Comments on: What’s the Deal with E-Bike Conversion Kits?

By: Chuck

Chuck — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 11:23:00 +0000

I have been working with ebike kits for several years, ever since cobbling together my first home made ebike which I built on a tandem frame and replaced the rear seat with a snowboard and custom racks to carry up to 8 bags of groceries. It was a fantastic first effort but was heavier than some cars I think. That first bike was built with parts that I begged for, borrowed but never stole. I think I invested about $400 total. It was throttle operation only and I rigged it up so that I could lock the throttle on full power and then pedal furiously to wherever my destination was. I had a few close calls with that setup so I went back to the drawing board. Several iterations later I ended up with a much more expensive, but much more competent system by BionX on my Surly LHT. Fantastic setup except for top speed issue. The BionX is easy to install and offers a decent proportional assist mode which is really the right way to do it in my opinion. Throttles are fun but it’s not a bike if you are throttling along the road – its a moped. Eventually I found my way to higher tech mid-drive systems. I tried the Cyclone (cheap Chinese cr@p), the EcoSpeed (too expensive and too noisy), and the Stoke Monkey (way too dangerous) . At the moment, I’m riding a high performance rocket ship built around the Panasonic mid-drive system that I lifted out of a wrecked Kalkhoff. It’s not exactly a kit bike because you can’t buy the kit – you need to find a complete bike to lift it out of. But, I have to say it is the best of the best. Quiet, smooth, powerful (at only 300W), fast and efficient. I say, anything that keeps people out of cars is a good thing. We should be encouraging ebikes – it is an enabling technology.

By: BeholdersEye

BeholdersEye — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 22:37:00 +0000

I think, get your kit on…I like biking but there is a limit how far I’ll go everyday on a bike, an electric bike will get me on one allot more and further, all the better then using a freakn car.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:00:00 +0000

A segway wouldn’t give one an opportunity to pedal at all….just stand and go. I think most people see the point of an e-bike to assist them, not do all the work for them. Hopefully it’s not just used to sit on, but to help people who wouldn’t otherwise be able to cycle (either for physical, health or distance reasons).
I know everyone has a different opinion, and we don’t all have to agree, but I see an e-bike as a useful tool for people who otherwise might not be out there on their bike (and like I said before, hopefully they’re doing as much of the work as possible). I just don’t see any benefits to a segway at all.

By: Dell Wilson

Dell Wilson — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 01:47:00 +0000

I could see recommending this to someone with physical disabilities. But for anyone healthy, I would recommend an unassisted bike for the health benefits. As long as I’m healthy, I don’t think I will ever consider an eBike.

By: Tim Starry

Tim Starry — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:37:00 +0000

why not just buy a segway?

By: Joel Ike Phillips

Joel Ike Phillips — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 23:40:00 +0000

I like it as a tool to overcome physical handicaps that may prevent the enjoyments of cycling. I dislike it as an aid for when you just don’t feel like doing the work.

Great article, as usual…..

By: Darryl is Loving the Bike

Darryl is Loving the Bike — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 21:04:00 +0000

Hahahaha, nice one Marty. I enjoy riding with you no matter what kind of bike you’re on or how fast you’re going.

By: Darryl is Loving the Bike

Darryl is Loving the Bike — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 21:03:00 +0000

Thanks for your comments on this, Bikeboy.

By: Darryl is Loving the Bike

Darryl is Loving the Bike — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 21:02:00 +0000

Thanks for your input and information on this subject. Very appreciated, my man.

By: Darryl is Loving the Bike

Darryl is Loving the Bike — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 21:01:00 +0000

Great answer, Victor. You seem to have the same thoughts on e-bikes as I do….thanks for giving us your perspective. I’ve never used one, but I know my Wife would get out there more if part of her commute was assisted.