Is there a review on this site comparing conversion kits by any chance or is it just a browsing exercise which is necessary? Thanks Ian

I'm afraid its a browsing exercise. And lots of careful reading between the lines; where people have left reviews or comments you will often learn more about the reviewer than the product.

Post a link to the kit and folks with give their opinions on it, in the main part they will work but not always as we have seen of late.

Also say

• What you expect to use the kit for? (range, hills, on/off road, weight, your fitness)
  
• How much you expect or are willing to pay?
  
• How good are you at bike mechanics (fitting kits is mostly not hard)?
  
• How expert at bike electrics?
  
  • If you buy a complete kit from the likes of Woosh you know it will all work together and you'll get expert after sales advice if needed. (That was the route I went.)
    
  • If you are happy to buy separately you might save a bit or get something more tailored to your needs, but there are lots of compatibility pitfalls from electrical details to connector types.
    
  • Post on here and you will get advice on what to buy, and if you've chosen separate bits whether they will work together.
    

Good luck

Also say

• What you expect to use the kit for? (range, hills, on/off road, weight, your fitness)
  
• How much you expect or are willing to pay?
  
• How good are you at bike mechanics (fitting kits is mostly not hard)?
  
• How expert at bike electrics?
  
  • If you buy a complete kit from the likes of Woosh you know it will all work together and you'll get expert after sales advice if needed. (That was the route I went.)
    
  • If you are happy to buy separately you might save a bit or get something more tailored to your needs, but there are lots of compatibility pitfalls from electrical details to connector types.
    
  • Post on here and you will get advice on what to buy, and if you've chosen separate bits whether they will work together.
    

Good luck

All good practical advice! Thanks Ian

Yes I'd like to see this too. I would guess a lot of people would. Short of some heroic effort to buy all kits and compare them is there a techie way to collate this info from around this site?.... Or is that just called the search bar?! ;D

Yes I'd like to see this too. I would guess a lot of people would. Short of some heroic effort to buy all kits and compare them is there a techie way to collate this info from around this site?.... Or is that just called the search bar?! ;D

 

Would the people who offer to review the kits get to keep them ?

I think a lot of folks will often sing the praises (or complain bitterly) on the kit they have selected. I am going through the process of selecting a kit (well, I have selected one, just waiting for stock). It feels like buying shoes online. Never really sure if they will fit and be comfortable. I think there is no substitute for try before you buy but that isn't alleys easy with kits or indeed ebikes. And just like shoes, what I find fits me probably won't fit you.

 

That said, the choice isn't that enormous for UK road legal kits (accepting that's not what everybody wants). I think it is relatively quick to whittle down the options.

I am also looking for a comparison of different kits in one place...

I am also looking for a comparison of different kits in one place...

 

Send me the kits and I will review them free of charge, as long as I get to keep the kits.

I am also looking for a comparison of different kits in one place...

If you list up the kits you're interested in, I'll give you a shite factor rating for each one.

 

Or, what might be better, is for you to list up what you want your kit to achieve and the constraints that you're working with, then I'll tell you how to achieve it. Every kit has plus and minus points that suit different people and their different rides.

Hi, good advice above but also think about :

 

Reviews - look for ones where people have used the kit for at least a few months. Any review that starts "I just fitted a new kit and this is what I think.." won't include what's good and poor in everyday use. Remember that a kit bought just a few months ago might be different to the same kit if you buy it today so check the details before ordering.

 

Basic or advanced? Are you looking for a simple on/off switch - you pedal and the bike assists, or same but with low/medium/high levels of assist? Or something more advanced so you can customise the way it works to suit your riding style?

 

A lot of "average" kits sold in the UK are not legal, if you want something that's 100% legal let us know so people can advise.

 

Just ask if any questions and somebody will be able to offer advice

I am also looking for a comparison of different kits in one place...

This is an excellent resource from a trusted supplier.

 

https://wooshbikes.co.uk/?hubkits

If you list up the kits you're interested in, I'll give you a shite factor rating for each one.

 

Or, what might be better, is for you to list up what you want your kit to achieve and the constraints that you're working with, then I'll tell you how to achieve it. Every kit has plus and minus points that suit different people and their different rides.

 

OK well i don't really know any of the kits or have any preference yet so I will let Google do the work here

 

Google search (ignoring adverts) suggests I should look into these websites

 

 

1) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Electric-Bike-Conversion-Kit/s?k=Electric+Bike+Conversion+Kit

 

2) https://www.swytchbike.com/

 

3) https://www.rubbee.co.uk/

 

4) https://electric-bike-conversions.co.uk/

 

5) https://easifitebikekit.co.uk/ebike-conversion-kit/

 

6) https://dillengerelectricbikes.co.uk/

 

I also heard about BOOST on the Times website this week and a colleague at work has one of those that I will checkout although he said he had some problems with the battery rattling

Using google is one sure way to buy the most expensive and often the receive worse CS from a seller.

Fitting a kit is pretty easy if you are used to working on your bike, but there are still quite a few details that will be unfamiliar at first. It is sensible to get a kit with a supplier who will give good support/advice in your choice of kit, in any questions that arise during fitting, and in longer term support and supply of parts. This is especially so when fitting your first kit.

 

Woosh (https://wooshbikes.co.uk/), mentioned by Oldie above, is a good example of such a supplier and should be high on your list above. Their website gives advice on which kit is suitable for different kinds of use, and they'll give more specific advice here or by email if you ask.

Of the six googles listed none would be recommended by most on this forum.

OK well i don't really know any of the kits or have any preference yet so I will let Google do the work here

 

Google search (ignoring adverts) suggests I should look into these websites

 

 

1) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Electric-Bike-Conversion-Kit/s?k=Electric+Bike+Conversion+Kit

 

2) https://www.swytchbike.com/

 

3) https://www.rubbee.co.uk/

 

4) https://electric-bike-conversions.co.uk/

 

5) https://easifitebikekit.co.uk/ebike-conversion-kit/

 

6) https://dillengerelectricbikes.co.uk/

 

I also heard about BOOST on the Times website this week and a colleague at work has one of those that I will checkout although he said he had some problems with the battery rattling

Of the six googles listed none would be recommended by most on this forum.

Why do you say that of

Of the six googles listed none would be recommended by most on this forum.

The reasons are obvious in most cases, but why do you say that of this one?

 

https://electric-bike-conversions.co.uk/

Is there a review on this site comparing conversion kits by any chance or is it just a browsing exercise which is necessary? Thanks Ian

The best way to start is for you to write down all what you have and what you want to achieve.

How heavy are you?

What type of rides?

How steep are the hills?

How fast do you want to go?

Any other desirable characteristics?

Show a picture of your donor bike.

 

How anybody else judges a kit or ebike is completely irrelevant to you.

Any claims on range can be discounted.

Statements like "flies up hills" can be disregarded when they don't a numeric value for the incline nor their own weight.

However easy or difficult to install on their bike won't necessarily be the same on yours.

 

Basically, if you tell us what you want, we can tell you how to get it.

I don't hear much about Varstrom on the Pedelecs forum, so I thought I'd post my experience.

 

I had been interested in converting one of my bikes, so I looked around and plumped for Varstron due to the basic reviews and low cost.

I did realise they are a Hong Kong based company, but research showed they have distribution depots in the UK.

They also had the best laid out, easily understandable web page for selecting the spec of kit you want.

 

The bike I wanted to convert was a Kona Sutra road touring bike, for work commuting and a bit of tour camping.

Thinking 250W wouldn't be enough for loaded touring, I ordered the 48v 500W Bafang BBS02B kit with a 20Ah Samsung battery from Hailong.

 

It then occurred to me that this was a bad decision, due to the UK law and the penalties if caught.

I have a HCPC job that requires a clean rap sheet!

 

So, before the kit arrived I emailed their Customer Service dept. (in HK) and asked if I could change the order.

They did reply in time to advise me to reject the delivery and they would re-send with a 250W motor.

But the email went to my junk folder, so I did not actually see it until 1/2 hour after I had accepted the delivery.

Very frustrating, but ultimately my fault. Always check your junk folder.

Delivery was fast though: 2 days.

 

So began a 3-4 week negotiation with a Customer Service employee (unconvincingly) called 'Kong'.

The problem seemed to be a communication one.

As far as I could make out there was more than one 'Kong' in the conversation.

At first I was advised to send the whole (very heavy) package back for a re-order.

But this seemed a waste, as I only wanted to exchange the motor itself.

The 250W seemed to be out of stock for a while, and they wanted me to return the parts to a Poland depot.

I pointed out the swift initial delivery time and asked for a UK address.

The gave me one and I sent just the motor kit back, recorded delivery.

After two weeks, and some more prompting, the new 250W motor arrived.

 

So, all good if you get the delivery correct first time.

But a pain in the ass if you get it wrong.

All came good in the end though.

All seems genuine and in good working order.

I have installed the battery and motor, but it's an old bike that needs some more TLC before being roadworthy.

 

I will post a road test review and build pics soon, when it's finished.

 

This is the kit I bought:

 

https://varstrom.com/en-gb/products/bafang-250w-48v-bbs01b