What started as a humble hardtail would soon turn into an exhilarating e-bike

The story of my e-bike is one of drama, perseverance, and ingenuity. It’s a real-life Ship of Theseus, which has gone through so many iterations that it’s hard to call it just one bike. Fueled by the theft of my first mountain bike, I decided to make something even better: an e-bike that has since become my daily commuter. All that remains of the original bike is its front rim, but each part has a story of its own. Here’s the life of my e-bike shown, briefly, through photos:

  • My first - and last - ride on the Marlin 5

  • The tragic end that started it all

  • The cheapest bike on craigslist, but it's about to get more fun

  • A completely new front end, featuring the Marlin front wheel.

  • Fueled and ready for action

  • The (almost) current build - complete with student-built frame and a custom-built internally-geared rear wheel

  • A 3D-printed motor cutoff panel to enable the use of hydraulic brakes