GBW as a commuter e-bike?

[Rick Thompson]

Quick intro as this is my first original post. I've been a Riv fan for years but not yet an owner - almost went with an Atlantis as a touring bike a couple of years ago but chose custom instead. I do have Riv supplied parts on several bikes, and live close enough to Walnut Creek that I've dropped in a few times.

I also have a very long commute, so last year put a mid-drive e-bike kit on an old hard tail mountain bike and that gets me to work. The mtn bike frame is not ideal, though. It's a bit small for me, the front can shimmy at speed, it's not really a road bike. So I've been considering getting a new frame and moving the mid-drive to that. 

Riv was at NAHBS in Sacramento last year with one of the first Gus Boots Willsens. That has intrigued me, with long wheelbase, wide tires, a sturdy frame but some fork flex for bumps, it might be a good bike for the mix of bike paths, rough gravel and city streets I use to get to work. I like the mixte type frame, and just the overall appearance looks capable.

The mid-drive would add 20 lbs to the bike, with the motor in the bottom bracket and the battery hopefully on bottle bosses on the downtube. I'd put a 1X Microshift Advent 11-42 on it, fenders, and a rear rack with baskets to carry my clothes and gear. I'm not usually happy with bars swept way back, so more likely a Wavie bar.

What do you guys think, would it be a cool commuter or an abomination to put electric drive on this bike?

[Joe Bernard]

I mid-drived a Cheviot which was great but underbraked. I mid-drived a Clem L which was great but a smidge flexy with that way-low toptube. I think a GBW would be spectacular with a BBSHD: Stiff, strong, good v-brakes, you're in!

[Joe Bernard]

Btw I have a lower-power Clem L now which is working well for me. You can see the story if you search "eClem again".

[Rick Thompson]

Thanks Joe! The voice of experience.

I will look into getting a test ride.

[Joe Bernard]

I should add a disclaimer since this is a company-specific forum: Adding a motor ABSOLUTELY voids any warranty, even the not-a-warranty warranty Riv implies. These things weren't designed for this, we're on our own here, kids 👍