Ebike pedal assist install
Zoom up the hardest hills and turn heads as you show off your new super powers. The powerful and compact 350W motor provides a speed of 20 mph at the push of a button and the pedal assist system provides a steady 15 mph cruising speed with each pedal stroke (throttle is optimized for speed, PAS is optimized for greatest battery range). New features this year include an easy to remove Hilltopper lithium battery with 25 to 50 mile battery range, a battery lock, led battery gauge that tells you how much power you have left, disc brake compatible hub, a USB charging port for your phone, a thumb throttle that allows you to control how much power the motor gives you, an easy to install pedal sensor that gives you power with every pedal stroke, a lithium battery charger optimized to ensure a long battery, and a higher efficiency Hilltopper motor that gives more torque for energy used (this motor is more compact than the Sprinter and also 60% more powerful). This is the original Hilltopper “Go Fast Now” kit, updated for 2022. Fast, with only the features you need. Rugged, with the battery range for long days. Awesome!
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Specifications
Convert your old bike to an electric one in just a few minutes. It’s easy, quick and fun. All you need is a Hilltopper kit and a friend to race when you’re done!
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Want All the Details? In-depth Customer Review
Components
Your wheel is customized to fit the wheel size of your bike. Stainless steel spokes are combined with a double wall rim. Nylon rim tape provides extra protection against flats. A complementary Kenda tire tube is included to make installation easy (and save you money). The wheel is compatible with rim and disc brakes to give you as many options as possible.
At the center of things is a 36V Hilltopper 350 Watt Electric Motor in black. Small compact with a high torque to size ratio, this motor provides a 20 mph top speed and higher with pedaling. Torque roughly doubles the average persons pedal power. Hilltopper motors are legendary for their long lifespan, typically outlasting your bike.
Motor is powered by a 36V 11.4 Ah Lithium Ion battery. Range of 25. 40 miles depending on how much you pedal and the terrain. Built in a rugged duraplastic case, this battery mounts on your downtube using the water bottle cage mounts. Or on a rear rack or in a basket. Battery has a LED gauge that tells you how much charge is left, plus a lock that keeps the battery safe and makes it easy to remove when you need to recharge. Very energy dense, with a lots of range for the battery size. The complete battery pack is 378(L) x 78(W) x 99(H) mm.
Activates your super powers and allows you to control how much assist the motor gives you. Fits most handlebars (hybrid, mountain, cruiser, etc.). For drop bars (found on road bikes) please see FAQ for fit. Installs by sliding on, you must remove your grips first to install. Very easy to use and long lasting.
Charges your 36V battery in 4-5 hours. Optimized for Lithium-Ion chemistry, this charger ensures a long lifespan for your battery.
Frequently asked questions about our kits
- Electric Bike Kits
- Installation Charging Instructions
- Range of the Battery and Speed
- Warranty, Returns Shipping
- Will It Fit My Bike?
Electric Bike Kits
Looking to find out if your kit is compatible with our Universal Replacement Battery set up? Click the link below to view our compatibility cheat sheet! Hilltopper URB Compatibility Cheat Sheet If you have any further questions, please contact Support@HilltopperBikes.com.
Having trouble with your PAS sensor? Wondering if it will fit your bike before you place an order? To dot your i’s and dash your t’s, click the link below for a detailed over view of our PAS sensor. Will the P.A.S. fit my bike? Video Instructions. Installing the Pedal Assist System Our 36V Horizon kits and our 48V Summit kits both include the PAS as a fully optional component. For complete Horizon installation instructions check the next link: Horizon Kit installation instructions ver 2021A For complete Summit installation instructions click below: Summit Kit installation instructions ver 2021A (1)
Yes, all Hilltopper wheels are disc brake compatible with standard spacing and 6-bolt rotor attachment. All of our wheels are also rim brake compatible giving you the most options to fit your bike! For instructions on how to install a rotor on your new Hilltopper, check out the following video: https://youtu.be/ZxDQUXOZqps
Why are Hilltopper Bikes 1/2 the price of other e-bikes on the market? Because we sell direct to you, the customer. Our mission is to create a sustainable future, two wheels at a time and we do that by making e-bikes affordable for you. We intentionally don’t sell through dealers, distributors, or retailers because that way of selling means a higher price tag for you. We build our kits and bike wheels with love and care here in Seattle and sell direct to you, so you won’t see the large retail markup that would be present if you were buying from a third party. That way you’re always getting the best deal on your electric bike.
It depends on how fast you want to go, and how steep the hill. The 36v, 350 watt kits and bikes can go 20 mph with minimal pedaling. This is the legal limit in most of the US for e-bikes so it’s enough power for most bikes. This is a great power for steeper hills, faster commutes carrying bigger loads. It’s like having two Soul Cycle instructors also pedaling for you. The 36v, 250 watt Sprinter kit can go 16 mph with minimal pedaling on flat ground, but they perform best as a boost to your pedaling with pedaling required on hills. Perfect if you are looking for an added boost to your ride at an affordable price. Cuts your commute time by 25%, flattens out that hill by 50% puts a smile on your face. The 48v, 750 watt Summit kit can go 20 mph with minimal pedaling. This is the legal limit in most of the US for e-bikes. The motor could go faster, but it is limited at 20 mph for safety and to remain street legal in the US (unlimited it could go 30 mph). The 750 watt motor can carry large loads up steep hills and accelerates quickly. Perfect if you are looking to cruise consistently at 20 mph over varied terrain or climb absurdly steep and long hills while hauling groceries. It’s more power then you might need. But its a lot of fun and gives you the piece of mind that you can accelerate out of any sticky situation.
What Is an E-bike?
An e-bike is a bicycle with an electric motor powered by a rechargeable battery. E-bikes usually include a control panel with a display mounted to the handlebars to show your speed, remaining battery power, and some other useful parameters. Some e-bikes simply assist your pedal power, while others have throttles that allow you to skip peddling altogether. Either way, they allow you to travel farther and faster with less effort.
An e-bike conversion kit allows you to convert your bicycle into an e-bike so you can have the benefits of electric power without having to purchase a whole new bike. E-bike conversion kits vary widely in terms of power and quality, but all contain essentially the same components:
- An electric motor;
- A battery;
- A control unit;
- And usually, a display displaying your remaining battery power, assist level, speed and rpm.
There are three types of e-bike kits:
- Hub-drive (AKA hub-motor) systems are powered by a motor encased inside the front or rear wheel hub. These can be added to the front or back wheel and are available in a range of power levels. They are usually the easiest to install and often have regenerative braking, which means that when you brake, some power goes back into the system to re-charge the battery.
- Mid-drive, (AKA bottom-bracket) systems place the motor at the cranks, which is what your pedals attach to. They in turn power the front chain ring and add power to the rear wheel through the chain. “These are preferred for off-road bikes, or if one has long, steep hills to contend with,” says Calfee. The drawbacks of this system include having to change the cranks, greater wear on the drivetrain, incompatibility with many bikes, and only medium and high power levels.
- Manufacturer Bimotalhas recently begun making a third type of kit. It’s a removable system that adds power through a special disc-brake rotor. These are so new that they’re not yet widely available, but they will likely be popular for retrofitting newer, high-end mountain bikes.
How to Install an E-Bike Conversion Kit?
The ease of installing an e-bike conversion kit varies widely from kit to kit, but you’ll need some patience, and somewhere between two and six hours of time. We’re giving the process a medium difficulty rating, because it includes installing electrical components. The tools and materials you’ll need to install it are:
- A bike stand, or other secure way to keep your bike stationary;
- Tools to remove your crankset, hub(s) and freewheel (these tools will be specific to your particular bike brand and model);
- Standard pliers;
- Heavy-duty zip ties;
- A set of small screwdrivers.
Some kits come with complete instructions, including YouTube videos and person-to-person help, if questions arise. Others offer little to no customer support. See below for a few recommendations on kits that come with ample instructions and support.
How to Choose the Best E-Bike Kit for your Bike?
One of the most challenging parts of converting your bike to an e-bike is figuring out which kit will fit. Most manufacturers have a helpful list of specifications, which likely includes:
- the width of your front fork or shocks (what your front wheel attaches to);
- the width of your rear frame stays (the back triangle of your frame that your rear wheel attaches to);
- the type of freewheel and cassette you have (the back gears and the cylindrical piece beneath them, that clicks when you’re coasting);
- brake type and configuration;
- wheel diameter and rim dimensions.
To save headaches from an ill-fitting system, make sure all of these details are specified and match your bike before ordering.
Besides finding one that will fit, you’ll also want to consider these features:
- Battery type, voltage and amp hour rating: Ideal specs are a lithium-based 36-volt or 48-volt battery, with a wattage rating between 300 and 600 watts. Look for a minimum rating of 10ah, and keep in mind that battery needs also depend on rider use, weight, terrain and budget.
- Drive location: A front hub motor is usually the easiest to install. A rear hub motor setup is a close second. Mid-drives can be more complex and fit fewer bicycles.
- Warranty and support: Make sure the conversion kit manufacturer is truly reachable by telephone, email or via their site for support and replacement parts.
- Cost. “If they’re just dabbling in the idea, perhaps one of the cheaper kits will be a great way to get into it without spending much money,” says Calfee. “If they really catch the bug, they might want to invest in a higher quality and more reliable kit.”
Electric bike conversion kits: different types explained
Electric bike conversion kits come in styles to suit all types of bike. Russell Burton / Immediate Media
There are a number of ways to electrify your existing bike for assistance up those hills: you can fit a powered wheel, either front or rear; you can attach a drive unit to the bottom bracket; you can fit a motor above the rear wheel and drive it via friction; or, most sneakily, you can conceal a motor in the seatpost.
Whether you ride a hybrid, mountain bike, road bike or even a folder, tourer or gravel bike, it should be possible to convert your bike.
Many can even be fitted by a competent home mechanic if you’re feeling handy and have an afternoon spare.
So, what are your options? Let’s take a look at the different ways to convert your non-assisted bike into an electric bike.
Powered ebike wheels
The Swytch is a good example of a readily available universal electric bike conversion kit that uses a motor at the front hub. Swytch
Fitting a powered ebike wheel is probably the most practical option for many people.
A powered ebike wheel is built around a special hub that contains a motor. This is usually powered by a separate battery.
This sounds simple, but the main downside is that it adds rotating mass to your bike, which feels harder to accelerate than non-rotating mass.
There’s a steady stream of front- and rear-wheel conversion kits on Amazon and eBay, all looking suspiciously similar, priced from around £150 and with names you’ve probably never heard of.
Be wary of systems controlled by a throttle (also called ‘twist-and-go’) though. Legally, they’re classified as electric motorcycles rather than ebikes, and need to be taxed and insured. Take a look at our guide to ebike laws for more information.
Rear-mounted friction drive ebike conversion kit
Readers of a certain age may remember earlier incarnations of these in the 1980s/90s: a box that sits on your rear wheel and powers it via friction with a rubber flywheel driven by a motor.
The idea hasn’t gone away, and lives on in devices such as the Rubbee, which promises bolt-on electric assistance for nearly any bike.
Rubbee’s base model has a claimed weight of just 2.8kg, with a 16km range that can be extended up to 48km with the top-spec, 4kg version.
It works with any wheel diameter between 16in and 29in, has an integrated carrying handle and clips on and off your seatpost. start from €579.
Concealed ebike conversion kit
The Vivax Assist hid a motor in the seat tube of the frame and applied power directly to the axle of the crank. Vivax
Now we come to the low-key way to do it – hiding a motor inside your bike so no one knows it’s there.
The Vivax Assist was the best-known device for doing this, although the company has now ceased trading. It’s the system that was used by Belgian cyclocross pro Femke Van den Driessche in 2016 to power her way to victory in her home championships. She was found out at a subsequent race, got a six-year ban and quit racing.
Vivax Assist may be no more, but we reckon this idea still has legs – at least for the budding cyclocross cheat.
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
Attach magnet disc and sensor
The magnet disc has a split design so it can just clip around the inside of the left (non-driveside crank) and is then held in place by its retention ring. Next, stick the sensor on the frame directly in line with the magnets – this will ensure that the sensor can tell when the cranks are moving.
The thickest one is the main power cable and that just needs to be plugged into the cable extending from the hub. The other orange cable attaches to the cadence sensor and this just needs plugging in as well.
It’s then a good idea to use some cable ties to tidy up the lengths of the cables a little bit, so they aren’t flapping about and risk getting caught on the spokes or on the cranks.
The blue cables, you don’t need to worry about, these are for an optional brake sensor upgrade kit.
Why convert your bike to an e-bike?
What types of conversion kit are available?
You can get conversion kits that power your front or rear wheel or power the bikes via the cranks.
Wheel-based systems usually have a hub motor and require replacement of your existing wheel with a compatible motorised one.
The alternative is a system like the Rubbee that drives your wheel by pushing on the tire. Tire wear can be an issue here though.
Finally, there are systems that power the e-bike via the bottom bracket.
Usually the e-bike’s battery will bolt onto your frame or be attached to your handlebars, although sometimes you can fit a battery pack to a rear rack.
We’ve more on compatibility. which can be an issue. below.
How much does it cost to convert a bike to an e-bike?
vary depending on the type of conversion kit and the size of the battery. To give a rough Band, you can expect to pay a total of between £500 and £800 from a reputable brand, but there will be outliers at either end.
Is it worth converting a bike to an e-bike?
There are many reasons to upgrade your bike to offer a little e-assistance. On the one hand, it can greatly increase the usefulness of your bike, enabling you to replace short car journeys – such as around town, to the shops, or to work – with going by bike instead.
It’s a lot more environmentally friendly getting about on two wheels than in a two-ton metal box. It can also save you time – bikes are able to take more direct routes and are less affected by traffic, as well as eliminating the need to search for a parking space at the other end.
But beyond just their practical benefits, e-bikes can also be a potent tool for boosting your fitness. Consistency is key when it comes to exercise, so making commitments with friends is a great way to ensure you’re heading out the door. Previously, differing fitness levels could make it difficult to find a riding partner but with an e-bike levelling the playing field, getting in a productive workout (for both of you) with a friend is much easier to do.
Added to that, an e-bike can be much more motivating in that it opens up a far greater range of roads than you’d be able to access just under the power of your own two legs. Exploring new roads is part of the fun of riding a bike and an e-bike can help preserve that.
Can you convert any regular bike to an e-bike?
Most bikes can be converted to an e-bike – it just requires getting the matching the right conversion kit to match the specification.
For conversion kits where the motor is located at the wheel’s hub, you’ll need to consider the wheel’s diameter, the width and axle standard of the hub and whether it uses rim or disc brakes. For instance, a 700c (AKA, 28”) disc brake wheel with a 100mm wide quick-release hub is a relatively common spec. Once you’ve determined what type of wheel you need, the conversion is quite a straightforward process
Crank driven systems are generally easier in terms of determining compatibility; the requirements are typically just an alloy frame and a bottom bracket width of between 68 and 73mm – which is the standard for all road and mountain bikes, it’s only specialist bikes that have a different spacing there. In replacing the crankset, these systems are a bit more involved to fit than a hub system, but still well within the remit of a home mechanic.
Other kits, such as those that directly drive the rear tire, have almost universal compatibility – provided your tires aren’t too heavily treaded.
Are electric bike conversion kits any good?
You won’t be getting the very best motors and the largest, seamlessly integrated batteries with an e-bike conversion kit. But with that said, e-bike conversion kits are much cheaper than purchasing a whole new e-bike and they do deliver many of the same benefits.
Converted e-bikes are great for commuting and utility cycling, giving that extra boost to help flatten hills, motor along the flat and lug about heavy loads. E-bike conversions are also good for leisure cycling, helping to moderate your effort level as needed and greatly extending the range you can explore.
For more specialist utility needs, buying a new cargo e-bike would help boost your carrying capacity and range. Equally, for the aesthetically conscious, the latest breed of e-road bikes are almost indistinguishable from a non-powered bike at first glance. Then again, both those options are much more expensive than a conversion.
How we test
Where we’ve been able to link to a review, it means that we’ve put the ebike conversion kit through its paces. We’ve assessed how easy it is to fit and maintain as well other factors such as quality of the components and battery life and charge time. Riding the bike once fitted with the kit, we’ve taken into account the ride quality, the ease of use and the battery range.
Where we haven’t yet had the chance to review an item, we’re still confident in recommending it as one of the best, because we either know the brand really well, and have probably tested another product or the previous version and can still happily recommend it as one of the best.