New Guide to Ebike Conversion Kits in 2022

Guide to eBike Conversion Kits in 2022

Interested in buying an ebike conversion kit? Wondering which one to buy?

Ebike conversion kits are great because they can be used on bikes of all sizes. Each type of ebike conversion kit has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to understand what each one is before buying.

In this guide, we’ll look at different types of kits and explain how they work. You’ll also learn about the benefits and disadvantages of each type of kit. Once we’ve covered the basics, we’ll explore some specific kit types like front motor kits, mid-drive kits, rear motor kits and more.

Installation is a big question for potential owners. Finally, we’ll take a deeper look at prices so that you can make sure you get what’s right for your budget!

Which types of bike will an ebike conversion kit fit?

Conversion kits for e-bikes are available in a variety of styles and sizes, allowing them to be fitted to most bike types. So, whether you have a road bike, commuting bike, mountain bike, or shopping bicycle, there is an e-bike conversion kit that will work for you.

The size and design of your fork are the most crucial factors to consider. If you pick a conversion kit with a front motor wheel or a rear motor, for example, you’ll need to swap wheels. This is fine as long as you have standard dropout forks. All that’s necessary is a 10 centimetre space between your forks to switch your old wheel to an electric wheel.

For road bikers, the most significant issue is whether you have through-axle forks. These are a recent development in fork technology meant to avoid the risk of a bicycle wheel detaching from your bike. The disadvantage is that it prevents you from converting to an ebike in the future.

Components in e-bike conversion kits

Your bike conversion kit comes in a variety of styles with different components.

At its most basic, an ebike conversion kit will have a battery, controller and motor. The battery is what powers your electric bike while the controller regulates this power. The motor then takes this energy and uses it to turn your pedals for you!

Battery

When it comes to batteries, there are two main types of batteries – lead-acid and lithium-ion. Lead-acid batteries are the traditional option and are commonly used in cars. They have a higher energy density than lithium batteries which means they can store more power for their size. However, they are also heavier and can be more expensive.

Lithium eBike Battery

By contrast, lithium-ion batteries have a lower energy density than lead-acid but they are lighter and generally cheaper. Their energy density is higher than lead-acid batteries so they can be smaller. Their size and weight make lithium batteries the best choice for purchasing an e-bike conversion kit with battery.

The distance you will be able to cycle on a single charge is determined by the power of your battery. E-bikes have typically been manufactured with large battery capacities and this is reflected in their price. The most powerful electric bike conversion kit, for instance, retails at above £1000 and that’s without a battery. Often the preserve of experienced mountain bikers, e-bikes have been designed to meet their need for excess power from both their battery and their motor.

Today, as riding electric bicycles becomes more mainstream and commuters take to riding e-bikes, battery size is being reflected in smaller batteries for commuting and leisure.

With the transition away from functional battery packs to more aesthetically appealing bottle batteries, the shape of the battery is also a consideration. The more modern and best ebike conversion kits have bottle-shaped batteries helping conceal your investment from opportunists.

Controllers

The controller is an important part of your e-bike conversion kit. It essentially controls the power that goes to your motor and determines your top speed. A controller is usually included with your e-bike conversion kit so you don’t have to worry about purchasing it separately.

Whilst manufactured e-bikes have concealed the controller within the design of the e-bike, conversion kits have had to find other solutions. These stretch a spectrum of solutions from the most basic box and wires to the more user-friendly integrated intelligent controllers.

While early e-bike conversion kit makers appeared to be rushing to put together a few technical components, more forward-thinking suppliers have taken the time to think about the bike conversion kit and the user. This has led to integrated electronic controllers being built into existing components, necessitating the demise of the PAS sensor.

The PAS sensor is no more

Innovation has now made the pedal assist sensor redundant and made converting your bike to an e-bike a whole lot easier. Typically, this is the sensor that you would use to control your e-bike conversion kit. When a rider starts pedalling, the PAS system will detect it and the motor will begin operation. The sensor is no longer necessary as the latest conversion kits integrate a gyroscope, a GPS and a fast processor which calculate both the slope and speed at lightning pace. Thus, the days of fiddling with installing additional parts in awkward places are over.

Traditional kits also needed an LCD display that shows things like speed, distance travelled and even how much power you are using. The display fits your handlebar and uses either a wired or Bluetooth connection to communicate with the kit.

Smartphone App Controller

E-bike kits that are more advanced no longer require this. Your smartphone may now be used as the controller thanks to a smartphone application. This eliminates the need for any handlebar clutter and lowers the price significantly. Ebike conversion kits have truly become smart!

Motors

ebike conversion kits spread across three main types:

• the rear wheel motor
• the mid-drive motor
• the front wheel motor

The rear wheel motor is the most popular and simplest type of conversion kit. The motor sits on the back wheel and drives it directly. This type of kit is easy to install and maintain, making it a popular choice for those who are new to electric bikes.

A mid-drive motor is mounted in the middle of the bike between the pedals and the rear wheel. This type of conversion kit is more powerful than a rear motor and gives the rider more torque (power) to help with hills and acceleration. The downside of retrofitting a mid-drive motor is that it can be more complicated to install and may require some modifications to your bike. So this is where the front wheel motor kit comes into its own.

The front-wheel motor is the easiest to install of the ebike conversion kits available. It sits on the front wheel and drives it directly. This type of kit is great for those who want a lot of power and speed as it gives you more torque than a rear or mid-drive motor. The front-wheel motorised wheel mounts on the front forks and drives the bike directly. However, it is worth noting that a front-wheel motor kit can be less efficient than other types of kits as it takes more power to spin the larger wheel.

Prices of ebike conversion kits

One thing to consider when purchasing an ebike conversion kit is whether the battery and motor are included in the price. Some suppliers do not include these parts in the price, so you will need to add this cost into your overall budget.

It is also worth noting that a lot of ebike conversion kits are designed for specific bike models, so it may be worth doing some research before purchasing to ensure the kit fits with your existing frame and battery size requirements.

Prices for ebike conversion kits vary depending on the type of kit that you choose. Rear-wheel motor kits with lots of component parts are typically the cheapest, while easy to install front-wheel motor kits are the most expensive.

Parts included in an electric bicycle conversion kit also vary depending on the supplier. However, most kits will include a battery, a motor, a controller and the necessary wiring. Some kits will also include other parts such as brakes or even pedals too!

Warranty

One final thing to consider when buying an e-bike conversion kit is the warranty. Make sure you get one! All ebike conversion kit suppliers offer different types of warranty for their kits depending on which type you choose. However, most have at least one year’s guarantee against defects in materials and workmanship. Check before buying to see what is covered by the guarantee.

Summary of ebike conversion kits

I hope that this guide has helped you understand more about ebike conversion kits, how they work and key features to look out for.

What is your favourite type of ebike conversion kit? And why do you like it so much? Let me know in the comments below.

For more information, explore our ebike conversion kits at myelectricbikeshop.com