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If you’re toying with the idea of an electric bike, you’re probably weighing up your options, and the pros and cons of an Electric Bike Vs Conversion Kit. You could go out and purchase an ‘off the shelf’ eBike, or you could opt to use an eBike conversion kit. While any cyclist is likely to have a keen focus on price, there are other factors to consider too.
In this article, we’re going to explore electric bike vs conversion kit. We’re going to be filling you in on all that you need to know so that you can make an informed choice. Read on to find out more.
First things first. When it comes to considering electric bike vs conversion kit, it’s good to know exactly what we’re referring to. An electric bike is simply a bicycle that is powered through the use of electricity.
The motor that’s fitted to an eBike will assist you with peddling. When you face a challenging hill, for instance, the power from the motor means that it requires little effort on your part. When you buy an eBike, it’s a complete unit and it’s ready to use straight away.
Conversion kits, such as the Swytch Kit, are something that you attach to a bike that you already own. A motor is attached to your existing bike and a lithium-ion Power Pack is there to provide the pedal power.
When it comes to bikes and their compatibility, the Swytch Kit is universal. It can be used to convert any type of bike.
As we said earlier on, one of the main considerations for any cyclist will be the price involved. Generally speaking, a conversion kit is going to work out cheaper than buying an electric bike. That’s because, rather than buying the whole bike, you’re only buying the components to give you the power.
Of course, as with anything, there are differing levels of quality and you need to be sure that what you’re buying is fit for purpose. There are some conversion kits that won’t include a battery. There's no getting away from the fact that you’ll need one, so that’s something else that you need to factor into the cost. However, with Swytch Kit, you get everything that you need, including a Power Pack.
The key point to make here is that you need to be sure that you fully understand what you’re getting for your money. Yes, a conversion kit will be cheaper than an eBike, but be sure that the one you purchase gives you everything that you need so that you can get riding.
The weight of any bike can have a huge effect on your enjoyment of the ride. A heavy, cumbersome, bike will be more challenging to handle while riding. It will also be more difficult to manage if you decide to simply push it along.
When considering an electric bike vs conversion kit, the latter is certainly lighter. Generally, an eBike will weigh around 40% - 50% more than a traditional one. When you look at the Swytch Kit, the impact on the weight of your bike is minimal. The motor adds 1.5kg (3.3 lbs) while the Power Packs adds 2kg (4.4 lbs).
Something else to consider when looking at an electric bike vs conversion kit is how the environment is affected. If you go ahead and buy a complete eBike, what happens to your existing bike? Globally, some 15 million bikes are discarded every year and many of these find their way into landfills.
Opting for a conversion kit means that your bike doesn’t join the 15 million others. It effectively allows you to upcycle your bike. While this is great for the environment, it’s great for you too as it means that you’re keeping a bike that you already know and are comfortable riding.
In 2021 over 77,000 bicycles were reported as stolen. While these figures aren’t broken down to show how many of these were eBikes, there’s no getting away from the fact that these are attractive to thieves. As a high-value item, it just makes sense that they’re more desirable.
With a conversion kit, you can ensure that your eBike is a little more conspicuous. One of the great things about the Swytch Kit is that it’s extremely easy to remove the Power Pack and take it with you making your eBike less desirable to thieves.
When it comes to customising your eBike, conversion kits give you many more choices. With an ‘off-the-shelf’ eBike, you’re limited to how it has been designed and there is little that can be done to make changes. With a conversion kit, even things such as changing the battery are far simpler, and cheaper, to do.
The key advantages of opting for a conversion kit are:
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