The ultimate electric bike kit guide
The electric bike kit: a beginner's guide
Here at NYCeWheels we carry two high-quality electric bike conversion kits: The Bionx conversion kit and the eZee conversion kit. These electric bike kits have been selected after years of experience in the market. Out of all of the electric bicycle kits we've tried and carried, these two are the best.
This page is meant to be a resource for those interested in electric bike kits. Here you can find links to kits that we carry, various options and configurations in which you can purchase them, articles designed to assist you in your decision and to help answer all of your questions, videos with details on the electric bike kits and their functions as well as how to install them, and manufacturer information. If you feel that there is anything missing from this page that you would like to see, perhaps a question unanswered, please let us know and we'll be sure to add it right away.
Approaching your electric bike kit purchase: the steps and research along the way
1) Understanding the terminology surrounding conversion kits
So you've been introduced to the idea of electric kits for bicycles. Maybe you saw one on the street, met a fellow with one in a supermarket parking lot, saw something on TV, or heard something from a friend. Naturally, your first step is to do some research online. But what do you look for? People in your exact position often search for terms like electric bike kits, bicycle engine kits, and electric bike motor. Sometimes these searches will bring you to things that you did not intend. For example: gas-powered conversion kits. If you're looking for something clean, safe, low-maintenance, and legal, this is the opposite of what you were looking for. 'Electric' is key here. All of that said, your first important step is to understand your terms.
You can find an article on how to properly understand the terminology surrounding bicycle conversion kits here:
Electric bike kits: electric bike kits vs. bicycle engine kits.
2) Understanding the basics of the electric bike kit
Now that you have your terms down, you'll want to research the basics of the electric bike kit. What does an electric bike kit entail? How long have electric bike motors been around? What should I be taking into consideration?
You can find an article on the electric bicycle motor and the initial considerations one should take here:
Electric bicycle motor.
3) Deciding on the best option for you
Now that you know the basics, you need to make an important decision. First, make a list of all of your needs. Why do you want to convert your bike with an electric bike kit? What do you hope to get out of it? What are your goals, intentions, and plans for its use? What is your budget? Once you have all of this in mind, you need to ask yourself: do I need an electric bike kit, or can I get everything I'm looking for out of a pre-built electric bike? We carry a variety of electric bikes with electric motors and batteries already integrated and installed on them. These electric bikes tend to be a bit less expensive than electric bike kits (as they not only include the electric system, but the bike as well), so if you get everything you want out of a pre-built electric bike, that would be the best option for you. However, electric bike kits can offer some options that pre-built electric bikes do not and can be installed on some unique set-ups (like folding bikes or recumbents.) You need to decide which option makes the most sense for you.
You can find an article on how to weigh out all of your options and a list of the things you need to consider when making this decision here:
Two paths to enjoying the benefits of an electric bike motor.
4) Selecting an electric bike kit
So now you've made up your mind. If you've opted for a pre-built electric bike, you are currently browsing our selection here: electric bikes.
If you've opted for an electric bike kit, you are now deciding between the two manufacturers that we carry: the Bionx conversion kit and the eZee conversion kit.
If you want to keep things as simple as possible, look towards the eZee conversion kit. It offers you the great features of a pre-built eZee electric bike, but allows you to install it on the bike of your choice. This electric bike kit provides a simple throttle drive system. You twist the throttle, and the bike takes off. It doesn't get any more simple than that. The system does not require that you pedal your bike, but pedaling in conjunction with the electric assistance will greatly improve your range and make your battery last longer. The eZee conversion kit is under the same, great eZee warranty.
Your other option is the Bionx conversion kit. The Bionx electric bike kit is the most comprehensive electric bike kit on the market. It offers a wide array of options and features and can be installed on almost any bike in a variety of set-ups. You can custom select the options you want, and choose between different motor sizes, battery types, and electric assistance methods. The Bionx electric bike kit offers an excellent range and great quality. The most celebrated aspect of the Bionx kit is its four different levels of pedal assistance, where the kit offers you electric assistance as you pedal.
Interested? You can find an introductory page on the Bionx electric bike kit here, detailing all of its features and answering all of the most frequently asked questions:
Bionx electric bike kit.
If you'd like to see some of the more common Bionx electric bike kit set-ups, you'll want to take a look at these two kit options:
The Bionx PL250 and the Bionx PL350.
If you want to see all of the various options you can select between and would like to see how each changes the price, you can take a look at our Bionx custom configurator here:
Bionx custom configurator.
One of the unique set-ups you can get with a Bionx electric bike kit is an electric folding bike (some of you out there search for these as a 'folding electric motor bicycle.') Electric folding bicycles are essentially the best of both worlds: a folding bike and an electric bike all in one. You get the great assistance and the great compactness that makes each so desirable. We custom build two models (with customizable components and options) here in the shop:
The Dahon Mu P8 Bionx, which uses the Dahon Mu P8 folding bike, and the Xootr Bionx, which uses the Xootr Swift folding bike.
Curious as to what comes in the box when you order a Bionx electric bike kit? Why, you can take a gander right here:
Bionx electric bike kit, in the box.
"So, who's buying Bionx electric bike kits anyway?" We've compiled a map of our Bionx customers so you can see where they are popular across the globe:
World map of our Bionx customers.
Important note: Always make sure you get your bicycle motor kit from an official dealer (ahem, like NYCeWheels) with knowledge and expertise and who can offer you full product support.
