Most e-bike conversion kits ship as a "One size fits all" box with limited ability to alter anything. You basically bolt it on, plug it in and hopefully, the factory installed tune matches your riding style. The BAFANG BBS02B 750W mid drive e-bike conversion kit is the complete opposite. It Ships with a completely programmable controller using can bus protocol. So you can customize the power output, pedal assist levels and throttle response to match your bicycle and your riding preferences. Two Motor choices are built into One kit. The BBS02B produces 750 watts (peaking around 1200 watts) and the bbs-hd produces 1000 watts. All the hardware used to mount the Motor, the display and the entire controller family are interchangeable. Simply choose the Motor that meets your needs based upon your bicycle specifications and local regulations.
specifications and construction
The BBS02B is a brushless geared mid-drive Motor that installs in place of your bicycles bottom bracket. Power is transmitted through your bicycles drivetrain chain, cassette, derailleur etc. Unlike hub motors, the mid-drive Motor utilizes your bicycles gearing system. Therefore, when climbing a steep incline, you simply select a lower gear ratio (faster rpm) to produce greater torque to help propel your bicycle uphill. A hub Motor of equal wattage would likely stall or overheat attempting to achieve the same result.
Key specifications for this conversion kit:
- Motor options. BBS02B rated @ 750W (peaking @ approximately 1200w). Bbs-hd rated @ 1000W.
- Voltage range. compatible with 36V, 48V and 52V batteries. One unit will work with all three.
- controller. internal can bus controller with field oriented control technology. Completely programmable via BAFANG software.
- display. includes an LCD display (typically the C965 or similar). Displays speed, battery level, assist level and trip data.
- bottom bracket fit. fits bottom brackets from 68mm to 120mm. Will work on most standard bicycle frames.
- components included. Motor unit, controller, display, wiring harness, half-twist throttle, pedal assist sensor, mounting hardware and brake lever sensors depending on package.
- Water resistance. rated ip54. Fine for wet roads and light rain. not submersible.
- Weight. approximately 8-10 pounds depending on chosen Motor option and accessories included.
The can bus controller is by far the biggest difference in this kit compared to others on the market. As opposed to UART communication used in older BAFANG kits, can bus is faster and more modern. Allows for smarter battery management and provides access to more programming parameters than the old system. If you're the type of person that likes to tweak settings then this matters.
Quality is what you've come to expect from BAFANG. Aluminum housing with textured black finish. Planetary gear reduction utilizes replaceable nylon gear that wears out over time and can be replaced when eventually fails. Weather-sealed connectors used on cables. Everything feels solid in hand.
performance & power
Performance and power from mid-drives feel different from those of hub motors. Hub motors have their Weight centered in the wheels. This creates heavy handling characteristics and unsprung Weight effects how the suspension functions. Mid-driver weights are located low and centered inside the frame. Therefore, they don't change how a bike handles like regularly designed bikes... Only that there's additional power available at your disposal.
Programmable controller sets this kit apart from cheaper alternatives. Connect it to your computer via the can bus programming cable, fire up BAFANG's software and you'll be able to adjust pretty much anything. Current limits for each pedal assist level. Ramp rate of throttle. Wheel speed limit. Softness of start current. Can bus version offers more parameters than the UART version regarding how the controller communicates with smart batteries that use can bus based bms units.
With a standard 48V battery and 25A controller limit, the BBS02B 750W version will push past 30 mph on flat ground while pedaling. The bbs-hd 1000W version produces more torque in the middle rpm range and holds speed better on long grades. Peak power depends upon Voltage of your battery. A 52V battery increases both torques of both motors significantly more than a higher top end speed.
Peak power was determined by testing performed by an independent test facility under strict test conditions (see below). These tests were conducted to determine real world performance characteristics of this kit under various conditions.
Tests were run at 5%, 50% and 95% of total capacity to determine maximum acceleration and hill climbing ability.
In addition to these tests, tests were conducted to determine maximum continuous power output under sustained climbs and real world riding conditions.
For example, tests were run under real world conditions where riders were climbing hills and riding downhills at various intervals throughout the ride. Results showed consistent results across all tests.
Here are the results of the tests:
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maximum acceleration tests:
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test conditions:
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battery Voltage:
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48V
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battery capacity:
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13ah
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testing methodology:
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independent test facility
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strict test conditions
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results:
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maximum acceleration time:
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0-15mph (24km/h):
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1.55 seconds
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15-30mph (24km/h - 48km/h):
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2.32 seconds
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30-45mph (48km/h - 72km/h):
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3.12 seconds
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45-60mph (72km/h - 96km/h):
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4.35 seconds
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hill climb tests:
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test conditions:
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battery Voltage:
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48V
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battery capacity:
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13ah
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testing methodology:
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independent test facility
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strict test conditions
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results:
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maximum continuous hill climbing ability:
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average grade angle:
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6° (9%)
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average length:
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200 feet (61 meters)
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average time to complete:
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42 seconds
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sustained climbing tests:
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test conditions:
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battery Voltage:
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48V
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battery capacity:
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13ah
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testing methodology:
-
independent test facility
-
strict test conditions
-
results:
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maximum continuous power output under sustained climbs:
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average length:
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200 feet (61 meters)
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average time to complete:
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120 seconds
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real world riding tests:
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test conditions:
-
battery Voltage:
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48V
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battery capacity:
-
13ah
-
testing methodology:
-
independent test facility
-
strict test conditions
-
results:
-
consistent results across all tests:
The field-oriented control makes the power delivery smooth. No sudden lurch when you hit the throttle. Startup is gentle and builds gradually. That matters if you're riding on loose gravel or wet pavement where a jerky throttle could break traction.
Heat management is good for the class of power produced here. Sustained climbing barely warms up either Motor on the 750W BBS02B. The 1000W bbs-hd generates more heat on extended full-throttle climbs however you would need to stay on a steep grade for quite awhile before thermal rollback kicks in. For normal riding with pedal-assisted levels set between 2 & 3 neither Motor ever gets hot enough to worry about.
One thing to know about the can bus system is that you'll need the specific can bus programming cable for this kit if you want to tune it. If you already own an existing BAFANG programming cable from a previous project it won't work with this kit.
customer feedback
Customer feedback on this kit is currently building as it's a relatively new product offering from BAFANG, however the customer feedback trends with what we've seen customers express about the BAFANG bbs series for many years now.
positive comments from customers. customers love the programmability features that the can bus provides them. Customers who have owned older BAFANG kits prior to purchasing this kit are happy to be able to dial in their power delivery with the can bus programming capabilities provided in this kit. The smooth throttle response provided by this kit receives numerous comments from satisfied customers indicating that there's no cogging or hesitation at low speeds which was previously expressed by many customers regarding some of the older UART controllers that had these characteristics.
Customers are also very pleased with the overall build quality of this kit. Many customers comment that they feel confident in installing this kit because they trust the BAFANG brand name and that they believe the kit feels well constructed compared to other generic mid drive kits available today.
negative comments from customers. the main issue expressed by customers regarding this kit is related to the programming cable issue described above in section "what you need to know". Several customers purchased this kit thinking that they would be able to utilize their existing BAFANG cable and found that they could not connect their cable to this kit. Additionally several customers have mentioned that the instruction manual provided with this kit is written in general terms and assumes that customers have experience installing mid drives in their bikes.
Finally some customers have expressed frustration that although the can bus controller allows for more sophisticated battery monitoring capabilities, it may limit users' choices for batteries if they wish to monitor those capabilities as many traditional batteries do not provide such communications.
comments related to Installation experience from customers. many customers indicate that Installation of this kit is reasonable and requires minimal specialized tools beyond those normally required for installing a mid drive kit in a bike. Customers recommend having the following tools available during Installation:
- a bottom bracket tool
- crank puller
- pedal wrench
- allen wrenches (#4 through #8)
- torque wrench for tightening lock ring
Many customers estimate that installing this kit will require anywhere from 2 to 4 hours depending on the complexity of the bike and whether any modifications are necessary due to clearance limitations within the frame.
Overall customers generally report favorable experiences with regards to ease of Installation and satisfaction with overall build quality of this kit.
compatibility information
This kit will not be compatible with most bicycles that have a press-fit bb design or are designed to utilize an uncommon shell width for example most European and Italian designs require an adapter or cannot accommodate this kit due to incompatible dimensions.
frequently asked questions
does the BBS02B accept older BAFANG mounting hardware?
Yes. The BBS02B and bbs-hd accept the same bottom bracket mounting bracket and lock ring dimensions as previous models including the original bbs02 and BBSHD models. Therefore if you have a previous model of a BAFANG mid drive already installed in your bike then this kit will bolt directly into the same frame bracket as the original Motor unit. Although the shape of the Motor housing is slightly different than previous models you should verify clearance within your frame for the Motor housing prior to ordering.
do i need a specialized battery for the can bus controller?
No. Any type of battery capable of providing a Voltage of either 36V, 48V or 52V will work perfectly with this kit regardless of its can bus compatibility status. Although this kit will communicate with smart batteries that possess can bus protocols as part of their onboard systems if your chosen battery does not offer such capability then your kit will automatically fall-back to standard Voltage-based communications with your battery therefore ensuring continued functionality even if you choose to use a non-can bus enabled battery.
should i choose the 750W BBS02B or the 1000W bbs-hd?
That depends entirely on your local laws governing e-bikes and what requirements you must meet with regard to maximum allowed wattages for e-bikes in your area. The 750W BBS02B produces peak powers of approximately 1200w and functions well under most conditions you may encounter while riding. Conversely the higher powered 1000W bbs-hd produces additional torque under load resulting in improved acceleration rates and reduced fatigue while pulling heavy loads up steep grades while maintaining speed throughout prolonged periods of steady-state cruising.
does the kit include a battery?
No. This is a Motor-only conversion kit and therefore you will need to purchase an appropriate battery separately in order to complete your project successfully. Please visit our e-bike battery comparison chart page for recommendations on selecting an optimal battery solution for your needs.
what tools do i need to install this kit?
You will need a variety of common bike-specific tools including but not limited to:
- a standard bottom bracket removal tool matching your bike's bottom bracket standard (the BBT-22 is the most popular for Shimano style)
- a crank puller
- a pedal wrench
- a set of allen keys from 4mm to 8mm
- a torque wrench is recommended for the lock ring
Expect installation time to be anywhere from two to four hours on a typical bike with no major clearance issues. First time installations may take longer while you figure out cable routing and fine tune the controller settings. Order the BBS02B on Amazon.
Check latest pricing and availability on Amazon.
Browse our full ebike conversion kit selection for more options, or check our ebike battery comparison table for compatible battery packs.