I dont expect any issues with mounting the controller. In this extensive review, you will find out why this is the case. Because of its excellent reliability, there really arent any mature problems with it. Adding another motor in the front definitely wont work, so dont do that. But to answer your question: you wont be able to restrict power using the controller. You should also look at your wheel diameter and the dropout width. Be aware that the maximum size cassette you can fit is a 10-speed. Your ebike hub motor is controlled by an external controller. These are the following components: The Bafang hub motor comes in two main power options. So replacing the controller will be your only option, it will however not be easy to do most of time. Most of the time those kits will fit your bike perfectly (standard sizes). I have a question regarding the torque arms. But I saw nothing about warranties (90 day -1 year -2 year) and how the warranties are carried out. If you are lucky, you might be able to fit an 11 speed cassette, but if it doesnt work, a smaller cassette is the best option in my opinion. Will it make any change? The kit is audible, but not incredibly load. Good luck with your build and have fun riding it! I have bought most of my bafang hub motor kits from them. It does look like the KT display have the features I need which keeps things super simple. Can I reprogram anything? So to be sure, I should just buy one. It also can be hard to reinforce the front drop out, for it to handle the power. If you dont have quite enough space, you will be able to torque the frame a bit outward. This is plenty fast enough for most riders. I am guessing that your question is what width wheel you need right? Thanks, Have already used the codes to achieve the max speed 28ml/h. If you have any questions, want to start a discussion, or need some support, please use the comment section below. If they dont, you can always ask if they can deliver a rim with that brake strip as well. According to your preference and budget I can recommend these two products: Motor kit: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dZejLQy, Battery: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_AAHfE5. Also, what is the usual warranty on the battery and I read that there was a problem shipping them. So most of the sellers will sell a wheel that will fit your tire. Would a different display help? I wouldnt go with the front wheel motor, since it gives a totally different feel. Usually the rim only comes in one width, that fits many sizes of tire. Tongsheng TSDZ2 vs Bafang BBS02 Which one is for you? With a cassette the rotating mechanism is on the wheel, with a freewheel this mechanism is build into the gears. E-bike battery store is one of them. I laced a 750-watt motor into a fat tire rim but I dont know whether it will accept a freewheel or a cassette. Kit 3: https://bit.ly/2ZG2VDC. And did both motors use the same wheel size? I know that you can often change the speed limit directly from the display, but is there also a way to restrict the power to 250 Watt? The rear cassette mount indeed will probably not be able to fit a 11 speed casette. This seller for example sells a wheel that has the correct wheel size for you (19mm inner rim width, so exactly at the minimum requirement): https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dZthVLQ. The Bafang hub motor can be bought in almost all common wheel sizes, ranging from 26 to 29 inches. Kind regards. I need a wheel that is strong enough for trail use. AS AN AMAZON ASSOCIATE I EARN FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES. You might think that the 500-watt version will draw only 500 watts of power. The Bafang hub motor will fit almost all bikes that have a frame with a dropout. These controllers have excellent stock firmware and a lot parameters can be changed using the display. Be aware that the notification email could end up in your spam folder. Replacing such a controller is hard as well. You can see that there is quite a big range, that will fit your tire. Do you know of any programable controllers for hub drives? Warranty is a bit of a difficult thing with AliExpress, ebay, Amazon, etc. With a steel frame, it wouldnt be as much as a problem. Non-geared hub motors do cope with this issue a lot. Is there a way for me to be able to know what it accepts by just looking at it? This geared hub motor system has two major advantages over the non-geared hub motors. You can save some money on the battery by going for a smaller capacity one or going for generic non-brandname cells. The best way to counter this behaviour is to slightly press the brake levers to engage the motor cut-off. If I had some part that failed, I have always gotten free replacements. So this will give you some kind of adjustability. My tire size is a 27.5 x 2.35. Your email address will not be published. This means that there are gears inside that alter the ratio between the motor and the wheel. Unfortunately there just isnt any way to change the behaviour of standard hub motor controllers that arent KT-style. The other extra thing you will probably need is a motor wire extension cable. I cannot give any guidance on how to do it, since it will be different on all bikes. But for a tandem bike, it likely is necessary. In my experience though, I have never had any issue with sellers on AliExpress and warranty. You will have to choose the same mount that your old rear bike wheel used. Im considering using the 500 watt Bafang hub motor on my Terra Trike Traveler recumbent trike. You can easily measure the dropout width yourself. Cycling uphill will also feel like riding on a flat road due to its massive power. I followed your other article and bought a programming cable, only to find out it does not work on my front hub motor. Its nice and small and discrete. Since I only intend to use it with the PAS hopefully my fork should resist, also my front fork is pretty beefy. This means that it can roll freely without extra motor resistance. Most bikes will meet this specification. If you go for the rear wheel version, you will have the option for a cassette mount or a freewheel mount. You could ask sellers if they also sell blank rims in your desired color. For most builders, this conversion kit will be a lot more suitable than the mid-drive motor kits from Bafang. There are however no sellers that currently sell this combination. Good luck with your build! Thank you so much for your detailed information. If you want the most sturdy PAS sensor option, you will also need a removable bottom bracket. It does make more noise than a Bafang mid-drive would, that would be the quietest option. Its a hassle-free, great quality, low maintenance, powerful and nice riding ebike conversion kit. Especially when the wheel is behind you, you wont notice it a lot while riding. Sigh, I guess I would have to learn to stop the motor by pressing the brake. You will be fine! I however do not really recommend that version, since you will then have a lot of power in a relatively weak front fork. So just mount it to be extra sure. You will have more torque than a non-geared counterpart. You will need to have advanced knowledge to get this working, so I would not advise this. Some KT-style controllers can change some settings, but you dont have such a controller. Most of the kits include a 48V, 22A controller, this will result in a peak power rating of almost a 1000 watt. With almost 1000 watts of peak power, you can concur any hill and go really fast. If you go for the rear wheel version, the dropout width will depend on the number of gears you will run. The new controller probably will use different connections, therefore some adapters likely need to be used. Oh well, thank you but I found your site one day too late as I had just ordered a kit from BafangUSADirect and the order was already on its way also they mentioned that they do not offer any rear hub kits. In actuality, the motor can output almost a 1000 watts with a lot of the controllers that it comes with. Which option is most suited for you depends on your preference. All in all the motor is built like a tank and looks nice as well. The Bafang hub motor is a geared hub motor type. Which is more than plenty for most riders. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. It just is an really reliable system. Ill be ordering a pair of torque mounts and converting my front brakes to disc and hope for the best. Especially on aluminium frames, it really is necessary. But in general I wouldnt worry about the legality of your e-bike if you limit the speed to 25kmh. Extension cable: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dVN8QGW. Most bikes have such a generic dropout, with the exception of expensive trough axle type mountain bikes. They then paid for both shipping and the replacement product. The performance of the Bafang hub motor is just great. This, however, isnt the case. Great review am convinced but is my concerned, This makes it just that much more effortlessly to ride. Therefore you dont cause accelerated wear on your chain and gears. If you dont have a removable bottom bracket or dont want to remove it, you can also buy external PAS sensors. Thanks! This in my opinion isnt really necessary if you do set the speed limit. Dont you have any speed limit enabled? I cant tell if you will need an extension, since I dont know the exact dimensions of your bike. Unfortunately the Bafang programming cable is only compatible with Bafang mid-drive systems (BBSxx series). The first advantage is its weight. Because your tire has a width of 2.35 inch, you can fit wheels that have an inside rim width between 19 and 50 mm, I looked this up for you. https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dZejLQy. The geared system also includes a freehub system. This will make your bike feel more natural and nimble. Most sellers sell rims that have such a brake rim as standard. This, in turn, causes your maintenance to be very little. Sometimes sellers offer different dropout widths, if not, there will be a specification in which your dropout width should be. You really cant go wrong with it! This is the case because a lot of sellers dont want to sell 5 different wheel widths, they just sell one. They arent that expensive, so it isnt a disaster if you happen to not need it. It feels like a quality component that wont easily break. Can these motors accept either one? I would like to convert my fat bike with 4 inch tires. If you use your ebike a lot, you will get used to it. Installing the hub motor is pretty straightforward. Bafang BBS01 250w Review Best street legal conversion kit? In addition to the warranty period if sellers, AliExpress for example also offers customer protection. The different controllers that come with the Bafang hub motors are all just really reliable. Visit the contact page for more extensive contact information. Hope all is well I just purchased and installed a Bafang 1000w rear 20inch fat tire hub motor kit I can only get 22, 23mph out of it Any reason why its 7 mph slower than my old 750w motor? You will also not have the problem of spokes getting loose due to the big weight as much. I have a KHS Tandem that was modified with an 11 step rear cassette, it works great. A lot of sellers offer this and it will make your bike look much nicer. Generally it is a lot stronger than the front drop out, but a 1000 watt is still a lot for a rear drop out. The best thing is to buy a controller enclosure, surely you will be able to mount this enclosure somewhere on the frame. You will only need a few special bike tools, like: All the tools are fairly inexpensive and are just nice to have in general. I can really recommend PowerSurround-2 store. In my opinion, the best combination would be a sinewave controller with a KT-display. This way the PAS will stop immediately, without actually braking. I will respond to you within 24 hours. Bafang Hub Motor Review Better than the BBS02? The sinewave controller however always comes with a P850C display. Especially with the Bafang hub motor kit, I shouldnt be to worried about warranty. Apart from this, the motor is basically problem-free. The 750-watt version is however only available for fat-bikes. I was led to believe it would be 4 or 5 mph faster than the 750w If you set the pedal assist in a high setting, it will feel like you have superhuman legs, which is really fun. Hello If the inside rim width is not mentioned by the seller, you can simply ask them. I will try to answer them within 24 hours. (I know this because of your display type). It doesnt seem like that is the case, especially when in your article you mention you have to specify which one you want when ordering. You wrote Necessary because of the high power: while I can see the necessity for the front wheel kit or really powerful motors say 1500w, what is the purpose of installing the torque arms on the rear motor kit that has 500w motor? There are indeed some things that you should take into account when mounting it on a trike specifically. The only option left therefore is to buy a new controller. If you have rim brakes on your bike, you will need to buy a version that has a brake strip on the rim. also how do i know if have the fit for freewheel or fit for cassette on my bike, and also is this kit noisy, ie how quiet is it, thanks Nick, appreciate your feedback. This way you can mount a sensor between the bottom bracket and the frame. I know different sellers have different terms but what is reasonable to expect and who has the best warranty and service in your experience? There do exist programmable controllers, they are however not made to work plug and play with the Bafang hub motor. Suitable battery: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dWg1Hw1. Hello. Its very likely that the kit will not face any issues in the warranty period (2+ years). Then you can check if its inbetween 19-50mm for it to fit your tire. So you dont have to worry about this. When you will be riding at 25 km/h, there will be no cop that is going to stop you. https://www.halfords.com/bikes/mountain-bikes/carrera-hellcat-mens-mountain-bike-2020-blacks-m-l-xl-frames-346662.html If you dont want to remove it yet, just ask a local bike shop, they can easily tell you. https://images.app.goo.gl/qVPGAX7LZA2ci5qq8, https://www.halfords.com/bikes/mountain-bikes/carrera-hellcat-mens-mountain-bike-2020-blacks-m-l-xl-frames-346662.html, https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dZejLQy, https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dYHAYDI, https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dXTyHmQ, https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dVN8QGW, https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dUQFmxR, https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d7n15Zr, https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dWg1Hw1, A controller (48V, 22A, sinewave or blockwave). Hi, im about to purchase the befang hub drive kit that you recomended, will it fit on my tanderm bike, will i need cable extension. Unfortunately the hub motor controllers are often not reprogrammable. The main advantage over a mid-drive system is its worry-free riding property. If you want to be sure, just send them a message via Aliexpress. So from a safety aspect, it is a really wise thing to do. So if you dont feel like doing it yourself, your local bike shop can probably fix it for you in a matter of minutes. Thank you for any information you can provide. So we will mainly look at the 500-watt version. This way you can mount the controller more in the front of the bike, in order to reach the motor in the back wheel, an extension cable probably will be necessary. It might not have just as much power as its Bafang BBS02/BBSHD mid-drive brothers, but it surely doesnt disappoint. Breaking such a controller is a really rare occurrence, but if they do, they can be replaced really easily due to their external nature. This Bafang hub motor kit can also be used perfectly on a trike. If you dont want to buy the special tools, you can also ask the local bike shop if they can help you out with their tools. If you want the ability to increase power if you want, you will always need a higher powered (wattage) motor. So this wattage will always be displayed on the motor itself. You are stuck with the factory firmware in that case. You will also have to make the right rim choice depending on which type of brake you will run. Hi Giel, You should buy the version with this right dropout width specification. Your bike will be less configurable than with a KT-style controller/display. Since this controller is not programmable, you cannot change those parameters. Instead I would fit a 9 or 10 gear cassette, you can still use the existing derailleur setup, but it would have to be adjusted for it, in order to work probably. No cop will stop you in that case, and they certainly wont check your motor wattage. Hub motor kit 1 (blockwave, not waterproof connectors): https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dUQFmxR It is easy to do and they will always respond quickly to you: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dYHAYDI The reliability is where the Bafang hub motor sets itself apart from other popular options like the Bafang mid-drive motors (BBS02/BBSHD). These two sellers dont list their inner rim width, but I believe they will be 19 or 20mm as well. Unfortunately, there is no way you can change the behaviour your ebike. Is this controller not programmable like the BBS mid-drive?? This lag is present on a lot of e-bikes, this is just the nature of a lot of cadence type pedal assist ebikes. With the standard bafang hub motor kits, you cant restrict power. My experience with sellers is actually really positive. A sinewave controller is always better than a blockwave controller because the motor runs quieter and smoother with a sinewave controller. If you are running disc brakes (highly recommended) you do not need that brake strip. You ofcourse can also pedal along comfortably. But, just to be sure and for my own peace of mind I own a Carrera Hellcat which 18 in frame size and wheels which are 29, here is the link to the bike I own: Just measure the width between the frame where the rear wheel drops in. Hi. With the help of good install videos, everyone should be able to do it. Thanks, Tim. Efrain. Bafang Programming Learn how to improve your Bafang mid-drive ebike, Rockrider E-ST 520 Electric Mountain Bike Review. They were both hub motors? So dont be fooled by the 500-watt label, since it will just be an 800-1000 watt motor in practice. I would love to use the Bafang hub motor for converting my bike instead of the Bafang bbs02because of its claimed reliability issues, but I really want to have the possibility to make it legal (250 Watt, 25 kmh) , while still being able to have more power if I ever want to. The Bafang hub motor also comes in a front-wheel version. Add Comment I think the Bafang hub motor kit is one of the most underrated conversion kits in the DIY ebike community. I really like your review and its the most informative one I have come across. They can also help you remove the bottom bracket. The best thing to do is to restrict speed and optionally try to hide the wattage writing/use fake wattage stickers. The only thing you might have to do every once in a while is tightening the spokes. The 4-inch tires should fit all the rims of the Bafang hub motor 750W fat bike versions. Bafang 48V Non-waterproof, KT-Display, Blockwave, Screw-Mount Panasonic 18650 Li-ion eBike Battery, Bafang 48V Waterproof, P850C Display, Sinewave, Buy this Bafang hub motor kit @Aliexpress Global shipping, Buy this Bafang hub motor kit @Amazon US shipping. You can often also tell by justing looking at the removal bolt pattern. So it doesnt matter all that much for which seller you go. If it looks like this: https://images.app.goo.gl/qVPGAX7LZA2ci5qq8 you have a cassette. Hub motor kit 2 (sinewave, waterproof connectors): A front hub motor will just give a different feel than a rear hub motor (like the difference between a front and rear wheel driven car). Is there anything I can do? This way your drivetrain is independent of the power of the motor. Possibly suitable kits (check specifications discussed above for compatibility with your bike): kit 1: https://bit.ly/2RukKRI The Bafang hub motor will easily bring you up to speeds of around 45 km/h (28mph). This can be really fun from time to time. A 500-watt version and a 750-watt version. So it will not work with your Bafang (front) hub motor. The Bafang hub motor often comes in two different kit types. Do you know of any way I can change this? This web page is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Anyway, good luck! Because of the high power that mid-drive motors can output as well, all these problems can occur if you really want to use a lot of power. So I recommend an 8 or 9-speed cassette max. All sellers offer different warranty periods. The 500-watt version is spoked in a normal width rim so that it can fit most bike tires. The build quality is just amazing as can be expected from Bafang. This will just barely fit and mounting it will be difficult. This wont cause any problems as long as you dont torque it too much. Another advantage is its superior torque. The controllers that come with the motor are also really reliable, unlike the Bafang mid-drive motors. It will ride nicer and definitely will be safer. It just is an amazing piece of kit and I can recommend it to anyone. A Bafang hub motor kit always includes the following components: There are just a couple of components that you will have to buy separately in order to convert a complete bike. Bafang BBSHD Review The one to rule them all? The power that the motor will draw depends on the controller that goes with it. You mention good reliability but some problems with the controllers on the mid drive motors and kits to buy. Your email address will not be published. This will make it more suitable for climbing hills and your acceleration will be better as well. But I am not aware of the top speed differennce. You should also buy either the cassette or freewheel version, depending on what your current bike uses. If reliability and low maintenance are really important for you; definitely go for this motor. A common warranty period for such products (battery/motor) is one year. All the power will be exerted on the frame instead of on your drivetrain. The throttle also allows you to ride the bike without pedaling at all. With the stock setting, it keeps going for a second or so. Only throttle its 24ml/h, peddle assist 28ml/h. It will give less flexibility but the display does look nicer and the sinewave controller will make your bike drive more pleasantly. So, which kit and battery would you suggest buying? Firstly, you wont have the drivetrain-related issues that you can experience with mid-drive motors. Recently Ive bought A Zugo Rhine bike with Bafang rear hub motor. Its a really nice display, but it lacks in the number of settings you can change. I see that Bafang Direct gives only a 90 day warranty while others give a 1 year which is basically a phone number to call. Which conversion kit would would I buy needing that size rim Thank you. So even though it is stated to be 500 watt, the actual power is closer to a 1000 watt. It would also be quite expensive. Im trying to figure out which wheel size to order for a rear hub motor on my mountain bike. With a beefer controller, it can even handle 1500 watts, but this isnt recommended though. So this isnt ideal either. It however isnt really necessary. A lot more reliable than the mid-drive systems. The main thing I want to adjust is to have PAS stop quickly once I stop pedaling. It could that the top speed rating simply is lower, because of the way the motor is winded internally. If you want the strongest wheel, grab the wheel with the biggest inside rim width that still fits. Or you will need to also replace your display, pedal assist, and brake sensors as well. Thank You very much. Your wheel diameter should be known (20 inches or 26 inches). With this amount of power, it is wisely to also mount a torque arm on the rear drop out. Good article. Since it is a powerful motor after all. Should I opt for the front wheel hub instead? Who usually pays for shipping for a failed part or battery. I would like to buy the 48v 500w Bafang rear hub kit with the P850C display and the sinewave controller, but I dont know whether my bike is a cassette or freewheel and I am also a bit tight in the budget. Sometimes you can access some advanced settings on your display. Bafang BBS02 Review Is it really that good? As said before, the 750-watt version is always spoked in a wide rim for fat bikes. If you dont have the waterproof connectors you can just place them in a waterproof bike bag (listed above), this will completely waterproof your bike. Id appreciate any recommendation. This is frankly dangerous. This way you can change the cassette or freewheel over to the hub motor. Especially for the less experienced builders. They can swap a cassette/freewheel for you really easily. If you need a lot of power, this kit definitely delivers. XT60 Female Plug To XT60 Female Plug Adapter Connector, Bafang FAT HUB motor RM G060.750 and RM G020 SWX02 Clutch Nylon Gear Assembly Spare Part Replacement, Electric Bike Display 36V 48V intelligent KT LCD3 ebike LCD Bike Control Panel, Littelfuse cartridge fuse, 20A, 6.3 x 32mm, F, 250V ac, Ceramic, Battery charger with cooling fan 36v 48v 52v 72v 3A Li-ion battery for ebike 10s 13s 14s 20s Li-ion, Bafang BBS Display APT 750C BLE with bluetooth and smartphone app, Samsung INR18650 35E 3450mAh 10A / Battery Cell, Complete electric torque sensor kit Bafang Colored LCD, Bafang 9 pin waterproof cable for hall sensored hub motors. It just ticks all the boxes. Thanx. I understand the unwanted PAS behaviour you are experiencing. With a beefy front fork and a pair of torque arms it will be no problem at all. Even if you do, there still will be written 500 watt on the motor in case of the Bafang hub motor. (I have C961). As for batteries, there are multiple great sellers. My wheel size is 650B x 28/38C. kit 2: https://bit.ly/3mm851j I have converted many bikes and therefore have bought a lot of conversion kits. Thanks! Im all for hard work! I would recommend to get a KT series controller. Because of its superior reliability to the Bafang mid-drives, this kit will be the best option for most DIY ebike builders. document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a36e296df7f28014f87177dca1ee4ac7" );document.getElementById("ecfd5e2dff").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Notify me via e-mail when a reply to my comment is made. let me first thank you for all the info and answers to the comments that you made. Because of the nature of hub motors, they dont put power onto your drivetrain. The Bafang mid-drive controllers are known to be rather unreliable. The bike you send me has a cassette, so you should go for the cassette version. One with a sinewave controller and P850C display or one with a blockwave controller and a KT-display. But it will still be a nice ride nonetheless! You of course need to order the wheel with the 27.5 inch diameter, to match it with your bike. So all in all this conversion kit is just about as reliable and maintenance-free as it gets. Will keep you posted. This way you can use as much power as you want without worrying about something breaking. Not all rear drop out, will handle a 1000 watts. I have asked the seller three different times about which one it will accept and they keep repeating that I will need a freewheel cassette. Certain content that appears on eDriveNet.com, comes from Amazon Services, LLC. Buying another display will also have no affect. I hope you can help me with this information because the seller keeps answering as if a freewheel and a cassette are the same thing. But generally, they will all be strong enough since they all use reinforced ebike rims. Is there a version of this motor kit that is made for recumbent trikes or if not what issues will I have as I make this conversion such as wiring length, mounting controls, etc.