Electric bikes

Hope the hive mind can help, Bosch powpack 400 shows 4 lights. When plugged into bike nothing happens. Tapping on button while on bike still shows 4 lights. No blinking.

Sensing a Bafang in my near future due to increase in commuting distance, weight and elevation (nursery drop 2 days/week). I understand BBSHD is the go-to and this means no torque sensor which is probably not an issue for me.

Is AliExpress going to be a good bet for purchase and anything else I should look for beyond the conversion kit... Like some kind of cable for adjusting the settings?

Also, brake sensors... I'll be running hydro brakes so I assume this is incompatible. Is this an issue if I don't plan on pedaling and dragging the brakes at the same time?

I bought off Amazon for ease of returns, issues and vat receipt. Price diff wasn't huge.

You get brake sensors that stick on the lever. I didn't think I'd brake while pedalling turns out I did. Gear sensor also for the same reasons.

I'd recommend lekkie one but locking and a new chainring. Original one is laughably shit.

You can get hydro brakes with integrated cut offs, like the Magura MT5e. Might be worth looking into?

I have the brakes already but just saw a YouTube video where a guy had little cutout switches on hydro brake levers so I guess it's a thing. Fairly ignorant of how e-bikes/bafang work, will it still deliver power when coasting? I'd assumed not but I can't see the point in brake triggered cut-off if not.

Ah fair enough. From my limited reading they can be fiddly to set up, and the supplied tape is an insufficient attachment, you need to glue the magnets on if you don't want to risk them dropping off at an inopportune moment.
There are a couple threads on some other fora [pedelecs.co.uk ??] about optimum set up on common brake levers.

With big heavy bikes like cargo etc you have a lot more low speed control (manoeuvring) if you pedal while braking (like in the easiest gear) and don’t lean. With a torque sensor this is fine as the motor is sensitive to how hard you pedal but with a motor that simply pumps on or off as you turn the pedals it can make you lose control if it is too powerful. Therefore a switch that kills the motor when you activate the brakes can be useful without torque sensor. Afaik No motors in the Uk are technically legal if they operate while coasting.

Also when im approaching a stop sometimes I brake to slow down and also turn the pedals to get myself in an easier gear in preparation. Dont really need the motor pumping on in that situation

That all makes perfect sense, thanks!

Afaik No motors in the Uk are technically legal if they operate while coasting
If you want to run with a throttle you can legally
https://www.lfgss.com/comments/17076823/
Dave did put his Mum’s one through and the only issues he had were to do with lights. He had front and rear lights wired to the drive motor, but no brake lights or indicators. They said either you have all the lights or no lights. Took the lights off and it passed the test, then refitted the lights after the test. Sadly I don’t think his Mum got the chance to ride it legally.

Just worked on an R&M Load4 Rohloff with ABS - all I gotta say is good fucking luck fixing a roadside rear flat on that thing.

tried this with and without stand, thought it was alright, would be even easier with rohloff

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I’ve got a 36V (10s5p) 16 aH battery and charger going to waste. It’s from a “zooz”. The rest of the bike was stolen so battery no use to me now. Anyone want?

Yes please!

Anyone here got a tsdz8?

Ministers to consult on doubling legal wattage of electric bike motors

Might help for heavy goods and the use case for people with disabilities but it's a lot of extra power for the average bike that doesn't add anything if capped at 15.6mph.

Would prefer to see a discussion around a class system like the US, for speed/power. e.g.

Class 1 - 25kph/15.6mph 250w - rental type bikes, Lime, Forest, etc.
Class 2 - 32kph/20mph 250w - normal personal bikes
Class 3 - 25kph/15.6mph 500w - cargo

Enforcement is zero at the moment so it seems a bit of a pointless thing to consider.

Max speed of 20mph would be good I reckon. Being able to keep up with other traffic in 20mph zones (which more and more urban areas are becoming) could actually be safer I reckon.

So much this. Like nearly every ebike in London, I've changed my partners bike to US limits (20mph). Nothing worse than capping out at 15.6mph and getting squeezed, when we can now maintain 18-20mph together and confidently take the lane in a few of the tighter sections of the commute.

Some e-bike owners already tamper with their software to remove the 15mph limit, and with 500w bikes this could lead to very high unrestricted maximum speeds

As if 500W+ motors aren't easily available in the UK.

20mph way to fast for bi directional cycle path around London.

Fair point. I guess there are a lot more roads than decent cycle paths (particularly outside of London) but something that suits both will be difficult.

Most of the dodgy delivery rider electric bikes seem to be able to hold 20+ but it can be disconcerting when they fly past and I suspect a lot of them don't have brakes to match the speed/weight.

Mechanics have told me that the forks on a standard mountain bike that's converted were a real risk factor, too, as they weren't designed for the kind of torque you might get that way. I have no idea if that's true, by the way, but I'm sure there are plenty of people on here who can comment.

You are right, but in my opinion it's more to do with the repeated braking of a heavier load than the drive torque.

Another possible move would allow e-bikes to be powered by a throttle, like a motorbike.

is this a good thing?
a lot of the delivery riders already have this on their conversions, and when they blast past it can be pretty disconcerting.
I feel like legitimising high powered electric throttle assist bikes for use where pedal cycles are allowed is only going to increase the general hatred towards cyclists.

They are already legal. It’s a one time inspection that costs £50. No insurance, no tax, no license.