E-bikes are more popular than ever, but they can also be quite expensive. They also take up a lot of room, they can be heavy and difficult to move, and did I mention how pricy they can be? If you’re reading this article, chances are that you already have a bike, and buying an e-bike could be a huge purchase on top of that.
Introducing e-bike conversion kits, the add-on kits that you can buy for a few hundred dollars and convert your already-sweet ride into a full-fledged e-bike. These electric bike conversion kits are quite incredible in their ability to transform a normal bike into an electric bike. Now you can get to the store faster, commute without breaking a sweat, and find parking everywhere in the world.
It’s no wonder why e-bikes are so popular, but it is odd that e-bike conversion kits aren’t.
Electric bike conversion kits are easy to set up, incredibly powerful, and relatively cheap compared to full-on e-bikes. If you’re looking for an electric bike conversion kit, you’ve come to the right place. These are the best e-bike kits for all sorts of rides.
This is our list of the best electric bike conversion kits.
Contents
Electric Bike Conversion Kits
In the simplest of terms, an electric bike conversion kit transforms a normal bike into an e-bike. In other words, an electric bike conversion kit puts a motor onto a normal bike, turning it into an e-bike.
Electric bike conversion kits are much cheaper than e-bikes, costing about $200-900, whereas e-bikes cover a huge range from $1,000-$5,000 (and even up to $10,000 for some high-end models).
In summary, the best and most expensive e-bike conversion kits are still cheaper than entry-level electric bikes.
You may be wondering how to use an electric bike conversion kit, and the answer is pretty simple: you install the electric bike conversion kit onto your normal kit and then use the motor just as you would on a normal e-bike through a throttle or pedal-assist.
Remember that the electric bike conversion kit must be compatible with your bike, which usually comes down to the bottom bracket size or wheel size, depending on where the e-bike conversion kit is mounted.
When it comes to setting up your electric bike conversion kit, we will cover that in much greater detail below. But first, here is our list of the best electric bike conversion kits.
Best Electric Bike Conversion Kits
NBPower 3000W eBike Conversion Kit
MSRP: Check on Amazon
- Motor options of 48V, 60V, or 72V
- Rear-wheel mounted
- Programmable controller
Easily the most powerful electric bike conversion kit on our list, the NBPower conversion kit is literally twice as powerful as the next-best kit. At 3000W, the NBPower brushless gearless motor is almost closer to a motorcycle than it is to a bike.
Designed for all types of bikes, this kit comes with many different wheel sizes from 20” to 29”, plus 700C. The Sunringle double-wall alloy rims are strong and stable because you’re more than likely going to be ripping around town with this e-bike conversion kit.
This kit uses a massive 72V battery and comes with a programmable Sabvoton Controller, as well as a TFT UKC1 Color Display. There is also a Pedal Assist System (PAS) and Alarm to keep your bike safe.
You may be able to find smaller battery sizes, such as 48V or 60V, though the motor will always be the ultra-powerful 3000W kit. The motor is built into the rear wheel, giving this kit an incredible speed range of 12-62mph.
Related: How to Choose an Electric Bike
Of course, the kit will be governed by default for street legality; but the limits are impressive to say the least.
For riders looking for a cross between an e-bike and a motorcycle, the NBPower and its 3000W are quite the option.
Watts, battery power, possible range. What does the kit include, and who is it for?
Bafang 750W Mid-drive Kit
MSRP: Check on Amazon
- Multiple battery options
- High-quality components
- Lightweight motor weighs just 9.5 lbs.
Bafang is one of the most popular companies in the e-bike space, and its products are some of the best.
You will see that reflected in the price range, but with that, you know you are getting nothing but high-quality. There are heaps of battery options to choose from with this Bafang mid-drive kit, but even then, the battery is optional.
You can even choose which size chainring you want to fit this 750W motor, as well as the display screen. This kit is positioned at the crank, which is why it’s called “mid-drive.”
This kit has plenty of power to get up to 25mph on flat roads, whereas the range will depend on which battery you choose – the Bafang mid-drive kit is available with nine different battery options, providing the most compatibility in this entire list.
Related: Best Electric Bikes
Power comes from throttle and pedal-assist, while the maximum wattage is actually 1470W.
EBIKELING Waterproof eBike Conversion Kit
MSRP: Check on Amazon
- Huge range for hub motor (350W / 500W / 1200W / 1500W)
- Front or rear hub motor
- Compatible with 36V or 48V batteries.
The Ebikeling Waterproof e-bike conversion kit is a valuable buy with more capabilities than you might assume.
There are four different hub motors to choose from, with a huge range from 350W all the way up to 1500W. This means that almost any rider could find this e-bike conversion kit useful, from beginner cyclists to serious e-bike commuters.
Beginners can opt for the less powerful motors. With smaller batteries, saving on cost while still getting all the benefits of having an electric bike conversion kit. More experienced riders, or those looking for more power and range, can go for the large batteries and more powerful motors.
Optionality is where the Ebikeling waterproof e-bike conversion kit shines, and from the motor to the batteries, this continues on to the conversion kit’s mounting.
This kit is available for either front or rear mounting, and works with rear, front, and dual suspension bikes.
You can even buy a brake kit with the Ebikeling conversion kit, though this is optional. Either way, the kit comes with disc brakes, V-brakes, calipers, or cantilevers.
You can also choose between twist throttle or thumb throttle, and two different LCD display systems. If all those options weren’t enough, the Ebikeling conversion kit is also compatible with 20”, 26”, or 700C wheels. And of course, they are indeed waterproof.
AW 1000W Electric Bike Motor Kit w/LCD Display
MSRP: Check on Amazon
- Rear-wheel mounted
- Value and durability
- 48V battery
The AW 1000W rear hub motor is the best value electric bike conversion kit, and it even comes with a dual-mode controller that prolongs the life of the entire system.
The thumb throttle controller means that you can turn the pedal-assist on/off with the push of a button.
There is also a display system that will show you the remaining battery life, your speed, headlight status, gearing, and more. Speaking of, this kit is compatible with a 48V battery, giving it a slightly shorter range compared to better-specced (and more expensive) e-bike conversion kits.
With 1000W of power, the AW e-bike conversion kit is low-to-mid range in terms of overall power, but that doesn’t mean it has any missing capabilities.
This kit can achieve a maximum speed of 32mph, while its dual-mode controller will give you plenty of power options. This kit is compatible with 26” wheels, which may be a bit limiting for some riders.
JauoPay 1000W Brushless Gearless Electric Bicycle Conversion Kit
MSRP: Check on Amazon
- Great value
- 1000W hub motor wheel
- 8-point PAS
The brushless electric bike conversion kit is one of the cheapest electric bike conversion kits on the market, yet it is still one of the most powerful.
With a 1000W hub motor and 28V battery (not included), the JauoPay kit has a top speed of 28mph, though it is restricted to 750W and 24mph as a road-legal bicycle.
Despite its low price, you will even find a Pedal Assist System (PAS) in the JauoPay electric bike conversion kit that has eight different settings to choose from. This system also allows you to activate the hub motor, while you can also use the twist throttle to activate the power.
For those looking to get started in the e-bike conversion kit world, look no further than the JauoPay kit.
The entire kit costs little more than $200, and with that, you will get the 1000W hub motor, intelligent controller, twist throttle, brake levers, 8-point Pas, and cable ties.
Voilamart 1500W eBike Motor Kit
MSRP: Check on Amazon
- Huge load capacity
- 1500W motor with 48V battery (sold separately)
- Pedal Assistance System (PAS)
The Voilamart e-bike conversion kit is one of the best all-rounders on this list for its overall value and power.
With a 1500W motor, this kit can get you up to 34mph on the road, although this is restricted to 750W and 24mph in the default settings which make it street legal.
A Pedal Assistance System (PAS) helps you drive one of the most powerful electric bike conversion kits which has a maximum load capacity of 551 lbs.
Included in this kit is the 1500W brushless motor, rear-wheel with 7-speed cassette, motor controller, cables ties, plastic coil, wire hub, twist throttle, and a pair of brake handles.
You can also extend the battery’s range by switching the motor from Hall effect to non-Hall effect, or vice versa, using the dual-mode controller. The reason that the list price is so low is that this kit does not include a battery.
However, the Voilamart eBike Motor Kit does have specific recommendations and listings for compatible batteries, which will cost around $250. Specifically, this kit is CE, EN15194 approved for 48V cell batteries with a nominal capacity not less than 14.5Ah.
Once you get the battery installed, this kit has a healthy range that is at the high-end of electric bike conversion kits.
How to Set Up an Electric Bike Conversion Kit
Perhaps the biggest drawback of electric bike conversion kits is the difficulty in setting them up. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all, and every kit will come with its own set of instructions.
This is because electric bike conversion kits fit your bike in different ways – the main options are electric bike wheel conversion, mid-drive conversion, or friction-drive conversion.
Many of the kits included above are wheel conversion kits, which means adding the electric motor to either the front or rear wheel. These kits are relatively easy to set up, and there is not much (dis)assembly that needs to be done other than exchanging the electric wheel.
As for mid-drive kits, these are electric bike kits that attach somewhere in the lower middle of the frame, usually around the bottom bracket.
This leads to better weight distribution, although the set up can be quite challenging as this often includes bottom bracket standards, other conversion kits, and finding compatible parts.
One of the simplest solutions is a friction-drive conversion kit, which involves a roller that pushes the tire forward, effectively speeding up its rotation.
We didn’t include any of this style of kit in this review of the best electric bike conversion kits – and that’s because, frankly, friction-drive kits are not good.
Although they are easy to assemble, they are not at all effective compared to mid-drive kits or electric wheel conversions.
What to Keep In Mind
When shopping for an electric bike conversion kit, you need to keep a few things in mind in order to mitigate risk.
One of those is how much can your bike handle – e-bike conversion kits, which include motors, battery, cables, throttles, and more, are quite heavy.
If you are riding an older or a more fragile bike, it may not be able to handle the added weight of an electric bike conversion kit which can be up to 15+kg.
You also need to think about where you want to ride and how you ride it. If your commute is generally flat and you want to speed it up a bit, you do not need a super powerful 1500W motor or a large 72V battery.
Read More: Complete Guide on Charging an Electric Bike
However, if you’re looking for an e-bike conversion kit that can help you tackle all-day mountain-climbing epics, then a powerful and long-lasting electric bike conversion kit is exactly what you need.
Compatibility can be a major sticking point as well, especially for mid-drive e-bike conversion kits which mount onto the bike’s bottom bracket. These kits often work with only certain standards, so you’ll want to double-check the compatibility before making the big purchase.
Finally, there is the safety risk of riding a bike with an electric bike conversion kit. Many of these systems are large, heavy, and powerful. Some have more than 1000W available at the push of a button, which can be scary for those who’ve never felt that before.
Most electric bike conversion kits are limited by default to 750W and 24mph – this makes them street-legal and ultimately safer. If you’re thinking about turning the limiter off, make sure you know what you’re doing because there is a lot of power in that throttle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you convert a normal bike to an e-bike?
In general, you can convert a normal bike into an e-bike. Most normal bikes will work with e-bike conversion kits providing that all the necessary parts are compatible. Depending on which type of electric bike conversion kit you have, you will need a bike with a compatible bottom bracket, wheels, or more.
Electric bike conversion kits will generally work with most hybrid bikes, road bikes, and city bikes. When you get to mountain or other off-road bikes, matching up compatibility can be more difficult.
Are e-bike conversion kits worth it?
Yes! E-bike conversion kits are the cheaper version of e-bikes, which can change the way that you see cycling. You can get to work faster, take the kids to school, and go grocery shopping on an e-bike or a bike with an electric conversion kit. Bikes are easier to park and store, they are cheaper than cars, and many (including myself) would say that they are much more fun than cars too.
One of the best parts of e-bike conversion kits is that they fit onto the bike that you already have, meaning that you don’t need to worry about changing your bike fit, your saddle, or your riding position in order to reap all the benefits of having an e-bike.
How much does it cost to convert to an electric bike?
The cheapest electric bike conversion kits start at about $300, while the best and most powerful e-bike conversion kits are around $900. This is significantly less than buying a brand new e-bike, which can range in price from $1000 to $5000.
What is the best DIY e-bike conversion kit?
The JauoPay is the best DIY electric bike conversion kit because of its incredible value and overall capabilities. Compared to other e-bike conversion kits, the JauoPay has just as much power and battery life as the others, while also being the most affordable electric bike conversion kit of the bunch.
Bafang makes a great line of electric bike conversion kits, and with that, there are so many options to choose from. If you have a higher price range, go with the Bafang electric bike conversion kit that is known for being made of the highest quality.
How do I convert my mountain bike to an electric bike?
Mountain bikes can accept electric bike conversion kits just like any other bike. Depending on which style of e-bike conversion kit you have, you will have to install them in different ways.
With an electric wheel conversion, you will need to swap out one of the mountain bike’s wheels with an electric wheel that contains the motor. If this option isn’t suitable, you should go with a mid-drive electric bike conversion kit that attaches to or around the mountain bike’s bottom bracket. This is the best style for mountain bikes because of the weight distribution.
Are Electric Bike Conversion Kits Worth It?
One of the toughest parts about owning an electric bike conversion kit is, well, converting it. That means attaching your e-bike conversion kit to your regular bicycle, which in most cases is easier said than done.
As we discussed above, some systems are easier to install than others, but they will all take a considerate amount of effort. And once the process is complete, it takes just as much (if not more) work to convert it back by removing the electric bike conversion kit.
Nevertheless, electric bike conversion kits are a powerful tool (no pun intended) that can transform the way you ride a bicycle.
E-bike conversion kits are the cheaper and easier way to own an e-bike, so if you’re not ready to make the jump (or if your wallet can’t quite handle it), then an electric bike conversion kit could be perfect for you.
An e-bike conversion kit could even save you having a car. With a powerful motor and hundreds of pounds in potential loading capacity, you could do all of your shopping and commuting on the easy to ride, easy to park, and easy to store bicycle – with an e-bike conversion kit, of course.
E-bikes or bikes with an e-bike conversion kit can be used to save time, money, and energy. Plus, you will get more time outside, more exercise, and more mental health benefits compared to being stuck in traffic.
