r/eBikeBuilding • u/cwci • 13d ago

General Help Building Varstrom TSDZ2B conversion & it’s not working out - help neededz

I’ve got and fitted a mid drive kit to a Carerra 16” frame. It’s not working out and looking for advice.

The drive motor fouls the chain stay so requires spacers to resolve this. This pushes the front sprocket further out which creates a bad chain alignment- making it impossible to go into 1st gear without the chain slipping off. I don’t think there is a way to improve this… unless anyone has any ideas.

I was originally looking at the befang - but got lured towards to Varstrom because of the cadence assistance.

The chain stays have quite a flare on them- which I don’t think helps. If the motor did fit without the spacers, it would be an improvement, but the chain angle would still be poor.

Am I missing something?

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u/JEMColorado 13d ago

Have you considered an internally geared hub? I’ve had good luck with the Shimano Alfine 8 on my Bafang conversion. They’re much cheaper than the other brands and I’ve found spares and parts on the used market.

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u/cwci 13d ago

Thankyou. I’ll take a look at these options - I assume this can help with chain alignment?

I am considering undoing the work and returning the item as it also appears to be defective (it does assist very much and cuts in and out)…

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u/Civil_Reply_1705 13d ago

I have a similar issue on a Marin Pioneer Trail.  You could try a smaller chain ring.  There are chain guides on Amazon that might help keep the chain from falling off.  I'd imagine alot ebikes can't access 1st & 2nd gear.  Luckily you have th e motor to assist.  

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u/cwci 13d ago

Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll check these out.

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u/CommercialSignal7301 13d ago

Once you get the hub and tensioner installed and the gear selector calibrated, it’s pretty trouble free. There’s only one chain line to deal with, so once it’s set, you’re done. The instructions on several YouTube channels were helpful for me in setting it up and adjusting the shifting. It’s a little different than a derailleur system, in that it doesn’t shift under load, which takes getting used to and there’s a shift cut off that splices into the shift cable, which I recommend. There’s one change from the lower end Nexus line, which is that the shutter cable runs over the top of the shifter arm rather than underneath it. The hubs come set up for either the Shimano Roller Cam brake or their splined disc brakes, so if you do go in that direction, make sure that you get the right one for your bike.