Bicycles that make a good electric bicycle

When choosing to make an electric bike with a conversion kit, it is very important to consider the starting point; What type of bicycle are you going to convert? While most kits fit any bike, some bikes are better than others. In this article I will provide some basic tips to help you make an easy decision and avoid some basic mistakes.

First of all, how are you going to use your electric bicycle? If you intend to use it for travel, then you want a bike that is comfortable to ride, that allows you a good relaxed posture, and that has fenders and chain guards to protect you from splashes and mud. It does not require much gear. 5-10 speeds max. It just won't use more than that. If you just want a quick ride or mountain bike, pick a bike that's best suited for those activities. Mountain biking will require more equipment than a street bike, which can also work well with just 5-10 speeds.

Second, take a good look at the front fork and suspension. For a powerful motor, let's say 350 watts and more, if you are going to build a front wheel drive kit you will want to use a bike with a steel fork. The motor is simply too powerful for an aluminum fork and will bend or break the dropouts. You definitely don't want to use a suspension shock / fork. The advantage of a front unit kit is that they are very easy to install. If I had to use a rear drive kit then it is possible to go with aluminum front forks and suspension.

Third, make sure there is a way to mount the battery and controller box. Most kits mount the battery on the rear wheel in a rack. The mounting of the controller is up to you, but it is often mounted to the bottom of the frame or the seat post. The frame is not designed to flex, and any bicycle with a flexible frame will not be suitable for this use. This type of frame is mainly used on mountain bikes.

Fourth, how does the bicycle change gear? An electric bicycle will use a rotary grip-activated throttle that replaces one of the grips or a thumb throttle mounted against the grip. If you have turn shifters at both ends of the handlebar, you will have to move the shift lever farther to the center and possibly shorten the throttle grip.

Fifth is the weight. Cyclists love to lose weight on their bikes. The lighter, the better its motto and the lighter the bike, the more it costs. When you add around 30 pounds or more of motor, battery, and controller, trying to save five pounds using a more expensive bike is counterproductive. Actually, a less expensive solid steel frame bik e is ideal for installing an electric bike conversion kit.

Last, but definitely not least, are the brakes. Most current electric mountain bike  kits require front and rear handbrakes. This is primarily in the form of "v" or "u" style friction brakes. There are some kits that accommodate disc brakes, but these are quite rare at the moment. You can use a rear mountain brake but only if you use a front drive kit and you must also have a front parking brake. There is a safety feature built into electric bikes that causes the engine to shut off as soon as you activate the parking brakes. Without at least one parking brake, the bike will not be safe to drive.

Nothing is worse than starting an elaborate project like building an electric bicycle and discovering that the kit doesn't fit or that you have to modify or buy many additional parts. If you take all of the above into account before purchasing your electric bike kit, installation will be much easier and you will get much more pleasure with your purchase.