Genesis [with Alfine 8 hub gears] conversion

[DaddyPaddey]

Is it possible/practical to convert my Day One to a Steps system? I really don't want a hub motor, so if the Steps is a 'no go' is there an alternative?

 

[keithmac]

Any pics, STEPS requires a specific frame to mount the motor.

I built a Nuvinci hubbed bike with a TSDZ2 mid mount motor and it goes well.

 

[Ffoeg]

I've put a TSDZ2 motormot an Alfine8 hubbed bike and it too works very well.

 

[CXRAndy]

Is it possible/practical to convert my Day One to a Steps system? I really don't want a hub motor, so if the Steps is a 'no go' is there an alternative?

Have a look here for kits, they have gear sensor add on too. Just decide how much power and range you want

http://dillengerelectricbikes.co.uk/electric-bike-kits/bbs-hd1000-bafang-mid-drive-by-bafang.html

 

[Ffoeg]

Dillinger are bloody expensive!

...And bafangs aren't very smooth in the way they deliver thier power due to the cadence sensor.

DZ2s are much smoother as they use a torque sensor and have a much more natural feel

 

[keithmac]

That's why I chose TSDZ2, reacts like a bike just with more oomph.

Steps/ Bosch etc all use torque sensing.

 

[DaddyPaddey]

That's very interesting. Where do you suggest I would go for the battery for a TSDZ2? I saw mention that with a crank based system you can only have one front chainring. Is this correct, and why?

 

[keithmac]

I only have one front chainring with the Nuvinci.

You could possibly have a double front with a bit of thought but with a hub gear based bike most like a simple chainline.

Battery wise I bought a 36v 15ah "Shark" pack, Samsung celled.

You need to choose what voltage you want, 36v and 48v most common. My Gtech and TSDZ2 are both 36v.

Mine's a work in progress, put bigger disks on a few weeks back.

 

[Ffoeg]

You can get the TSDZ2 with a double chainring, but I'm not sure how happy an Alfine would be running one, since Shimano designed to be just a 1x. You'd need to get creative with the chain tensioner. Even if it you could make it work I don't think much would be gained running it as a 16 speed bike since the standard 8 gearing gives a useful spread of gearing.

With my DZ2 running 42:18 gearing (chainring/sprocket) I hardly ever use the lowest 3 or 4 gears and they are only really there as 'get me home gears' for when the battery goes flat, and pedalling a dead 20kg ebike is no fun . So in effect it's a 4 or 5 speed with motor assistance. The 42/18 tops out at about 25mph, which is enough for ripping round town - I could go faster but I'm not one for peddling like a Tw4t.

I'd like to go a bit higher with the gearing but Aflines like to stick as close to 2:1 ratio as possible (ideally 42:20) and can be prone to damage 'over torquing' if you go outside the recommended ratios. 42:18 works seems to work OK

My battery is known as a 'hailong' (due to the shape of the case), and is a bit smaller than the above mentioned shark. it's 36v 15ah and was from http://eclipsebikes.com/product_info.php?products_id=107

And I got my motor kit from a reliable firm in China, and it's delivered from their warehouse in Germany, so no silly import taxes

@DaddyPaddey Do you have flats or drop bars?

oh and piccies...

 

[jowwy]

You can get the TSDZ2 with a double chainring, but I'm not sure how happy an Alfine would be running one, since Shimano designed to be just a 1x. You'd need to get creative with the chain tensioner. Even if it you could make it work I don't think much would be gained running it as a 16 speed bike since the standard 8 gearing gives a useful spread of gearing.

With my DZ2 running 42:18 gearing (chainring/sprocket) I hardly ever use the lowest 3 or 4 gears and they are only really there as 'get me home gears' for when the battery goes flat, and pedalling a dead 20kg ebike is no fun . So in effect it's a 4 or 5 speed with motor assistance. The 42/18 tops out at about 25mph, which is enough for ripping round town - I could go faster but I'm not one for peddling like a Tw4t.

I'd like to go a bit higher with the gearing but Aflines like to stick as close to 2:1 ratio as possible (ideally 42:20) and can be prone to damage 'over torquing' if you go outside the recommended ratios. 42:18 works seems to work OK

My battery is known as a 'hailong' (due to the shape of the case), and is a bit smaller than the above mentioned shark. it's 36v 15ah and was from http://eclipsebikes.com/product_info.php?products_id=107

And I got my motor kit from a reliable firm in China, and it's delivered from their warehouse in Germany, so no silly import taxes

@DaddyPaddey Do you have flats or drop bars?

oh and piccies...

View attachment 463942 View attachment 463943

i do love the look of this bike - its a great self build

 

[DaddyPaddey]

Change of plan. Decided to put elec assist on the 2 wheel 'bent. Will report back in due course.

 

[Ffoeg]

i do love the look of this bike - its a great self build

Cheers , it's a hoot to ride too

I think the colour helps. it looks even better in the flesh

 

[lunchbox]

What fenders do you have on that bike?

 

[Ffoeg]

What fenders do you have on that bike?

Mine? On the photo they are Cube own brand 'Trekking' mudguards, which have since been discontinued. They are a sporty composite of two layer of ali with a plastic centre layer which gives them a balance of flex and rigidity to allow the minimal use of stays, which are chunky 4mm dia stainless.

They recently cracked across a hole that I'd drilled in them to fit to my frame (my fault), and after some next-level internet searching I tracked down the original manufacturer to be Curana and a set of 45mm C-lite where quickly ordered from the ultra reliable and totally wholesome hollandbikeshop.com