Range
35–45km
Power
500W continuous
Battery
48V 14Ah Panasonic
THE STORY
The name says it all. This one came in as an existing e-bike — a BF eBikes city step-through that had done its time at a holiday house on the coast, where the terrain was flat and the pace was gentle. The original 250W direct-drive front hub motor was fine for that. But the owner had moved, and the new neighbourhood had hills. Real hills. Hills the old motor couldn't touch.
Build Video
Drag to compare — before and after the overhaul
ALMOST EVERYTHING
Almost everything was replaced. The frame, the 3-speed internal gear hub, and the rear wheel were the only survivors. Everything else — motor, battery, forks, brakes, tyres, display, stem, bars — was either upgraded or swapped out entirely. The electronics were sourced from a donor bike: all in good condition, just sitting unused. Nothing wasted.
BBS02 + BMX CHAIN
The heart of the new build is a Bafang BBS02 mid-drive running a BMX chain. The internal hub is a solid, proven unit — sturdy enough to handle motor torque, and simple enough that the rider never has to think about it. Three speeds, shift at a stop, never stuck at the bottom of a hill without a gear. That last part matters more than people realise.
LOW & CENTRED
The battery moved from the rear rack down to the downtube — a Panasonic 14Ah shark-pack that sits low and centred, transforming how the bike handles. The rider can also check the battery indicator directly on the pack itself, which is a nice bonus. The old suspension forks were removed — they were worn and frankly unsafe — replaced with clean alloy rigid forks that weigh less and handle better. Tyres went from 1.75" to 2.1" small-block rubber for more grip and a more confident ride over rough surfaces.
EASY TO READ, EASY TO RIDE
The cockpit got a full rethink too. A stem extender and adjustable reversed stem put the rider in a properly upright position — no hunching, no wrist strain. The original handlebars were kept. A large, easy-to-read display was added, along with a handlebar-mounted control pad so the rider can change assist levels or toggle the headlight without taking their hands off the bars. The headlight itself runs off the system — no batteries to replace, always on when you need it.
THE OUTCOME
This is what a good overhaul looks like. Not a parts-bin special — a considered, systematic rebuild that takes a bike the owner already knows and loves, and makes it capable of the life they actually live.
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