Do you want an electric bike, but not a new bike? How about a conversion kit?
Swytch has a 25-mile conversion kit for $299. The electric bike will be limited to 15mph for the EU or 20mph for the US. The 25 miles is about how far the bike will go on a single charge. The Swytch Conversion Kit will work on any style of bike: mountain bike, road bike, beach cruiser, or any other type of bike. The conversion kit contains the following: 250W motor wheel in ANY size. Swytch 25-mile power pack, quick-connect handlebar mount, 36V 180Wh Lithium-Ion battery, pedal sensor, two brake sensors, and a charger. Swytch also offers a twist or thumb throttle for an additional $15. Swytch also offers a 50-mile kit for $350. Swytch estimates the time to install the conversion kit on your bike to be 2-5 minutes. The kit can also be removed from your bike to convert an electric bike back to a regular bike. Estimated delivery is currently April 2018. Swytch is designed, manufactured and dispatched from the UK.
EAZY Bike is another electric bike conversion kit manufacturer from Sweden. The EAZY bike also goes up to 20 mph (15 mph EU). The current special is $159 for the EU kit and $169 for the US kit. The kit contains a 250W or 350W motor (depending on the EU or US version), a 36V 216Wh battery, and a charger. The conversion kit allows you to go full electric or use pedal assist. As you pedal, the motor will kick in to assist or propel the bike forward. You stop pedaling and the motor shuts off. The total weight added to the bike is 4.5 lbs or just under 2 kg.
Dillenger is another company that offers electric bike kits. These kits are made and shipped from the USA. Kits range from $629 to $2299 in price. Dillenger offers medium drive, off-road, and street legal kits. They also offer a high voltage conversion kit, but it is not suitable for most bikes. The street legal kit contains the following: 36V 470Wh Lithium Ion battery, 250W or 350W motor (depending on country), LCD handlebar controller, 1 wheel with motor, charger, throttle pin cable, pedal assist sensor, brake sensor and brake sensor cable. Total weight 17 pounds (9.9 pounds without battery, 7.1 pounds with battery weight).
There are other electric bike kits out there. The above are the three most popular, today, in the market. EAZY bike has the most simplified installation with the least amount of parts. However, EAZY bike is a very new company and cannot be installed on all types of bikes. Swytch is also a new company. Swytch advertises that their conversion kit can be mounted to ANY bike. However, Swytch has a long lead time to ship the product.
Dillenger is a more established company that can ship faster. However, Dillenger’s conversion kits are more complicated and more expensive. Once the Dillenger kit is installed on your bike, it’s not that easy to remove and get back on your normal bike. Any of the three can be a good option. Be sure to see what your priorities are with installing an electric bike kit. If you want to alternate between an electric bike and a regular bike, the Swytch or EAZY bike kits may be your best bet. They are also the most affordable options.