Ebike conversion kit - suggestions please

[travellingwest]

Since buying my hybrid last december, I have been getting stronger but am surrounded by hills - Quantocks one side, Brendon hills/Exmoor the other - and I didn't think about that when purchasing my bike They are short but steep gradients and I can't do them, which leaves me rather trapped in Minehead if I want to ride out from home.

So just starting to investigate what e bike conversion kits there are out there. The only one I know of is Skarper but I'm sure there are plenty of others. What do you more knowledgeable folks recommend?

 

[annedonnelly]

I've got a Swytch kit on order. I've met a lady locally who's very happy with hers. Sadly they only do a build when they have enough orders so I've been waiting for mine for a few months now.

There's a thread on here somewhere where someone describes his experiences with fitting and using the kit.

 

[Jenkins]

There was a post in one of the other sections this morning where someone has added a Cytronex kit to their wife's bike and she's apparently very happy with it.

Here: https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/womens-electric-bike.309478/#post-7604151

 

[richardfm]

While I have no personal experience of these people I understand they have a good reputation.
https://wooshbikes.co.uk/

 

[Dadam]

Woosh are a good company to deal with. In the end I didn't like the way the controller worked but aftersales and support were very good and the kit was good quality. You do need some basic bike tools like a crank puller, a cassette lockring tool and the knowledge to use them.

 

[travellingwest]

Woosh are a good company to deal with. In the end I didn't like the way the controller worked but aftersales and support were very good and the kit was good quality. You do need some basic bike tools like a crank puller, a cassette lockring tool and the knowledge to use them.

I would get my bike mechanic to do it for me, just because I'm not very dextrous these days in my hands with osteoarthritis.

 

[dicko]

There was a post in one of the other sections this morning where someone has added a Cytronex kit to their wife's bike and she's apparently very happy with it.

Here: https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/womens-electric-bike.309478/#post-7604151

I have fitted the Cytronex kit to my bike and I’m very happy with it. However, compared to a new E bike the Cytronex kit is more expensive.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Just looked and it is expensive - £13xx
looking on ebike store for one like mine - Raleigh Motus

and they can be found for about £2000 - but there are cheaper makes around

but be aware of the battery ability to hold charge - a lot of the cheaper systems have low range and try to hide it
and range of - say 20 miles - drops rapidly if you use the higher Assist levels and go up hills!

 

[JonBuoy]

I vaguely know the area and sympathise!
Lower gears, good balance and patience could be an alternative to an e-bike.

 

[dicko]

Ridgeback Electron, met a guy out for a ride at a cafe stop. He was riding this Elextron and he got it on the Ride to Work scheme. This bike was £200 cheaper than my Cytronex kit.

 

[cyberknight]

Ridgeback Electron, met a guy out for a ride at a cafe stop. He was riding this Elextron and he got it on the Ride to Work scheme. This bike was £200 cheaper than my Cytronex kit.

View attachment 804165

I was looking at the cost of a conversion kit compared to the cost of a new bike too and unless you really love your old bike i do wonder if its a cost effective way to go given the price you can get a dedicated e bike for ?? i know some of the really cheap ones will be a bit naff and its not a subject i know anything about .

 

[travellingwest]

Ridgeback Electron, met a guy out for a ride at a cafe stop. He was riding this Elextron and he got it on the Ride to Work scheme. This bike was £200 cheaper than my Cytronex kit.

View attachment 804165

That's a huge difference! And one very worth considering, thank you.

 

[SteveH80]

There are some good deals about at the moment on new electric bikes, I think I would go that way rather than a conversion kit.

https://www.cyclingelectric.com/buyers-guides/best-electric-bikes-under-1500

Ebikes are different to analogue bikes so chances are you'll ride both depending on mood and mission.
And of course having two bikes rather than one is always good.

 

[travellingwest]

I vaguely know the area and sympathise!
Lower gears, good balance and patience could be an alternative to an e-bike.

I keep trying but I am seriously struggling and I think really need that extra bit of assitance. I keep thinking I'm in my 30's and early 40's (when I last had a bike) when I was fit and healthy, not 60 and suffering with various ailments.

 

[travellingwest]

And of course having two bikes rather than one is always good.

Cannot argue with that!
I think I might have to look at some of those deals, thank you.