The Best E-Bike Conversion Kits

Electric bikes can cost a lot, but with electric bike conversion kits, you can make any regular bike into an e-bike without breaking the bank.

Sometimes, you might want both the traditional biking feel and the electric boost without having to own two bikes.

Turning your bike into an e-bike is not always easy, especially if you use low-quality conversion kits.

They might not work as well as you’d hope, causing more problems than solutions. To avoid this, let’s check out the top e-bike conversion kits for 2024.

• Best overall: BAFANG BBSHD BBSO3
• Best value: AW Electric Bike Conversion Kit
• Best design: Rubee X 
• Best rated: EBIKELING Ebike Conversion Kit
• Best splurge: Skarper 
• Best budget: Pexmor Electric Bike Conversion Kit

How we chose the best e-bike conversion kits

As someone who’s been riding bikes for 30 years, both on roads and trails, I’ve tried out lots of different options. I’ve been focusing on testing electric bikes, full-suspension e-bikes, and other top bike gear.

I’ve written reviews for magazines like Popular Science, Bicycling, Popular Mechanics, the Manual, and others.

Now, I’ve looked into e-bike conversion kits for different budgets and needs. I’ve tested them myself and also gotten advice from experts and other reviewers.

The best e-bike conversion kits: Reviews & Recommendations

Converting your bike into an electric one should be simple and give you good performance. But if you get a cheap kit, it might not work well, and you might consider buying a cheap electric bike instead.

With one of the conversion kits on this list, it’s easy to add power assistance to your pedaling.

Top Choice: BAFANG BBSHD BBSO3

Specifications:

Motor Power: 750W

Battery Capacity: 48V 20A

Throttle: Yes

Advantages:

– Powerful motor

– Large battery

When you get e-bike kits to change your bike, sometimes it feels like you just added a small motor toy. But not with this one from BAFANG.

This kit feels strong and works well. It gives out 750 watts of power, which is amazing for a conversion kit. It can handle hills easily.

The battery is big, almost 1,000 watt-hours, so you can ride all day without worrying about power. The throttle works smoothly, and the screen is easy to read. It even comes with a headlight. 

It’s a bit expensive, but it’s still cheaper than buying an e-bike with the same performance. This conversion kit is top-notch.

Top Pick: AW Electric Bike Conversion Kit

Specifications:

Motor: 1,000W

Battery: Not included

Throttle: Yes

Advantages:

Great performance from the rear hub

Easy-to-use thumb and twist throttle

This conversion kit is worth it for two reasons. First, it comes with a rear hub motor, which is rare to find at such a good price.

This type of motor at the back wheel gives better performance, and balance, and feels more natural compared to one at the front.

Second, it’s super easy to install, especially for a rear hub motor. Plus, it has both thumb and twist throttles, which is cool.

The only downside is that it doesn’t have a display screen, but you don’t need one for this type of motor. Overall, it’s a great choice for most riders.

Top design: Rubee X

Features

Motor: 250 Watts

Battery: 93 Watt-hours

Throttle: None

Advantages

– Very simple to operate

– Batteries can be changed easily

We like Rubee’s conversion kit because it’s super easy to install and has a cool design. You just attach it to the back of your bike and you’re good to go – no need for lots of tools.

Plus, you can adjust the power of the battery depending on how far and fast you want to go, and how heavy your bike is.

The motor isn’t the strongest out there at 250W, but it’s great for giving you a little extra help when you’re riding.

It’s not meant to turn your bike into a full-on electric bike, but it’s perfect for someone who wants a bit of assistance, especially for daily commuting.

Best rated: EBIKELING Ebike Conversion Kit

Specifications:

– Motor power: 1,200 watts

– Battery: Not included

– Throttle: Yes

Advantages:

– Very strong

– Easy to install

Determining what’s the “best rated” can be tough online because there are many different opinions.

But I’m choosing this kit from EBIKELING because most people who buy it are really happy with it. Almost everyone thinks it works well and is easy to put on their bike.

The screen is easy to read, and the throttle works fine. It’s hard to think someone wouldn’t like it.

Some people say the motor can get noisy, and others mention that the weaker versions don’t accelerate fast.

That’s why I suggest getting the 1,200W version. The 1,500W one is too fast for most people, but with 1,200W, you’ll still get good help when pedaling.

Best splurge: Skarper 

Specifications:

– Motor: 250 watts

– Battery: 240 watt-hours

– Throttle: Not included

Advantages:

– Easy to snap on and use

– Can be swapped between bikes

If you want to spend some money on a cool new bike gadget (and by “toy,” I mean something fun), take a look at Skarper.

It’s not out yet, but tests show it’s really good. Skarper easily attaches to any bike, making it simple to add to your ride.

It’s great for people who ride to work and worry about leaving their e-bike outside. With Skarper, you can take the electric part of your bike with you.  It’s expensive, but if you love the latest bike technology, you should consider it.

Best budget: Pexmor Electric Bike Conversion Kit

Specifications:

– Motor power: 1,200 watts

– Battery: Not included

– Throttle: Yes

Advantages:

– Impressive power

– Simple to install

This kit from Pexmor costs less than $200 but works well. Usually, kits at this price aren’t very good, but this one is an exception.

It’s got a strong 1,200W motor that can make you go up to 36 miles per hour, which might be faster than you expect.

The throttle responds quickly, which is rare for cheaper brands. It goes on the bike’s front wheel, which some people might not like because it feels like it’s pulling you. But compared to other affordable e-bike kits, this one beats them all.

Read More Post: The Best Electric Scooters For Adults In 2024

What to consider when picking an e-bike conversion kit

When choosing your e-bike conversion kits, remember a few key points: 

Types of e-bike conversion kits

E-bike kits are new, so there aren’t clear categories for them yet. But, they generally fall into these types:

1. Wheel hub kits go on a wheel, either by themselves or onto one you already have. They can be at the front or back. Front kits are easy to put on and cheaper. Rear kits give better performance and balance.

2. Mid-hub motor kits go into your bike’s crankshaft. These work the best, but they’re harder to install and cost more.

3. Snap-on kits can go on your rear hub or seat post. They’re not as powerful, but they’re super easy to use and can switch between bikes easily.

Wattage

Conversion kits usually have more power than regular e-bikes because some power gets lost during conversion.

Regular e-bikes usually have power between 250-750 watts, but conversion kits are typically between 500-1,200 watts.

More power usually means more speed and help with pedaling, but not everyone needs that much power.

Having less power also means less weight, so it’s important to find the right balance for what you need.

Some conversion kits include a throttle, which lets you activate the motor without pedaling by using a thumb trigger or twisting piece on your handlebar.

This is handy for starting from a stop or just cruising along, but using the throttle uses up a lot of battery. Some kits also come with other electronic stuff like a screen, front and back lights, and more.

Ease of installation

Converting regular bikes into e-bikes can be easy or a bit tough depending on the kit you choose. Snap-on kits are supposed to be the easiest, but they might still be hard for those who aren’t good with tools.

Front-hub kits are also usually simple. Rear-hub kits are a bit more complex because of gears, but they’re still doable.

Mid-drive motors are the trickiest and need more knowledge and tools, but you don’t have to be an expert.

FAQs

Are e-bike conversion kits good?

It all comes down to what you’re hoping for and what you mean by “good.” Usually, they can’t match the power of an e-bike, but they can give you a good boost when you pedal. If you ride your bike every day and just want to make it a bit easier, a conversion kit can help with that. They can also give you some extra power for fun rides. But if you want the full power of an e-bike, you might need to buy a whole new bike.

How much does it cost to convert a regular bike to electric?

A kit can cost between $150 and $800, or even more. The price usually depends on things like how powerful the engine is, what extra things come with it, and how well it’s made. Keep in mind that some of the cheaper kits might not come with a battery, which means you’ll need to buy one separately.

Is it worth it to convert a bike to an e-bike?

It all comes down to what you plan to do with it. If you just want some help with pedaling for your daily ride or won’t use an electric bike much, you might not need to buy a whole one. But if you want powerful electric assistance and will use it often, then a full electric bike might be the right choice for you.

Can I convert a normal bike to electric?

Certainly! These kits will change your regular bike into an e-bike.

What is the best size for an e-bike?

To pick the right e-bike, think of it like choosing a regular bike. Make sure it’s not too big or too small for you. It should feel comfortable to ride and easy to handle. You can follow sizing guides, but the best way is to visit a bike shop and try out different sizes until you find the perfect fit for you.

Final thoughts on the best e-bike conversion kits

When considering an electric bike conversion kit, it’s important to weigh your priorities. Whether you’re focused on overall performance, value for money, aesthetics, ratings, or splurging on top-tier quality, there’s an option for everyone.

Remember that while these kits can enhance your bike’s capabilities, they won’t transform it into a full-fledged electric bike.

Nevertheless, for daily commuters seeking convenience or recreational riders craving excitement, an electric bike conversion kit can offer an accessible and enjoyable solution.