It’s not always easy to decide which electric bike kit is best for you. There are many factors that can influence your decision.
Are you planning to ride on or offroad?
Do you use the bike for weekend fun, family leisure, or commute?
You can either fit it yourself or hire a professional to do so.
How will the bike look when the kit is fitted?
What modifications will be required on the bike for the kit to fit?
These are some of the most common questions our customers ask when deciding on which electric bike to buy. We’re certain you have other questions. This is our quick guide to buying an electric bicycle kit. It includes the pros and cons of each option to help you choose.
Road Legal Kits
The following kits can be legally used on UK roads. They have the same specifications as the electric components that were fitted to an original factory-produced electric bike. The only difference is that our e-bike conversion kit with battery is much more durable than factory-made bikes. Therefore, the chance of a failure is significantly lower.
250w Front Hub Kit
250w Kit for Mid Crank Drive
250w Rear Hub Kit
Each of the 250w kits will provide approximately the same performance. They are designed to conform with UK law, so they will stop providing assistance at 15mph. You may be asking yourself the main question: “Will 250w be strong enough to lift me up steep hills?” If you install the pedal assist system (which we highly recommend), the answer to this question is “Yes”. It will transform your riding experience. If you choose a high-power level for the pedal assistance controller, and continue pedalling normally, you will be able tackle hills that are not possible with a normal bicycle. If you plan to use your bike for off-roading or need speed, the rear 500w and 1000w kits are sufficient. The 250w kits are fine for road use in all terrains, including those with high hills. The hardest part is choosing which of the 250w kits to buy.
Front hub kits can be fitted as a DIY project because they don’t require you to remove your gears. Rear hubs look cleaner and will provide better traction when you are on a greasy surface. While mid drive kits are neat and can be used with your original wheels, there is no real advantage to using a crank drive instead of a hub drive.
Kits Off Road
To comply with UK law, the hubs based on road kits can be reduced to 250w. However, in their restricted state they aren’t allowed to travel on UK roads. You should not consider purchasing a kit with a greater power than the ones shown below. You will need to sign and return the derestrict form to us when purchasing a high-powered kit so we can send you high power setting instructions.
500w Rear Hub Kit
1000w Rear Hub Kit
We should mention that these kits add significant weight to the bike due to the motor’s weight. It is also too large for standard holders so a larger bag is needed to protect it. This means that the installation isn’t as easy as it was with 250w kits. Do you still want a 500w or 1000w kit. We are going to show you how powerful these kits can be. The power and acceleration of the higher-powered bikes is amazing. It is great for weekend trips offroad. You won’t notice the added weight or the waterproof bag attached to the frame as you accelerate through each gear to achieve top speed. Both the 500w or 1000w kits have a gearless design so that there is some resistance/drag when you are riding the bike with the power off. These kits are gearless so the issue is irrelevant. The battery will last between 20 and 35 miles, depending on the type of battery. But you’ll be able to ride it with a big smile. You can choose from either the 500w or 1000w kits. Choose the 1000w kit if speed is important to you, but you don’t need to tackle hills. Or the 500w kit for speed and hill climbing.
What kit should you buy? 250w kits will be the best option for most needs including commute, leisure cycling, holidays and daily commutes. High-powered kits will be suitable for those who are looking to have some fun riding their bike on weekends. You won’t regret installing any kit on your bike – our customers love to take their bike for a ride, and we are always amazed at how happy they are with the bike.
