Is It Difficult To Install An Electric Bike Conversion Kit? - Our Guide

If you are looking to save some money or simply love your current bike, you might be looking to install an e-bike conversion kit so that it can assist you when you ride rather than buying a whole new e-bike.

Many people get overwhelmed at the thought of converting their bike into an electric one, but it is pretty easy if you have the right tools on hand and follow the instructions which come with your kit. You could convert your bike into an e-bike in as little as 1-2 hours. 

We have put together a short guide below which will go over the types of e-bike conversion kits out there as well as how to install them to simplify the process and electrify your bike!

What Are The Main Types Of E-Bike Conversion Kits?

Electric bike conversion kits are easy to install but you need to make sure you've chosen the right type according to how you want your electric bike to perform.

We have listed the three main types of E-bike conversion kits you can choose from on the market below.

Front Wheel Conversion Kits

A front wheel hub conversion kit is one of the easiest types out there and simply requires you to change the front wheel of your existing bike with a new one that has the hub motor on, you then wire it to the controller.

This e-bike conversion kit is also a better choice if you are on a budget.

Rear Wheel Conversion Kits

Rear hub conversion kits are preferred over front hub ones when it comes to the assistance it gives as it provides better balance with the motor on the rear wheel. These are still fairly easy to install as you are just replacing the rear wheel on your original bike.

Mid-Drive Conversion Kits

Mid-drive conversion kits are slightly harder to install than wheel ones but give the best assistance of all, hence why they are slightly more expensive. These kits work by you attaching the motor to the crank arm on your bike which then, in turn, use the entire chain system to power the wheels.

How To Install a Wheel Bike Conversion Kit

As we mentioned above, installing a wheel conversion kit is very simple to do as it simply involves switching out the wheel of your regular bike, below we will list the tools you need for this process along with a step by step guide for you to follow.

Tools Needed

• Crank arm tool.
• Adjustable wrench.
• Bike tool.
• Screwdriver.

Step By Step Guide

1. First of all, take off your wheel, you might want to do this by loosening the brake cable first then taking off the tyre, holding down the derailleur and taking the wheel off.
2. Take off the freewheel as well as the tube.
3. Install your tube and tyre to your new wheel and drill a hole in the freewheel for an axel.
4. Place your wheel on with its washers and torque arm.
5. Now place your battery on the bike with its mount if provided and connect the cables, at this stage you put the brake lever as well as the LCD too and controller. Make sure the sensor is fitted on the back of your spoke.
6. Ensure all your wires are tied into place with zip wires then test!

How To Install a Mid-Drive Conversion Kit

Mid-drive conversion kits are not too much harder than wheel kits to install except they follow a slightly different process we will list down below.

Step By Step Guide

1. Use the crank arm tool to remove your whole crankshaft on the bike and install your new electric motor and crank with the washers provided in your kit.
2. Install and tighten the secures for your motor as well as any mounting brackets.
3. Replace your crank arm as well as the pedals then attach your chain to the new derailleur.
4. Mount the battery to your bike then attach the sensors to the spoke of your bike as well as the magnet sensor and hook it up to the wheel.
5. Tighten up all the cables, install your controller that comes with the kit and your new brakes.
6. Connect the cables according to their colour codes and test!

Last Words

To conclude, installing an e-bike conversion kit doesn't have to be hard and you do not have to be savvy with e-bike technology to do a good job, just simply choose a high-quality e-bike conversion kit and follow the instructions, make sure you have the right tools on hand and always test to make sure everything's working before riding out.