The Best E-Bike Conversion Kits for Beginners

Just because you want to experience the awesomeness of an electric bike, it doesn’t necessarily mean you need a whole new bike. Enter the mighty world of e-bike conversion kits. Imagine this scenario. You’ve already got a great bike that you’ve been riding for years. Perhaps it was quite expensive, but as you discover all the benefits of using electric bikes, you’re now lusting after one. The only problem is that while electric bikes continue to drop in price, they’re still quite the investment. So what’s the solution? How about a quality ebike conversion kit that is both easy to install and will provide you with almost all the benefits of bicycle electrification. 

What is an e-bike conversion kit?

Typically, the best ebike conversion kits will consist of a few key components, including a replacement front or back wheel of your existing bike along with an attached motor or drive unit. Depending on the type of kit you get, and I’m mostly recommending rear wheel bike conversion kits for several reasons, you’ll also be attaching a battery somewhere to your bike to help power that drive unit. Simple and cheaper ebike conversion kits may not offer you the opportunity to control the throttle and may not even come with an LCD control panel or readout. At the same time, fancier and more expensive conversion kits come with all that and more. 

Depending on your level of technical knowledge with your bike, you’ll find that front-wheel conversion kits are generally easier to install, but they may not be as efficient. They will also add a higher level of riding instability to your general bike riding experience. Rear-wheel conversion kits are a bit trickier to install as you’re often dealing with gearing and other bike components. The advantages of rear-wheel bike conversion kits are that you’ll wind up having more control of your bike, better traction if you use a throttle control. It also winds up being a bit less conspicuous on your bike. 

What kind of bike can I use an electric bike conversion kit on?

Some ebike conversion kits are more suited for a particular type of bike, but it’s generally easy to find one that will fit your bike. So whether you ride a road bike, a mountain bike, a cruiser, or even a hybrid, there are usually at least a few good options for converting your regular bike to an electrically assisted one. 

Are conversion kits worth the price?

In my opinion, they are. At least for the time being. There will likely be a point in the future where the cost of a new electric bike rivals that of a traditionally human-powered one. At that point, my assessment of the worthiness of e-bike conversion kits may change. 

Who Should Buy an E-Bike Conversion Kit?

Without a doubt, the profile of someone who is a perfect candidate for converting their traditional bicycle to an electric one is someone who has a financial or sentimental attachment to their existing bike. They’re also great for someone who is suddenly finding themselves taking on a new route or commute that incorporates steeper hills and more challenging terrain or longer range. 

So without further delay, here are the best e-bike conversion kits you can buy in the USA and Canada, with examples of front, rear, and mid-drive motors. 

Available in a wide variety of wheel sizes, this e-bike conversion kit from Hallomotor is capable of being mounted either as a front-wheel or rear-wheel option. This kit practically includes everything you’ll need to convert your regular bike into an electric beast, though it does not come with a battery; however, you can purchase one from the same company. With plenty of power coming from the brushless gearless hub motor in two size options, including 1200W and 1500W, this conversion kit will give you all the oomph you need to tackle even the toughest hill climbs. 

It is not exactly the cheapest conversion kit around, but this is a premium product for those riders who want something near the top-of-the-line. That’s why when you pick up this e-bike conversion kit, you’ll get something that’s efficient, lightweight, stealthy, and speedy. Featuring a top speed of 28MPH, this heavy-duty system can be purchased with one of four battery options. Using a 500W brushless motor, it features a massive 84N-m of torque power and is disc-brake compatible.

Bafang is both the gold-standard and the clear front-runner in the world of e-bike motors. You can practically find them on all the top brands and the best electric bikes. Their range of motors is truly astonishing, and their quality is nearly unbeatable. So it’s no wonder that plenty of conversion kits are using Bafang motors as their base. This outstanding kit, although only rated at 500W is incredibly good. With a massive max torque of over 1000Nm, sticking this on a traditional bike will ensure you’ll be zipping by other riders on steep climbs. With easy installation, this mid-drive conversion kit comes with everything you need to get started on your e-biking adventures.

If you’re looking for a bit more power, perhaps for your road or mountain bike, this e-bike conversion kit from Bafang, available both in Canada and the USA, might be a great option. It includes all the necessary tools and mounting brackets you’ll need and offers both pedelec assist and throttle mode options. This conversion kit is quite perfect for those that have challenging and lengthier commutes featuring lots of terrain and elevation changes.

So maybe 750W isn’t enough for your maniacal commutes or zooms around town. Perhaps you want to get somewhere fast and want to do it without fear of going up and down hills in the likes of a city like San Francisco. If that’s the case, and you’ve convinced yourself that you want to convert your normal bike to an electric bike, perhaps this ebike conversion kit features the kind of power and freedom you want. Featuring a massive Bafang 1000W motor and a huge maximum torque of 160Nm – you’ll be breezing past other bikes and cars with a huge smile on your face.

Rolling a 7-speed manual bike can be a bit cumbersome at times. They’re not exactly designed for speed. That said, there’s a perfect way to change all that. This electric bike conversion kit from ModWheel includes a 500W motor and pretty much everything else you need to upgrade your bike. Compatible with existing 7-speed bicycles, the rear-wheel engine will give you that familiar feeling of being pushed along, which will likely let you get accustomed to the feeling of riding an electric bike quite quickly.

Like with many of the other conversion kits featured on this list, this relatively simple kit comes with everything you need to convert your standard size 26″ wheeled bike to an electric one. The only thing it doesn’t come with is a battery, which actually opens up some great options for you. All you need to do is make sure that the battery is 48v and has a nominal capacity of not less than 17Ah to be compatible with the 1000W motor.

If you want to get into owning a converted electric bike but don’t have a huge amount of money to spend, this ModWheel electric kit is ideal. Designed to fit 7-speed bikes, this kit is reliable, quiet, and perfect for you to get a greater degree of freedom than with a standard bike. The optional battery has a recharge time of only five hours and will give you approximately 25 miles of range. Just don’t expect a speed-demon with this electric bike conversion kit. This motor will provide you with a top speed of about 15 mph.

On the other hand, if quality and performance are of supreme importance to the type of electric conversion kit you will impart upon on your existing bike, then this high-end conversion kit might be what you’ve been seeking. First, this kit comes with all the necessary mounting accessories and a Samsung battery that includes a USB-A output port. Perfect for mountain bikes, road bikes, commuter bikes, or even fat-tire bikes, this electric conversion kit features a 1000W mid-drive motor and a huge 160N.m of maximum torque power. Go ahead, live a little. This product will ensure that you’re one of the fastest bikes on the road.