On market for an e-Bike but do not need to part with your faithful old bike? Then why not convert your existing bike to one with this simple & easy to install kit?
The kit is cheaper than getting a purpose-built e-Bike and has additional advantage of not being limited to the standard aesthetic look of existing e-Bike models. What’s to not like?
What is the Swytch e-bike converter?
The smallest of its type on the market, Swytch’s eBike Conversion Kit is a very exciting innovation indeed. Easy to install, kit is something of a one size that fits all for many existing bicycle-models & only weighs 6.6 lbs (3kg).
From mountain bikes to step-through bikes, this tiny kit will give the power-assisted biking experience you have been longing for.
For the owners of foldable Brompton bikes, Swytch features a specifically designed kit for you too. Slightly different in design from standard version, the installation & operation of the kit are basically same.
You get all the parts & instructions you need, so no extra tools are necessary for fitting. The most motor comes packaged in a purpose-built wheel hub that replaces normal front wheel of your bike.
Once your bike’s front wheel is replaced with motor-integrated wheel, all you then got to do is attach the pedal sensor and position the fast connect bracket on the handlebars for the battery pack. As soon as the battery pack is installed & connected, you’re basically good to go.
Once fitted, you can continue setting the power-level you want, then start pedaling. The converter kit will then do rest.
On move, so-long as battery pack is installed, pedal sensor monitors whether you’re pedaling or not. When it detects that you are pedaling, power-pack works out the optimum power to deliver to the motor based on the selected power-level. As soon as you stop pedaling, power pack automatically cuts the facility to motor to save juice.
Unlike, purpose-built e-Bikes, conversion kit is pretty light, it is also fast, very fast. Apart from the need to add extra cables to frame and fasten the power back to your handlebars, this conversion kit gives you all the benefits of a regular e-Bike, except you get to keep your old bike at the same time.
Win, win.
Like other e-Bikes, kit really comes into its own on steep inclines, making the ascent quite literally a breeze. For flats & downhill sections, you’ll either coast along & stop pedaling, or manually cut the kit via the control panels on the power pack.
All well & good, you may ask, but how much does the kit cost?
The standard retail price is about £999. But, you can also pre-order the kit every few months to suit your bike’s dimensions for a fraction of that usually 50 percent off. So, what is the catch with the discounted price?
Well, you will need to wait a few weeks for the wheel to be built & shipped out, that’s all.
What’s more, kit comes with a 1-year warranty and life-time technical & customer support for life. The warranty covers any replacement parts or collection for repairs and also comes with free live video support calls from Swytch’s highly qualified & very friendly engineers based in London.
The lifetime support does exactly what it says on the tin and is valid for as long as you own conversion kit, albeit it’s out of warranty. Once out of warranty, you’ll got to pay for any replacement parts, but will only be charged at cost.
What do you get with the Swytch eBike converter kit?
At the core of kit is a special compact 29.5 ft-lbs (40Nm) high-torque brushless motor. This should be more than enough to propel most adults up 30 percent inclines with little to no trouble. What is more, kit comes equipped with a special controller algorithm that has zero drag.
The innovative motor powered using a specially designed lithium-ion power pack. It comes in two forms, ECO & PRO. The pack sits neatly on a handlebar mount and may be easily removed for storage & safety.
The kit is meant to fit standard bike forks of 100 mm (3 and 15/16 inches) and is compatible with most gear types, including derailleur & hub gears. Depending on your taste, kit comes in a choice of silver or black.
The 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg) power pack has enough juice to power your modified bike up to a distance of 31 miles (50 km) and may be fast-charged in as little as two hours.
With regards to speed, theoretically, it can get-up to 20 mph (32 km/h), but which will depend upon where you live in the world and the legal top-speed for using a bike. Bummer.
Can you customize the Swytch eBike Converter Kit?
Indeed, you can. One among the best features of the Swytch eBike Converter Kit is that the various customizable options & accessories.
For example, swap-in motor wheel is built to your specifications as custom. All you need to do is to give them your preferred, or required, wheel size and Swytch will take care of the rest.
The kit’s wheel normally comes in a standard silver finish, but you can also request one in matt black instead. This includes the motor (of course, rims & spokes of the wheel.)
There is a little fee for this particular service, but it’s worth it.
With regards to extras, kit has some very interesting added extras. For instance, you’ve got the option to order a variety of handlebar throttles for the converter kit.
This comes in 2 main options:-
• Twist control, and;
• Thumb throttle.
The former attaches on to your handlebars and allows-you to power the motor with a simple twist of your wrist. The latter as the name suggests, uses a spring-loaded thumb lever to prefer the same action. This is often the better option for handlebar setups with limited free space.
Another, cool accessory is Swytch’s purpose-built brake sensor add-on. If you want to maximize the range of your motor battery, this kit constantly monitors your use of the bike’s brakes. When it detects that the brakes are applied, it automatically cuts-off the power to the motor, albeit you’re peddling. This accessory is great for adventure cyclists, or if you discover yourself in slow-moving traffic.
The brake sensor is compatible with wired and hydraulic brakes too.
For those, who plan on using their new e-Bikes over longer distances than standard set-up, you can also grab yourself a spare power pack. Buy as many as you need (& can carry) to immediately give yourself an additional 31 miles (50 km) on the fly.
So, if you do not want to spare your old bike, but need a little help at times, you cannot really go wrong with this fantastic e-Bike Conversion Kit. What are you waiting for?
