Bike Talk v.011 🚲

Despite the claims that any bike can be converted into an electric bike using a Chinese manufactured hub geared motor. The claims are false and misleading, for example. You cannot convert a single gear beach cruiser with a rear hub motor, if you tried, you'd be very disappointed when you found out the axel is too large, and the wheel will only support a 7 gear cassette. So, not just any bike can benefit from these particular types of motors.

Another common issue associated with the Chinese hub motors is the amount of wiring involved with the set-up. The Chinese motors are equipped with a motor, controller, brake levers, and peddle assist. The peddle assist mechanism doesn't fit on every bike. It won't fit on a one-piece crank arm but, it's perfect for a 3-piece crankset.

Much to consider when trying to convert a bike and it can be a costly and timely mistake should you get the incorrect wheel for your frame. Luckily, the world of electricity is taking flight and there are more producers breaking ground and taking a piece of the industry each year.

In 2017 a company that was born through crowd-funding claimed their share of the industry with a simple conversion kit they call the Swytch Kit.

Swytch E-Bike

The CEO and co-founder Oliver Montague invented the original Swytch eBike concept in 2017. Swytch launched on Indiegogo and raised over $500,000. The highlights of the Swytch motor are while regular bicycles emit more than 200kg or 200,000 grams of CO2 during the manufacturing. With larger, heavier electric bicycles emitting double that. Swytch eBike kit emits 150kg less CO2 to manufacture, that means the Swytch kit only used 50,000kg energy to produce 8 times lower emissions.

The next best thing about the Swytch kits is the set-up. To get up and rolling with Swytch, all that is required of you is to replace the front wheel with the Swytch hub motor, attach the battery to the handlebars, plug in the motor to the battery, within 3 hours, and a full charge off you go!

Switch batteries charge within a fraction of the time of a Hai Long, Samsung, or RC battery. Compare Swytch's 3 hours charge time to the competitions 6-8.

Hub Motor, Compact-High Torque Brushless Hub Motor
a complete wheel in any size that fits your bike Rated for 40Nm it has enough pulling power to drag the average adult up a 30% incline with light pedaling.

Power Pack, Grab-And-Go
An easily removable Swytch power pack that is small enough to carry in your hand solving the age-old issue of carrying a heavy, bulky battery pack. Made with advanced lithium-ion battery cells, a high current battery management system, and a sine-wave brushless motor controller, out-performing most eBikes on the market when comparing power and efficiency. The 250Wh of power will last up to 30mi on a single charge.

Pedal Sensor, Responsive Electric Assistance
A Pedal sensor detects pedaling and sends a signal to the power pack. Designed around a 12-magnet cadence system allowing the bike to handle smoothly. The entire system is pedal-assist, all that's requires is normal pedaling and it powers as you ride.