Hi, guys, this is technically not a "how to" question. I have a friend who would like to build (have built by me or other more capable folks) an e-bike. The base is Specialized demo, the donor bike has a Bosch midmotor and a Rohloff IGH.
So I was thinking, isn't this combination an overkill? I myself ride on 250W with a 7sp Nexus and the chainring-cog ratio is 44/19, I could probably climb trees in 1st gear, I top around 30 kmh in 7th. I was actually happy with a 3sp IGH until I had to commute through few inclines where I lacked the torquue, so I changed to 7 sp.
So is a Rohloff hub really needed for this? It is cool and all (the Rolls Royce of IGH they say), but wouldn't it complicate the build?
I myself would sell the hub and the motor (before ruining the Specialized frame to weld motor mounts) and would put a BBS which would be easy to replace/repair instead of the expensive Bosch motor, plus I'd use a (relatively cheap) Shimano hub that could have the innards easily replaced.
And if the Bosch/Rohloff makes sense I would rather prefer a custom frame since the Specialized is not of particularily battery friendly design.
So, what are your thoughts? I must say my friend is a pretty good rider, but technically not particularily proficient, he can changes tires and set deraillers, but that's it basically. I myself don't have any experience with Bosch (except for changing bulbs on my 30 year old Mercedes) or Rohloff.
So I was thinking, isn't this combination an overkill? I myself ride on 250W with a 7sp Nexus and the chainring-cog ratio is 44/19, I could probably climb trees in 1st gear, I top around 30 kmh in 7th. I was actually happy with a 3sp IGH until I had to commute through few inclines where I lacked the torquue, so I changed to 7 sp.
So is a Rohloff hub really needed for this? It is cool and all (the Rolls Royce of IGH they say), but wouldn't it complicate the build?
I myself would sell the hub and the motor (before ruining the Specialized frame to weld motor mounts) and would put a BBS which would be easy to replace/repair instead of the expensive Bosch motor, plus I'd use a (relatively cheap) Shimano hub that could have the innards easily replaced.
And if the Bosch/Rohloff makes sense I would rather prefer a custom frame since the Specialized is not of particularily battery friendly design.
So, what are your thoughts? I must say my friend is a pretty good rider, but technically not particularily proficient, he can changes tires and set deraillers, but that's it basically. I myself don't have any experience with Bosch (except for changing bulbs on my 30 year old Mercedes) or Rohloff.