It’s always good to try out new things but sometimes you can’t let go of the past.
If you want to get into the E-bike trend, but you don’t want to let go of your old bike, this article is for you.
The easiest and cheapest way to get yourself an E-bike is to simply use one of the best E-bike conversion kits listed below and turn your old bike into a brand-new electric bike.
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This kit from EBIKELING can be used as a front or rear conversion kit.
EBIKELING is a brand that already makes some top-class electric bikes, so we can only expect the best from them. They are known for their quality components and performance for an affordable price.
The kit comes with a 1200W/48V motor with a max speed of around 30mph(48kmph). The best part is EBIKELING offers either a thumb or twist throttle and either a LED display or LCD display.
The display shows quite a bit of information including the battery life remaining, your mileage, the speed at which you are travelling, and also the Pedal assist levels.
The kit doesn’t involve a battery and surprisingly not even the tire. However, it does include electric brake levers, pedal assist sensors, torque arm, and lights for the front and back.
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Easily one of the most powerful mid-drive motors in the market today.
Bafang is another reliable brand because they make some of the best E-bikes in the market.
Unlike front or rear conversion kits that have a limit on the wheel size, this mid-drive kit can be fixed on any bike with a 68mm bottom bracket which is the most common size. It can also fit fat bikes which have a 100 – 120mm bottom bracket.
The kit also has 3 options for chainring size, 42T/44T/46T.
The kit comes with a 48V/1000W motor that has an integrated controller, thumb throttle, and pedal-assist sensor. Other components include a pair of electric brake levers, an aluminum chainring (with cover and cracks), speed sensors, and 6 varieties of LCD displays.
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This bike conversion kit is one of the most valuable kits for its price.
Similar to the Front kit from AW which I’ll be covering after this, the bike includes a 26′′x1.75′′ aluminum alloy wheelset with a low-quality tire and an electronic transmitter.
The regulator is a twin mode device that improves the motor's lifetime by shifting from Hall-effect to Non-Hall . Besides that, the package also has an LCD display indicating battery level, rpm, and distance.
The engine is also fitted with a state-of-the-art pedal assist sensor technology that makes traveling on quick or long journeys a pleasant experience.
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The front-wheel AW kit is an exact copy of the read wheel conversion kit.
The kit includes a 1000W/48V motor which is brushless and has an acceleration of 0 to max speed in around 7 seconds. The battery is not included just like the rear kit and you need either a Lithium, Lead-acid, or a Nickel-metal hydride battery with a minimum voltage of 28V and more than 17 Amp hours.
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This front wheel kit has the smallest motor with just 350W/36V.
The kit is compatible with either a 24 or 26” wheelset and has a max speed of around 20mph (32kmph). The best part of this kit is that it includes both the tire and battery.
Specifically, the kit includes a 36V lithium battery, a charger cable, a front hub wheel with a tire.
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Before investing in an electric assist bike kit there are some things to note such as the type of electric bikes in the market today, the types of electric motorized bicycle kits, and most importantly how you are planning to use your new E-bike.
Let’s start with how you plan to use your bike,
Riders use bicycles for several reasons from everyday commutes to thrill-seeking trail rides. The type of E-bike will change according to your needs. When you figure out your main biking needs and then subsequently the type of e-bike then it’ll be much easier to pick the right type of conversion kit.
Now that we know the next step is to learn more about the types of E-bikes in the market, let’s check them out.
There are 3 main types of E-bikes in the market today, Pedal Assist, Throttle Assist, and Speed Pedelec.
Pedal-assist is the most available variety out of the three types of E-bikes. It is ideal for a rider who doesn’t completely want to rely on a motor but once in a while likes to break out a sweat. This type of bike requires the rider to pedal but the power required when compared to a traditional bicycle is very low thanks to the electric motor ‘Assisting’ in the motion.
The second type is the easiest to ride. Throttle assist requires no pedaling at all and is perfect for senior riders or riders with injuries.
It also works well if you’re too lazy to pedal.
The third and final type of E-bike is the Speed Pedelec and is similar to the pedal assist. The easiest way to put it is, the Speed Pedelec is a Pedal Assist bike on steroids. This type of E-bike also requires the rider to pedal and is fitted with a powerful motor that enables the bicycle to travel at higher speeds.
Now that we’ve looked at the types of E-bike kits, let’s dive into the types of E-bike conversion kits.
To start with if you’re new to this topic let me tell you what an E-bike conversion kit is.
It converts your old bike into an E-bike you need a motor, throttle, electric brake handles, a battery, and a speed regulator. Instead of buying all the parts individually, a conversion kit makes it easier for you by combining compatible components in a bundle.
The price depends on the quality of the components and the construction depends on the type of conversion kit. You can get kits for as low as $200 or easily break the bank at around $2000.
Things to consider when looking for a conversion kit are the quality of the components, the skill required for construction, warranty, and most importantly whether it is compatible with your current bike.
If you’re looking for the easiest type of conversion kit, the front wheel kit should be an ideal match.
As the name suggests, this type of kit involves replacing the front wheel with the wheel that comes with the kit.
The kit is easy to install because you just have to replace the front tire and set all the wiring to the battery and it is also compatible with hub gear bikes.
When considering a conversion kit, weight is a crucial element to consider because you are adding a motor and a battery on to a normal bike frame. With the front wheel conversion, another advantage is the even distribution of the weight.
The battery is usually fitted in the middle or the rear, so the overall weight is evenly distributed. However, if the motor is too heavy, steering the front wheel might be an issue.
The front-wheel kit is ideal for paved city roads, so commuters take note.
A rear-wheel kit is the most common out of the three because most ready-made electric bikes come with one.
With the motor in the back, you feel like you are being pushed rather than pulled by a front hub motor. This kit is perfect for off-road enthusiasts since you can opt for powerful motors that allow you to cruise to higher speeds.
Since you are being pushed, you get better control and traction from the rear wheel.
However, installation can be quite a task because it involves removing the derailleurs and the whole drivetrain linked to the rear wheel. The rear conversion kit is also not compatible with an internal hub gear bike.
Front, rear, and now the only other place left on the bike to fit a motor is the triangular area just below the seat post.
In terms of weight distribution, this type of kit is hands down the best and also the most expensive out of the 3. If you don’t want your wheels spinning off due to the added weight, the mid-drive kit should ideally be your choice.
This kit also allows you to use the bike gear system to the max potential because it is away from the derailleurs and the drive train.
The installation however can be a bit difficult and might require professional help.
Picking a conversion kit can seem a bit too technical but once you get the general idea of how it works, it’s pretty simple cause the same thing is repeated for the three types of kits.
Now that you’ve seen some of the best conversion kits in the market and how to pick one, I hope this read has made it easier for you to convert your traditional bike into a brand new E-bike.
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