6 months in we love our Workcycle cargobike (the older bakfiets.nl version) that we added a mid-drive to, it replaced one of our two vehicles. Here in Nashua, New Hampshire, USA we ride in the snow with steeeeep hills and fast cars, but actually have a lovely canal side bike path for a lot of travel. That photo is my wife and 2 year old on way to her work back on Halloween as a bee (Im a beekeeper.) If interested in our Bafang mid-drive experience read on: Chose to add e-assit due to need of assistance as we have a steep hill that wife could not even leave our neighborhood without walking bike. After that mostly fine, but that was a big deterrent and we use this as a primary mode of transportation. Choose mid-drive to avoid swapping shifter/brakes in back or dynamo/brakes in front. And taking to a framebuilder to add on disc brakes is a lot, and hydraulic rim doesnt interface with cut-off for bafang, involves changing rim too, and rim get wet and looses performance and there are 0 parts this side of the pond as no one but trick bikes has used in 20 years. Also for equivalent performance level the price is better with the bafang mid-drive compared to direct-drive alternatives. Bafang chosen as although others may have provided even more power, their cost much higher and did not need mower than Bafang provides. The bike works great with a Bafang mid-drive. We pedal a lot, and usually keep it in a 1 or 2 out of 5 level assist except for leaving our neighborhood there is a hill that most all bicyclists walk, so hit the throttle while pedaling. Installed Bafang BBS02 mid-drive motor with 500W controller (18 amp limit versus the 25A controller for 750W) and Battery (50V/14Ah NCA / Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum) andboth from EM3 (China) $859.00 em3ev/store/index.php?route= ... uct_id=175 The 500W is good, glad did not get the 750W as to get 25A continuous from batteries would need to change to high energy lower storage more expensive battery cells. The 250/350W for use in europe would be enough for most and save even more on battery needed to match. Here we are limited to speed, 20 mph and that is set by controller (although mine cracked for different reason but hence allows whatever speed limit I set.) One concern on mid-drive we had was would it be ok with shifter, would we have to change out to NuVinci gearless. So far no problems and we never seem to grind the gears how either of us uses it. Think that fear was overblown. In summer used ~52 miles a week (84km/week) but now that it is winter and we have snow we put studded tires on and added canopy but have reduced to about 20 miles a week. We drop off daughter at Kindergarten every day then wife and 2 year old commute 8 miles round trip to her work. I use a bit less, pickup from school and downtown trips. But get groceries and such. Two very different users, they quick seat adjust both up and back away from handlebars makes it comfy for me and her with 7 height difference, and the handlebars staying at one height (not really quick adjust) is fine as she wants more upright stance and I prefer something more aggressive. During nicer weather used bike path, but with snow more road usage. The motor does stick underneath but the clearance even on trails with roots and curbs has not been a problem. We charge battery to 90% every other day or so used, but sometimes goes longer between, never get below 10%. Think on our hills pedaling while aggressive biking we get a 42 mile range on 90%-10% charge. Want to avoid the one negative aspect I feel of controller, which is battery gauge, it stays on 100% then as soon as you hit 75% you know you need to charge soon. Other than that it has a great controller, the pedal assist works well when on and pedaling, the throttle response on the cracked controller is real nice too. Also the bottom bracket wrench needed for workcycle is not common here in USA, and the Bafang needs both a spaner and another very uncommen bottom bracket wrench. Other than that e-conversion was EASY. Put battery under bench in cargobox, in water proof padded holder. With adding the Bafang mid-drive the chain guard no longer fits. As Hebie chainglider comes in a size that should have fit to cover I bought one but the way the Italian ring is made it doesnt work out so only thing that has not worked is finding a chain guard. Got hardware, plywood and paint to make locking cabinet under bench to store battery, although you can buy one for bike. Installed 42T chainring (Italy) instead of using 48T Bafang comes with (to mostly keep top speed down, not needing increased torque but would rather have that, dislike the power cuttoff based on controller as you get sudden shutoff would rather get to over pedal around 31 mph, but obviously we keep it slower as although like the brakes that really is to fast for them with precious kids on board.) alcedoitalia.it/shop/accesso ... ale-bbs01/ For winter went with Schwalbe Marathon Winter HS 396 Studded tires. Love the new style canopy, the side window flaps when its warm or just to leave it on and get kids in and out is great. Workcycles has been great, Henry helped me multiple times with dimensions and technical stuff even before I bought bike so I could make sure the bafang would work right, then about my new chainring and chainguard issues and when we had a bad weld on kickstand (small horizontal leg) they sent one over. The bike itself we love, had a few nuts fall off early on, replaced and locktight them on, also broke key in wheel lock - dont like that you cant take key out when not locked, happened when I put it in bed of pickup to bring to another state, that is issue as key cant be copied only from manufacturer. So we are realistic, even concede it might be a bit heavy, but enjoy using it. So feel we got a great bike and it pairs well with the Bafang 500W mid-drive. No regrets would buy both the same again, much happiness. Feel free to ask any more detailed questions on the conversion (I can go see what tools needed etc.)
Posted on: Sun, 14 Dec 2014 06:49:12 +0000