Replace motor with a bottom bracket?

[cozzy]

Whilst my motor is away for a refurb, I am marveling how light the bike is without a motor and battery.
I wonder if one day once these are beyond economical repair some enterprising company will make a nifty alloy bolt in bottom bracket?
It's something I would have been able to do years ago, but out of steel, which would probably weigh as much as a motor!
Would also be good for uplift holidays, flying etc.

 

[arTNC]

Interesting thought. Make the replacement component out of as minimal amount of magnesium as possible, and it shouldn't be nearly as heavy as the actual motor and wouldn't have to be as large as the motor.

This brings to mind my situation that started with an old SC Bullit that I made into a mid-drive Bafang motor emtb. The battery was carried in a backpack, but the bike was still a beast to pedal without assist. Then I bought a Trek Rail 7, and the first time I pedaled it in the driveway without the battery turned on I was shocked at how much easier it was to pedal. I could see that the bike would be rideable with the battery and motor removed. Maybe not the ideal choice, but quite doable.

 

[edruid]

Had this thought too will foolow this thread

 

[Suns_PSD]

It exists.

WRP used to make one. I just checked their website and don't see it any longer. Basically, it was a machined skeleton piece that bolted in place of the motor and had a BB shell so that you could install your own cranks.

I guess the issue is that it cost essentially what a motor rebuild would cost

 

[cozzy]

Yes we have seen orbea doing it this year for martin maes to race world cup on their ebike.

 

[steve_sordy]

Something out of carbon fibre perhaps?