Custom E-bike Build: Marin Kentfield 1 W/ Bafang 750w BBS02 Mid Drive 52v 14ah Shark Battery

[@ChrisMyers2000]

I built almost this exact e-bike about 2 years ago for my mom. It was the women’s frame and I used the 500C display. It was one of my favorite builds because it’s a GREAT bike and is sooooooo smooth. I’m still debating on making one for myself because I liked it so much. It was my first time using the BBS02 and was worried it wouldn’t have enough power but I was wrong. I actually ended up limiting the power to about 80% because she felt it was too powerful 😂. Anyway, for anyone thinking about building this bike I can’t recommend it enough. Just go for it.

[@wagonet]

I built my e-bike about 2 years ago thanks to your channel. bbs02, still goin very strong.

[@idrissamorehouse322]

Having just shopped for an Ebike - I super appreciate you showing that you can get something good for way less - would be nice to see some footage from the build process and a few more details about cost and process - Just Sayin - thats what the heads come to youtube for - keep up the good work - cheers

[@robp4564]

Check his old videos, loads out there about how to do it. I built mine from KZbin vids.

[@bradseward8342]

I picked up a 2023 Marin Kentfield 2 for C$549 about a week ago. It looks like a great platform for the BBS02 and a brake upgrade.

[@glennr9669]

Ahh Johnny, I really wanted to see a speed test. It makes my day 😂

[@lukewalker1051]

Nice build Johnny. Guys, Johnny and Shane do a Wednesday night live chat at 9 am EST if you have any questions about state of the art ebike tech.

[@JohnnyNerdOut]

9pm 😀 we are not morning people!

[@fernandom6811]

What are the bafang rear hub motors like? The new ones with the torque sensors? thanks 😊

[@tthh4681]

Ok Johny , I really want yo build a e bike with torque sensing moter ... you said the new bafang has it but they r having issues with it and you have mentioned the toseven moters . When do you think you will have a solid opinion on these two moters ???

[@JohnnyNerdOut]

After a few months of selling them, riding and repairing them I will have a better idea. Probably summer. Right now it’s just initial thoughts….

[@brittweir8844]

Nice job 👍, fyi,, I recently bought a kick stand from you. aluminum cast product, made in USA., super 💪 I’m very pleased with it, the one that I bought at the local sporting good bent in half the first time I tried to use it.😂.❤

[@michaelsprinzeles4022]

Another sweet build! Budget builds are my favorite. Would have been nice to see but I don't care about the top speed test. With a BBS02 on a new 700c bike I can tell you it'll be above 30mph (might get close to 40 with 700c wheels). I'd always factor an aftermarket chainring into my budget with a BBSxx, not a fan of the stock ring. I would start with the stock ring, just to figure out what size chainring would suit me & the bike but then upgrade. Personal opinion (for the BBSxx lines) is 42t is pretty ideal to clear the motor housing and offer better offset while small enough that you can still create good climbing gears (with the right size cassette to create at least a 1:1 gear ratio for the granny gear). "Greetings fellow nerds" for an opener?

[@TheAgentAssassin]

lekkie makes great chainrings , pricey but worth it I had a bbs02 on a folding bike with 20in tires/451mm (bmx size tires) with a 52T/11-32 and it went 34mph, I could've swapped out for a 9 teeth rear sprocket and squeezed a few more mph but 34mph on a small folding bike is scary fun.

[@michaelsprinzeles4022]

@@TheAgentAssassin Sounds scary but sweet. That gearing works much better with 20 inch tires than bigger ones. You'd go faster but wouldn't have the best torque for climbing with a 700c. Lekkie for the BBS02 for sure. With the HD I like the Luna Eclipse for the best offset (even though Lekkie makes a more attractive kit with a blinged out motor cover).

[@dust6242]

I noticed the derailleur position is a lot more forward than the one on my bike, I like that is it just a matter of shortening the chain? thanks

[@a5-30-31cts]

His chain is about 1-2 links too short. He's in the big low cassette gear. If too many links the chain sags in high small gear. If one more link is removed, he'll get stuck in low gear and will break the derailleur. I'd say add one more link and good to go.

[@dust6242]

@@a5-30-31cts thank you

[@stephenenglish7168]

I read the BBSHD had 160nM of torque. Is that true? And the M600 has only 95nM of torque. Is that true?

[@joaomarveloso1049]

Johnny, what kind of a setup would you recommend for long distance riding? Mid drive, or back wheel drive? I would love to get an e-bike that feels like riding a normal bike, but goes faster. I wouldn't like to have a throttle, but just seamless assist when I pedal. Oh, yeah, and something a bit stronger so I can pull my dog in a small trailer 🙂

[@JohnnyNerdOut]

A mid drive with torque sensing will the best setup, but only if you are a confident bike rider.

[@joaomarveloso1049]

Thanks @@JohnnyNerdOut

[@emanuelv19]

Johnny, I have the same bike but I was wondering if there is a cheaper option?

[@JohnnyNerdOut]

Yes, going with a smaller motor and battery can save a few hundred dollars

[@emanuelv19]

do you have a kit for sale? or recommend one? @@JohnnyNerdOut

[@windwalkerXC]

🇨🇦 ✌

[@ChrisBFerguson]

I would use a bigger battery at the very least with that much room in the triangle. I havr 52 v 28 Ah on two different bikes.

[@michaelsprinzeles4022]

For range I agree with you but this is a commuter & might not need the extra range. I have 2 sizes of battery, 17ah & 6 ah. The 6 is GREAT for short rides and keeping the weight down (for carrying the bike on stairs & the like). Weight isn't usually a concern with e-bikes but can be on a commuter.

[@ChrisBFerguson]

If you're commuting in Florida or California you need the bigger battery.

[@michaelsprinzeles4022]

@@ChrisBFerguson Fair. I always think big city commuting within that city when talking commuting. My bad. Many things to factor & I left some out. There's speed, distance, how much pedaling vs throttle & if you can charge at your destination. I'm in NYC and got from Brooklyn the entire length of Manhattan and into the Bronx pedaling on a 6ah battery. I couldn't do that today but with a 14ah I could cover it, I'd just need to recharge for the return trip.

[@leonjohansson6542]

Say Ma-Rin, not Mare-in.

[@tommysavia523]

When is someone going to work out spacers and blots to put multiple front sprockets on the bbso2

[@terrycruise-zd5tw]

is it ok without a suspension fork?

[@ChrisBFerguson]

Yes.

[@michaelsprinzeles4022]

I rode without suspension for about 30 years without issues. I have a 700c e-bike (conversion) now without suspension, and it has rim brakes. A suspension free bike may chatter your teeth on potholes but doesn't do the bike any harm. On a commuter suspension is actually less efficient, so not ideal for range.

[@TheAgentAssassin]

Those Kinekt suspension stems work pretty good but they're heavy. I had one a small carbon folding bike with a BBS02 , it went 34mph so having a little bit of bump retention helps when you hit a small bump at 34mph. I used the stiffest spring rate with an added optional elastomer that fist inside the spring. Felt great and smoothed out the rough stuff without feeling squishy or bottoming out. I tried the redshift too but it doesn't have the same feel , much lighter though but the components like the screws included were low quality. The kinekt is built way better.