How To Build A Cheap DIY Electric Bike!

[Rob Rides EMTB]

Here's the followup build thread for the YouTube Video!


PS - I am in no way affiliated with any of the below brands, or have any kickbacks or benefits whatsoever by linking them. This is simply a list to help folks build cheaper bikes.

I want to add building a DIY bike is NOT for everyone. It can be frustrating waiting for parts, shipping, sourcing etc. AND, warranty if things go wrong is not exactly easy. For a LOT of people, shop / online from a big brand is is the way to go, but if you're feeling brave, then read on!

Prices are fluctuating - some may be cheaper, some may rise slightly (pound to dollar is currently extremely weak! So UK folks may pay more, USA and rest of world may get better value)

Frame: Dengfu E10. $799. email [email protected] with your request, including address and they will provide a quote (quote usually includes shipping & VAT). Usually paid via PayPal
Battery & Motor: As above. Currently they only may be able to source M500 motor.
Motor: Bafang M510 (new one from the video) Bafang M510 (new one from the video)
Drivetrain: Shimano Deore 12 Speed
Brakes: Shimano 4 Piston M6120
Shock Mountain Hardware: Bushings

Dropper Post / Bars / Stem / Saddle etc are Nukeproof Neutron. Purchased from Chain Reaction Cycles. Many parts were on sale at Chain Reaction Cycles (they often do 10% off their own Nukeproof parts, they are great!)

Here's the build and parts I used

And finally, this forum is a fantastic resource. See more build threads here: DIY ebike Builds

And be sure to sign up and share your own thread and questions!

Thanks
Rob

Geometry:

 

[Dave Rand]

Awesome bud

 

[BlueGlaucus]

go to say disappointed with my quote, especially as it's a cheaper frame, any idea why yours cost so much less, its not exchange rate, checked the last 3 years and it doesn't get that low. Really hope its not them giving hidden discounts to drive traffic.

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

go to say disappointed with my quote, especially as it's a cheaper frame, any idea why yours cost so much less, its not exchange rate, checked the last 3 years and it doesn't get that low. Really hope its not them giving hidden discounts to drive traffic.

View attachment 91862

In January when I got all my kit, that $2593 would have been at exchange rate of 0.73 USD to GBP and would have cost £1892.

Sadly, it looks like the M510 Motor has increased by $50 and shipping has also increased by $50 since I purchased.

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

Also, worth checking this thread to see what others have paid:

Dengfu E10 / Bafang - Buying/Pricing

I'm reading that to mean that frame, motor. crank arms and battery were £1694 all in, is that correct? Correct. Price also includes wiring harness, screen and headset bearings.

www.emtbforums.com

 

[BeBiker]

I would have bought it a year ago if their diagnose/settings tool was a usb- cable and a free available program.

 

[BlueGlaucus]

In January when I got all my kit, that $2593 would have been at exchange rate of 0.73 USD to GBP and would have cost £1892.

Sadly, it looks like the M510 Motor has increased by $50 and shipping has also increased by $50 since I purchased.

thanks/ looking at your thread, it seems the battery has gone up $80 as well so between those three price raises and the £ doing crap, that accounts for it all. don't know what to do now at £1700 was like this is the way to go. but for well over 2k, there's a lot of options and 2nd hand market.

 

[LAnton]

What is the height of BB at cheeb v.2?

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

What is the height of BB at cheeb v.2?

Approx 355mm

 

[robbydobs]

I looked at this last time, but as with everyone else I found the price was a lot more than Rob paid in the videos. In the end I got a Commencal Meta Power frame for 2500 for frame/shock/motor/battery/charger etc.. It's worth keeping an eye on their webpage as the prices seem to go up and down META POWER - Shop I had an issue with the shock and Commencal paid for a local shop to handle the warranty and it was replaced. I swapped all the bits from a Vitus Sommet (non ebike version).

 

[casainho]

Now you can use and build our EasyDIY OpenSource display (a replacement for the original display), that let you change while you are riding, the motor max speed as also see advanced data as battery voltage, as also it sends the motor and battery data by ANT+ to the Garmin GPS cycling displays:

How to build the display

 

[caremugre]

Hi Rob,

Really nice build, thanks for sharing detailed information about process and prices.

I have though a couple questions/comments.

From your first fuild, I got interested in the dengfu frame, as I want to use the components I already have on my enduro bike and this is a really good option to do it with a low budget.

I contacted dengfu people begining of june, but the price they gave me (around 2500$ frame, battery and m500 motor plus shiping to spain) is far from the 1720£ you got.

When did you got this quotation?

Is "[email protected]" the same people than "[email protected]"?

I would also like to comment that if anyone near Barcelona is considering to purchase this frame, we could make a combined order so we may get better shiping costs.

Hey Edu88, I'm interested in buying this frame as well, I'm in Sitges... I think we can share shipping costs if you still haven't bought yours.

 

[goRt]

Hey Edu88, I'm interested in buying this frame as well, I'm in Sitges... I think we can share shipping costs if you still haven't bought yours.

I bought 2 at once, no shipping cost savings

 

[caremugre]

I bought 2 at once, no shipping cost savings

 

[casainho]

I would like to share information about my EBike that is more and more electric!!

I just installed the electronic gears from SRAM AXS 12 speed and they are perfect because now my gears work like a swiss watch!!
Recently I also installed Garmin Rally XC200 Power Meter Bike Pedals.
(I know there are other wireless electronics like to control the drop post, lock the suspension or see the tire pressure)

And the best is that everything is working with ANT+ so I get on the GPS cycling computer the following data:
- Bafang M500/M600 EBike motor assist level and battery SOC (thanks to our EasyDIY OpenSource display)
- derailleur gear number and optimally the battery level
- my pedal power graph (to get advanced fitness cycling metrics on Garmin)
- my heart rate graph

 

[goRt]

Now you can use and build our EasyDIY OpenSource display (a replacement for the original display), that let you change while you are riding, the motor max speed as also see advanced data as battery voltage, as also it sends the motor and battery data by ANT+ to the Garmin GPS cycling displays:

How to build the display

View attachment 92008

View attachment 92009

View attachment 92010

Anyone interested in making me one of these lovely displays?

 

[casainho]

I can n

Anyone interested in making me one of these lovely displays?

I can not do it but I will help anyone that want to build them. I think the Garmin / ANT+ LEV integration is the most relevant feature, but probably only for the ones using their ebikes for fitness.

Sure, the display also unlocks / change the motor max speed of 25km/h.

 

[ficorama]

Hello everyone. unfortunately I decided to sell Dengfu. if someone is interested, it can be complete or in parts. send a message and let's make an agreement.
list of equipment on the bicycle.
Frame: Dengfu e10 XL
Motor Bafang M510
Battery:21700 Samsucells smart bms I have 2 pcs.
One: 52v 14s4p 20ah
Second: 48v 13s2p 10ah
Charger 48v and 52v depends on the battery
Fork: Rockshox 35 150mm
Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate RCT Debon Air 210x55mm
Brakes: Shimano mt420 203 rotor
Tire Schwalbe Nobby Nic 29x2.6
Dropper 170mm
Rear derailleur shimano xt 12 spd
Cassette: shimano deore 12 spd
Shifter: shimano deore 12 spd
Cranks 170mm
Stem and handlebar 31.8 760mm

I have another M510 engine, besst tolls, Miranda cranks 160mm.... ask, everything can be found. I ship within the EU! payment is PayPal with buyer protection.

I have already sold to colleague @thaeber and bought it for me, so he can confirm that I am not a fraud. thank

 

[K4ndiszucker]

Hello everyone. unfortunately I decided to sell Dengfu. if someone is interested, it can be complete or in parts. send a message and let's make an agreement.
list of equipment on the bicycle.
Frame: Dengfu e10 XL
Motor Bafang M510
Battery:21700 Samsucells smart bms I have 2 pcs.
One: 52v 14s4p 20ah
Second: 48v 13s2p 10ah
Charger 48v and 52v depends on the battery
Fork: Rockshox 35 150mm
Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate RCT Debon Air 210x55mm
Brakes: Shimano mt420 203 rotor
Tire Schwalbe Nobby Nic 29x2.6
Dropper 170mm
Rear derailleur shimano xt 12 spd
Cassette: shimano deore 12 spd
Shifter: shimano deore 12 spd
Cranks 170mm
Stem and handlebar 31.8 760mm

I have another M510 engine, besst tolls, Miranda cranks 160mm.... ask, everything can be found. I ship within the EU! payment is PayPal with buyer protection.

I have already sold to colleague @thaeber and bought it for me, so he can confirm that I am not a fraud. thank

Hello @ficorama. I have a few questions. 1: How much for the whole Bike with the 52V Battery? 2: Why do you sell it? 3: How old is the bike? 4: In what condition are the parts/bike

 

[ficorama]

Hello @ficorama. I have a few questions. 1: How much for the whole Bike with the 52V Battery? 2: Why do you sell it? 3: How old is the bike? 4: In what condition are the parts/bike

greetings, I am selling my bike due to lack of time. The frame was purchased in October 2021, the engine was purchased in May 2022, the fork, brakes, wheels, tires, cassette, chain are all new, the bike has been maintained and taken care of. Everything is in great condition. the frame has a warranty, purchased from Tosa bikes, the motor also has a warranty, the battery.

 

[ficorama]

Hello everyone. unfortunately I decided to sell Dengfu. if someone is interested, it can be complete or in parts. send a message and let's make an agreement.
list of equipment on the bicycle.
Frame: Dengfu e10 XL
Motor Bafang M510
Battery:21700 Samsucells smart bms I have 2 pcs.
One: 52v 14s4p 20ah
Second: 48v 13s2p 10ah
Charger 48v and 52v depends on the battery
Fork: Rockshox 35 150mm
Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate RCT Debon Air 210x55mm
Brakes: Shimano mt420 203 rotor
Tire Schwalbe Nobby Nic 29x2.6
Dropper 170mm
Rear derailleur shimano xt 12 spd
Cassette: shimano deore 12 spd
Shifter: shimano deore 12 spd
Cranks 170mm
Stem and handlebar 31.8 760mm

I have another M510 engine, besst tolls, Miranda cranks 160mm.... ask, everything can be found. I ship within the EU! payment is PayPal with buyer protection.

here are some pictures. the price for the bike is 3000 eur!
it would be best to send the bike in parts, because transporting the assembled bike is very expensive.

And it can also be sold in parts.


Since private purchase no guarantee or returns

 

[LAnton]

Attention! If you want a minimal chain misalignment on the new spider from the M510! The star fits only 36 teeth on the E10 frame. Or 42 teeth on the outside of the spider. I glued thick rubber so as not to spoil the frame. The distance between the chain and the frame is 2-3mm. I will check if the gaskets will last for a long time. 9 stars at the back give 47km of speed. Cadence 90 I think I have enough.

 

[Karamba!]

Attention! If you want a minimal chain misalignment on the new spider from the M510! The star fits only 36 teeth on the E10 frame. Or 42 teeth on the outside of the spider. I glued thick rubber so as not to spoil the frame. The distance between the chain and the frame is 2-3mm. I will check if the gaskets will last for a long time. 9 stars at the back give 47km of speed. Cadence 90 I think I have enough.

View attachment 94798

May I ask if you need a propirietary Bafang wrench to tight the nut that fixes the spider? Or is it shimano compatible?

 

[LAnton]

He looks like a shimano. I'm not sure if it's shimano.

 

[bafangm620]

Please advise on what would you change / update if you did this today? Different frame / motor?