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Electric Bike Conversion: The 5 Best Ebike Conversion Kits

Travel

Last Updated on January 22, 2024

Electric bike conversion may be the answer for many people looking to lower their carbon footprint. I’m a huge advocate for biking as a form of commuting to work and running errands. After all, I sold my car and bought a bike after my move to Maine! 

I’m sharing the best ebike conversion kits on the market for those looking to get more exercise and lower their carbon footprint. An ebike conversion kit with a battery can help you get uphill or carry large loads without relying on a gas powered motor! Read on to learn about electric bike conversion and why it’s something you should consider!

An electric bike with overlay text reading "5 of the best ebike conversion kits"

electric bike conversion

Biking is great exercise and a way to lower your carbon footprint. However, it’s not always the most accessible option — and that needs to change if we want to create more walkable, less car-reliant cities.

Functional and accessible bike lanes need to become the norm in many cities for this to happen. For example, in NYC, BIPOC neighborhoods tend to have the most lack of cycling infrastructure, community engagement around streets, NYPD involvement in bike safety, and access to bike shops and services. 

With that said, if you do have access to safe biking lanes or don’t own a car like me, it may be worth looking into ebike conversion kits. E-bikes are bicycles equipped with an electric motor to assist you when you’re pedaling. This really comes in handy when you’re carrying a heavy load up a steep hill! 

The motor is powered by a rechargeable battery mounted on the bike. How much power your electric bike conversion kit with battery delivers will depend on how hard you’re pedaling and the type of e-bike you’ve acquired. 

Interested but don’t know where to start? Here are the best ebike conversion kits available on the market! 

an electric bike conversion kit on a bike in the mountains.

electric bike conversion kits with battery

Your ideal conversion kit will depend on your specific needs and wants. That being said, there are three types of ebike conversion kits available you should know about. It goes without saying, but shoot for an ebike conversion kit with a battery you can conveniently recharge.

The best electric bike conversion kit is typically a mid-drive conversion kit because it has the most power and is typically the highest quality. 

Available ebike conversion kit with battery options: 

  • Mid-Drive Conversion Kit: These kits come with a motor that sits between the pedals in the middle of your bike. Mid-drives tend to be smaller and lightweight, yet offer greater torque. The weight balance is optimum. Best for off-roading or use as a mountain bike. They tend to be expensive.  
  • Hub-Drive or Wheel Conversion Kit: Electric motor is typically connected to the front of rear wheel. Weight is slightly off balance due to bulkier motors. Affordable and versatile. Perfect for daily commutes. Cheaper and easier to install. 
  • Friction Drive Conversion Kit: Comes with a roller attached to the motor. When the motor is activated, it powers the roller that moves the rear wheel using friction. Noisy and not always the most balanced. Tends to be the cheapest option and easiest to install.  

It’s also worth noting e-bikes can range in power from 250 watts to over 750 watts. Typically, they add between 12 to 25 pounds to the total weight of your bike. 

Personally, I recommend finding e-bike conversion kits with a battery, as this will save you time and money. Otherwise, you’d have to purchase the battery separately and this can get rather costly.  

Altogether, you’ll need a battery, sensors, controls, and a motorized wheel or a drive unit to electrify your bike. The best e-bike conversion kit will have all these features.  

An electric bike conversion kit with battery

are ebike conversion kits worth it? 

Ebike conversion kits are worth the money if you plan to make use of them frequently. If you use it in place of a car, it will quickly pay for itself (think of all the gas you’d save). Kits are also generally cheaper than buying a whole new e-bike.  

Conversion kits are generally easy to install if you have the right tools. Even new ebikes often require some assembly. They are also better for the environment than buying a whole new e-bike because you get to use the bicycle you already have.

Also, e-bikes will make going up hills and running errands so much easier due to the additional assistance they offer. An electric bike will usually have between three and five levels of assistance. You can select this via its controller. These can give you anything from a gentle push to lots of power. 

Some may even have a ‘boost’ button, which you can use to increase the power output for short bursts of additional power.  

Generally speaking, if you’re looking for more power from your e-bike kit, look for the wattage rating. Comparatively, a 750W motor will pack more of a punch than a 400W motor.  

Also, be aware that the time duration your e-bike can sustain the rated power output may only be for a brief time. Don’t expect full power the whole trip! 

Please be advised there are three classes of e-bikes, and they come with specific speed limits in the US:

  • Class-I: E-bikes with only pedal assist and max speed of 20mph.
  • Class-II: E-bikes with pedal and throttle assist and max speed of 20mph.
  • Class-III: E-bikes with pedal assist (with or without throttle assist) and max speed of 28mph.
Ebike conversion kit with battery

can you turn any bike into an ebike? 

Yes, you can turn any regular bike into an e-bike. However, you will need to consider whether the bike can handle a motor, especially if you want a powerful one. You’ll also want to double check the kit is compatible with your bike’s size.

Most e-bike conversion kits involve replacing the wheels. Here are the basic steps to know: 

  1. Remove the existing wheel and replace it with a motorized wheel (assuming your conversion kit comes with one). You’ll have to loosen the rear brake and wheel quick release level using a bike tool kit. 
  1. Attach the tire, tube, and freewheel to the new wheel. Your bike tool kit should contain some tire levers you can use to do this. Some e-bike kits come with a new freewheel, and if that’s the case, use the new one. 
  1. Mount the motorized wheel to the bike by securely tightening the nuts and installing the torque-arm set. Follow manual instructions.  
  1. Run the motor cable to the battery to the handlebars and secure them with zip-ties.  
  1. Install the display and controls, but first remove any existing grips, gear shifters, and breaks from the handlebars. Then, mount the throttle, brakes and brake wires, speed shifter, cruise control, and pedal-assist sensor in any place you prefer. Based on your e-bike conversion kit, the types of control units will vary.  
  1. Install the battery — if it comes with one. If not, make sure the battery you get matches the motor specifications.  
Best electric bike conversion kit from the view of the handle bars

how long do ebike batteries last? 

E-bike batteries can last between 3 to 5 years if well maintained. Just be aware if it’s a lithium battery, it will slowly lose its capacity over time, even when not in use.  

Here are some tips to keep battery life optimal for as long as possible: 

  • Keep the battery cool 
  • Store a battery partially charged, but not too low 
  • If storing the battery for a long period, ensure it has a charge between 80% and 40% of a full charge 
  • Don’t frequently discharge your battery 
  • For winter, make sure the battery is above freezing before charging 

how do I choose an ebike conversion kit? 

You can choose an e-bike conversion kit based on your personal preferences, budget, and needs. The ebike conversion kits I’ve listed in this article are some of the best on the market. 

If you live in the US, make sure to double check if e-bikes are legal in your state — and the laws regarding them — before purchasing a conversion kit. For example, class 3 e-bikes are allowed only in NYC, not the rest of New York.

5 best electric bike conversion kits

Without further ado, here are the 5 best electric bike conversion kits on the market. I’ve gone ahead and highlighted some key features of each brand, but it isn’t an exhaustive list. Be sure to check out their websites for more information. 

Bafang: The Best 5 E-Bike Conversion Kits on the Market

1. bafang 

  • Mid-drive motor kit 
  • 500w-1000w options 
  • 160Nm of torque 
  • All necessary accessories, like battery, included 
  • One month free return, replacement, or maintenance   

/ SHOP BAFANG


Swytch: The Best 5 E-Bike Conversion Kits on the Market

2. swytch

  • Wheel conversion kit, customizable to any size of bike 
  • 250W motor in wheel 
  • Power pack and pedal sensor 
  • 40 Nm of torque 
  • Lightweight  

/ SHOP SWYTCH


Rubbee: The Best 5 E-Bike Conversion Kits on the Market

3. rubbee

  • Friction drive kit 
  • UK based 
  • 250W 
  • Quick installation 
  • All major accessories, including battery
  • Lightweight 

/ SHOP RUBBEE /  


Ebikling: The Best 5 E-Bike Conversion Kits on the Market

4. ebikling

  • Rear/front wheel conversion kit 
  • 500W 
  • 35Nm of torque 
  • Two battery options 
  • All major accessories included 

/ SHOP EBIKLING


AW: The Best 5 E-Bike Conversion Kits on the Market

5. aw

  • Wheel conversion kit 
  • 1000W  
  • 60Nm of torque 
  • Battery and charger not included, 48V/30A recommended battery 

/ SHOP AW

faqs

how much does an ebike kit cost? 

An e-bike kit can cost between $300 to $700, depending on the type you get. Mid-Drive conversion kits tend to be the most expensive and can even go beyond $700 in some instances. Friction Drive conversion kits tend to be cheaper, but their performance isn’t always as efficient.  

are there ebike conversion kits that come without batteries?

There are some companies that allow you to BYOB (bring your own battery). That is to say, you can use your own battery on hand and buy the rest of the kit a la carte. However, most ebikes will come with a rechargeable battery. You can also buy replacement batteries should yours, for whatever reason, need replacing.

can you ride an ebike without the battery?

Yes! If your battery dies or you simply wish to not use the motor, you can certainly ride your bike without it. However, it will be much heavier and harder to maneuver than a regular bike.

So, which is your favorite e-bike conversion kit? Which are you most excited to try? Let me know in the comments below!

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