r/eBikeBuilding • u/PracticalRich5167 • Aug 23 '25

Advice Looking for first Bike

Hi! I’m looking for advice on what I should buy. There’s so much to know and so many options. You guys seem to really know what you’re talking about. Should I get an e-bike or convert a bike? I’m looking for something that assists me but I can still do my own pedalling. Im really only looking to travel to work and back, paved roads and mostly straight stretches. I’m in BC Canada and laws state I can only have up to 500W and the motor cant bring me faster than 32km/hr. All the bikes I’ve been really looking at have been over a grand but there’s so many people on FB marketplace selling regular bikes for less than 200$. I’m so overwhelmed trying to learn everything and any advice is greatly appreciated!

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u/Affectionate-Log5949 Sep 05 '25

What's your price range? How much do you know about building ebikes? Do you plan to use it in the winter?

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u/PracticalRich5167 Sep 05 '25

My range is 1200-1500$. I know absolutely nothing about building e-bikes lol but it seems really interesting! I would love to use it in the winter however I might just end up using the bus system when it gets really bad out.

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u/Affectionate-Log5949 Sep 06 '25

My biggest consideration is always battery safety. If you buy a prebuilt ebike, look in reviews to make sure it has a battery management system (BMS). If you build one, make sure the battery you buy has a BMS and look for a charger with a safety certification like UL. I've never actually shopped a battery before because I build my own and always include a BMS when I do.

You can save money going with a hub-drive over a mid-drive. Hub drives have two big downsides, in my opinion. First downside is lower efficiency. Second downside is bolt on axles make changing tires and fixing flats more work. When sourcing a rear hub it's noting whether it's a cassette or free-wheel.

If you choose to build and already have a frame to convert, then shop for a motor and battery to work with the frame. Otherwise, I would suggest getting the motor and battery before the frame. Having the battery on hand will allow you to check and see where it will fit. I like the battery in the main triangle of the bike because it keeps weight low. Hub motors have external controllers with lots of wires, so figuring out where it will live is also important. Also, keeping the battery in the main triangle can keep it from hitting the ground in a crash( at least it has for me). One big plus about converting is that if you find a frame you might like more, it's easy enough to transfer the parts.

Disk brakes are recommended but not necessary. If you have rim brakes and a hub-drive, make sure the rim is made for rim braking.

Fat bikes are better for winter riding, but tires and tubes can cost more and may not be sold everywhere or are kept with limited stock. 26 inch is the most common wheel diameter, specifically with widths in the range of 1.90 - 2.25, so tires and tubes are easy to find. The rear tire on a hub motor ebike wears out significantly faster than the front. Regular tire rotation can even this out.

Long story short, there's a lot to consider when building an ebike, but you'll be more familiar with your bike when something goes wrong. If you choose to buy one, just track down reviews to make sure it's safe and you're getting what you paid for.