rabbit.reviews
Best DIY / Best Value

TerraTrike + BBS02 Mid-Drive Conversion

Buy a used TerraTrike Rover and add a Bafang BBS02 mid-drive kit for under $1,000 total — the community's favorite DIY approach for serious performance on a budget. Highly recommended by experienced e-bike builders.

$800-$1,200
Amazon
Pros
  • Total cost under $1,000 including used trike and motor kit
  • BBS02 mid-drive delivers superior hill-climbing torque vs hub motors
  • TerraTrike is a reputable, established trike brand with good parts support
  • Fully customizable — choose battery size, motor power, and components
Cons
  • Requires mechanical confidence to install and maintain
  • No warranty or customer support like a pre-built e-trike
  • Sourcing a good used TerraTrike takes time and luck
  • Conversion vooids any remaining trike warranty
Why we recommend it

This is the enthusiast's move: a proven recumbent trike platform plus a proper mid-drive motor for less than any pre-built e-trike. If you're handy at all, this combo beats everything at the price.

Sources
reddit.comE-trike reccomendations : r/ebikes
Reddit user

“I found a Terratrike Rover on FB for $250 and installed a bbs02 mid drive motor kit. Cost just under $1K for the whole shebang.”

Consider instead
Velotric Triker
The most recommended mid-tier e-trike in community discussio…
$2,500
Lectric Trike 2
At $1,500, the Lectric Trike 2 is the go-to entry point for …
$1,500
Addmotor Spytan 2 (Reverse Trike)
A reverse trike (2 wheels in front, 1 in back) that the comm…
$2,000-$3,000
Catrike / ICE Trikes (Tadpole Recumbent)
Premium tadpole recumbent trikes from Catrike or ICE are the…
$2,500-$6,000+