“Electric bike conversion kits with battery allow anyone to customize their current standard bicycle into one with an electric boost”
An electric bicycle, or e-Bike, is a fast and fun form of transportation used by people all over the world. e-Bikes can reach speeds of up to 30 miles per hour and provide extra boosts while pedaling. These bicycles are faster than regular bikes, but still able to be used in bike lanes and are more eco-friendly than gasoline-powered cars. Interested in electronic bikes, but not quite ready to make the investment? Electric bike conversion kits with batteries allow owners to add a motor, battery, and electric controls to build the electric bicycles the way they want them.
You’ll first want to understand the two common types of e-Bike motors you may want to fit your eBike with: The rear hub drive motor – which is great for quick flat rides, some hill climbing (excluding steep hills), fitness, and hobby riders – and the mid-drive motor, which are usually pricier but offer more efficiency, better rides uphill, faster speeds, and lighter motor weight.Â
E-Bike kits are available to convert standard bikes into different kinds of electric bikes depending on what the user is looking for with their riding experience. Most conversion kits include a motor and corresponding controller, a chain wheel, pedal arms, cables for connection, throttles, and electric brakes. Some kits include batteries and corresponding chargers as well. Installing a conversion kit might sound complicated, but there are bike shops and mechanics with expertise who would be willing to help make sure everything’s set up correctly in most cities. With some upkeep and basic maintenance, once the kit is installed the e-bike will remain an efficient tool for transportation for years to come.
So why would someone need a conversion kit? For starters, they can increase speed and make exercising on a “regular” bike more fun. This can be useful for those who commute to work but are tired of maneuvering congested city streets in their cars, but many people want to convert their mountain bikes as well. These have even benefited couriers and delivery riders because more deliveries can be completed in a shift which means more tips! These can also be less expensive than purchasing an actual e-Bike and allows for additional customization.
Let’s dive into six of the top e-bike conversion kits of 2021.
1. ModWheel 36v 250w 26 Inch Geared Front Wheel Electric Bike Kit + Optional Battery
Why we love it: Any bicycle can be converted into an electric bike with the ModWheel Complete 26 Inch 36v 250w kit. The 26” Commuter front wheel comes ready to be fitted with an inner tube and tire already attached. This kit creates a quiet e-bike that can be fully charged in just five hours. The 250-watt motor and 36-volt battery means the bicycle can go for up to 25 miles on one battery charge with a top speed of 15 MPH. The battery in this kit is also amazing, taking five hours to fully charge and having the ability to seamlessly lock into place. ModWheel also states that the battery’s lifespan is an impressive 800 recharges (at least). Price: $369.95.
2. ModWheel Complete 26 Inch 250w Electric E-Bike Conversion Kit + Battery
Why we love it: Similar to the ModWheel model outlined above, but not quite the same, this ModWheel Complete kit converts any standard 26” bicycle into an e-bike quickly and easily! With simple steps for installation, this is by far one of the most efficient conversion kits on the market. The resulting e-bike reaches top speeds of 15 MPH and can travel up to 30 miles from a single battery charge. Perhaps greatest at all, the 36V battery charges in only 1.5 hours! It’s worth the extra expense and a perfect choice for casual riders. Price: $499.99.
3. Bafang BBS02B 48V 750W Mid Drive Electric Bike Motor EBike Conversion Kit
Why we love it: This Bafang conversion kit is an accessory gold mine. The kit includes a mid-drive motor, brake levels and sensor, thumb throttle, and LCD. Bafang promises an e-bike conversion within one hour and the resulting bicycle can travel at speeds up to 28 MPH. The mounting accessories are all included and this kit is truly one of the easiest to install, as it just requires a few tools. This kit can be installed on almost any bike aside from fat tire bikes. You can even choose between battery options including 48V and 52V. If you have an iPhone, you can also connect that to your bike via Bluetooth connectivity. Be sure to sift through all of the options Bafang offers for this one to find the perfect eBike conversion kit for you. Price: $504.00
4. Swytch Universal E-Bike Conversion Kit
Why we love it: The main reason this conversion kit is one of our favorites is because the team at Swytch guarantees that with their Universal E-Bike Conversion Kit, ANY bike can become an e-bike. The Swych universal e-bike conversion kit works with disc brakes and reaches speeds of up to 20 miles per hour. The battery also allows up to 31 miles of travel distance on one charge and one charge only takes about 2 hours. As an added bonus, if you’re worried about theft, the battery pack included in this kit is conveniently small so it can be removed with ease and carried with you. Price: $799.99
5. Rubbee X Base Model
Why we love it: If you’re overwhelmed by assembling a conversion kit on your bicycle, then the Rubbee X Base Model Conversion Kit is for you! In fact, this conversion kit even boasts being the “fastest conversion kit on the market.” To install this unit, one must simply attach a mount to the seat tube and click the unit into the mount. Voila, an e-bike with a 36V battery! This unit connects to an app for controlling change assistance modes and has 10 miles of travel per battery charge.
If 10 miles doesn’t sound like enough, adding an additional battery is just as easy as installing the first. This conversion kit also includes very bright LED lights that include the option for different blinking modes. This base model only takes one hour to charge, but Rubbee makes other models that take longer but have more powerful motors and higher ranges. Price: $599.99.
6. EBikeling 48V 1200W 700C Direct Drive Electric Bike Kit with Battery
Why we love it: EBikeling is one of the biggest competitors in the eBike market, and for good reason. This includes its conversion kits such as the EBikeling 48V 1200W 700C Direct Drive Electric Bike Kit with Battery. This kit comes with a pre-attached aluminum double-walled rim plus a pre-attached hub motor, which saves you some of the hassles you would have with various other conversion kits. The kit comes with everything you need including a motor/Wheel, battery, controller, LCD display, pedal-assist sensor, torque arm, and more. The 54V battery takes about 4.5 hours to charge and is made up of reliable Samsung cells. Price: $768.99.
