love too get ebike don't want to spend too much but want something good or might build my bike into ebike anyone here interested in this topic

I built a 1000 watt e-trike for my elderly mom from a schwinn adult tricycle.
apart from the trike, it was only about $350 for motor, controller, batteries (SLA as I was able to store them in rear basket), etc... put a surrey top on it with tassels for shade...

It would take hills with ease -and we even cruised sandy beaches with it along the water's edge -she loved it.

I have a downhill bike (old school but brand new condition Foes DHS 2:1 mono) I really want to make electric -but I'm struggling against the purist in me. (photo not of mine)




If I did I would go with the Grin all-hub motor on the back or a very light mid-drive setup.

Otherwise, I'm thinking of a very powerful electric fat bike for snow, sand and mud -and a trailer behind it to take my 2 dogs on adventures!

Do you want to ride on roads, off-road -or both?

I was just going to do road I have some forest near me but people walk them might not be impressed with cycling I have a hybrid road bike I enjoy cycling it just find if I had ebike would get travel longer less effort I would want paddle assist not a trottle motor

https://starkdrive.bike/ (complete folding e-bike for $399 + $265 shipping)

Hub motors are the easiest to install -especially if you buy it with the rim already laced on -and there is usually a sensor for pedal assist controllers, battery.
Batteries are actually often the most expensive part.

Amazon has a good selection to get an idea of what is available for how much, but do some research on the pros and cons of various systems

FLX is coming out with "the babymaker" -which doesn't really look like an ebike... I like the look of it....

actually, the "add-e" and "rubbee" motors are simple to install.

both use friction directly to the rear tire

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAVSUTB7TRA

In australia, I did have a 32cc 4 stroke honda engine with two ratio friction drive on mountain bike; it climbed any steep road or track in low range, and hit 50 Kph on roads in high range, except with wet tyres. Laws changed and now they'd book me for un-rego defectable motor vehicle at over $700 fines, and demerit points.
No internal combustion powered pushys allowed here anymore. Killjoys.

Now for some reason we must have EU standard certified e-bikes; 250 W speed limited to about 25 Kph, or 200 W unregulated. Absolutely pathetic gutless bikes; the EU standard was based on very old Japanese standards I think.

My 32cc petrol made 620 W, and my legs made another 1000 W or so, and unlimited mileage with a fuel can in my backpack. Thrills and spills. Much adrenaline produced. I could ride all day for less than $4 petrol.

Now, I want an e mountain bike with power to the crank so I can use the gears up hills, and later get a small discrete front hub drive to assist, and an extra battery pack or two.

Still got my old downhiller - Giant Warp, in good condition, and nice to ride. It was fantastic with my engine and drive on it, memories.
I'd put 500 W on it, but the cops here are onto modified or non EU stickered bikes. And now the government's broke after the virus, the cop fines will be going up. No thanks.

I'd say, if riding nearby home and not going far, use cheap SLA batteries, and cheap motors/wheels, but if getting out there, don't lug lead, use lithiums, and take a spare batt and a charger with you, and go for quality power systems.
How far do you want to push a broken or flat ebike with kilos of lead ? And be gentle, they're not indestructible. I broke and repaired one several times before it was finally stolen (broken again, ha).