| When choosing to make an electric bicycle using a | | | | flexible frame is not going to be suitable for this use. |
| conversion kit, it is very important to consider the | | | | This type of frame is mostly used in mountain bikes. |
| starting point; that is what kind of bicycle are you going | | | | Fourth, how does the bicycle shift gears? An electric |
| to convert? While most kits will fit on any bike, some | | | | bicycle will use a twist grip activated throttle that |
| bikes make better electric bikes than others. In this | | | | replaces one of the hand grips or a thumb throttle that |
| article I will provide some basic pointers to help make | | | | is mounted against the hand grip. If you have twist |
| this an easy decision and to prevent some basic | | | | shifting on both ends of the handle bars, you are going |
| mistakes. | | | | to have to move the shifter more towards the center |
| First and foremost, how are you going to use your | | | | and possibly shorten the throttle grip. |
| electric bike? If you intend to use it for commuting, then | | | | Fifth is weight. Bicyclists love to shed weight on their |
| you want a bike that is comfortable to ride, allows you | | | | bikes. The lighter the better is their motto and the |
| a good relaxed posture and has fenders and chain | | | | lighter the bike, the more it costs. When you are adding |
| guards to protect you from splashes and mud. You do | | | | around 30 or more pounds of motor, battery and |
| not require a lot of gearing. 5-10 speeds max. You | | | | controller, trying to save five pounds by using a more |
| simply will not use more than that. If you just want a | | | | expensive bike is self defeating. Actually, a less |
| fast ride or to go mountain biking, then choose a bike | | | | expensive good solid steel framed bike is ideal for the |
| more suitable for those pursuits. Mountain biking will | | | | installation of an electric bike conversion kit. |
| require more gearing than a street bike, which can also | | | | Last but definitely not least is brakes. Most of the |
| do well with only 5-10 speeds. | | | | current electric bike kits require front and rear hand |
| Secondly take a good look at the front fork and | | | | brakes. This is mostly in the form of "v" or "u" style |
| suspension. For a powerful motor say 350 watts and | | | | friction brakes. There are a few kits that will |
| above if you are going to build a front wheel drive kit | | | | accommodate disc brakes but these a quite rare at |
| you will want to use a bike with a steel fork. The | | | | the moment. You can use a rear coaster brake but |
| motor is simply too powerful for an aluminum fork and | | | | only if you use a front drive kit and you must also |
| it will bend or break out the drop outs. You definitely do | | | | have a front hand brake. There is a safety device built |
| not want to use a shock absorber/suspension fork. | | | | into electric bikes that causes the motor to cut out as |
| The advantage of a front drive kit is that they are | | | | soon as you activate the hand brakes. Without at least |
| very easy to install. If you were to use a rear drive kit, | | | | one hand operated brake, the bike will be unsafe to |
| then it is possible to go with aluminum and suspension | | | | ride. |
| front forks. | | | | Nothing is worse that beginning an elaborate project |
| Third, make sure that there is a way to mount the | | | | like building an electric bike and finding that the kit won't |
| battery and controller box. Most kits mount the battery | | | | fit or that you have to modify or purchase a lot of |
| above the rear wheel on a rack. Where you mount | | | | additional parts. If you take all of the above into |
| the controller is up to you but often times, it is mounted | | | | consideration before you buy your electric bicycle kit, |
| to the underside of the rack or on the seat post. The | | | | you will have a much easier time with the installation |
| rack is not designed to flex and any bicycle that has a | | | | and get a lot more pleasure out of your purchase. |