In 2017 , I bought a Bafang BBSHD kit as a bit of a fun project. I set it up on my no longer used DH bike at the time. It was a hoot! I added a dropper post and that transformed a dust collecting 18kg , shuttle only , plow machine into a 27kg , go anywhere , super plush , all day ride!
After almost 2000kms of fun, the frame (from 2006) developed a couple of cracks. I stripped the bike in preparation for restoration and transferred the mid drive over to my other bike , a 2014 Banshee Spitfire.
The Spitfire had also become a bit of a dust collector in the garage , as the E-DH machine was getting all the action! E biking had taken over as my preferred riding style , I'm sure most of us can relate to that.
The original battery pack had plenty of life left in it but it was a less than ideal shape to mount to the downtube of the Spitfire. I had a new pack made up in the same config but with the cells laid out in a longer rectangular shape. It still looks a bit of a "brick" but at least the front tyre doesn't make contact with the case like it used to on big hits.
The Spitfire is an excellent specimen for a mid drive conversion. A 68mm BB and 150 X 12 rear give a great chainline with the BBSHD. The downtube / BB junction allows the motor to be mounted with good ground clearance. The frame also has an S3 type front derailleur mount which I used to attach a chain guide and the seat tube comes with an opening for internal cable operated dropper posts.
The BBSHD is coming up to 4000kms of use and runs perfectly. I have had it apart a few times to grease the internals but haven't had to replace the nylon gear yet. I didn't appreciate just how quiet these motors run until I rode with conventional EMTBs. The Bafang has no rattles or clunks and at full power the whir is no louder than tyres on dirt. I generally use 3/9 PAS. On long climbs and tired legs , maybe 5 PAS. Fullpower is very rarely used. I don't have the throttle connected as I never used it when it was fitted and the cockpit has enough clutter !
All in all this has been so much fun. What started out as a project for a laugh , has kind of taken over as my full time ride and I love it. More power than I could ever need , great range and reasonable weight compared to production EMTBs.
Specs
Frame: Banshee Spitfire 2014 medium. Fox Float CTD shock , 150mm travel.
Fork: Fox Float 36 2018 160mm
Headset: Hope
Stem: Easton Haven
Bars: Spank Oozy 740mm
Grips: Ergon GA3
Brakes: Formula RX. Formula 180mm rotors.
Shifter: Sram XO ten speed
Derailleur: Sram X5 ten speed
Cassette: Sunrace 11 - 40T
Chain: Shimano HG95
Chainguide: Ebay / home built
Chainring / Spider : Ebay 40T narrow wide
Cranks: Bafang 170mm
Pedals: Xpedo Spry Magnesium
Front wheel: Hope Pro 4 hub. Hope Tech Enduro rim 27.5"
Rear wheel: Hope Pro 2 hub. Stans Flow Mk2. 26"
Tyres: Magic Mary 2.5. Tubeless.
Post: Giant Contact Switch. 150mm
Saddle: Selle SMP TRK
Motor: Bafang BBSHD
Battery: 52V 14AH
Weight: 23.95kg
New battery cell layout
New pack compared to the old
New case fabricated with new pack fitted.
After almost 2000kms of fun, the frame (from 2006) developed a couple of cracks. I stripped the bike in preparation for restoration and transferred the mid drive over to my other bike , a 2014 Banshee Spitfire.
The Spitfire had also become a bit of a dust collector in the garage , as the E-DH machine was getting all the action! E biking had taken over as my preferred riding style , I'm sure most of us can relate to that.
The original battery pack had plenty of life left in it but it was a less than ideal shape to mount to the downtube of the Spitfire. I had a new pack made up in the same config but with the cells laid out in a longer rectangular shape. It still looks a bit of a "brick" but at least the front tyre doesn't make contact with the case like it used to on big hits.
The Spitfire is an excellent specimen for a mid drive conversion. A 68mm BB and 150 X 12 rear give a great chainline with the BBSHD. The downtube / BB junction allows the motor to be mounted with good ground clearance. The frame also has an S3 type front derailleur mount which I used to attach a chain guide and the seat tube comes with an opening for internal cable operated dropper posts.
The BBSHD is coming up to 4000kms of use and runs perfectly. I have had it apart a few times to grease the internals but haven't had to replace the nylon gear yet. I didn't appreciate just how quiet these motors run until I rode with conventional EMTBs. The Bafang has no rattles or clunks and at full power the whir is no louder than tyres on dirt. I generally use 3/9 PAS. On long climbs and tired legs , maybe 5 PAS. Fullpower is very rarely used. I don't have the throttle connected as I never used it when it was fitted and the cockpit has enough clutter !
All in all this has been so much fun. What started out as a project for a laugh , has kind of taken over as my full time ride and I love it. More power than I could ever need , great range and reasonable weight compared to production EMTBs.
Specs
Frame: Banshee Spitfire 2014 medium. Fox Float CTD shock , 150mm travel.
Fork: Fox Float 36 2018 160mm
Headset: Hope
Stem: Easton Haven
Bars: Spank Oozy 740mm
Grips: Ergon GA3
Brakes: Formula RX. Formula 180mm rotors.
Shifter: Sram XO ten speed
Derailleur: Sram X5 ten speed
Cassette: Sunrace 11 - 40T
Chain: Shimano HG95
Chainguide: Ebay / home built
Chainring / Spider : Ebay 40T narrow wide
Cranks: Bafang 170mm
Pedals: Xpedo Spry Magnesium
Front wheel: Hope Pro 4 hub. Hope Tech Enduro rim 27.5"
Rear wheel: Hope Pro 2 hub. Stans Flow Mk2. 26"
Tyres: Magic Mary 2.5. Tubeless.
Post: Giant Contact Switch. 150mm
Saddle: Selle SMP TRK
Motor: Bafang BBSHD
Battery: 52V 14AH
Weight: 23.95kg
New battery cell layout
New pack compared to the old
New case fabricated with new pack fitted.
