With the advancements in electric bike technology, your old bike will be transformed into a speedy, super-cool machine. You can have a shiny, new e-bike in your garage, ready to be ridden. It’s simple — and there are even kits for some of the best e-bikes out there. Discover our picks for the best electric bicycle kit to buy below.
Electric bikes are all the rage. In fact, experts have predicted that the total number of e-bikes on the road is set to skyrocket over 300 million by the year 2023! It’s all because of the sharp drop in the costs of lithium-ion batteries.
Electric bikes are becoming increasingly popular among consumers. As a result, many people are selling their bikes to purchase an electric one. But there’s no need to sell your bike, you can just turn the bike you have into an e-bike.
Best Electric Bicycle Kit Benefits
A conversion kit is cheap, easy, and should be the first option you choose for your e-bike. This is an easy way to get a functioning electric bike without spending too much money at once — and it’s easy to install, too.
Aside from being cheaper than buying a new e-bike, conversion kits also come with many other perks, like the ability to take your bike in and out of conversion mode whenever you want. It’s so easy to switch back and forth!
If you can’t make it up that hill on the trail, the best electric bicycle kit will turn that old clunker into a powerful machine that you can rely on for all kinds of outdoor adventures.
An e-bike kit can allow you to reach speeds as high as 25 miles per hour (or more, depending on your exact setup), and travel as far as 20 to 50 miles on a single charge.
4 Kinds of E-Bike Conversion Kits
Mid-drive Conversion
This e-bike conversion kit allows you to ride wherever you want without having to worry about sweat. Whereas most bike conversion kits have the battery and motor at the back of the bike, this one hangs it on the frame. This means that you can no longer carry it when you get tired, but it also means that it is lightweight and you have more freedom to ride around without getting tired too soon.
Friction Drive
This kind of e-bike conversion kit is a bit dated if we’re being honest. It puts the motor and roller on the back of the wheel and uses friction to propel you forward. But it just doesn’t cut it anymore! Fortunately, there’s an exciting new option in town that not only features better technology but is also infinitely lighter and more efficient!
Hidden
Meant for the stealthy biker, this is definitely one to get if you want to get up close and personal with your fellow commuters. The battery and motor are concealed within the frame of the seat tube, giving you all the advantages of an e-bike without drawing attention to the fact that you’re riding one. Just make sure you’ve got the cash for it!
E-bike Wheels
Unlike some of the other kits out there, this one only requires you to swap out the wheel on your existing bike, instead of having to replace most or all of the components. The special wheel contains a gearing system and a motor hub.
Best Electric Bicycle Kit:
Our Top 3
Let’s take a look at three of our favorite electric bike conversion kits, from first-time buyers to experienced conversion kit builders.
1. Bafang 48V 750W Mid Drive Electric Bike Conversion Kit
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If you’re looking for the best electric bicycle kit to convert your bike into a motorized one, but don’t want to spend a ton of money, then this Bafang 48V 750W Mid-drive Electric Bike Conversion Kit is definitely for you! This conversion kit is an affordable, easy-to-install way to add some pedal power to your bike. The 48-volt, 750-watt mid-drive motor is extremely efficient and can be installed on any standard bike frame.
Two things are very important when you’re climbing hills: torque and speed. The motor in this e-bike conversion kit delivers just that with up to 160Nm torque. You can rely on it to deliver the power you need to tackle whatever hill you come across. There’s a speed detector sensor and magnet to keep your speed in check. The double-clutch drive unit gives you the ability to control your speed.
The Bafang Mid Drive Electric Bike Conversion Kit also comes with a 500C-color touchscreen display that is paired with the motor and the rest of the bike’s components and can connect via Bluetooth to your iPhone. You have to buy your e-bike battery separately, though; they don’t come with the kit.
2. TongSheng New Version TSDZ2 Mid Central Motor Conversion Ebike Kit
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Upgrading your old bike is easier than ever before with the help of the TongSheng New Version TSDZ2 Mid Central Motor Conversion e-bike Kit. Designed to power through hills and to keep you going longer even on challenging terrain, this is another best electric bicycle kit with a 500-watt motor that is the perfect way to get more life out of your current bike. It features 36 volts and a power assist ratio of 36 to 300 percent.
With this e-bike conversion kit and the motor that comes with it, you can now get up to 15mph, which will allow you to cruise through your local streets with ease. A handy LCD display helps you keep track of your data such as distance traveled, speed, and battery level while you ride.
The best part about this electric bike conversion kit is that it’s easy to install. Just attach your 36-volt battery pack and you’re ready to go! If you’re looking for added convenience and performance, check out the motor speed controller — it’ll fit right in.
3. BAFANG Rear Wheel 500W 48V Hub Motor Electric Bike Conversion Kit
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Still, looking for the best electric bicycle kit? Well, look no further! When you purchase the BAFANG Rear Wheel, you can expect a number of key features. For example, the crank motor delivers top-notch performance and is sure to leave you satisfied. Not only that, but this e-bike conversion kit is also for those looking to cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time. You’ll get there fast — with no sweat!
If you have a bike, take that to the next level with this Bafang back wheel pack, and you’ll be surprised at how much fun you can have. The kit is very easy to install and works great with any plate break. It also has a 500-watt control that gives the perfect capacity for your bike’s speed.
This e-bike kit comes with an amazing range of features, including a brake level, an expansion link, a 1T4 link, a 7-speed flywheel, an additional LED light, PAS, engine, LED show, a battery with charger, controller case, back wheel, and thumb throttle. It’s the ideal option if you’re looking for something that is genuinely top of the line, but still affordable.
Additionally, the BAFANG Rear Wheel is cost-effective — it’s capable of speeds of up to 40 km/h, and for a motor this cheap, you can expect a lot. It comes with a smart design that has switches for cutting off the power supply anytime there’s an emergency. The BAFANG Rear Wheel also great for physical activity, and if you’re willing to pay a little extra for something extra smooth, you can get the bike with two riding modes.
It comes with a 1-year guarantee, so you can purchase it risk-free. Not only that, you can rest assured that the manufacturer’s support team is always there if you need help with anything at all.
But if you’re looking for an outdoor workout buddy, though, you might find one that will please you from our list of the best road bikes under $1000 and best mountain bikes under $1000.
Buying Guide for Electric Bike Conversion Kit
Electric bike conversion kits are one of the few things that can make a real difference to the ease and accessibility of your e-bike. If you’re ready for an upgrade, read on to learn how to choose the best electric bicycle kit.
Usage and Noise
Although enthusiasts of electric bicycles tend to tout their silent motors, e-bikes do make some noise when they ride. You might not mind the sound but others around you might. To keep everyone happy, purchase an electric bicycle conversion kit that produces little or no noise. That way you get the thrill of riding a bike without being a nuisance to others.
To make matters more convenient, some e-bike change packs accompany brakes already attached – otherwise, you might need to buy them independently. If you have a specific model in mind, be sure to double-check that it has brakes.
Battery
When you purchase an e-bike conversion kit, another thing you should consider is whether or not it has a high-quality battery. Most bicycle transformation units come without one, so you will need to invest in a lithium-ion battery separately. Batteries have different life expectancies and charge times, so make sure to do your research and find the best one for you!
Weight Capacity
When choosing the best electric bicycle kit, focus on weight capacity. Some transformation units can only carry up to 180 pounds, yet there are others that are capable of handling riders who weigh up to 200 pounds. Larger cyclists should look for a kit with a greater weight capacity.
Quality
It’s true that a cheap e-bike conversion kit can seem like an attractive option. The thought of saving all that money on a bike is hard to resist! But the truth is that if you buy a cheap bike, then you’re more likely to get a low-quality product. Select a quality brand that will last a lifetime and allow you to get the most out of your new bike.
LCD Screen
While they’re not an absolute necessity, we recommend you get kits with LCD screens. They’re so easy to hang on the handlebars, and they can give you all kinds of data or let you control your ride. We highly recommend having them as well!
Waterproof
Once you’ve figured out which type of kit you want to get, the next step is making sure that it’s waterproof and durable. You’ll want your bike to be able to handle puddles and precipitation, so you’ll need to make sure that the individual parts of your bike are water-safe.
Motor Performance
When it comes to buying a motor kit, there are a couple of things that you’ll want to consider. This includes the wattage and volts of the motor, as well as its rpm rating. The higher the range on all of these factors, the more power your motor will put out — meaning you’ll be able to do more with it.
Speed
The speed that the battery and e-bike conversion unit can go will depend on the model you get. Some will allow for speeds of up to 30 miles per hour, while others allow for speeds of less than five miles per hour. The faster the speed, the more expensive the bike is likely to be. Try to pick one that works for whatever speed you’re looking for.
If you want to know more about e-bikes, we have a separate article for that – Types of Electric Bicycles.
Conclusion
It’s true that electric vehicles use energy, and there are a lot of variables involved in the way that energy is generated. But for the sake of brevity, let’s just assume that it’s relatively clean. EVs are not 100% environmentally friendly, but they’re definitely cleaner than the cars of yesteryear. They also have more perks than you might think: Imagine never having to go to the gas station again!
There are so many ways to exercise on two wheels and so many wonderful modes of transport out there, and it’s only natural that some people aren’t attracted to the idea of an electric bike. We understand that! If you’re looking for an indoor workout buddy, we recommend checking out our list of the best inexpensive recumbent bicycle exercise equipment, best bicycle indoor exercise trainer stand, and best exercise bike for seniors.
Alternately, if you’re looking for a little more flavor and are in the market for something that’s just as fun to ride but easier to use and avoid parking fees, then you should check out our article about the best electric bicycle for commuting.
