Been looking at Electric Bikes and considering outlying the cash to buy a new eBike, but that is really stretching the budget?
Or you have a perfectly good bike that suits your size and weight, and is really comfortable to ride. Why ditch that perfectly good bicycle and spend on an Electric Bike.
Electric Bike kits are the answer for you. You get to continue to use the bike that you have become familiar with and that suits your riding style and is still in excellent condition.
Some questions that probably spring to mind
When analyzing Conversion Kits keep in mind, the cheapest start from basic kits with no added features, and possibly no battery included, right through to the top of the line with all the features you could want.
Types of eBike conversions
Friction Drive. The simplest option is to add a motor over the front or rear wheel. A roller applies pressure directly to the tire which turns the wheel. This is the least efficient but is the easiest kit to install and gets you started with an Electric Bike
Update: Although Friction drive is the simplest conversion kit to install and is the cheapest by far, locating a manufacturer or supplier in late 2021 has become impossible and we have not been able to find a source. For this reason, we have removed links to Friction Drive products as we are unable to provide a supplier at this point.
Hub Replacement. This is where you replace the front or rear wheel with one with a motor in the hub This is also the most common type of design used by Electric Bikes.
Mid (or Center) Drive. The more expensive eBikes tend to be Center-Drive. This is the case with these conversion kits as well. The Mid-Drive conversion itself is the most challenging of all three types so I would only be considering this conversion if I really had an excellent bike frame that I did not want to part with.
Keep in mind that conversion kits are going to add weight, especially the batteries, and where the motor and or batteries are mounted will have an affect on the handling properties and center of gravity for your bike.
After you have made a choice of your type of conversion kit, consider carefully what you get for the money when you look into the various brands. Does it include the battery and suitable attachment points? Seems obvious but some do not.
Kunray Front Wheel Hub Conversion Kit
Front Wheel 350W Motor for 26″ road bike
Highlights
- 36V 350W Brushless Motor
- PAS (Pedal Assistance System)
- LCD Display
- Front Electric Bicycle Wheel
- Kit 26″
- eBrake
- Headlight and switches
- Motor Controller and Box
- Note: Battery not included
EBIKELING Waterproof Ebike Conversion Kit
Rear Wheel Electric Bicycle Hub Conversion Kit
Highlights
- Includes all necessary components for installation
- Suitable for 26″ wheel size
- Kits are ready to install with an aluminum double-walled rim and hub motor already attached.
- PAS (Pedal Assist System)
- LCD Display
- EBIKELING provide technical support
- Note: Battery not included. Discount offered for Battery if ordered with the Conversion Kit
BAFANG BBS02B Mid Drive Conversion Kit With Battery
48V 750W BBSHD Motor Electric Bicycle Conversion Kit with LCD Display and Battery
Highlights
- Complete with Mid-drive motor, chainring wheel, crank ,nuts
- LCD Display
- Brake Lever
- Thumb Throttle
- Speed Sensor
- Battery and Charger
- Insruction Manual
1. Why Would I Do A Conversion?
- You simply enjoy your current bike, and you want to add some power to get from A to B with less effort.
- You want to minimize your carbon footprint
- You want to be able to carry heavier items and not put too big a strain on your body.
- Some of those hills are getting a little more challenging.
2. How Difficult Is It?
- The simplest conversion kit is the Friction Drive. It is the simplest but is also the least efficient
- Next is replacing the current front or rear wheel with a wheel with the motor in the hub. Again fairly straightforward
- The most challenging is the Center or Mid Drive. This is the most efficient and also has the lowest center of gravity so the handling will be best with this conversion kit
3. How Do I Do It?
- All Manufacturers that we reviewed provided instructions. Keep in mind that some suppliers will provide minimal instructions and others provide better-detailed guidelines.
- There is a vast amount of detailed instructions and YouTube videos on installing the 3 types of conversion kits that can be found by doing an internet (Google) search, so you are not alone
- Our experience is that conversion kits can be installed in about one hour
- Tools required nothing out of the ordinary. Adjustable wrenches, screwdrivers, crank puller tool and bike tool will see you through.