Help! Best of conversion kits review

ian Tweedie

Pedelecer
Apr 20, 2016
25
5
72
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
 

sjpt

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 8, 2018
3,642
2,652
Winchester
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.
 

Nealh

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 7, 2014
19,991
8,173
60
West Sx RH
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.
 
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sjpt

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 8, 2018
3,642
2,652
Winchester
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
 

ian Tweedie

Pedelecer
Apr 20, 2016
25
5
72
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
 

Domm

Pedelecer
Jul 5, 2016
35
7
49
Sussex
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
 

Bogmonster666

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 6, 2022
263
139
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.
 

saneagle

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 10, 2010
3,868
1,938
Telford
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.
 

Scorpio

Esteemed Pedelecer
Apr 13, 2020
357
161
Portugal Algarve (temporary)
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 :)
 

gregcycles

Finding my (electric) wheels
Jun 1, 2023
5
0
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
 

Nealh

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 7, 2014
19,991
8,173
60
West Sx RH
Using google is one sure way to buy the most expensive and often the receive worse CS from a seller.
 

sjpt

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 8, 2018
3,642
2,652
Winchester
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.
 

Nealh

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 7, 2014
19,991
8,173
60
West Sx RH
Of the six googles listed none would be recommended by most on this forum.
 
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