What is an eBike conversion kit?

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.

Electric bike vs conversion kit – the cost difference

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.

Electric bike vs conversion kit – the weight

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).

The environmental impact

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.

Keeping your bike secure

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. 

Customisation

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.

Electric bike vs conversion kit – a summary

The key advantages of opting for a conversion kit are:

• A conversion kit will save you money
• The Swytch Kit is extremely easy to fit
• You get to keep the bike you already love, benefiting you and the environment 
• As technology progresses, it’ll be easier to upgrade your eBike
• Using a conversion kit means that your eBike is much lighter 
• Using a conversion kit allows you to be able to customise your eBike.