E-bike conversion kit

[this is my username]

Does anyone have a suggestion for a low(ish) cost e-bike conversion kit to go on an elderly bicycle? I'd like to have a go at the e-bike thing without spending thousands.

Lots of options out there on ebay and Amazon, but I would appreciate some real-world experience!

From what I have read so far it seems that going for a rear-hub motor would probably be the best bet.

[leyorkie]

There’s some on the “ who buys electric bikes” thread

[this is my username]

leyorkie said:

There’s some on the “ who buys electric bikes” thread

Thanks - but I can only find two mentions in the last 30 pages of the thread (Swytch and Modds) and no real feedback on how they perform / any pitfalls to look out for.

[i4got]

I'll keep an eye on this thread also. There is a place near me (in Winchester) called Cytronex. The kit looks good but I don't have any personal experience of it. It's on the pricy side though - around a grand.

[gmaz]

I'm doing this at the moment. I bought a 36v 750w kit from amazon and have just started installing it on an old Diamondback Sorrento cheapo mountain bike.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07HKGLMGQ/ref...

I've ordered a 36v 12Ah battery pack from Aliexpress which is on a slow boat from China.

I know electrics to a degree, but have very little knowledge of bike maintenance as you can probably see from the contents of the saddle bag I just emptied out...



So its very much a voyage of discovery with lots of likely mistakes.

[Sparkov]

I recently converted a bike using a kit from Cyclotricity, going for the 250 W FWD option with rear rack battery.

https://www.cyclotricity.com/uk/

Note that there are two types of wheel hub motors - geared and gearless/direct drive. Direct drive motors are simpler in design with fewer moving parts subject to wear, but they don't disengage when switched off and can create a lot of drag when you're pedaling unassisted. Geared motors have internal clutches and disengage completely when not being used, meaning you can pedal along easily without assistance using no battery power.

[this is my username]

Thanks for the responses. Have also found a lot of good info on the pedelecs forum.

[PushedDover]

This was on the Ebike thread - and seems a nice set up IMHO https://ebiketips.road.cc/content/news/new-vekkit-...

[gmaz]

I've got to a point where the majority of my e-bike conversion is done, and I'm still waiting for the battery pack which is currently on a slow boat from China.

Here's some pics of the build in case anyone is interested.

The pedal sensor required a visit to Halfords to get a crank removal tool but went on OK after that. I had to add a nut as a spacer to prevent the sensor hitting the magnetic disc.




Some of the online guides advised adding a torque arm to help offset the amount of motor torque going through the frame axle mounts. I found on on ebay but the jubilee clip that it came with was useless to clamp the arm to the frame so I used 4 x large zip ties (Roadkill style). I had to countersink the arm and buy a pack of M6 countersunk bolts as the supplied allen bolt fouled on the frame.




The battery mount went on fine, secured to the bottle holder and a couple of zip ties for good measure. The wiring inside is all connected using XT60 connectors. Now it just needs a battery.




The gubbins bag contains the motor controller and all the spare wiring... does the job just fine.




I changed the twist throttle from the kit to a half-twist throttle because the supplied one prevented the gear levers from moving fully. This was the one I got but it had the wrong connector so had to make female-female patch lead. I now have a box of 98 assorted wiring connectors as I only needed 2.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Universal-Low-Profile-H...


Powered up using the battery charger, the display works first time. Also showing is one of the new brake levers that cuts the motor power when the brakes are applied.




Any questions or suggestions? I'm happy to help.

Edited by gmaz on Tuesday 21st July 17:06