E-Bike Conversions

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Converted e-bike (Genesis)
Converted e-bike (Kona)
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Converted e-bike (Genesis)
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Converted e-bike (Genesis)
Converted e-bike (Kona)
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Converted e-bike (Genesis)
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E-BIKE CONVERSIONS FROM £895

If you have a fully functioning bike but are on the look out for an electric bike (that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg) then a conversion could be your answer!

​An e-bike conversion kit adds a battery and a motor to an ordinary bike. This is one of the most cost effective ways to get your hands on a good quality and efficient electric bike. By using your existing bike it also maximises what you already have and reduces the need to buy yet more things to fill up your garage. 

TECHNICAL INFO

We use Tongsheng TSDZ2 250 Watt 36 Volt mid-drive motors coupled with VLCD5 display screens. These motors are torque sensing rather than speed sensing which gives a more natural feeling when cycling. The motors are lightweight and compact. Spare parts are easily available allowing the motors to be repaired rather than thrown away.

The batteries we use are 13.6 Amp Hour (Ah) which will give most riders a range of 40-60 miles and contain Samsung 35E 18650 Li-on cells. The batteries are manufactured by EM3ev who are widely regarded as producing the highest quality batteries for e-bike conversions. The batteries are normally attached to the down tube on the frame, unless your bike frame is too small. In which case we can attach it to the pannier rack on the back of the bike.

Costs

Motor + 13.6Ah Battery£895 (price includes fitting & 12 month warranty)

Additional Extras

(Please see E-bike conversion FAQs for further details on additional items)

Pannier rack fitting£25
Re-routing gear cables£10

The conversion kits fit most bikes but to make sure it’s compatible with yours we’ll need to take a look at it first. Please contact the workshop or drop your bike off with us, for an initial assessment. This will also give us an opportunity to discuss any additional parts and repairs that might be needed, or add-ons that you’d like whilst we’re at it. 

​We will adhere to social distancing at all times during the COVID-19 crisis. You are welcome to book in an appointment to talk to our mechanics if you would prefer.

​Before bringing your bike in for a conversion we’d recommend you read the FAQs below and our blog post Conversion kits vs Factory Built e-bikes. This article outlines the pros and cons of e-bike conversion kits, in particular the kits that we use.

​Get in touch to find out more

​hello@drosi.3feathersconsulting.co.uk | 07396658501

E-BIKE CONVERSION FAQs

1. WHAT IS AN ELECTRIC BIKE?

An electric bike has an electric motor and battery, which provides assistance when cycling. It doesn’t have a throttle so it isn’t a moped and you will still have to pedal. It does, however, enable you to cycle further, for longer and in a lot more comfort especially when it’s hilly. The level of assistance can be adjusted to suit your needs at the push of a button and in the worse case scenario, if the battery runs flat, you can still pedal it home like a normal bicycle.

2. WHY SHOULD I GET AN ELECTRIC BIKE?

Cycling has been scientifically proven to improve your health and well-being and to bust a common myth, riding an electric bike is not cheating – you do still have to work!

By using an electric bike instead of a car you can significantly reduce your carbon footprint whilst avoiding traffic jams and car parking charges, get fresh air, exercise and the convenience of door-to-door transport!

​3. WHY SHOULD I CONVERT A BIKE INSTEAD OF BUYING A NEW ONE? 

If you already own a bike that you find comfortable or enjoy riding but wish to have an electric bike, this could be a great solution. An electric bike conversion is significantly cheaper than buying a new electric bike and the kits we use are of higher value than those used on off the shelf e-bikes at the same cost. On top of this, by recycling your bike, you will be reducing waste going to landfill. 

4. CAN ANY BIKE BE CONVERTED?

Nearly all conventional bikes can be converted, provided the frame is made of metal (aluminium or steel) and has a conventional threaded bottom bracket shell. The kits we use are generally not suited to carbon fibre bikes due to the increased size of the bottom bracket area. Full suspension mountain bikes are generally difficult to convert as there is often limited space to mount the battery. We would not recommend  using our kits for mountain biking beyond a blue graded trail due to the reduced ground clearance and increased risk of damage to the motor casing from trail debris.

5. HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

The cost for an electric bike conversion is £895, which includes an assessment of your bike, the kit and fitting of the battery/motor, and a bike safety check. If the battery requires fitting on top of the pannier rack there will be an additional charge of £25. On some bikes we have to re-route the rear gear cable which requires new gear inner and outer cable in this instance there will be an additional charge of £10. If you need any more work, we will happily do it, but it will incur additional costs. We can discuss this when we assess your bike.

​​6. HOW DOES THE KIT WORK?

A motor is fitted where the existing pedals sit. The battery is mounted on the frame and a small LCD screen attaches to the handlebar along with a remote control to adjust settings. The screen displays speed/distance/times/battery capacity/assistance level.

​7. WHAT IS THE BATTERY RANGE?

The standard battery we use is 13.6 Amp Hour. This battery seems to suit most riders perfectly, giving a range of 40-60 miles per charge. This is dependent on the terrain, the riders weight and how much assistance is used. 

​8. HOW LONG DOES THE BATTERY TAKE TO CHARGE?

From empty the battery will take around 6 hours to charge.

​9. HOW DO I CARE FOR MY BATTERY?

E-bike batteries are expensive and make up around 40% of the total parts cost of our conversion kits. For this reason, it is well worth taking the time to look after it. A well cared for battery will last a number of years and many many miles. Below are some useful tips on battery maintenance:

  • Batteries like to be stored at around room temperature in a dry environment.
  • It is not essential to charge your battery after every ride in fact e-bike batteries like to spend most of their time between 20% and 90% capacity.
  • It is fine to occasionally run the battery completely flat, however if the battery is frequently used in this way it’s performance and lifespan will be negatively affected. 
  • If the battery is not going to be used for more than 6 weeks then it should be stored with around 50% charge. The easiest way to reduce the charge to this level is to go for a bike ride!
  • A clean battery is a happy battery. In particular the metal contacts on the bottom corner of the battery should be kept clean as it is these that transfer the electrical current from the battery to the motor.
  • All large lithium batteries, like e-bike batteries, are a potential fire risk when they are being charged. It is best, if possible, to charge the battery in a shed or garage away from any flammable items. Do not attempt to charge the battery if you think it may be damaged.
  • The battery will provide slightly less range in cold weather (less than 10 degrees Celsius).

10. CAN I TRY BEFORE I BUY?

Yes, absolutely! We have a variety of electric bikes that you are welcome to demo. Get in touch to find out more.

​11. CAN I PUT THE KIT ON ANOTHER BIKE IF I GET A NEW ONE?

Yes, the kit can be easily removed from the bicycle and fitted on another suitable bike.

12. HOW FAST CAN I GO?

The UK law has set the maximum speed of 15.5 mph. At this speed the assistance will stop, but you can still continue to pedal faster if you wish.

​13. IS THERE AN AGE LIMIT TO RIDE E-BIKES?

UK law states that you must be over the age of 14 in order to ride and e-bike.

​14. DO YOU OFFER A WARRANTY?

Yes, we offer a 12 month warranty on all new parts. 

​15. WHAT HAPPENS IF MY CONVERSION KIT HAS A FAULT?

Sadly things can occasionally go wrong with the conversion kits and we have had a small number of kits fail due to display and controller failures. It’s just the nature of the beast! We have been able to easily repair any faults in-house. Spare parts are easily available meaning the motor can be repaired rather than thrown away. If you have a problem with your kit bring it straight back to us and we’ll fix it as quickly as we can. This is free if it’s within the 12 month warranty period.