It can be difficult to choose the right electric bike kit for you. There are many factors that will impact your decision.
Do you plan to ride on the road or off-road?
Are you looking for a bike to commute, family leisure or weekend fun?
Do you want to fit the e-bike conversion kit with battery yourself?
How will your bike look after the kit is installed?
Is there anything that needs to be done on the bike in order to fit the kit?
These are common questions many customers ask when choosing an electric bike kit. We are sure that you have many other questions. Here’s our quick guide on how to choose an electric bike kit. We have listed the pros and cons for each kit to help you make a decision.
Road Legal Kits
These kits can be used on UK roads. They are identical to the specifications of the factory-produced electric bikes’ electrical components. Our kits are of higher quality than those found in factory electric bikes, and therefore the failure rate is lower.
250w Front Hub Kit
Kit 250w Mid Crank Drive
250w Rear Hub Kit
These 250w kits all offer the same performance. These kits are compliant with UK law and will cease giving assistance at speeds of just over 15mph. Is 250w enough power to climb steep hills? If you have the pedal assistance system, which we highly recommend, the answer is yes. It will completely transform your riding experience. You’ll be able to tackle hills you wouldn’t think possible on a regular bike by choosing a higher power pedal assistance controller setting and pedalling normally. If you are off-roading and require speed, you only need a stronger 500w or 1000w rear unit. Any of the 250w kits are suitable for use on roads in any terrain, even those with steep hills. It is up to you to choose which 250w kit you prefer.
Because you don’t need to disrupt your gears, front hub kits are much easier to install as a DIY project. Rear hub kits are more attractive and provide better traction on a slippery surface. Although mid drive kits look great and allow you to keep your original wheels, we don’t see much benefit from them over hub drives.
Kits for off-road use
Although the hub-based road kit can be limited to 250w to comply with UK law, they are not permitted on UK roads in their unrestricted state. If you are considering a larger kit such as the ones below, then you should be aware that it will not be allowed on UK roads. To receive the instructions for high power setting, we will require you to sign and return a desist form when you purchase a high-powered kit.
500w Rear Hub Kit
1000w Rear Hub Kit
These kits are not lightweight and add weight to your bike. Because the ECU controller is too big to fit in standard holders, a waterproof bag is required to store it. The installation is not as simple as for 250w kits. Are you still interested in a 500w/1000w kit? Okay…here’s the deal…WOW! It’s amazing to see the acceleration and speed of more powerful bikes. As you accelerate through the gears to reach top speed, the weight of the bike as well as the waterproof bag that is strapped to its frame won’t be a factor. The 500w and 1000w kits come with a gearless option, so you can feel some drag/resistance when the power is off. The point of a bike equipped with one of these kit is that the power will always remain on, so this issue becomes redundant. Although you will need to charge the battery quickly (20-35 miles depending on which battery you choose), it will be easy to do so with a big smile on your face. It is easy to decide which one of the 500w and 1000w kits you should choose. If you are looking for speed (upto 30 mph), but don’t have any hills to climb, the 1000w kit will do. The 500w kit will give you speed (20 mph) and hill climbing abilities.
Which kit should you pick? The 250w kit is the most practical option and will meet all your needs, including commuting, leisure cycling, and holiday riding. For those who enjoy having some fun on their bikes at weekends, the higher-powered kits are best suited for thrill-seekers. No matter what kit you choose, you will be glad you did. We love watching our customers test their bikes and then exclaim (while smiling) that it made cycling so much easier.
