I want to build essentially a bikepacking mountain bike for cross country touring. With the primary use of the motor being to offset the weight of cargo needed for long remote trips, mostly for assistance climbing. Ideally I'd be using my own energy to push myself around most of the time, but I want to make the hills a little easier with the assistance of a motor. I was thinking a hardtail mountain bike build would be ideal since I want to be able to unload the bike for exploring wherever I end up, while using solar panels (I plan to have a trailer) to charge the batteries for the trip to my next destination. I'm guessing it will take a bit of time but I'm not in a hurry and would like to spend time in each park I reach to really get to know it and document the plants, animals, and geology.
I have no idea where to begin, I've looked at Bafang motors and they seem great but probably too powerful for what I need and I'm guessing that translates to being less efficient even when tuned down to my needs. Something like the new Trek EXe 9.X motor seems like it would be optimal, super lightweight but still enough power to send a rider uphill with minimal effort when desired, with very little pedal resistance when riding unassisted, if I could acquire one and attach much bigger 700wh+ batteries I would think that is enough to offset the cargo weight on hills for long distance trips.
It probably shows but I really know nothing about bicycles at all, electric or otherwise. I just have been fixating on this idea for a long time now, I'm used to being in a 4x4, but I want to experience more, feel the weather, be forced to stop more often and get to know towns and people along the way. I'm aware people do this with regular bicycles but I'm more interested in being exposed to the world than testing my endurance, although I'm keen for a bit of that which is why I'm mostly interested in an electric bicycle of some kind over taking a motorbike.
Would really appreciate any tips toward similar builds or general advice.
I have no idea where to begin, I've looked at Bafang motors and they seem great but probably too powerful for what I need and I'm guessing that translates to being less efficient even when tuned down to my needs. Something like the new Trek EXe 9.X motor seems like it would be optimal, super lightweight but still enough power to send a rider uphill with minimal effort when desired, with very little pedal resistance when riding unassisted, if I could acquire one and attach much bigger 700wh+ batteries I would think that is enough to offset the cargo weight on hills for long distance trips.
It probably shows but I really know nothing about bicycles at all, electric or otherwise. I just have been fixating on this idea for a long time now, I'm used to being in a 4x4, but I want to experience more, feel the weather, be forced to stop more often and get to know towns and people along the way. I'm aware people do this with regular bicycles but I'm more interested in being exposed to the world than testing my endurance, although I'm keen for a bit of that which is why I'm mostly interested in an electric bicycle of some kind over taking a motorbike.
Would really appreciate any tips toward similar builds or general advice.