You’ve got a great bike sitting in your garage. It isn’t the Best Electric Bike, but that’s because it isn’t—not yet, anyway. Don’t get rid of it; instead, attach an Ebike Conversion Kit, like the Bafang BBSHD Ebike Conversion Kit, to the frame. You get to keep your bike and gain the opportunity to reach speeds of 40mph.
Why We Like It – Bafang BBSHD eBike Conversion Kit
The Bafang BBSHD Ebike Conversion Kit is the golden option for lovers of customization. The base model alone gives you necessary features like a long-range battery, incredible speed, and e-brake levers. In case you have an innovative bike, you need to read our Bakcou mule elite review.
- Can reach speeds of 40mph
- Lots of options to customize your kit
- Battery is included
- Not for newcomers
- Might get expensive
Durability & Build Quality
For how much you pay, it’s surprising to note any use of aluminum, which it does for the last nut used to secure the motor. Aluminum tends to strip when stressed, so it was an odd choice. However, it does keep the overall weight down without sacrificing too much strength. The chain ring is actually made of steel for ultimate toughness. Also, take time to read the Bafang BBS02 mid-drive review for a high-performing lightweight bike. Alternatively, if you would like a front-drive conversion kit, be sure to read our guide on the top front-drive electric motorbikes.
Performance
Putting foot to pedal, the speeds you get on your e-bike largely depend on the gear you’re in. Thankfully, the Bafang BBSHD Ebike Kit gives you several gears to work with. If you’re on a flat road, for example, your maximum speed will spill into the mid-20s on lower gears; shift it into the higher gears, and you can easily reach 40 mph. The Bafang Mid Drive can eke out just a few more miles.
Range & Battery
The range of this Bafang mid-drive kit largely depends on your general build and the battery you’ve chosen. If you pick the smallest one, the 48V 11.6Ah Ultra Slim Shark Pack Battery, you can safely push 30 miles on a single charge; go with the biggest one, the 52V 17.5Ah Jumbo Shark Battery Pack, and you’re looking at up to 70 miles. That’s nearly seven times as much as the Hill Topper Electric Bike Kit. Additionally, you may want to check out the BESV TRB1, an e-bike that has an impressive range of up to 115 miles.
Safety Features
The Bafang BBSHD Kit comes with a nice list of features, most of which are standard and a few are optional, but you should consider adding them. Standard features are pedal assist (built into the BBSHD mid-drive motor), e-brake levers, and a speed sensor. If you want a gear sensor, however, to cut off the motor when switching gears, then it’s an extra $49. If you would like a choice of another affordable option, check out the Ebikeling 48V 1200W review.
Value
Dropping $999 on motor kits is probably making you sweat already. Unfortunately, it doesn’t end there. Before reaching the checkout, you’ll get to flip through optional features to add on top of what you get already. Some can be avoided, while others can but shouldn’t. A fair few are small, $5 here, $5 there—but some can add $45, $49, or even $250 to the price. The customization is nice, like picking a color display over the C961, or your preferred chain ring and bottom bracket size, but might run the bill so high you’re better off getting a pre-built electric bike or a Hilltopper Horizon Conversion Kit.
Bafang BBSHD eBike Conversion Kit Wrap Up
If you want to customize the big and small aspects of your kit, the Bafang BBSHD Ebike Conversion Kit is definitely the way to go. However, that does alienate newcomers since experienced riders are far more familiar with the different options available. What’s universal is the included battery and high top speeds.
