Just look at how majestic this e-bike looks. Jürgen Polly / Pixabay
E-bikes are essentially regular bicycles with electric motors that allow riders to use pure leg power, pedal with assistance from the motor, or rely completely on the electric motor. Thanks to this motor, e-bikes are easier to ride...and their owners can zip around without expending much, energy (or burning gallons of gasoline). Commuters can travel to work without sweating much, hind shoppers can easily carry their purchases home with them.
Despite the many benefits to owning an e-bike, the average price of one is quite high; resting between $2,000 and $3,000, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. But with a little work, you can convert your existing non-electric bicycle into an e-bike, allowing you to reap the same benefits for a fraction of the cost.
Anatomy of a converted e-bike:
At a basic level, a bicycle is made up of two wheels, a frame, pedals, handlebars, and a chain. For the most basic of e-bike conversions, you’ll need to add an electric motor and batteries to the mix. More advanced kits will have a pedal assist sensor, magnetic brake cut-off switches, and an on-board computer. Here’s a brief description of what these additional components do:
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Pedal-assist sensors: Detects when you’re pedaling, and turns on the electric motor after it detects a predetermined level of pedaling intensity.
- Magnetic brake cut-off switches: Located on each brake lever, these cut power to the electric motor when you brake.
- Bike computer: Displays information such as the battery’s current charge state and how fast you’re going.
Choosing the right electric motor for your e-bike conversion:
In many places, there is a limit on how fast you can ride an e-bike on public roads. In the US, the top speed of an e-bike is typically capped at around 20 mph (32 kph). Check your local regulations when purchasing your e-bike motor to ensure that you don’t buy one that will make your conversion project illegal where you live and ride.
Once that’s done, the right motor for your bike depends on a few things: whether you have a mountain bike, road bike, or hybrid bike; your bicycle’s current brake setup; and how much you’re willing to spend. With all that in mind, you have four types of motors to choose from.
Mid-mounted motor:
As its name suggests, a mid-mounted motor is mounted in the middle of the bicycle frame, between the pedals. This provides a low center of gravity and the feel of a traditional bike. The position of the motor means its weight isn’t as noticeable. Its central placement away from the wheels also means tire repairs will be easier—the other types of motors tend to get in the way of tire changes. It’s also attached to the bike’s gearing system, leading to longer, more efficient rides per charge if you use pedal assist. But while its excellent weight distribution makes a mid-mounted motor the best choice for road cyclists, this type does have some drawbacks. For one, it is more expensive (usually from $275 to $400). Its low mounting location also increases its risk of hitting obstacles, which could cause issues for riders who want to take their bikes off-road.
Side-mounted motor:
This type of motor is usually bolted to the left wheel of the bicycle (on the opposite side of the gearing sprockets). It’s a simple setup where the motor drives the rear wheel using a secondary chain. This is the cheapest motor option (around $86 to $165), and while it won’t result in the fastest e-bike, it will get the job done. If you want to cut down on cost, this is the motor for you.
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