How to Convert Your Mountain Bike Into An Electric Bicycle

Key Takeaways:

• DIY conversion kits are a great option for turning a traditional mountain bike into an electric bike.
• These kits tend to include a motor, a hub, a battery, and a variety of gears and cables.
• Not all bikes will match every conversion kit available, so do some research before making a purchase.

Converting a mountain bike into a high-performance electric bicycle can be both fun and rewarding, despite the time commitment.

Benefits of Converting Your Bike

The benefits of an electric bike over a standard bicycle are numerous. eBikes are fun to ride, can simplify daily commutes and errands, and can help you save money on gas and car repairs. The pedal-assist options available can also help with climbing steep inclines and the like.

Things to Consider Before Converting

Here are a number of tips and guidelines to consider before purchasing a conversion kit and undergoing the transformation process to an electric bike.

Components of a Conversion Kit

The typical components of a conversion kit include a hub for the motor, the motor itself, a lithium battery pack, and the gears needed to push the pedals when activating pedal assist. Some kits can go above and beyond these basic components, with some companies offering accessories such as Bluetooth receivers, throttle mechanisms, and more. You can also generally pick and choose what type of battery and motor you want in your conversion kit. Choosing an extra-large battery or an extremely powerful motor will, however, cost extra.

Tip: The typical components of a conversion kit include a hub for the motor, the motor itself, a lithium battery pack, and the gears needed to push the pedals when activating pedal assist

Warning: Choosing an extra-large battery or an extremely powerful motor will, however, cost extra

Double Check the Kit and the Bike

Before making a purchase, you will need to be certain that your desired conversion kit and your bicycle can integrate with one another. We would recommend doing some online research to see how much compatibility the kit you are thinking about buying offers. Some advertise universal compatibility, but this is very rarely actually the case. Google your actual bike make and model to see if other consumers have successfully attached a conversion kit.

Tip: Before making a purchase, you will need to be certain that your desired conversion kit and your bicycle can integrate with one another

Warning: Some advertise universal compatibility, but this is very rarely actually the case

Installation Procedure

The installation procedure will vary depending on your bicycle frame and the make and model of the conversion kit you have purchased. Generally speaking, there are some commonalities with the installation steps.

1. You will be expected to remove the brackets from your standard bicycle before adding any of the conversion kit components.
2. Installing the battery will typically be the next step, and there should be thorough instructions included with your kit.
3. Installing the motor and the hub are the next steps, along with any related gears.
4. You will have to connect each component to one another, taking great care to plug in any errant cables.
5. Finally, you’ll be able to give your new electric bike a test ride.

STAT:

Constantly keeping the battery at a full 100 percent charge may lessen the lifespan of the battery pack. Try to keep it at around 80 percent charged. (Source)

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountain_bike

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_bicycle_types

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_bicycle

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedelec

*https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fg4Ht0Z6BDU