Which Bike to use?

[Grun]

What bike should I use to convert to an electric bike? I keep reading that one of those cheap bikes at Canadian Tire, for $100 is best. Why is that?

www.canadiantire.ca

[Leisesturm]

For non-ebike use high strength with very low weight is the design mandate. This directive makes for very expensive equipment. Thousands of dollars for the lightest of the carbon fiber racing models. For e-bike use reasonable to high strength is desired but very low weight is not as much of an issue. When the designer can use heavy (steel) materials to build the bike the price comes way down. Now department store quality bicycles actually can be considered as good donor bikes for an ebike buildup.

H

[Grun]

Is the Trek 820 any good? It has the RST shocks. RST is not good, right?
Should I get a full suspension bike frame for it?

[JeanCoutu]

Any bike you currently own that is well suited to the kind of riding you do, fits you well etc. will work out fine, but you may need to fit slightly fatter tires if you add heavy components. For inspiration you could check out commuter bicycle pics in commuting forum or same in touring forum, etc. Also, if you start with something from a department store, it's not likely to become a better ride with a motor on it. Think dog turd with gold spray paint, polished & shined...

Also, Trek makes pretty good bikes. Yours is steel too, I'd go for.

[Grun]

Any bike you currently own that is well suited to the kind of riding you do, fits you well etc. will work out fine, but you may need to fit slightly fatter tires if you add heavy components. For inspiration you could check out commuter bicycle pics in commuting forum or same in touring forum, etc. Also, if you start with something from a department store, it's not likely to become a better ride with a motor on it. Think dog turd with gold spray paint, polished & shined...

Also, Trek makes pretty good bikes. Yours is steel too, I'd go for.

thing is my current bike is made of aluminum
so i would change for that to have steel

should i change my bike just because it is aluminum?

[The7]

thing is my current bike is made of aluminum
so i would change for that to have steel

should i change my bike just because it is aluminum?

Rear drive should be OK for aluminum frame bike.

[GreenGrasshoppr]

If you electrify a recumbent bike, you'll get more mileage per charge due to better aerodynamics

[Grun]

If you electrify a recumbent bike, you'll get more mileage per charge due to better aerodynamics

okay. thanks.

[Grun]

Am currently using an Aluminum Road bike, thing is the aluminum is 7005 double butted, all the other ones i find are 6061 or 6061 T6, and I am using fat 2.3" wide tires

is 7005 good enough, or should i use Chromoly?