Steep hills and big distances may present an obstacle to enjoying a nice warm day on a bicycle. Simultaneously, the increased use of electric power for transportation has led to the creation of various devices, which make it easier to stay mobile. With the help of an electric bike conversion kit with battery it is possible to facilitate the process of pedaling of even completely replace it.
Depending on your necessities, you can pick kits for conversion of various types. The biggest differences are power and method of installation. The cheapest models are usually the less powerful ones, ranging from 200 to 500 Watts. More powerful options are those exceeding the power of 500 Watts.
Table of Content
- 1 Main Categories of Electric Bike Conversion Kits
- 1.1 E-bike Wheels
- 1.2 Mid-drive Conversion
- 1.3 Friction Drive
- 1.4 Concealed
- 2 What you need to pay attention to when choosing a kit
- 2.1 Watts
- 2.2 Voltage
- 2.3 Amp Hours
- 2.4 Controller
- 2.5 Pedelec or Throttle
- 2.6 Brake Levers
- 3 General overview of 5 best manufacturers
- 3.1 NBPower
- 3.2 HalloMotor
- 3.3 Clean Republic Electric Bike Kit
- 3.4 Leed e-bike kit
- 3.5 EbikeBC
- 4 How to install a reliable and cheap conversion kit
Main Categories of Electric Bike Conversion Kits
E-bike Wheels
This type of kit is usually installed on the front fork and it doesn’t necessitate any special knowledge for this purpose. The motor and energy source are generally included in the wheel. Based on the bicycle that you have, you can select wheels of different sizes.
Depending on the manufacturer, the kit may also include the necessary tools for further assembly. This construction is the one that is used most frequently. The front as well as the back wheel can be substituted for an ebike wheel, with electrical components inside.
When the battery is not installed in the wheel, it makes for a more even weight distribution and facilitates the riding, otherwise the steering becomes a little more difficult.
The e-bike wheels require a durable fork, as it comes under pressure from the engine’s torque.
For the less favorable road conditions a rear e-bike wheel would be more convenient. It offers increased traction. Sometimes the power source can be installed on the frame, but if it is mounted on the rear pack, it switches all the mass to the back, which can be the cause for wheelies.
Mid-drive Conversion
This is a quite popular construction as it has the main components installed on the bicycle’s frame. This makes for an even weight distribution. Because the motor is hanging pretty low, it may get easily damaged when riding in difficult conditions. Thanks to the construction of this electric bike kit, the rider can enjoy very decent handling.
Here bike gears can be used, in contrast to the hub motor electric bike. Another benefit is that it will not be difficult to switch the tires.
Friction Drive
The commute may turn out to be a much more pleasant experience with the help of this additional bicycle device, but it has a number of downsides. First is the efficiency of the system, which is somewhat low, making it a less popular option for bicycle owners. Secondly, the construction itself makes the weight distribution uneven, which leads to handling issues.
Concealed
This solution comes at the highest price, but as the name says, it makes it possible to conceal that you possess a modified bike. The main components are installed into the seat-tube and are connected to the base bracket. It does not offer any particular benefits, expect for the fact that it conceals the motor and the energy source inside the bicycle’s structure.
What you need to pay attention to when choosing a kit
The technological side is very important when you are about to pick a conversion kit. This data will help you get a better understanding of what you are looking for. First of all, it would be worth checking on the information on power.
Watts
The power numbers differ from one model to another and may range between 250W and 1000W. These are motor’s power values. In order to sustain the more powerful motor, you would need a bigger battery.
Voltage
Generally, the motors inside the conversion kits can be purchased together with the batter, which is lithium-ion most of the times. Here the voltage of the motor has to correspond to the voltage of the battery. The batteries come at 24, 36, and 48 Volts.
Amp Hours
The more capacity a battery has, the longer you will be able to use it during rides. The usual value for conversion kits ranges from 8 to 20Ah.
The power values indicate the purpose these types of bikes can be applied for. For commuting on smooth roads, you won’t need much power, especially when pedaling doesn’t represent much difficulty. For off-road and hill overcoming, a more potent power unit would be required together with bigger battery capacity.
It is also important to find out more about law regulations regarding e-bikes in your region. Keep within the speed limits.
Controller
Some ebike kits come without a controller, but this is actually an important component. It is capable of displaying relevant data like battery charge, speed, power output among other things. You may not actually need any other information besides the level of charge, but if you have bigger plans in mind for your rides, then additional information will always be required. Nobody would like to get stuck in the middle of the wrong with a discharged battery.
Pedelec or Throttle
Find out whether the kit is incorporating just pedal assist, because it may also be equipped with throttle. The first option works only in conjuncture with the pedaling while throttle will allow you to move forward without any additional effort on your side.
Brake Levers
Brake Levers are used to cut down the excessive power, making it impossible to accelerate and decelerate simultaneously. Without the cable brakes the brake levers simply won’t work.
General overview of 5 best manufacturers
The analysis of leading bike conversion kits accessible on the market will uncover the advantages and disadvantages of each model.
NBPower
This is a very potent electric bike kit of 1000w. Different wheel sizes, ranging from 16” to 28” will surely allow a lot of bike users to find the exact size they need. Other features include: two brake levers, throttle, a smart controller of high quality and an LCD meter. The kit incorporates of a lithium-ion energy source of 48V and 20Ah and a charger to it. This is basically a full solution. The process of assembly won’t present any difficulties thanks to the manual.
HalloMotor
This powerful kit comes at two options. First is of 1200W and second is of 1500W. The wheel can be installed either on the front or on the rear. Different wheel sizes guarantee compatibility with almost every model of bicycle. The components are offered a 1 year guarantee, except for the cases in which the motor or any other components have been damaged due to the faulty operation. The kit includes Pedelec sensor and brake levers. An electric bike conversion kit of this wattage is ideal for those who wish to substitute pedaling and use extra energy to enjoy different types of terrain.
Clean Republic Electric Bike Kit
With the help with this electric wheel kit, it is possible to turn a regular bicycle into an electric bike. After a quick installation on the front wheel, it will be easier to carry the additional weight and the commute will turn into a more pleasant experience. Climbing hills would not present much of a problem. The kit includes a 250W electric bike motor together with a power source. It provides with power comparable to an adult, but for climbing steep hills it would be necessary to check more powerful options. Additionally, it is possible to choose between two batteries of different capacity.
Leed e-bike kit
After a quick installation, the bike will be equipped with the 250W powerful motor. All that’s required is mounting the wheel, clipping the battery to the frame and setting the cables. It is a complete set that includes battery, charger, cables and grip throttle. It is great for trips of any distances and mostly flat roads. The reliable high-quality batteries are guaranteed to last for a long time.
EbikeBC
The electric bike kit of medium power is going to help you travel with additional comfort. The whole system is very compact and lightweight, which helps for more even weight distribution and handling. Also, the kit has an energy source, a portable controller, which shows the main information, thumb control accelerator and charger for the battery.
Comparison of the top electric bike conversion kits accessible on the market
Table could not be displayed.How to install a reliable and cheap conversion kit
The demand for efficient electrical solutions has led to the development of conversion kits for bicycles. The increasing gas prices and the state of environment due to pollution is a real reason for concern.
Thanks to Greg Davey’s instructions, it is possible to build an electric bike that will make 50mph and be a great companion for trips and commutes. An ebike conversion kit requires a lot of expertise in order to perform the assembly process at home.
1. A reliable vehicle. The price tag for a small energy source can’t compare with the cost of an electric car. By getting the top quality product, the battery can be expected to last for around 10 years.
2. Avoid the traffic issues. Because you have a compact bike, you can pass the slow cars or simply use the bike lane.
3. A decent mileage. Depending on your style of riding, you can expect to do around 50 miles on a single charge.
4. Save money on car insurance. There will be no need for a car and your bike won’t need much maintenance work.
5. No need to buy gas. Electricity is cheaper and you can plug in at any time of day to recharge the battery.
6. Silent ride. Because there is no loud internal combustion engine, you can enjoy the nature and won’t scare ay animals on your ride through the park.
The book has all the main steps covered – from the introduction, where you select the bicycle, to the building process and storage of the sensitive electrical components.
Saving money is the main goal, in addition to getting a reliable vehicle that can be used on a daily basis.
If your commute takes too much energy out of you, then it would be a good idea to think about getting an electric bicycle kit. Depending on your budget, it is possible to get a powerful kit that may help you climb steep hills and travel many miles at a decent speed. At the same time, the newest lithium batteries are providing enough power and reliability. With a small investment it is possible to create a dependable electric vehicle that will serve many years.
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