Do you want to convert your bike to electric? Don’t know where or how to start? This guide to electric bike conversion will help you understand the various ways that you can add electric assist to your bicycle.
A conversion of a bicycle to an electric assist can be extremely rewarding if you are ready to take the plunge. This is in addition to the fact that you will save significant money over buying an ebike manufactured by a manufacturer.
Let’s say that you have an old Trek, Cannondale mountain bike in your shed. A decent mid-drive kit with battery should cost around PS600 (about $780). This is a substantial savings over buying a mid-drive, factory-built electric bike.
Although Decathlon E-Stilus can be amazing, PS3000 will not offer much of a change.
It’s not easy to convert a bike to an electric bicycle. I recommend that you either purchase an already-made electric bike, or hire someone who can help you fit it.
A retro-fit conversion motor motor for electric bicycles may not prove as reliable long-term, as the Bosch or Shimano steps motors found on factory-produced electric bicycles.
It is important to determine what your intended use will be before choosing the right motor.
If you live in an area with little inclines and a flat terrain, a small geared drive hub motor may be enough. However, if you live near steep hills or a continuous climb, a middrive would be more practical.
Your individual needs will influence your final decision. Both types of motors are fine on ebikes. However, it’s worth noting that smaller hub motors use more energy than small mid-drives.
Hub motors with direct drive
The direct drive motor hub motor is the simplest kind of electric bike propulsion.
The motor directly drives the wheel when it is running (hence its name). The wheel is basically a motor that has the shaft fixed in place. This allows the motor’s body (or outer hub shell) to spin instead of the shaft.
While it’s a simple design, it has a downside: the motor must have enough power to provide sufficient power. A motor that spins too slowly would not produce enough torque. Your wheel will turn at a slow speed so it is important to have a large motor to generate torque at low speeds.
A direct drive hub engine is a reliable, inexpensive option that can handle high power. A large hub motor could be the right choice if your goal is to have a powerful electric bike that’s affordable.
Geared Hub motor
The efficiency of small-sized geared motors is much higher than that of direct drive motors. The motor case connects to the stator via a planetary reduction system. The motor inside spins much faster for each rotation of its case. This allows the motor and wheel to work at faster speeds while being more efficient.
A geared hub motor offers another advantage: if the motor runs out of power or is switched off, there is almost no pedalling resistance. You can pedal as if you were riding a normal bicycle.
Geared motors usually require little maintenance, but it’s possible that your nylon planetary gears may wear out if there is a lot of hill climbing. These are easy to replace and inexpensive.
Front Hub motor vs Rear Hub Motor
Front wheel electric bike conversion kit
There are numerous pros and disadvantages to choosing a front motor over a rear motor. The fitment of electric wheels is easier with front hub motors. This is due to the fact that you don’t need any tools or spare gear cassettes.
A small, geared, hub motor would be the best option to convert a front wheel to electric. This is because they are compact and lightweight and produce reasonable torque.
These kits can be upgraded to have a direct drive front-wheel electric bike. They are usually cheaper and more powerful but can be difficult to fit onto bikes equipped with disc brakes due to their larger size. They are also heavier and less efficient.
Another advantage of the front hub motor is that you can use the pedal assistance to drive the bike. You are pedalling to the rear wheel, and the electric front wheel will give you some assistance.
These electric front wheels don’t work well for off-road riding. The powered wheel can tend to spin on uneven terrain, especially when climbing steep hills.
Rear Wheel 26 inch ebike conversion kit
A rear wheel motor with an electric hub motor is the most popular way to add electrical assistance to a bicycle. This requires some extra work, including removing the freewheel or gear cassette. A special tool is needed for this task.
When it comes to riding, the motor is pulling you instead of pushing (as opposed to pulling you like a front motor). A rear hub motor with a smaller gear will generally look more discrete.
Rear hub motors also have the advantage of being able to use them on rough terrain. Since all the rider weight is concentrated around the back wheel, there’s less wheel spin.
This setup is not without its problems. Replacing an inner tube can be tedious. To reduce the chance of this happening, I highly recommend a puncture-resistant tire like the Schwalbe Marathon Plus.
Mid-Drive Motor
The most popular drive system for e-bikes with higher prices is the mid-drive. These motors produce much more torque and are therefore far more efficient than the hub motors.
Installing this type motor can be complicated for those who are not experienced. For example, the bottom bracket of the bicycle needs to be removed. Once that is done, everything else is easy. Most mid-drive kit are compatible with standard threaded top bracket shells that measure 68mm-73mm in width, and 33.5mm in depth.
Installed correctly, a mid drive system can give your bike an appearance similar to a high-end e-bike.
Mid-drive motors can have some drawbacks, including increased pedalling resistance after the motor is turned off and regular maintenance (such as tightening or replacing the motor). A single chainring is required on the front.
Comparison of Mid-Drive and Hub motor
It really comes down to what you can afford and what kind of riding.
Small hub motors have been proven to be much more hassle-free than mid-drives for long-term use. A second consideration is pedalling resistance. The motor off produces significant resistance for both the mid-drive or direct-drive hub motors.
Mid-drives are better for hill climbing. A 250w Bafang Bafang BS01B motor with nearly 100% more torque will be a superior choice to a geared Hub motor.
Hub motor kits have a more DIY look. An external controller will be included in most cases (usually in a bag), and an external pedal assistance sensor. There will also need to be lots of wiring. Mid-drive motors look better and are more professional looking.
Conclusion
A small geared motor hub motor with a small gear would be the best option if you need a bit of assistance on hills but prefer to pedal by yourself most of the time. If you’re looking for a bike that can tackle steep climbs quickly, a mid-drive may be the right choice.