill is, in fact, very fundamentally dishonest.
I think I have mentioned the model of my motor ONCE, and have NEVER stated where I bought it, or the battery, or my replacement battery, or my first or last donor bike. I think I mentioned the second bike once. $350 total for all three bikes. $220 for latest battery. $325 for motor. Ten years, 20,000 miles of EXACTLY the performance and features that I wanted. Total cash in current bike is actually just under $600.00.
Original battery was hi-grade from a known non-chinese vendor, and high-priced. I was most concerned about this component, and spent several times what I should. That was a mistake, in hindsight. Have bought a second unit of the new replacement battery for a neighbor, and it is also functioning well for several years.
As for a truing stand, you need a thing to hold the wheel while you spin it. You have two of those, just turn your bike upside down, fold a piece of paper to just not touch the rim, and tape it to the frame.
Edit to add -
My bike does not have radar, it has a rear view mirror. It does not count my calories, but I can carry a granola bar in the handlebars bag. It will carry a small load of groceries, in a cargo box I can remove or install in about one minute. It does 20 mph, with gearing I can assist with at that speed, even with my slow cadence. I can pedal it for miles with no power if I have to, though the only time I had to was when I effed up and unplugged the throttle without realizing it. The seating position, seat and handlebars are comfortable, for me, for an hour of continuous saddle time. It weighs less than 50 lbs, so I can easily get it on and off a bus rack. It looks like a crackhead bike, so no one has ever even attempted to steal it.
2nd edit - It also has a cupholder.
