What is an e-bike conversion kit? Simply put, it is a less expensive way to convert your own bike to an electric bike. There are several reasons why you might want to do this. One reason is the expense. Bike conversion kits are less expensive than buying an electric bike since you already have the bicycle framework. You basically just need the battery, power supply, and motor. E-bike conversion kits can be a fraction of the cost of an electric bike, but depending on the chosen motor and battery, some kits can run over a thousand dollars. Another reason is you already have familiarity with your own bicycle. You don’t need to get acquainted with a whole new bike. Modification of your own bike usually involves removing and replacing one wheel and hooking up the battery and controller. Depending on the kit, there may be other additions or tweaks that may be necessary. You have to have some basic tools and some mechanical know-how to make this happen. Instructions are, of course, included. And several of the kits claim to only take an hour or so to complete.
Some of the more popular conversion kit makers are Swytch and EBikeling. Factors to consider before buying:
- Budget: obviously you should know how much you can spend
- What will you be using the bike for: Will this be for short jaunts or long nature trips?
- Based on #2, you will need to determine the motor power and battery size. The more powerful motor you need, the more battery life you will require.
No matter what your needs are, electric bike conversion kits are a nice option to buying a whole new bike. With a little time and the ability to follow instructions, you can turn that old familiar bike into a power-assisted version, opening up new possibilities for its use and breathing new life into an old friend.