Top Ebike Conversion Kits (Mid Drive vs. Rear Hub vs. Front Wheel) – 2023
In a time when reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is paramount, what better new technology to help than E-bike conversion kits?
With 250,000 people in the United States already taking advantage of this great transportation alternative, it’s been estimated that number will grow to 300 million electric bikes on the road by 2030. This may be largely due to a decrease in the cost of lithium-ion batteries, which most E-bikes utilize. 2
People all over the world are switching over to electric, but there’s no need to toss your old bike just yet… E-bikes can be even more eco-friendly when you use a conversion kit on your existing bike, saving it from ending up as waste in a landfill. Remember, reduce, REUSE, recycle!
The electric bike is comfortable, clean for the environment, and here to stay. So, keep reading to pick one out that will suit your needs the best, before they all sell out!
What Are E-Bikes?
Electric bicycles, or E-bikes, are bicycles that have been integrated with an electric motor, to assist with propulsion so that you can achieve higher speeds, easier. They are one of the newest technological advancements in transportation, and provide a unique opportunity to reduce your carbon footprint.
When someone hears “electric bicycle,” they may think of a scooter first, but they really just look like a normal bicycle. With a seamlessly integrated motor and battery. They also pedal and handle just like a normal bike, just with a little extra power to make hills and headwind more manageable, as well as longer commutes. 1
Quality and comfort are still important factors to consider when choosing an E-bike, but now there are a few more considerations, such as power ratings. These electric bicycles can come in a wide range, from 200W to 1,000W or more, but the legal limit in the US is 750W. 1
These wattage power ratings can be thought of much like horsepower for cars, so a higher rating means that it will be able to transport more weight with greater ease. However, higher power ratings do suck up battery life faster, so a 750W motor will drain a battery more swiftly than a 250W motor.
One of the final deciding factors when choosing an E-bike or conversion kit is the design and location of the motor…
Front Wheel and Rear Hub Motors
Hub motors are the most popular type of motor for E-bikes, and are usually integrated into the bike either on the rear or front wheel. Once it’s engaged, it either pushes or pulls the bike along, depending on which wheel it uses. 1 Rear wheel motors are more common, but there are a few models out there that even have motors on both wheels, for maximum power. 11
Because the motor is either on the front or rear wheel, it can require some getting used to, with more weight on one affecting the balance that you may be used to. 11 Although this type of motor works well, it is not actually connected to the bike’s gears, so it loses efficiency on hills or varied terrain. 1
It will still get you to where you need to go, but won’t give you the optimum amount of power or speed that you’d get with the use of your gears. For this reason, choosing E-bikes with this type of motor is best suited for daily commuters or those who ride exclusively on roads, preferably in a fairly level area.
Mid Drive Motors
These motors are primarily used on premium E-bikes and conversion kits, as they’re often considered the better choice of motors. 11 Mid-drive motors are specially integrated with the crank and the gears of the bicycle, allowing the rider use of their gears. This sort of location and mounting results in several advantages, including: 1
- Increased performance
- Less battery expenditure
- Better hill climbing power
- Improved handling, by keeping the weight low and centered
Because mid-drive motors are placed at the center of the bicycle and directly under the seat, these types of conversion kits tend to feel more balanced and natural than a hub-drive bike. 11
Advantages of E-Bikes for the Environment and You
Although they are just hitting the market as a popular option, motorized bicycles have actually been around a long time. First invented in the 19th century, they’ve taken the last couple hundred years to be re-designed and perfected, into the accessible and easy-to-install conversion kits available today. 3
As may be expected, E-bikes are much easier on the environment than cars, as they have a much lower carbon dioxide (CO2) output, but can still get you to your destination on time. Their rise in popularity in some countries, such as Germany and the United States, has been replacing the bicycle market, largely because in the age of the COVID-19 pandemic, they offer a more secluded means of low-carbon transport than public transportation. 6, 7 In other countries, such as China, E-bikes have been replacing markets that were harsh on the environment, like mopeds and small motorcycles that depend on fossil fuels. 4, 5
While fully electric vehicles have emerged as an excellent option for reducing GHG emissions, E-bikes remain the best transportation method when it comes to the atmosphere, aside from walking or using a manual bicycle. At 22g of CO2 per km, an E-bike has much lower emissions than even a fully electric vehicle, at 104g of CO2 per km, let alone a gas-powered car, which comes in at 258g of CO2 per km. 7
Furthermore, a recent study found that replacing car travel with the use of E-bikes could cut car carbon dioxide emissions in England by up to 50 percent, or the equivalent of 33 million tons of CO2, per year. 13
Even beyond their ability to lower your carbon footprint, there are other advantages to E-bike conversions. For one, they’re easier to pedal than a standard bicycle, yet you can get the same amount of exercise riding one than a standard bicycle. 8 This means that your rides will become easier, you won’t sweat as much, and you can wear the same clothes as you normally would in whatever weather you’re in.
Plus with the gaining momentum in the industry, technology is improving and E-bikes are becoming not just more available, but also more affordable. However, no new electric bicycle is going to be cheaper than the bike you already own. So if you’re trying to reduce your carbon footprint, repurposing what you already have is a win-win situation.
So whether you want to add some oomph to your daily commute, or just want some extra juice for going up hills, consider these best E-bike conversion kits.
Top 8 E-Bike Conversion Kits
Bafang BBS02B 48v 500W Mid Drive E-Bike Kit
Bafang has been a leader in manufacturing e-mobility components and E-bike systems since 2003, and their products have proven to have outstanding performance and reliability, which is why you will see a few options from them on this list. 9
The BSS02B 17 is possibly the best example of their quality, as a versatile mid-drive E-bike kit. Compatible with road, mountain, and commuter bicycles, all you’ll need is a bike with a 68-71 mm bottom bracket and the battery of your choice, which is included. Although there are several power levels available for this conversion kit, keep in mind that anything over 750W will be considered a motorcycle in the US. 9
Alizeti 300C E-Bike System
This conversion kit is easy to install, 16 but you’ll need a mounting system on your bike, like a rear rack, to use the Alizeti 300C E-bike system. This kit is also budget-friendly, but you’ll have to buy the battery separately, or purchase the package that offers both the battery and kit. 9
The battery can offer up to 20 miles of power, and the 500W motor will be plenty to help you climb those hills. This E-bike kit is also tech-savvy and utilizes auto rear lights, an alarm system, a horn, a Bluetooth speaker for streaming music, and regenerative braking to help recharge the battery as you ride. 9
Bafang Front Hub Motor 48V 500W
This front wheel E-bike conversion kit 15 is another that is both easy to install, and easy on your bank account. The company claims that with the help of its installation videos, you can completely convert your bike within one hour. 9
After installation, you can enjoy pedal assist or switch completely over to an E-bike mode for longer trips… all at up to 24 miles an hour. Plus with Bafang’s quality and reputation, you won’t have to worry about it failing on you mid-ride to the store. It is good to note, though, that this kit does not include a battery, so you will have to choose and buy one separately. 9
AW 48V 1000 W Rear Wheel Electric Bike Kit
This conversion kit 14 features a rear wheel hub motor, which means it’s a little easier to install than a mid-drive system. Another kit that is well made and super energy efficient, it’s a good contender for those outside of the US, or one of the six states that allow 1000W motors. 10
However, there is no battery included, so you will have to buy a 48V AW battery pack separately. 2
Tongsheng 36V/48V
This Tongsheng E-bike conversion kit 19 may not have the brand name that Bafang does, but it is built with quality materials, works well, and has overwhelmingly satisfied reviews. 2
With this kit, you get the choice of choosing between a 36V battery or a 48V battery, depending on whether you want a longer battery life or a lower price tag.
Swytch Universal E-Bike Conversion Kit
This front wheel conversion kit 18 has been rising in popularity due to the fact that it’s great for commuters and is universal, meaning it will make nearly any bike reach speeds of 15-20 mph. Daily riders will love this easy-to-install and lightweight kit, compatible with most bikes, including: 9
Also, the controller and battery are combined into a power pack which mounts to the handlebars, which makes it easy to remove and reduce the threat of theft.
Ebikeling Waterproof E-bike Conversion Kit 36V 500W 700C Geared Electric Bike Kit
If you’d like to gain a little more speed than you can with the Swytch, consider an Ebikeling. 21
With its 500W motor (and 36V battery sold separately), you can go farther and faster. This conversion kit also comes with an LCD screen to help you stay within the speed limit, and you can choose between a front or rear mount, depending on your preferences.
Rubbee X Base Model
Many of these bikes have fairly simple installation produces, but Rubbee X 20 is the winner for the most simple install yet. All you have to do it attach a mount to the seat, and click the unit into it. The 250W motor and 10-mile range of the base unit battery may be less power and distance than other conversion kits, but they will still get the job done. 12
If you still feel restricted by the 10-mile distance limit, you can also always add an extra battery, doubling the range to 20 miles.
Using E-Bike Conversion Kits to Get Closer to a Green Future
Electric vehicles are not 100 percent environmentally friendly, as their production and the electricity needed to charge the battery still has a carbon footprint… But they are certainly a giant leap towards the type of sustainability that is needed in all industries, in order to combat climate change.
If this bit of carbon footprint is what’s holding you back from converting your bicycle, consider using carbon offsets as a way to make your E-bike completely carbon neutral. With these, you can invest in projects such as tree-planting and wildlife rehabilitation as a way to mitigate the impacts of your riding time.
And remember, these conversion kits can help you revitalize your old bike in a manner that would allow you to use it instead of a car, for things like running errands or visiting friends. For this reason, E-bikes are considerably better for the Earth than the gas-guzzling vehicles that have taken the main stage until now.
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References
1 What Are Electric Bikes? How Do They Work? – EVELO. (n.d.). Retrieved August 31, 2021, from https://evelo.com/pages/electric-bikes-101
2 Top 8 Best Electric Bike Kits For 2021 | Whole People. (2020, November 15). Retrieved August 31, 2021, from https://wholepeople.com/best-electric-bike-kits/
3 US552271A – Electrical bicycle – Google Patents. (1895, December 31). Retrieved August 31, 2021, from https://patents.google.com/patent/ US552271A /en
4 Kathy Chu (2010, January 12). “Electric bikes face long road in U.S.” USA Today. Retrieved August 31, 2021, from https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/industries/environment/2010-02-11-electricbikes11_ST_N.htm
5 J. David Goodman (2010, January 31). “An Electric Boost for Bicyclists”. The New York Times. Retrieved August 31, 2020 from https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/01/business/global/01ebike.html
6 “Electric Bikes Now Constitute 10 Percent of German Market”. EVworld.com. Archived from the original on 10 September 2013. Retrieved August 31, 2021, from https://web.archive.org/web/20130910022452/http://evworld.com/news.cfm?newsid=29891
7 Alter, L. (2020, May 21). Study Shows How E-Bikes Can Dramatically Reduce CO2 Emissions From Transportation. Retrieved August 31, 2021, from https://www.treehugger.com/study-shows-how-e-bikes-can-dramatically-reduce-co2-emissions-transportation-4848048
8 Alter, L. (2019, August 9). Study Finds That E-Bike Riders Get as Much Exercise as Riders of Regular Bikes. Retrieved August 31, 2021, from https://www.treehugger.com/study-finds-e-bike-riders-get-much-exercise-riders-regular-bikes-4857418
9 Wachter, H. (2021, August 26). The 5 Best E-Bike Conversion Kits of 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2021, from https://www.treehugger.com/best-e-bike-conversion-kits-5188910
10 U.S. Electric Bike Regulations | QuietKat.com. (n.d.). Retrieved August 31, 2021, from https://quietkat.com/pages/united-states-electric-bike-regulations-guide
11 Lopez, N. (2021, April 7). Hub motor vs mid-drive: Which type of ebike is best for you? Retrieved August 31, 2021, from https://thenextweb.com/news/hub-vs-mid-drive-motors-on-ebikes
12 Ross, J. (29 Apr. 2021).“Best Electric Bike Conversion Kits: Give Your Current Bike a Power Boost.” Cyclingnews. Retrieved August 31, 2021, from https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/best-electric-bike-conversion-kits-give-your-current-bike-a-power-boost/.
13 Ian Philips, David Watling Paul Timms (2018) Estimating individual physical capability (IPC) to make journeys by bicycle, International Journal of Sustainable Transportation. Retrieved Auagust 31, 2021, from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15568318.2017.1368748
14 Amazon.com. (2021, August 30). AW 26″x1.75″ Rear Wheel Electric Bicycle LCD Display Motor Kit E-Bike Conversion 48V1000W. Retrieved August 31, 2021, from https://www.amazon.com/AW-Electric-Bicycle-Conversion-48V1000W/dp/B00Q8JT9H2
15 Amazon.com. (2021, September 1). BAFANG 48V 500W Front Hub Motor Electric Bike Conversion Kit Retrieved August 31, 2021, from https://www.amazon.com/BAFANG-Electric-Conversion-Display-Battery/dp/B087TSNDKQ
16 Alizeti 300C E-bike System (S-300-C). (n.d.). Retrieved August 31, 2021, from https://en.alizetibikes.com/products/copy-of-alizeti-300c-commuter-e-bike-system-s-300-c
17 Amazon.com. (2021, April 19). BAFANG BBSHD BBS02B 1000W 750W 500W Ebike Motor LCD Speedmeter Electric Bike Conversion Kit with Display. Retrieved August 31, 2021, from https://www.amazon.com/BAFANG-Speedmeter-Electric-Conversion-Display/dp/B087V4QKD7
18 eBike Conversion Kit | Swytch. (n.d.). Retrieved August 31, 2021 from https://www.swytchbike.com/p/universal-ebike-conversion-kit/
19 Amazon.com. (2021, November 10). 48V 500W Torque Sensored Electric Bicycle Motor Kit Mid Drive DIY Ebike Conversion Kit with Display and Battery. Retrieved August 31, 2021, from https://www.amazon.com/Sensored-Electric-Bicycle-Conversion-Optional/dp/B0899NMBWC
20 Rubbee X – Make your bike electric in seconds – Rubbee. (2021, September 1). Retrieved August 31, 2021, from https://www.rubbee.co.uk/product/rubbee-x/
21 Amazon.com. (2021, September 1). EBIKELING Waterproof Ebike Conversion Kit 36V 500W 26″ Geared Electric Bike Conversion Kit – Front Wheel Electric Bicycle Hub Motor Kit. Retrieved August 31, 2021, from https://www.amazon.com/EBIKELING-Waterproof-Electric-Bicycle-Conversion/dp/B07MG5PVFQ
Electric bicycle wheel
HEINZMANN offers a large selection of space-saving motors for direct attachment to the wheel hub for a broad application range. As an early pioneer of bicycle drives, our e-bike motors benefit from our decades of experience and boast maximum efficiency across the entire speed range and a high torque at low speeds. Our wheel hub motors are suitable for any bicycle type or other NEVs.
The HEINZMANN CargoPower RN 111 heavy-duty motor features innovative technology, a robust design and excellent reliability. It has been specially developed for heavy-duty applications. Torque, torque support and the reliable axle loads are specifically designed for uses like these.
HEINZMANN PRA 180 bicycle drives from the DirectPower series feature innovative technology and outstanding flexibility. Our drive can be installed in the front or rear wheel thanks to strict compliance with the standard dimensions used in the bicycle industry. Thanks to the independent control integrated into the battery box the gearless bike drives can be used in various systems.
HEINZMANN ClassicPower motors have been proving themselves in electric bicycles for decades. The HEINZMANN RN 120 bicycle drive is characterised by the tried-and-tested robust technology, combined with the innovative optimisation of its components and features. The powerful DC motor offers even power development with economical use of the battery capacity.
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The 6 Best E-Bike Conversion Kits of 2023
Heidi Wachter was a senior editor at Experience Life magazine for 10 years. She has written for publications like Experience Life, Shondaland, and betterpet.
E-bikes are easier on the environment than cars. They’re also easier to pedal than a standard person-powered two-wheeler. You get as much exercise riding an E-bike as you do a traditional bike. Thanks to improved technology and more people interested in alternative transit methods, E-bikes are also becoming more available—and more affordable.
But no electric bike is as cheap as the bike you already own. If you’re trying to reduce your carbon footprint, live in a small space, or practicing minimalism, repurposing what you already have can be a win-win-win decision. So, if you love your current ride but want to add some juice for getting uphill or for powering your cargo bike when you’re carrying a heavy load, you can, thanks to electric bike converter kits. To electrify your bike, you need a battery, sensors, controls, and a motorized wheel or a drive unit.
Here are the best options for upgrading your bike with an e-bike conversion kit.
Best Overall
BAFANG BBS02B 48V 500W Ebike Conversion Kit
Since 2003, Bafang has been a leader in manufacturing e-mobility components and complete e-drive systems. Its products offer outstanding performance and reliability, and the BBS02B conversion kit is no exception, making it our top overall choice.
This mid-drive motor kit is versatile and compatible with road, commuter, and mountain bicycles. All you need is a bike with a 68-73 millimeter bottom bracket and the battery of your choice. Installation is relatively easy, and the battery is included. Once the kit is installed, you’ll be ready to tackle any hill.
Although several different conversion kits are available online from Bafang, those with more than 750 watts of power will be considered motorcycles in the United States.
Price at time of publish: 466
Best Budget
BAFANG E-bike Front Hub Motor 48V 500W Bafang Brushless Gear 20/26/27.5/700C inch Electric Bicycle Conversion Kits
This front-wheel E-bike conversion kit is easy to set up and easy on your wallet. Electrify your bike in one hour by following the installation video and manual. Don’t forget to choose the correct wheel size!
After setup is complete, ride around the town with pedal assist or switch to E-bike mode for longer trips. Commuters, long-distance trekkers, and mountain bikers can cruise up to 24 miles per hour. The battery is not included.
Price at time of publish: 579
Best for Commuting
Swytch Universal eBike Conversion Kit
Daily riders will love this easy-to-install, lightweight e-bike conversion kit. It is compatible with most mountain, road, hybrid, and step-through bikes, and disc brakes.
It’s as easy to install as swapping out your front tire. The controller and battery are combined into a 34.2-Volt power pack, which is included in the kit and mounts to the handlebars. That makes it easy to remove and keeps thieves at bay, but our tester did miss having the use of a handle bar basket. The battery pack is fitted with indicator lights that tell you how much juice remains and what assist mode you’re in. Once the system is set up correctly, you’ll be able to top out at 15-25 mph.
In general, I love it. It makes my ride easier without feeling like I’m riding a giant bulky e-bike. It’s got a phenomenal amount of power for such a little machine and seems like it has a good battery life too. ~ Treehugger Tester
Best Premium
Ebikeling Waterproof Ebike Conversion Kit 36V 500W 700C Geared Electric Bike Kit
Do you want to go farther or faster? You can do both with this setup from Ebikeling, with its 500-watt motor. Ebikeling makes it easy to buy different compatible batteries and other accessories in an a-la-cart way. There are seven different batteries that come in different shapes (bottle, triangle, rectangular), so that you can pick the one that suits your bike and needs best.
The double-walled rim and motor are ready to install right out of the box—just swap them out for your original bike tire. An LCD screen is included to help you stay within your town’s speed limit. You can choose between a front or rear mount, as well as a thumb or half-twist throttle.
Price at time of publish: 390
Most Powerful
AW 26×1.75 Rear Wheel 48V 1000W Electric Bicycle Motor Kit
Thanks to a 48-volt, 1000-watt battery, the AW wheel E-bike conversion kit satisfies anyone with the need for speed. A thumb throttle makes speed control simple. This kit is available as either a front wheel or back wheel conversion option. It fits any 26-inch bike frame with a 3.9 inch front dropout spacing (for a front wheel conversion) or 5.3 inch rear dropout spacing (for a back wheel conversion). The rear wheel kit weighs 24.7 pounds, the front wheel kit weighs 23.5 pounds.
The aluminum frame offers durability and stability, which is essential when you’re rolling at top speeds of 28 miles per hour. Hand brakes turn the motor off automatically to both improve safety and conserve battery power.
Price at time of publish: 300
Easiest to Install
Rubbee X Conversion Kit
If you want the fastest conversion possible, and even the option to take a motor off your bike quickly, the Rubbee X makes it a snap. The Rubbee X gives you a boost by resting against the rear tire, and has a special release that lets you remove the motor without un-mounting the entire system. You control the power just by pedaling, as a wireless cadence sensor that gets mounted to the pedal crank sends information to the motor, which shifts automatically without any additional user interface.
This conversion kit has some other nice features. It has tail lights on the back of the motor, to give you some additional visibility when riding at night. The base model comes with one battery, which weight 6.1 pounds, gives you 250 watts of power and has a top speed of 16 mph. Upgraded models have two or three additional batteries, each offering more speed and power, but also adding more weight. It’s compatible with any frame type, and with tires that are between 0.5 and 2.5 inches in width and between 16 and 29 inches in diameter.
There are a few things to keep in mind before you buy. First, the product ships from the European Union, so there may be an additional import tax. Second, you’ll want to make sure you have plenty of room on your seat post to connect the motor.
Price at time of publish: 612
Whenever you’re buying a newer technology, sticking with a known brand makes sense. That makes Bafang’s E-bike conversion kits a sound choice—in terms of quality and price. If speed is what you’re after, the kits from Ebikeling.
What to Consider When Shopping for an E-Bike Conversion Kit
Battery
Is the battery included? You’ll need something to power and charge your e-bike conversion kit. Many kits include a battery. Cheaper kits may not, though, which means you’ll need to source a compatible battery separately.
Power
You’ll also want to think about your power needs. The higher the motor wattage, the more power you’ll get. A 250-watt motor is typically plenty of power to make the daily commute less sweaty. If you want to take your converted bike out on tougher mountain trails, you’ll want more power.
Keep in mind that according to U.S. federal regulations, e-bikes with more than 750 watts of power are considered motor vehicles and require a motorcycle license.
Local Laws
You’ll want to check your state and local laws as some cities and towns have banned e-bikes from bicycle paths, so if that’s where you want to ride, you’ll want to make sure your town allows your upgraded bike to cruise around on them.
E-bikes come in three classes:
- Class 1 E-bikes that assist you while you pedal and top out about 20 mph.
- Class 2 E-bikes have a throttle that assists you regardless of whether you pedal and have a top speed of 20 mph.
- Class 3 E-bikes assist you while you pedal and top out about 28 mph.
Drive Type and Installation
There are several kinds of e-bike conversion kits, and the ease of set-up and installation varies.
- Friction Drive Conversion is a simple strategy. A roller pushes against the tire on the wheel. When the roller turns, the wheel turns. It’s a reasonably easy system to set up but sometimes isn’t the most effective.
- Mid-Drive Conversion is the technology that the best e-bikes tend to use. A weight sits at a low point on the bike frame, and the power is applied to the crank. These can be more expensive, but the technology is typically better. There’s no standardization, however, which can make figuring out exactly what you need to make your bike work a little more challenging. Adding the parts is also a bit more complex than friction drive conversion.
- Electric Bike Wheel Conversion swaps out a non-electrified front or rear wheel with an electrified one. The process is simple depending on where and how the battery mounts—such as on a rear rack. Once installed, weight distribution can feel natural. However, powering the front wheel may impact your bike’s handling.
The difficulty of installation depends of the type of conversion kit, as well as your comfort with the tools required. But generally speaking, converting your bike is a DIY project. Many manufacturers offer how-to videos that show what’s involved, so you can see ahead of time what you’ll need to do.
You’ll need a bike tool, crank arm tool, adjustable wrenches, and a screwdriver along with your electric bike conversion kit. These demos can show you how to install your e-bike conversion kit.
A visit to your local bike shop mechanic is a helpful step in the decision-making process. They can help you determine if your bike is a good candidate for electric technology. Your old bike may not be able to be converted because adding a motor can increase torque. You’ll want to make sure your bike’s drivetrain can handle it. The extra weight from adding an electric motor also impacts your brakes, so you’ll want to make sure they are effective for stopping at a higher speed. E-bikes tend to have disk brakes for this reason. If your current bike is in disrepair, has old parts, or needs other improvements, it may be more cost-effective to sell your trusty old ten speed and buy an e-bike. Also, consider that a quality electric bike conversion kit can be nearly the cost of an electric bike. Do some comparison shopping between the price of a conversion kit and a fully-loaded e-bike before you decide which way you want to roll. Our picks for the best e-bikes may help guide your decision.
Why Trust Treehugger?
Treehugger has reported on dozens of e-bikes and e-bike conversion options over the past decade. To make this list, we deeply researched the market by reading other third-party reviews, user Комментарии и мнения владельцев, and enthusiasts blogs. We also considered the product’s value and the manufacturer’s reputation.
Author Heidi Wachter has been writing about travel and adventure for over a decade. When she’s not writing, you’ll likely find her riding one of her six bicycles—even in the winter.
Description
36V 750W 20 inch Front Frame 1.95-2.5 Width Rim Electric Bicycle Conversion Kit exactly reaches you needs! By adding an electric motor wheel, a LED light and a throttle, you will find electric bike will let you enjoy the outdoors, and provide the fun you deserve.
- The ebike conversion kit includes motorized wheel (without tire), motor controller, thumb throttle, power break lever, wire harness.
- Suitable Tire Size. 20 x 1.95 to 2.5 (a tire that is 20 in outer diameter and 1.95 to 2.5 in width)
- E-bike Conversion Kit. easy to convert your bike to an electric powered scooter/moped
- 750W powerful brushless gearless hub motor with 25 km/h top speed
- The brake shuts off motor automatically. saves energy and improves safety
- Aluminum rim for strong support rust resistance
- Thumb throttle with 3 LED battery indicator lights
Specification:
- Motor specifications: 36V / 750W / 500RPM
- High motor efficiency: 80%
- Wheel Outer Diameter: 20 (50.8 cm)
- Hub Length: 6 7/8 (17.5 cm)
- Hub Spacing: 4 (10 cm)
- Rim Width: 1 9/16 (4 cm)
- Rim Diameter: 16 9/16 (42 cm)
- Motor Diameter: 7 7/8 (20 cm)
- Axle Length: 6 7/8 (17.5 cm)
- Front Dropout Spacing: 3 15/16 (10 cm)
- The Number of Spokes: 36
- Spokes Length: 4 7/16, 4 1/2 (11.3 cm, 11.5cm)
- Spoke Specification: 12G
- Motor Torque: 36.88 ft·lb (50 Nm)
- Recommended Battery Specification: 36V/25A
- Recommended Battery Capacity: than 8.8Ah
- Suitable Brake Type: Disc Brake / V-Brake
- Weight Capacity: 220 Lbs (100kg)
- Climbing Angle: 12 Degrees
- Net Weight: 18.3 lbs (8.3 kg)
Package Includes:
- 1x Powerful 750W 36V brushless hub motor
- 1x 20 front wheel (the whole wheel without tire!)
- 1x Electric Controller
- 2x Hand Brakes
- 2x Handle Grips
- 1x Thumb Throttle
- 1x Controller Bag
- 1x Strip
- 1x Winding Pipe
- 1 Set of Cable Ties
- 1x Spoke Key
- 1x Manual
1.Must to wear a helmet before riding this electric bicycle for protection.
2.Please go to those automobile repair shop with standard business license for modification.
3.For safety reasons, it is not recommended to use in rainy days
4.It is only suitable for bicycle/mountain bike/BMX, not tricycles, tractors, etc;
If you have any question about the compatible Model, please contact our Customer Service before purchasing.
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Wheel Building
There are many good print and online references for lacing bicycle wheels. Many will defer to Sheldon Brown, Brandt’s Bicycle Wheel Book, and others. However, a lot of the points and details with a conventional bicycle hubs don’t necessarily apply to hub motors with their much larger flange diameter.
Number of Crosses
Spokes are crossed so that the tensioned spokes have a tangential force component that can transmit torque between the hub flange and the rim. For regular bicycle hubs, the spokes will usually cross over each other 3 times in order to achieve sufficient angle. On a hub motor, the flange is so large that a single cross will usually result in an even larger angle than triple cross in a regular hub. We’ve seen many times where people have suggested that hub motors should also be laced 2 or 3 cross to be sufficiently strong, and this makes little sense. A double cross lace can work on small diameter hub motors with large rims, but otherwise it is an extra challenge to lace and results in spoke nipples coming through the rim at steep angles.
Radial Lacing
The radial or 0-cross lacing pattern is in vogue for stylish looking front wheels on normal bikes since there is no torque transmission required between the hub and the rim. It is by far the easiest pattern to lace, but in applications where torque needs to be coupled between the hub and rim, there will always be a certain amount of torsional flex on the hub in order to produce a tangential component to the spoke tension.
With conventional rear wheels, this torque comes from the pulsating pedal forces from the rider, and resulting flex can cause fatigue wear of the spokes and loosening of the nipples in pretty short order. Conventional wisdom is that you should never ever use radial lacing on rear wheels or in any application where there is a torque transmission between hub and rim (such as a front wheel with disk or drum brakes). However, with a hub motor, the flange diameter is so much larger that the relative amount of twisting to cause a torque transmission is far less:
It used to be that all hub motors, even the 16 and 20 ones, would use a cross lacing pattern, often nearly butchering the spokes in the process. Then in early 2008 we started seeing most manufacturers switch to a direct radial lace with their 20 wheels. Our experience suggests that with front wheels this is usually OK, since the torque from a motor is steady and not pulsing all the time. However, with rear hub motors the radial build can be problematic to the the much higher frequency pulses of torque coming from each crank revolution
Paired Spoke Holes
One innovation in hub design that gets the best of both worlds is the use of paired spoke holes, where instead of the spoke holes being evenly spaced around the hub flange they are grouped in pairs that are closer together. With paired spoke holes, even a zero cross wheel build will have a tangential component to the spoke tension allowing for torque transmission between the hub and the rim. This is especially handy when lacing hubs into smaller wheel sizes where crossing would result in an excessive spoke angle. For lacing in larger rims, you can optionally choose to do a single cross or a zero cross pattern, both work just fine.
Determining the correct spoke length with paired spoke holes used to be a tricky challenge in trigonometry or and exercise in trial and error, but we made it super easy with the addition of a paired spoke hole option in our online spoke calculator. For even more exotic lacing options of hub motors there is a recent addition to Sheldon Brown’s page on special large diameter hub lacing. which goes over using hubs and rims with different hole counts to achieve a similar effect (tangental spoke tension without actual spoke crossing)
Spoke Gauge
Hub motor wheels are typically supplied by the manufacturer with 13 gauge (2.3mm) spokes. Meanwhile, the spokes available from bicycle stores are almost always the thinner 14 gauge (2.0mm). Some manufacturers such as Crystalyte had so many issues with even their 13g spokes breaking that they went to very thick 12 gauge (2.5mm) spokes.
| Crystalyte: | 2.5mm (12 gauge) |
| Most other brands: | 2.3 mm (13 gauge) |
| Standard bicycle wheel: | 2.0mm (14 gauge) |
In principle, a heavier spoke should be stronger and less likely to fail, but when the failure mode is fatigue from bad fitting, it won’t help much. There are many downsides to fatter spokes. With 12 gauge, that means that any rim which you use will need to have the eyelets drilled out to accommodate the large 12 gauge nipple, and you’ll have a hard time sourcing replacement spokes, nipples, and spoke wrenches anywhere. Thirteen gauge spokes are used on some tandem and touring bicycles and it is possible to source 13g reduction nipples can fit through the hole in a regular rim. However, these reduction nipples have thinner walls than standard nipples and will wind up being the weak point in the wheel build. If you use straight 12 or 13 gauge spokes with proper size 12 or 13g nipples, then you’ll need to source special rims with larger spoke holes than standard
In practice, a well built wheel using 14 gauge spokes is more than strong enough to withstand the forces in even powerful hub motor setups. But most hub motor flanges are drilled out to accommodate 13 gauge or thicker spokes, and the small head from a 14g spoke won’t seat well and can sometimes even can pop through.
One of the best solutions to this is to use butted spokes that are 13 gauge at the bend, where the fit through the hub flange, and taper to 14 gauge at the threaded end. Then they can be cut and threaded to any length by better equipped bike stores, they use standard 14 gauge nipples, and they still seat properly in the holes in the hub motor flange. This is our go-to method of doing all wheelbuilds at Grin, and we recommend it to anyone who will listen.
Seating at Bend
A common reason for spokes to fail on hub motors isn’t because the motor puts extra strain on the spokes, or because the spokes aren’t a thick enough gauge, it’s because of fatigue failure from spokes that aren’t held snug against the flange. If the spoke bend radius is too large or too far from the head, then it can flex up and down at the bend with each wheel rotation, eventually causing it to crack and fail.
This problem has been legendary with overseas built hub motors, and we had some Crystalyte shipments where about half the customers would experience spoke breakage on a recurring basis. Ideally the distance between the head and the bend in your spoke will match the thickness of the hub flange, and you won’t have problems. But if not, there are two ways to address the situation. One is to insert a washer under the spoke head. The second way is to lace the wheel in an over/under pattern, such that the spoke tension compresses the bend part of the spoke into the flange.
Dishing
It is standard with rear bicycle hubs that the spokes ont he right side are shorter and more vertical than the spokes on the left, because of the space that the freewheel takes up. On a hub motor, this is no different, except that the flanges are often closer together, and this results in the freewheel side spoke becoming nearly vertical to center the rim. This can be addressed to some degree by lacing the wheel such that on both the left and right set of spokes, all of the elbows come out on the right side of the flange. This will offset the base of all spokes to the right by the flange width. Some hub motor manufactures have offset the spoke flanges from the hub so that they are centered on the axle and don’t require dishing.