Looking for an electric bike kit requires serious thought and research on your part. There are a lot of great options out there, so it can be hard to figure out which one is the best for your bicycle and, even more importantly, for you.

That’s why we set out to find the best e-bike kits around. Now you can find the right upgrade for your ride right here in this article, we’ll take a look at the top 5 e-bike conversion kits of the year.

Before we go into the specific kits, though, let’s delve a little deeper into what makes these e-bike conversion kits so great.

What Is an Electric Bike Kit?

An electric bike kit, also known as an E-bike kit or e-bike conversion kit, is an electric motor that can transform a regular bicycle into an E-bike. 

Typically, an e-bike kit consists of three key components:

1. Electric Hub Drive or Mid Drive Motor.
   This contains the motor that propels your bike forward. 
2. Battery.
   This is what stores the energy used by the motor to help you ride.
3. Pedelec.
   This reads the cadence of your pedals. This tells the controller your speed while you’re pedaling. It sends a signal to your motor to help assist your ride as much or as little as you prefer.

Of course, with every one of these featured kits, you get everything to make the kit complete. This includes the controller that regulates the energy going to all parts of your bike, throttle components, and accessories like a speedometer. If you find you don’t have the time or tools, you can always take it to a local bike shop where they will be glad to assemble it for a modest cost.

Why Should You Install an E-Bike Kit on Your Bicycle ?

So who, exactly, are electric bike conversion kits for? Well, anyone, actually! An E-bike kit is a great way to upgrade your current bicycle.

Here are some of the reasons so many bike riders prefer e-bike kits:

• Pedal Assistance While Riding.
  If you’re cruising around town or going for a daily bike ride, you may want to ease the intensity a bit. E-bike kits don’t remove your ability to pedal, so if you want some assistance while riding, these kits are a great upgrade.
• Climbing Hills.
  Steep hills can be a challenge for even seasoned bicyclists. As such, an electric bike kit is a great way to ease into tackling those inclines. These kits are especially great if you have a long trip with multiple hills to look forward to.
• Commuting.
  Maybe you just need to get to work, school, or your local coffee shop. Installing an e-bike kit on your bicycle essentially turns it into a daily commuter. Plus, conversion wheels are eco-friendly, so you’re doing your part to help the environment.
• Off-Roading.
  If you want to take your mountain bike to the next level, a high-powered e-bike conversion kit is a great way to turn your basic ride into an electric dirt bike. With the proper kit, you’ll be able to take on off-road terrain with plenty of power and control.
• Customization?
  Who doesn’t want a bike that’s 100 percent their own? While e-bike styles may vary, there’s no denying that the majority of them look similar. With an electric conversion kit, the sky’s the limit! You can take your favorite bike, match the wheel sizes, install, and in less than an hour you have a fully-loaded e-bike you don’t have to break in or get used to.

There Is Also An Easier Way

Now, we’ll admit that these conversion kits aren’t for everyone out there. For example, if you’re not mechanically inclined, mid-drive conversion kits  won’t be the best option, as they require you to swap out the cranks on your bike.

If you’re not up for the challenge of putting your own electric bike together, you may want to consider purchasing a preassembled electric bike.

However, if you’re mechanically inclined, and know how to change the cranks on your bicycle, there’s no reason to not use a conversion kit. It will save you at least one third the cost of a new e-bike.

 

There Are 4 Types of E-Bike Conversion Kits

As you’ve probably seen in your research, there are quite a few electric bike conversion kits out to choose from. Not just in terms of brands, but how they run. Here are some important aspects to pay attention to, when shopping for an electric bike kit:

1. Hub Drive.
   This type of e-bike kit motor powers either the front or rear wheel of your bicycle. The motor is attached directly in the hub of the wheel. Front Wheel vs. Rear Wheel?
   Front wheel e-bike conversion motors are great for acceleration and flat terrain. Meanwhile, rear wheel motors give you solid torque and better performance on off-road terrain and hills, and feels more natural.
2. Mid Drive.
   Aside from their lightweight design and discreet size, mid drive motors give your bike some great torque. This type of e-bike kit is great for climbing especially steep hills with ease.
3. Geared Hub.
   A geared hub consists of multiple rotating gears. These gears spin rapidly to power the motor while making the most of their energy consumption. Geared motors are able to give you high levels of torque. On the downside, though, top speeds aren’t very high. Although as fast as most people can pedal.
4. Brushless Hub.
   A brushless hub doesn’t include gears but rather a stator and rotor. These components take your e-bike kit battery’s energy and use it to power magnets that spin the wheel. Brushless hub motors are capable of high speeds. They’re also much quieter and longer-lasting than geared hubs. That said, while capable of decent distances, their range suffers in stop-and-go traffic situations.

 

The Stats Relevant To Buying An E-Bike

There are also a few helpful terms you’ll see when shopping for your next electric bike conversion kit:

• Wattage.
  This is the overall power consumption of a motor. The more watts a motor is rated for, the more power for speed and torque the motor can put out. Most serious riders want the wattage to be more than 250 watts. Wattage up to 1200 watts or more will give you motorcycle acceleration. The higher the watts the faster the battery drains.
• Voltage.
  This is the  power it takes to run your motor. The voltage of a motor will let you know how much power it’ll take to move you and your bike. This is more relevant to knowing if a battery is compatible or not.
• Amperage.
  This is the amount of power a battery can deliver. A higher amperage battery of the same voltage will be more powerful. Battery capacity is measured in Amp-Hours. That is, how long the battery can maintain its rated amperage over time. Upgrade your battery with a compatible one. One with more amp-hours, for more power.

These three elements work together to give you an understanding of the power and potential of an e-bike kit. Let’s break down the ModWheel 36v 250 watt 26 Inch Geared Front Wheel, Electric Bike Kit, for example:

• This motor needs a 36 volt battery to power the 250 watt motor.
• With a 36 volt battery, this motor will be capable of putting out 250 watts of power through its motor.
• The compatible battery is made to power 36 volts at 11 amps.

Snow is melting, time to get active outside again. So look at these Top 5 E-Bike Conversion Kits to turn your old bike into an electric bike.

The Top 5 E-Bike Conversion Kits

Now that you’ve familiarized yourself with the ins and outs of electric bike kits, all that’s left is finding the right e-bike kit to install on your bicycle. Thankfully, you don’t have to worry about going through dozens of options because we’ve narrowed it down to the very best e-bike kits we could find.

From speed to longevity to ease of installation, here are the top 5 electric bike kits that are the best for you and your style of riding.

 

1. Editor’s Choice: ModWheel 36 volt 500 watt, Geared 7-Speed Rear Wheel, Electric Bike Kit + Optional Battery

The ModWheel 36v 500 watt Geared 7-Speed Rear Wheel Electric Bike Kit is one of the most well-rounded conversion kits available. This e-bike kit comes with a pedelec assist system and a 7-speed Pro Series cassette for better hill-climbing. It also has a minimum range of 21 miles, though that number greatly increases if you pedal along with the motor.

PLUS

In addition, if you’re converting your current 7-speed bicycle, you’ll be glad to know that this e-bike kit is fully compatible with your existing setup. That means all you need to do is install your e-bike conversion kit and you’re ready to ride.

With a potential top speed of 17 MPH (more if you pedal), this ModWheel e-bike conversion kit is great for long and short commutes. So whether you’re riding to work, running errands, or just getting some fresh air, you can’t go wrong with this kit.

E-Bike Kit Specs

Wattage: 500 watt

Top speed: 17 MPH (without pedal assist)

Range: 21 miles (without pedal assist)

Charge time: 5 hours

Our Price: $758.95 | Click Here to Buy This E-Bike Kit

 

2. Best for Off-Roading: ModWheel 48 volt 1000 watt, Direct Drive Front Wheel, Electric Bike Kit + Optional Battery

If you’re the outdoors type, the ModWheel 48 volt 1000 watt Direct Drive Front Wheel Electric Bike Kit is the best choice for your off-roading and trail-riding needs. The powerful 1000 watt front wheel motor will ensure you’re riding through tough terrain and steep hills with ease and full control.

This ModWheel e-bike conversion kit can hit speeds of up to 25 MPH unassisted. That’s a lot of power, and it can be increased significantly if you pedal while hitting the throttle. That means you’ll be able to get through the roughest terrain with virtually no problems.

E-Bike Kit Specs

Wattage: 1000 wat

Top speed: 25 MPH (without pedal assist)

Range: 14 miles (without pedal assist)

Charge time: 5 hours

Our Price: $938.95 | Click Here to Buy This E-Bike Kit

 

3. Easiest Installation: ModWheel 48 Volt 500 Watt, Direct Mid Drive Electric Bike Kit + Optional Battery

Most e-bike conversion kits are pretty easy to install, but the ModWheel 48 volt 500 watt, Direct Mid Drive Electric Bike Kit takes that ease of use to the next level. All you have to do is install the conversion kit directly where your bicycle frame pedal crank is and you’re ready to go.

Thankfully, you’re not trading performance for convenience as this kit has quite a bit of power behind it. Available in both 500 watt and 350 watt versions, the mid drive e-bike conversion kit is great whether you’re traveling nearby or riding longer distances. In addition, due to its sophisticated design, this mid-drive electric bike kit is a solid option for off-roading and mountain biking.

E-Bike Kit Specs

Wattage: 500 watt, or 350 watt

Top speed: 15 MPH (without pedal assist)

Range: 25 miles (without pedal assist)

Charge time: 5 hours

Our Price: $918.95 | Click Here to Buy this E-Bike Kit; 

A 36 Volt 350 Watt Version Is Also Available

 

4. Longest Range: ModWheel 36 Volt 250 Watt, Geared 7-Speed Rear Wheel, Electric Bike Kit + Optional Battery

The ModWheel 36 volt 250 watt, Geared 7-Speed Rear Wheel Electric Bike Kit is for anyone who needs a simple yet efficient ride. You’ll get a range of about 28 miles, and that number increases exponentially when you pedal, making this an ideal e-bike kit for anyone who needs an easygoing ride.

Unassisted, this conversion kit can reach speeds of 15 MPH, so while more laidback, it’s certainly no slouch. If you need an e-bike kit for that lengthy commute ahead of you, this 250 watt option is a solid choice.

E-Bike Kit Specs

Wattage: 250 wat

Top speed: 15 MPH

Range: 28 miles (without pedal assist)

Charge time: 5 hours

Our Price: $ 678.95 | Click Here to Buy This E-Bike Kit

 

5. Best Value: ModWheel 36 Volt 500 Watt, Geared Front Wheel, Electric Bike Kit + Optional Battery

Looking for an e-bike conversion kit that’ll get you from point A to point B without breaking the bank? The ModWheel 36 volt 500 watt Geared Front Wheel Electric Bike Kit is the best value money can buy.

 

I featured this model in another video. Watch it on YouTube here…

Like other electric wheels, you’ll get plenty of performance and range from this e-bike conversion kit. Pedaling while engaging the throttle will ensure you get anywhere you need to go. But if you’d rather just cruise, you’ll easily get more than 17 miles of range. At under $500, that kind of performance is a great deal.

E-Bike Kit Specs

Wattage: 500 watt

Top speed: 21 MPH (without pedal assist)

Range: 17 miles (without pedal assist)

Charge time: 5 hours

Our Price: $449.95 | Click Here to Buy This E-Bike Kit

Finding the Right E-Bike Kit for You

You’ve done the research. You know why you should consider an electric bike kit. You’ve also narrowed down your choice to some of the best e-bike conversion kits on the market. From casual commuting and leisurely riding to off-roading and long-distance trips, you know what you’re looking for.

With so many options and so many price ranges, there’s definitely a lot to think about. Hopefully, though, with the information in this article, as well as our five suggestions, you’re able to rest easy knowing that there’s an electric bike kit out there for you.

Now all that’s left for you to do is choose the best e-bike kit for your needs and get riding!

SHOP BIKE BERRY HERE