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Whether you're dreaming of commuting without sweating or just want to use less gas, here's how to choose which e-bike conversion kit is right for you. Electric Cycle Kit
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The first time I got passed by someone riding an electric bicycle, I quietly cursed the person who zipped by without peddling. “That’s not biking, that’s just being lazy,” I thought. The second time I got passed, I realized I was actually jealous.
Lots of people are embracing the convenience, accessibility and environmental benefits of e-bikes. Cities, such as Denver, are offering rebates to encourage people to buy them. But, buying a brand-new e-bike isn’t the only option. With a conversion kit and a little DIY magic, you can turn your existing peddler into a motorized workhorse.
“The idea of retrofitting a kit to your existing bike is gaining in awareness,” says Craig Calfee, owner of Calfee Design in La Selva Beach, California. “While a new e-bike is a highly engineered and complete product, it also means you are married to that system and the company behind it. On the other hand, a kit allows you to add e-components to your favorite bike, which already fits you well and which you are already used to.”
An e-bike is a bicycle with an electric motor powered by a rechargeable battery. E-bikes usually include a control panel with a display mounted to the handlebars to show your speed, remaining battery power, and some other useful parameters. Some e-bikes simply assist your pedal power, while others have throttles that allow you to skip peddling altogether. Either way, they allow you to travel farther and faster with less effort.
An e-bike conversion kit allows you to convert your bicycle into an e-bike so you can have the benefits of electric power without having to purchase a whole new bike. E-bike conversion kits vary widely in terms of power and quality, but all contain essentially the same components:
There are three types of e-bike kits:
The ease of installing an e-bike conversion kit varies widely from kit to kit, but you’ll need some patience, and somewhere between two and six hours of time. We’re giving the process a medium difficulty rating, because it includes installing electrical components. The tools and materials you’ll need to install it are:
Some kits come with complete instructions, including YouTube videos and person-to-person help, if questions arise. Others offer little to no customer support. See below for a few recommendations on kits that come with ample instructions and support.
One of the most challenging parts of converting your bike to an e-bike is figuring out which kit will fit. Most manufacturers have a helpful list of specifications, which likely includes:
To save headaches from an ill-fitting system, make sure all of these details are specified and match your bike before ordering.
Besides finding one that will fit, you’ll also want to consider these features:
Bafang’s 48-volt 500-watt front-hub motor conversion kit is a solid bet for a decent price. It offers sizes and styles to fit most bicycles, gives comprehensive instructions for figuring out if your bike meets their specifications. It also has YouTube videos and customer support if you have questions during installation. You can further tailor the kit to your needs by choosing from an array of batteries, displays and other options. It’s also a good retrofit for older mountain bikes. This kit costs approximately $550 to $700, depending on front vs. rear, wheel size and accessories.
Ebikeling’s waterproof e-bike front- or rear-hub conversion kit hits a nice entry-level price point, while still including a battery and detailing specifications and installation tips. They don’t have official YouTube videos, but people who have purchased them have uploaded some helpful ones. They also offer customer service for questions during installation. This kit costs approximately $390 to $490, depending on wattage.
Calfee Designs custom-make their Electofit kits for your bike. After you fill out their online configuration tool, you’ll get a one-on-one consultation, fitting and installation help from a company that’s been building bikes in California for 30 years. They’ve also been e-converting tandems, recumbents and travel bikes. Prices for Calfee’s conversion kits are approximately $2,500 to $4,000, depending on type, battery and accessories.
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