Conversion Kits: Top 5 Ways to Electrify Your Bike

Looking to turn your regular bicycle into a robust electric bike? Going electric on your bike is sustainable, cost-effective, and exhilarating when it comes to upgrading your commute or leisure rides. Rather than purchase a new e-bike, a conversion kit can allow you to keep the bike you already love and add electric assistance. This guide takes you through our top five unique methods for this conversion, so that you can pick the best path to unlock new speed and crush every hill.

1. Front Hub Motor Kit

One of the easiest and cheapest ways to join the e-bike movement is with a front hub motor kit. This technique is favored for its easy installation, so it's the ideal do-it-yourself project for any enthusiast to tackle in a weekend. In simplest terms, you will remove your bike’s original front wheel and replace it with one that has the motor built into the hub. This mod hardly impacts your drivetrain (gears and chain), which makes the job way easier. It creates an “all-wheel drive” feeling, with your legs driving the back wheel and the motor pulling the front. This is ideal for poor surfaces like gravel or in damp weather. Choosing a kit: There are a few things you should pay close attention to if you want a solid, safe experience.

• Fork Compatibility is Key:

  You must measure your front fork dropout width to ensure this will fit (the dropout is the portion of the frame where the wheel axle fits in). Just like if you were changing an old set of wheels, if it’s not 100mm, you still need to get that right. You should also make sure your fork is steel (or a strong alloy) as these motors put a lot of stress on the forks, and I honestly would not recommend a carbon fork for anything but a rear hub motor.

• Add a Torque Arm:

  This is not only a small item but to your life, it’s very important. It’s a metal bracket that holds the motor’s axle against the fork, preventing it from spinning out of the dropouts when subjected to high torque. This is an important non-negotiable step for safety and wear.

• Battery Placement for Balance:

  When a front hub motor is mounted to your bike it adds nearly 5 pounds of weight over the front tire. To keep the weight on the bike low and centered, you could mount it either behind your seat or in the middle of the triangle formed by the bike’s frame.

2. Rear Hub Motor Kit

A rear hub motor kit is the general favorite for an old-school and spirited riding sensation. This configuration is similar to the way many branded electric bikes have been designed, with a rear wheel hub-mounted motor giving that natural "push" feeling. This gives the best possible grip, especially when accelerating or climbing up hills where the rider's weight is actually biased slightly toward the rear wheel. Installation is a bit more complicated than it is for a front hub kit since you have to swap over your gear cassette or freewheel to the new motor wheel, but the performance gains are substantial. There are a wide variety of these kits, ranging from tiny 250W motors which offer light assistance up to 1000W+ monsters that scream their way around trails and roads.

• Drivetrain Compatibility:

  It is essential to determine if your bike uses a cassette or a freewheel system, and please check the description and images for size information! The conversion kit you purchase has to be compatible with your system. A visit to your local bike shop will allow you to identify this if you are in any doubt.

• Geared vs. Direct Drive Hubs:

  For a better quality ride, look for a geared hub motor. They are usually lighter and smaller, as well as enabling better torque for starting from a stop or hill climbing than direct drives.

• Dropout Spacing and Type of Axle:

  As with the front, measure your rear dropout spacing (usually 135mm for standard bikes). Make sure the axle diameter and type in your kit is a match for your frame.

3. Mid-Drive Motor Kit

On the other hand, if you’re big into performance cycling and looking for the most energy-efficient and natural-feeling electric bike experience, then mid-drive motor systems are in a class of their own. Unlike hub motors, a mid-drive motor is mounted at the bike’s bottom bracket and replaces the crankset of your existing bike. The motor communicates directly with the chain, bypassing the need for a chainring — it hooks into your bike's existing gears. This makes a world of difference when it comes to efficiency and hill-climbing, as the power is still yours to unlock - simply shift down to receive an extra bit of motor torque and riding uphill becomes just as fun as straightaways. The centralized and low positioning of the engine also helps in maintaining an optimal center of weight, thereby retaining the nimbleness of a bike. Installation is the most difficult of the three kit types, so it is quite a bit harder than the other kit types as well, requiring specialized tools like a crank puller and bottom bracket tool. However, if you are an enthusiast who wants awesome performance, this little extra effort is totally worth it.

• Bafang Mid-Drive Kits:

  Bafang is kind of the industry standard for mid-drive motors, and they make mind-blowing kits like the BBS02 (for all-around riding) and the BBSHD (for blasting up hills and off-road use). They are also very durable and have an enormous developer following.

• Tongsheng TSDZ2:

  A great alternative, well known for its torque-sensing pedal assist. That means the motor only ever puts out as much power as you desire to pedal, translating into seamless, intuitive riding that really does make it feel like you’ve just got super-powered legs.

• Bottom Bracket Check:

  Prior to purchasing, you need to check your bike’s bottom bracket shell type and width (e.g., 68mm threaded is standard). Mid-drive kits are standardized to specific standards.

4. All-in-One Electric Wheel

For the ultimate simplicity, and keeping it as minimalist and clean as possible, this all-in-one electric wheel is groundbreaking. These nifty gadgets combine the motor, battery, and control mechanism in one self-contained wheel hub. The installation is very easy; you just need to replace your front or rear wheel with the all-in-one wheel and add a small sensor on the pedal crank. There is frequently no external wiring to route or a separate battery pack to mount on the frame. All of them are app-guided systems with Bluetooth connectivity, so you can make changes and keep tabs on your ride data with a paired smartphone wirelessly. This "plug-and-play" method is ideal for riders looking to get off the pavement and go, then store what they need comfortably under their seat.

5. A Purpose-Built E-Bike: The ENGWE Approach

A fifth, and perhaps the most cohesive approach to “electrify your bike,” is born on a performance-based platform with options right from the start. Instead of trying to retrofit, why not try a purpose-built electric bike from a company like ENGWE? It ensures that all the components, from the frame to the motor and battery, are specifically developed for an e-road bike which makes it safe, powerful, and reliable. ENGWE specializes in electric mountain bikes for over a decade, such as the popular ENGWE Engine Pro that is equipped with a strong power system, long-range battery, and full suspension, offering an extremely smooth ride. Choosing the full monty ENGWE e-bike gets around all those pesky compatibility and installation issues. Then your "conversion" is to personalize this unparalleled platform and take it to a level of customization that perfectly fits you from the over 1,000 accessories we are making for the ARE System.

• Add Utility:

  The sturdy rear rack is perfect for your bags, kids, or food on your ride! ENGWE provides sturdy options that can withstand heavy loads.

• Added Comfort and Safety:

  Full-coverage fenders help protect you from rain and debris, while powerful lights keep you visible. Easily access your essentials in a water-resistant zip-up pouch included with all e-bikes.

• Make Things Easier:

  A sturdy phone mount sets up easy navigation; a frame bag carries your tools, keys, and snacks within reach.

• Official ENGWE Accessories:

  

  ENGWE Accessories

  Official ENGWE Accessories: Click here to find a rich variety of accessories.

  Buy Now

  To order accessories just click here. With the real thing, you get a perfect fit and high quality for your ride.

What is the most important thing to consider when selecting a kit?

Compatibility. In the first place, it's paramount to ensure that the kit’s motor type (mid-drive or hub), wheel size, and axle/bottom bracket standard (if mid-drive) perfectly match your current bicycle frame.

Can I install an e-bike kit on my own?

Absolutely. Front hub and all-in-one wheel kits are typically DIY-friendly options. Rear hub kits are of moderate difficulty, and mid-drive kits would be easier if you have some mechanical experience or a mechanic friend.

What kind of electric range do you have after the conversion?

Range is based on battery capacity (Watt-hours), the level of assist you select, rider weight, and terrain, with a standard range of 20 to over 60 miles.

Now, pick your route and let the captologist take over.