E-BikeKit offers a wide selection of motors, wheel sizes and battery types to let you convert almost any bicycle into a basic electric bike. The 350 watt kit is perfect for more active riders that want to pedal along and minimize overall weight. The lightest configuration will only add ~23lbs and depending on the battery you get, the weight can be distributed across the frame or kept in a rear rack bag. You get two variable speed throttles (twist or thumb), a nice LCD display that lets you turn the bike on and measure performance and a solid warranty from a company that’s been around since 2008.
The motor offered with this range of kits provides 350 watts of power in a geared configuration. It coasts smoothly, thanks to a freewheel, and the rear motor kit includes a seven speed Shimano cassette to use when pedaling. Geared motors are lighter than direct drive equivalents and tend to blend in more because they’re smaller as well. Inside the hub there are planetary gears that step up the torque for starting and climbing but over time the friction created here will wear them out faster. E-BikeKit is one of the only companies I’m aware of that actually has a paid service to repair your motor if the gears start to wear out! It’s not free but it’s less expensive than a brand new one and a great way to recycle.
The battery packs offered with the 350 watt motor line come in several sizes and chemistries. The lightest weight, longest lasting options use Lithium-ion cells that are energy dense but also cost more. These packs come with a two year warranty and can be mounted in a rear saddle bag or a frame bag that you could buy separately. I’d estimate ~1,500 cycles on these vs. ~800 cycles on the sealed Lead-acid options. There’s nothing wrong with sealed Lead-acid (SLA), they just weigh more and won’t last as long. Whichever option you get, be sure to keep the batteries charged and away from extreme heat and cold. I usually top mine off after each ride but then leave it unplugged once it’s full. Make sure to re-fill the packs every couple of months if you haven’t used the bike.
One big difference between the newer E-BikeKit products and what they offered in 2012 is the included LCD display panel. It’s a handsome looking peripheral that lets you turn the bike on, select a power level, read the battery capacity and determine your speed and distance traveled. It’s also backlit for night use and well sealed against water which is great if it rains a lot where you live. I recommend mounting it close to the left grip so you can reach over and change modes when without taking your hand off while riding. One gripe about the console is that the power levels are labeled “assist” vs. “power” or something similar. This bike kit does not have pedal assist, the generic console is probably used on other bikes that do and that keeps it cheap but just don’t get confused. It’s neat that you can actually manage your battery or ride more safely with the different levels but I tend to use the bike in level 5 most of the time, relying on the throttle to regulate my speed.
At the end of the day E-BikeKit is all about value. This kit doesn’t offer pedal assist but that makes it easier to install and less expensive to buy. Compared with the most basic kits out there, this one does offer variable speed throttle and come standard with lots of little extras (like a twist throttle and a thumb throttle) to let you optimize your setup. The 350 watt geared kit is my personal favorite in the lineup because it’s so light and smooth. If you completely removed the battery and wanted to ride with human power you’d only be adding ~5 pounds to the bike and the motor would blend right in. I love that there are so many different wheel sizes to choose from as well because this means you can use it to electrify your kick scooter, children’s bike, cargo trailer, recumbent, tricycle and really anything else that uses standard bicycle wheels. And eventually, when the battery does wear down or some component gets damaged you can replace that individual part or get service from E-BikeKit and keep this thing going. They’ve been around since 2008 and I’d expect them to be around in the future as well.
Value electric bike kit in multiple wheel sizes, works with front or rear, throttle only design. Excellent support and warranty, easy to install, multiple battery options for weight or range...
Versitile electric bike kit specifically designed for trikes, available in a wide range of wheel sizes. Offered with multiple battery types and sizes including Sealed Lead-Acid, Lithium-ion or with no battery...
Basic electric bike kit for front or rear wheel, includes battery pack, hub motor in wheel and twist throttle. Good value with support and warranty, easy to install, multiple battery options for weight and…...
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