Industry-leading e-bikes. Ebike light wiring

Industry-leading e-bikes

Compare the VanMoof S3, X3, S4, X4, S5, and A5 to make sure you choose the right model for you.

Compare bikes

Not sure which frame is right for you? Let’s take a look at them side by side.

Supports weight up to 265 lbs

Standover height: 850 mm

Seat post diameter: 34 mm

Standover height: 850 mm

Seat post diameter: 34 mm

Standover height: 710 mm

Seat post diameter: 34 mm

Standover height: 710 mm

industry-leading, e-bikes, ebike, light, wiring

Seat post diameter: 34 mm

3-speed, automatic e-shifter and torque sensor

2-speed, automatic shifting hub

4-speed, automatic e-shifter

Gen 5 Kick Lock with active-retract pin Automatic rider recognition With manual disarm: the ability to unlock your bike via the handlebar button Anti-theft nuts and bolts Multi technology location/theft tracking Apple Find My

Smart Kick Lock Integrated Theft Defense Automatic Rider Recognition With manual disarm: the ability to unlock your bike via the handlebar button Anti-theft nuts and bolts GSM and Bluetooth location tracking Apple Find My

Which VanMoof fits me best?

Measuring your inseam length

From the inside leg starting at the crotch measure down to the bottom. Your inner leg length has a significant influence on your the right frame for you – please make sure to take this measurement precisely.

Enter your height to see how you measure.

Peace of Mind services

We’ll always have your back, wherever you ride. Add Peace of Mind services for a worry-free package.

Maintenance

Bike Doctors keep your bike in optimal condition 348 for a three-year service

Theft

Bike Hunters recover or replace your stolen bike 398 for a three-year service

Track your rides, configure your bike, get help on demand, and much more with the VanMoof app.

Test ride our brand new e-bikes

Want to be one of the first to try the VanMoof S5 A5? Book a test ride today – and prepare to feel the wind in your hair.

An iPhone with pedals

Built to handle any commute

Hands down, the best ebike ever

Better than the best

“A Zen-like riding experience”

Best ever urban ride

information about VanMoof’s electric bikes

Are you in for the ride? Decision well made. Now let’s seal the deal. We offer multiple payment options so you can get your hands on your bike in a way that’s best for you. Aside from purchasing the bike directly we also offer the following:

Payment through local payment plans: the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and France offer local payment plans for buying an e-bike. VanMoof is participating in the Cycle to Work scheme in the UK, Fietsplan in the Netherlands, and Prime Velo in France.

Payment via lease: we offer lease services in most markets, including a business lease service and a private lease service (the latter is only available in the Netherlands).

What are the advantages of VanMoof’s e-bikes?

Our e-bikes are the result of over 10 years of continuous innovation. They’re jam-packed with our custom-developed tech, and offer industry-leading features all geared towards making our riders’ lives a little easier.

Bike theft is still the main barrier preventing people from riding high-quality bikes. The E-bikes further VanMoof’s anti-theft pedigree with a host of features designed to give thieves nightmares – and make it easier for our Bike Hunters to recover stolen bikes.

Our responsive multi-phase alarms enable remote lockdown, location tracking, and disabling of all systems. Peace of Mind guarantees that we’ll recover or replace your bike if it’s stolen.

Our Rider Recognition enables a secure, encrypted connection with your smartphone – it’ll automatically activate when you approach your bike. If someone tries to steal your bike, the alarm will be triggered and you’ll receive an alert to your mobile via the VanMoof app. And, if the thief still isn’t deterred, our Bike Hunters will be on their way to return your beloved bike faster than you can say “stolen. Our theft defense measures reduce the chance of bike theft as much as possible, and provide you with Peace of Mind. Still curious? Find all you need to know about our Theft Defense.

No feature sets VanMoof e-bikes apart more than the Turbo Boost. The Turbo Boost gives you a blast of instant acceleration by maxing out the motor torque. Designed for when you need a blast of instant acceleration most, you can easily race away from traffic lights, up steep hills, and across tricky intersections.

With our automatic E-shifter, you’ll no longer have to think about changing gears. The E-shifter works in tandem with the integrated Smart Cartridge to switch gears at the perfect moment each and every time. Whether you’re climbing a steep slope, cruising a flat, or racing downhill, the E-shifter makes sure you’re in the right gear in a flash.

We think just as hard about how you’ll slow down. Our rides are the first e-bikes on the market with a fully integrated handlebar and brake assembly – making them just as beautiful to use as it is to look at. Our hydraulic brakes deliver much greater stopping power with very little effort. Now you have precise and powerful braking power in all conditions, with the pull of a single finger.

Compare the specs of all our models

Get to know the ins and outs of the VanMoof S5 A5 and VanMoof S3 X3. Download the comparison specs sheet.

(LINK FOR NEW MODEL BELOW) 36-96 volt Ultra 3200 LED E-Bike Light

Our ultimate high power LED e-bike light for those of you who want to see and be seen. We built the 3200 specifically for ebikes, so it works from 28-112 volts and is capable of an ULTRA bright 3200 lumens. Over the years of development we found that color spectrum was important. The 3200 uses 5000K to give riders the best depth perception and visibilty.

We wanted a light that can wire directly to your bikes battery to eliminate the need for a separate battery. Since there are different voltages for electric bicycles the 3200 will work with 36V, 48v, 52V, 72v, and 96v battery packs. Our light’s come standard with an XT30 connector and pigtail for wiring into your ebike’s battery.

To get this much light in a small 6oz. package creates some heat so the light protects itself from overheating. If the light is in Super or Ultra mode and there’s not enough airflow it will automatically set itself to the Bright mode. Once there is enough airflow the light will go back to Super or Ultra.

E-bike light Modes

Dim – 80 lm @.72 watts
Bright – 770 lm @ 5 watts
Super – 2900 lm @ 22 watts
Ultra – 3200 lm @ 27 watts
Flash – 770 lm flashing @ 2.5 watts

E-bike light Development

We know how it feels when you can’t ride during the day but you still need your fix. With that in mind we’ve been working on making riding at night safer and more fun. We believe it’s important for headlights to be bright but also encompassing. With this ultra high power e-bike light it puts out so much power we decided on using two types of optics. Wide angle optic to illuminate everything around you and focused optic to show terrain way out in front. This light is so blinding bright you will be seen during the day.

Demo video

Check out our installation video

Fisher Fabrication House Background

Our products are custom designed and manufactured right here in Southern California.

We are artists and engineers so when we develop a product like this light we want it look as good as it works. Adding this light to your ebike is adding function and style to your bike.

Made in USA using Cree LEDs and billet T-6 6061 aluminum housing with stainless steel hardware.

Recon E Light Series

With the Recon E light series, Giant introduces a system that takes advantage of its ability to run on most popular E-bike motors to provide smarter functions, more powerful illumination and longer run times.

DURABLE WATER RESISTANT

Precisely milled CNC 6061 aluminum housing for durability as well as fast heat dissipation is rated IPX6 water resistant.

DUAL BEAM MODES FOR ALL CONDITIONS

With a powerful high beam to illuminate dark roads and trails and a versatile side-visible low beam that provides a wide angle for riding in traﬃc, Recon E HL 1000 HL 150 lights provide maximum versatility

HL 1000 High Low Beam Modes

HL 150 StVZO High Low Beam Modes

Smart AMBIENT LIGHT SENSOR AND DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT

An ambient light sensor and daytime running light work in unison to switch automatically between high/low beam when necessary.

ANTI-GLARE TIR LENS BEAM PATTERN

The Recon E light series feature widely-visible but glare-free beams that give powerful illumination without blinding oncoming traffic.

HANDLEBAR MOUNT WIRED REMOTE CONTROL

Thumb-controlled handlebar mounted remote control switches light modes quickly and easily, allowing you to safely concentrate on the ride.

COMPLETE MOUNTING SOLUTIONS

Perfect for E-city and E-trekking bikes, the fork mount puts the light directly on the fork crown above the mudguard, allowing space for a bag or shopping basket on the front of the handlebar.

Keeping the light stable and centered on the handlebar, the stem mount allows for a clean, uncluttered cockpit.

FAQ

In the U.S.A. and U.K. RECON E HL LED Lights carry a two (2) year warranty from the original purchase date to the original owner (proof of purchase required).

Make sure the cable is connected securely to the correct port on the motor. 2. Make sure the cable connector and socket are not oxidized or damaged. 3.Make sure the E-bike battery is fully charged and power is functioning correctly. 4. For certain bikes, the light function is locked and must be activated by a certiﬁed technician. Please contact your local E-bike motor (Shimano, Bosch, Brose, etc.) retailer for more information.

AUTO MODE Press and hold to activate auto mode SWITCH HIGH/LOW MODE Click to switch manually between high/ low beam

“Ambient Light Sensor” means that the Recon E headlight features a sensor which automatically adjusts brightness depending on the amount of light present (“ambient light”). “Daytime Running Light” means that the Recon E headlight will run continuously, and be brighter during the day, to make sure that you are visible at all times. The Ambient Light Sensor and Daytime Running Light work in unison to switch automatically between high and low beam when necessary. Please note that Only RECON E HL1000 and RECON E HL 150 STVZO lights are equipped with these features.

Depending on the dimension of your handlebars and the placement you desire, Giant oﬀers two handlebar mounts: the Recon E HL HB Side Mount for 31.8mm to 35mm diameter bars and the Recon E HL HB Mount for 22.2.mm to 35mm diameter bars.

The best electric bike conversion kits 2023 and how to fit them

The best electric bike conversion kits can give you an extra boost of power without the expense of purchasing a new electric bike. We’ve fitted some of the best e-bike conversion kits ourselves, so will walk you through the process, how easy it is and how the different systems perform.

E-bikes are soaring in popularity – and for good reason. The best electric bikes replace a car for running errands around town and greatly increase the distances it’s possible to ride on one of the best commuter bikes. An e-bike can also be a great tool for boosting your fitness, whether that’s enabling you to ride with a greater range of people or offering the motivation of a greater range of roads to explore.

But is an e-bike worth it,? As the best ebike conversion kits promise to add power to an ‘analogue’ bike for a lot less than a full ebike, it’s an easy, cheaper way to get an electric boost.

In this guide we’ll take you through the surprisingly broad range of benefits an e-bike conversion kit has to offer and – most importantly – how to perform an e-bike conversion, based on our hands-on experience. For a walk-through on how to do it, you can check out the video above or read on for a step-by-step guide – it genuinely is so much simpler than you would think.

When buying an ebike conversion kit there are a number of factors you’ll need to consider. Most importantly you’ll need a kit that will fit your bike. To help with this it pays to take a few frame measurements, notably the width of your forks and the width of the rear stays, as well as noting the wheel size and the type of brakes. You can then match these details to the kit specifications.

Naturally you’ll also need to consider the cost and how much you chose to spend on an ebike conversion kit will be dictated by not only your budget but also your needs. If you’re unsure of just how much you’ll use the converted bike then it’s prudent to opt for a cheaper kit. you can always upgrade down the road.

You’ll also want to consider where the motor will be located, and match this to your bike and your mechanical prowess. Front hub motors are typically the easiest to fit, while mid-drive motors require more effort. A rear hub motor lies somewhere in between the two, and like a front hub option is applicable to a wide range of bikes.

Other considerations include the type of battery and the wattage rating. 36 or 48 volt battery is standard, with wattage usually running from 300 to 600 watts.

The Swytch kit is super-simple: just swap out your front wheel, wire up the controller and battery and you’re off. The battery is also very compact, allowing you to remove it from the bike easily to carry with you.

The TongSheng kit positions the motor at the centre of the bike, so it will fit to a wide range of designs. It’s lightweight for its high torque and power output, although you’ll need to buy the battery separately.

The Voilamart kit is an inexpensive rear wheel conversion option, although you’ll have to source a battery separately. It’s slightly fiddly to fit as well and requires additional waterproofing if you plan to ride in wet weather.

The best electric bike conversion kits

You can trust Cycling Weekly.

Our team of experts put in hard miles testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

Specifications

Wheel sizes: Each wheel is custom built – specify your required size at checkout (Bromptons also catered for)

Reasons to avoid

The newly updated Swytch system is one of the simplest conversion kits to fit out there. The latest version, launched in August 2022, has a smaller, neater battery pack that improves the bike’s dynamics and lowers its weight. There’s the choice of the Air battery (700g, range 15km) or the Max battery (1,100g, range 30km). Both use the same mount, which places the battery to the front of the handlebar.

The motor sits in the front hub and we found it to be pretty discreet. Incidentally, the new batteries will work with the original motor and pedal sensor, so if you already own the original kit you can upgrade it with just a new battery without having to buy the whole kit again.

The Swytch kit is incredibly easy to fit. It took us around 30 minutes working at a steady pace.

We tested it on both a reasonably light two-speed steel bike and a heavier Pinnacle utility bike. It transformed the ride of the two-speed bike, making it fast, nimble and responsive. We also found the stated range to be conservative: after 20 miles on setting number two (medium assist) it had only used two bars out of five on the battery.

With the heavier Pinnacle on maximum assist (and on draggy routes) we were getting slightly under the 30km for the Max battery. As with all e-bike batteries, range depends on the terrain, weight of bike and level of assist.

Great customer support makes this one of the best kits for people who are new to working on their bike and who aren’t familiar with electrics. And even if you do have a strong background in both those areas, a simple system is always appreciated.

Reasons to avoid

Like the Bafang mid-drive system below, the TongSheng offers the same benefits of compatibility with a wide range of bike designs and a high torque for steep hills and off-road terrain. However, the TongSheng mid-drive does manage to be a little lighter than the Bafang for approximately the same power.

This model doesn’t come with a battery included, so you’ll have to source your own 36v item. As a rule of thumb, around 10Ah will give a range of 29km / 18mi, whereas going up to 18Ah will typically give around 53km / 33mi, so be sure to factor that in when you’re making your choice.

There’s a huge range of batteries sold on Amazon, but Green Cell is a particular brand we’d recommend.

We found fitting to be reasonably easy. As with most mid-drive systems, you replace your crank and chainring with the one provided in the kit. There’s an LCD display for attaching to your handlebars and you’ll need a battery to be hooked up to the motor.

Read more: TongSheng TSDZ2 conversion kit review

Reasons to avoid

A mid-motor drive system offers a number of benefits over hub-driven conversion kits. With the power delivered at the cranks it can produce more torque, making it more effective on particularly steep and bumpy terrain.

Another perk is that the compatibility is much greater – no concern about wheel diameters, hub widths, axle standards and brake type. No matter whether you’re running rim brakes or disc, quick release or thru-axle, the crank driven system is compatible with all.

The only proviso is that the frame material must be alloy and the bottom bracket width is 68–73mm – but that covers most bikes you’re likely to be fitting this system to.

There are a few aspects to be aware of, the first being that this system doesn’t include a battery and that typically makes up about half the cost of a conversion kit. Finding an e-bike battery is quite straightforward with many being sold on Amazon, with Green Cell being among those we’d recommend.

Just make sure to get a 36V one for this motor as a higher voltage can damage it. Also you should be aware that capacity of 10Ah will give you a range of about 29km / 18mi, while a capacity of 18Ah typically gives about 53km / 33mi – so be sure to factor in the distances you’re planning on riding.

Reasons to avoid

This radically different approach from Rubbee makes for an e-bike conversion with much fewer parts. The battery and motor are housed in a single unit which powers the bike directly turning the rear wheel with its integrated roller.

Not only is the initial installation notably fast and easy, the quick release system means that you can take off the unit for rides that you don’t wish to be assisted on. At 2.8kg, it doesn’t add much weight to that of the bike, making the bike easier to handle.

The range of this model is quite low, limited to Eco mode it only offers a range of 16km / 10mi – although taking the device off to charge at the other end is easy to do and it only takes an hour to top up. There is the option to increase your range by buying additional battery modules that fit into the base unit.

Up to three can be accommodated, which in turn increases the maximum range to 48km / 30mi, or around 23km / 14mi with moderately heavy use. However, unlike many other e-bike systems, the Rubbee X supports regenerative braking, allowing you to scrub back some power on the descents.

Reasons to avoid

Bafang is a well established maker of electric bike motors and offers a front hub based motor, if you’re not a fan of the bulky profile a mid motor conversion system creates. You can buy this kit without a battery – although why would you? – but if you sensibly also opt for a power-pack there’s a choice of amp hours, and you can select either a downtube or a rear-rack mounted version.

The setup follows the same principles as most front-wheel e-bike conversions. First you need to set up the wheel with a disc rotor, tyre and inner tube and install that into the bike. Then attach the cadence sensor – so it can tell when you’re pedalling and need assistance – then attach the battery and the LCD display and you’re essentially good to go!

It’s worth bearing in mind that although this conversion kit comes in many different wheel sizes, it is only compatible with bikes that have a front disc brake and a Quick-Release axle. If your disc brake bike is a newer, more expensive model, it might not be compatible, so worth checking first.

Remember, that in the UK electric bike laws mean that e-bikes are not permitted to have a power output of more than 250w and shouldn’t propel the bike when it’s travelling more than 15.5mph – you’ll have to make sure you select the right model with the relevant limitations.

Reasons to avoid

We’ve also tested the Voilamart kit, which comes with six main parts: the replacement rear wheel, the replacement brake levers, the control screen, pedal sensor, throttle and the control box. It doesn’t come with a battery however.

On review we found the kit pretty straightforward to fit, although you’ll need to remove the bike’s crank to fit the pedal sensor and this element of the conversion was a bit fiddly. Another potential drawback is that the connectors, which link to control unit, aren’t waterproof, with only a bag supplied to house the delicate electronics. While it does a good job of keeping everything tidy, we decided to buy a plastic enclosure, cut the wires to length, solder the connections and then heat shrink for added protection.

As for the ride, the rear wheel kit delivers plenty of power. However, since the pedal sensor only detects when you’re pedalling rather than how hard you’re pedalling it delivers the power as soon as your start to turn the crank arms. Fortunately, you can quickly adjust the level assistance, with five power options available.

All in all the Voliamart rear wheel kit is an affordable way to ‘go electric’, although it requires you to be mechanical competent to fit it and you’ll need to factor in the additional cost of a battery.

How to convert your bike to an e-bike in four steps

Here’s our step-by-step guide to how to add an electric bike conversion kit to your pedal-powered bike.

Swap the tyre and tube

Firstly, remove the tyre and tube from your current front wheel and then install them on the new wheel from the kit. Make sure to check if the tyre is directional, if it is, ensure that the tyre is mounted so that the cable sticking out of the hub is on the left-hand side (non-driveside) when the wheel is installed in the bike – otherwise it’ll be powered in the opposite direction to your direction of travel!

To swap the tyre and tube over, you will need some tyre levers and a pump. If you want to go over how to do these, we have a guide that can be accessed here.

Final points are to do up the nuts on the wheel’s axle to keep it firmly in place in the forks and to check that the brakes are correctly adjusted for the new wheel. If you’re unsure how to do that, we have another guide here.

Attach the bracket to the handlebars

There is a strap that needs to be attached to the bars to keep the bracket in place and stop it rotating around. There are also some adaptors included in the kit which can be used if your handlebars are a little skinnier.

But essentially all that’s needed to be done here is a couple of screws to clamp the bracket tightly to the bars.

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.

Plug in the cables

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 tyre. Tyre 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 tyre, have almost universal compatibility – provided your tyres 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.

Sources:

https://www.vanmoof.com/en-US/electric-bikes
https://fisherfabhouse.com/?product=e-bike-light-ultra-3200-led
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/recon-e-lights
https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/product-news/can-convert-normal-bike-e-bike-443872