Custom steel emtb motor choice

[GeeWin]

Background:

• 52y old with 2 kids, have been riding/racing bikes since 1990, stopped tacing EWS and DH in 2023 after injuries. Only racing friends now as I promised the family will not ever race again
• Emtb’s owned:
  • 2019 Ghost with Shimano 8000 motor 504Wh ext battery. Liked it range was like 1800 vertical in 4 hours, but was much fitter. Sold it in 2020
  • Specialized Kenevo SL with 55nm liked the fact that with 20kg was close to my race enduro. Could do 1400m elevation. Bought in 2024 sold in 2025 as wanted a bike where I could do 1400 in less time
  • Current bike Mondraker Crafty Bosch Gen 5 since last year. Like the geo, kinematics, but pissed that 1 year in and they dropped the Zendit and some of my friends switched to Avinox bikes

Currently have a Zendit on order, but was thinking that i do not want to play this power game and I do not want ti change bike if I want to try a new motor

Solution:
Last year I ordered an analogue frame from vesselbikeproject tailored to my specs ( geo, kinematics) and he started to do a frame with different motor mounts. So if I would go down this route, I could keep the frame (which would be almost identical to my analoge bike) and i could always upgrade the motor/electronics when I want. I’m not after the latest tech/power so a “weaker” 85-90 nm motor would be great with a 600-800 Wh battery. Looking around I have counted the following options (I’m sure there are thousand others, happy for suggestions)

• Bafang. He has mounts for this. Initially I was thinking about the M820 but can not find a larger battery, and heard mixed feedback on the motor performance so the 510 would be my next candidate(560 is a bit overkill), not sure about total system cost
• Bosch: again he already has mounts for this, I could take it out from my Mondraker but then I would be left with a frame probably more difficult to sell. I could also get CX 5 motor new taken out from a new bike for like 600 EUR (bo warranty) and add a Bosch Power Pack 725 (BBP3570) for EUR 429
• New Shimano EP6 for EUR 200 with steps bt-en606 external 630 wh battery for EUR300. I know its old but at this price on bike discount it is worth checking out
• Maxon Air S: I would be happy with this motor along a 600 Wh battery. I have sent them an email, not sure they will reply

Battery is preferred to be external as it will have bms and easier to fix to the frame. I know that I will still need to buy additional parts for the electronics, but i would not think these would make a large difference between the options.

I would appreciate any ideas/feedback on my options there, even if you tell me I should just wait for the Zendit

 

[CarolinaCrawler]

Love the Vessel! I WILL own a Vessel Downhill bike one day (probably when my Commencal frame cracks).

That said, I have 2 Bafang bikes and really like them. I love the ability to repair everything myself and the parts are so cheap I keep a spare controller, display, and remote at all times. Also seeing how Jack's personal bike is Bafang powered he's super familiar with the setup too. As far as price goes, I know it seems to be around 1KUSD for the complete kit (motor, cranks, display, remote, battery and wiring) from any of the usual venders.