Electric bikes are quickly gaining popularity in the biking community for their sustainability. Biking is good for health, and e-bikes make it easier to head out for a good time.
In fact, e-bikes have a number of benefits without causing too many carbon emissions. Their use promotes physical activity and makes longer distances more accessible.
But for all their benefits, e-bikes are actually quite expensive and not everyone can afford them. While one option is to simply stick to the regular, traditional bike and get the most out of it, you can put in a bit of effort and even turn your regular bike into an electric one.
Benefits of Using an Electric Bike
Reduced Physical Effort
One of the biggest benefits of using an electric bike is that it doesn’t require as much effort as a regular bike does. With a regular bike, you’re the one providing the bike the power it needs to push forward by pedaling hard.
This means that you have to actively work the entire time you’re using your bike, which can quickly get exhausting. On top of that, in rocky or steep areas, you have to pedal extra hard to get through, which adds to the exhaustion. With e-bikes, which are powered by batteries, this is not the case.
Sometimes, biking is more about reaching your destination without relying on cars. If a user wants to travel without physically exerting themselves, an electric bike can be very useful.
Increased Speed
Another advantage of an ebike is that they are much faster than traditional bikes. Most e-bikes can go at 20 mph or more, depending on the model. This makes them a great way to commute or run errands without having to rely on cars, trains, and buses.
Better For The Environment
E-bikes don’t just get you around; they get you around without emitting any harmful gasses or pollutants. When it comes to longer distances, regular bikes or walking just don’t work. On the other hand, cars burn oil or gas to run, which is bad for the environment and uses up precious natural resources.
E-bikes are much better for the environment and are still capable of taking you over long distances. They’re also a much better way to avoid traffic without exerting yourself too much.
Convenience
E-bikes are also very convenient to use because they can be used in much the same way as a regular bike. You don’t need a license or insurance for them, and they will fit through much smaller spaces than cars or motorbikes.
Why You Should Upgrade a Regular Bike to An Electric Bike
Getting an e-bike for yourself would be great, but again, these are very expensive and don’t fall within everyone’s affordability range. Converting a regular bike into an e-bike is one way of getting the benefits without spending too much.
Upgrade An Existing Bike
Sometimes we are just attached to our bikes, even if they tend to fall short in terms of requirements. If you want to stick to the bike you already have but want to get the benefits of an e-bike, you can convert it to an e-bike instead of buying a new one.
Cost-Effectiveness
E-bikes are expensive, with some of the more high-end models ranging within thousands of dollars. Not only is this already quite expensive, but repairs and maintenance only add to the cost. If you’re looking to save money, converting a regular bike to an e-bike is your best bet.
Customization
Another reason to go converting a regular bike to an e-bike is that it allows more room for customization. You can decide what type of motor or battery you want, as well as any other components.
Can You Convert a Regular Bike to an E-bike?
While it does involve some effort, you can convert a regular bike into an e-bike. It involves adding an electric motor, the battery, and the controller. The motor and battery help you pedal faster without putting in too much effort, and make it easier to go over long distances. They also make the bike faster.
You’d need a conversion kit to do the job. These usually include all the parts you need, but you could also get these same parts separately. The conversion process does require some knowledge of how bikes work, and it may be useful to get help from a bike mechanic.
Types of Conversion Kits
There are different types of conversion kits available, each with its own benefits. Here are some of them:
Rear Wheel Conversion Kits
These kits involve replacing the rear wheel with an electric wheel that includes the motor, battery, and controller. They’re easier to install, even for people with no technical knowledge, and can get the job done faster.
Front Wheel Conversion Kits
These kits replace the front wheel instead of the back one. These kits keep the original bike’s gearing but have a heavier front.
Mid-Drive Conversion Kits
These kits replace the entire crankset with a motor and controller. They result in a better e-bike but are more expensive and complex to install.
Friction Drive Conversion Kits
These kits allow users to attach a motor to the back wheel of the bike with a roller that can provide it with propulsion. They’re easy to install and quite fast.
Considerations Before Converting
If you’re going to convert your bike to an e-bike, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Bike Compatibility
Not every bike can be converted into an e-bike. If you want to convert your bike, make sure it has a sturdy frame that can handle the extra weight, good brakes, and sturdy wheels.
Legal Regulations
The legal implications around e-bikes are different everywhere, so make sure you’re staying within that boundary when converting your bike.
Budget
Conversion kits are less expensive than e-bikes – mostly. Sometimes, they can become quite expensive, so you’ll have to find something that’s within your budget but also provides all the features you need.
Technical Skill
Converting a regular bike to an e-bike isn’t easy, and you do need some technical and mechanical skills to get it done properly. If you don’t think you can do it, hire a bike mechanic to get it done for you.
Riding Style
Your riding style determines what kind of battery and motor you need, so keep this in mind when picking out your conversion kit or components.
Step-by-Step Conversion Process
The conversion process isn’t always the same and can depend on the type of conversion kit you’re using, as well as your own skill. But the general steps involved are usually the same.
Choose the Right Conversion Kit
Before you pick out a conversion kit, keep in mind your budget, the features you want, and your own skill level. The kit you go for should satisfy all your conditions, or you may end up with trouble on your hands.
Gather the Necessary Tools
Depending on the kit you pick, you may need different kinds of tools. These are usually specified on the pack itself, so you can prepare them beforehand. Make sure to read the instructions, because you don’t want to end up missing a tool or two once you’ve already started converting.
Remove the Bike Wheel
Now it’s time to start converting! Depending on the kind of kit you’re using, you may have to remove the front or rear wheel from your bike.
Install the Motor
Now attach the motor to the hub. Make sure to follow the instructions properly, and check that it is securely attached and aligned with the bike frame.
Install the Battery
The battery can sometimes be attached to the bike frame or otherwise carried alongside. Different kits will ask for different things, so you can follow the instructions and keep your battery wired and attached correctly.
Connect the Controller
The controller manages the power that goes from the battery to the motor. Make sure it’s wired and connected properly and that you’re following the manufacturer’s instructions properly. A faultily connected controller can lead to serious accidents.
Test the E-Bike
Now that everything is connected and in place, it’s time to test it! Turn on the battery to test out your bike and see if it’s working correctly. You’d want to make sure that the motor is engaged when you pedal, and that the controller responds when it needs to.
Make Adjustments
After you first test your bike, you may have to adjust the components of your bike to make sure they’re working properly with the new weight of the battery and the added power it provides.
Now that your new e-bike is ready, you can take it out for a spin! Remember to keep an eye on the way it functions so that any problems that pop up can be addressed immediately before you end up injuring yourself. You may also need to constantly adjust different parts of it for a while until you find the right settings.
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