How To Build An Electric Bike
Electric bikes have given people an alternative way of getting around and having fun. You may have an old bike at home and wonder if it's worth replacing it with an electric bike. It depends on your budget and needs, as a new electric bike can be a considerable investment. However, with some time and effort, you can transform that old bike into an electric bike. In this article, we will go through how to build an electric bike and what you need to consider before buying a conversion kit.
Where To Mount The Electric Motor
If you were to buy a new electric bike from an electric bike shop or online, its motor would be either mid-mounted or in a wheel hub (usually the rear wheel). A mid-mounted motor sits between the cranks in the bottom bracket. This puts the centre of gravity low and balances the bike's weight. It also means the motor is connected directly to the drivetrain, making your electric bike more efficient.
You can buy conversion kits to give your old bike a new lease of life with electric power. Mid-mounted conversion kits are more complicated to install but give you all the advantages mentioned above.
Hub-mounted motor conversion kits are cheaper to buy and easier to fit as they are less complicated. However, the disadvantage is that the weight distribution is biased to the wheel-mounted motor. This may cause problems for those riding technical mountain bike trails, but it should be fine for commuters. When the conversion kit is fitted to the front wheel, you get the feeling of all-wheel drive when you peddle on flat surfaces.
Rear-mounted motor conversion kits give you good traction for climbing hills and slippery surfaces while allowing you to fit more powerful motors.
Controlling The Motor
Most electric bike conversion kits provide three ways to control how much assistance the motor gives you. The first is a throttle, which uses a button, lever, or twist to engage the motor and adjust your speed. You can actually ride the bike without peddling; however, you need to be aware that doing so depletes the battery significantly quicker than if you were using the motor to assist your pedalling.
Some electric bikes use cadence sensors, which engage the motor when you are peddling and increase the motor output the faster you pedal. The advantage of this is that you don't have to pedal hard to build up speed, making it ideal for those with poor fitness. However, negotiating slow-speed manoeuvers, such as setting off from traffic lights, can be a bit awkward.
The third way an electric bike assists you is with a torque sensor. The harder you press on the pedals, the more power you get from the motor. This system gives you the most natural feeling when riding. You'll find this system on higher-end bikes and electric mountain bikes. The disadvantage of a torque sensor is that installation is more laborious, and you may need to buy a compatible bottom bracket.
Motor And Battery Choice
Once you've decided on the configuration, you'll need to choose the motor and battery combo. Electric motors are rated in watts, and batteries are rated with volts and amp hours. At this point it's worth noting that most countries restrict how much power you can have on an electric bike. For example, Europe is capped at 250 W, while the USA is 750 W. However, you can fine-tune, the voltage and current by fitting different controllers, giving you better acceleration more speed and different levels of assistance.
When choosing your motor and battery combination, you need to consider your weight, the weight of your bike and your riding style. Casual riders will get away with 24 and 36-V setups, but if you ride in a hilly area or like to ride with the throttle, you should consider a 48-V setup.
Think About Upgrading Your Brakes
If you decide to install a lightweight conversion kit, you'll probably be okay with your current brake setup. It is possible to ride with mechanical rim brakes, but disc brakes are much more effective and safer. If you choose a conversion kit with a high-capacity battery and powerful motor, you may want to upgrade your brakes, especially if you plan on using the throttle mode regularly.
Some electric bike conversion kits come with uprated brake levers. They often also have a motor cut-off switch built in. This switches the motor off when braking, allowing you to stop quickly as a safety precaution.
Should You Buy An Electric Bike Or Fit A Conversion Kit?
Whether you buy an electric bike or convert your existing bike depends entirely on your situation. You may be mechanically minded and have a suitable donor bike on which to fit the conversion kit. If so, and you would like a project, why not go for it?
Fitting a conversion kit yourself is much cheaper than buying a new electric bike. You may not be practical or have the necessary tools. Therefore, you could take your bike and the conversion kit to an electric bike shop for an expert to fit it for you. However, this may not be financially viable when you compare the cost to a new electric bike.
The other thing you need to consider when fitting a conversion kit is the condition of your donor bike. If it is particularly old, you may need to spend time and money bringing it up to scratch before electrifying it.
Final Thoughts On How To Build An Electric Bike
The best electric bikes are fantastic machines that unlock the potential for having fun and cheap commuting. In some cases, it makes sense to convert an old bike to electric, but there is quite a lot to consider to determine if it is worth your time and money. Not everyone has the skills or tools to make the conversion successful, and you need to ensure your current bike is compatible with whatever conversion kit you choose.
Some people may discover that although buying a new electric bike is a significant outlay, it is the better option. You have a professionally built electric bike with all the necessary components to ensure durability and safety while you ride.
If you are looking at conversion kits to electrify your bike, we recommend comparing the cost of a new electric bike. A great place to start is fiido.com, where you'll find a wide selection of electric bikes made for specific uses.