Electric Bikes? What should I be looking for?

Building is a cool option, for sure.  With the kits that are out there you can get a throttle, more power, and more MPH than the OEM Class 1 true e-bikes.  Just be aware, a lot of the kits don't work well on carbon (or particularly fat-tubed AL) frames.  I have friends that have used this setup on steel and AL framed MTBs and it works nice: https://lunacycle.com/bafang-bbshd-1000w-middrive-kit/  If you can find a good deal on a hardtail (personally, since weight "doesn't matter" with an e-bike I'd go steel, it rides so much nicer and less "buzzy" in the ole taint area than AL) and spec this kit reasonably you could build something pretty cool for ~$2k.

-TJ

 
tjZ06 said:
Just some food for thought re: e-bikes... you can always turn 'em off! ;) 
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When I first got my 53 pound full suspension pedal assist class 1 MTB 5 years ago I "turned it off" for the uphill from time to time to get that extreme workout.  Now at 74 it's all about the "FUN".  So pedal assist on the uphill to conserve my energy for the downhill blast. 

 
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I was watching a youtube mountain biking channel talking about the lack of availability for parts for a huge percentage of e bikes. Almost all of the chinese brands had little to no parts availability. I might consider either spending more on a brand with established parts supply chain (Still no guarantee you can get parts in 10 years) or stick with a cheaper model and consider it a throwaway. 

 
Ecotric hammer fat tire bike. $1300.

Walmart. Eliminate the twist throttle !. Add a thumb one !. 

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Fireballsocal said:
I was watching a youtube mountain biking channel talking about the lack of availability for parts for a huge percentage of e bikes. Almost all of the chinese brands had little to no parts availability. I might consider either spending more on a brand with established parts supply chain (Still no guarantee you can get parts in 10 years) or stick with a cheaper model and consider it a throwaway. 
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That's one of the things I love about my Santa Cruz bikes: lifetime warranty on frame (and all pivot points), all top-notch components from brands that have been around for decades (and presumably will be for decades more), and the best customer service in the industry.  Of course, I'm a full on SC fanboi having been born/raised there... 

-TJ

 
tjZ06 said:
That's one of the things I love about my Santa Cruz bikes: lifetime warranty on frame (and all pivot points), all top-notch components from brands that have been around for decades (and presumably will be for decades more), and the best customer service in the industry.  Of course, I'm a full on SC fanboi having been born/raised there... 

-TJ
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Santa Cruz made a huge splash when they came on scene and kept their quality. They made and make great stuff. 

 
Fireballsocal said:
Santa Cruz made a huge splash when they came on scene and kept their quality. They made and make great stuff. 
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Agreed. My last analog MTB was a Santa Cruz Bullet. Loved that bike, had it for several years and never had a problem. Except when I crashed. 

 
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