u/MerlinTrashMan

Looking for thoughts on a strange 775MX build

I have had this itch to pull the trigger on a 775MX for the last year. Give me some slack while I lay out my reasoning for my strange build. Things about me:

  1. Former dirt biker

  2. Large guy over 250lbs

  3. Have a budget of about 7.5k all in

  4. Not interested in building from scratch

  5. Live in Appalachians with frequent multiple mile climbs with over 15% grade.

Why I can't just buy this bike as is and be satisfied:

  1. I want to be able to pedal as a class 3 authentically for exercise and range

  2. I don't expect to spend much time in the air or on my old dirt bike tracks in the next few years so 6000w is overkill for me.

Why I really want the Bonnell:

  1. Build quality. It was built for people to do crazy fun stuff and take a real beating. Me riding it at 50% will give me the confidence that it is not going to snap underneath me.

  2. Built around a powerful motor with a moderately customizable software setup. Should be a fairly future proof frame to evolve.

  3. Suspension travel is longer than most to allow me to run a fairly plush setup at my weight.

  4. In the future, I can just swap in the old drivetrain and have a blast.

Here is what I am thinking:

In a perfect world, I'd buy a eMTB with nominal motor output of 2000W and peak of 2500W (LXC 64 is too custom and will not age well IMO). Since nothing exists, I plan to convert this bike into that. I know there is more fun to be had, but I am too old and out of shape (right now) to be doing the super fun stuff. To accomplish this setup, I will swap the single speed to the drivetrain being used on bikes that have new M2S motor. Then I will limit all the power setting is the app to have 500w, 1500W, and 2500w modes. I know there is still a chance the drivetrain won't handle the power, but it is less likely to happen at 2500w then 6000w.

Questions I have:

  1. Is this possible? Does the rear triangle have the space for a large cassette? Am I forgetting a key detail?

  2. Am I setting myself up for failure?

  3. Am I missing a bike in the market that already exists that meets my requirements?

  4. Is there something I am missing in the motor specs that will make me have a real bad time running it at lower power and speeds?

Edit: I should mention, i.am tired of waiting for something else to come out that checks all my boxes.

2nd Edit: I am aware of the other drive train, but based on the other reviews it seems that it doesn't provide much range.

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u/MerlinTrashMan — 6 days ago