Choosing your electric mountain bike kit is the best way to get the mountain bike of your dreams: we choose the parts according to our use and we ONLY pay for what we need.
This very intelligent solution requires a little assembly (between 1 hour and 2 hours depending on the kit) and allows you to obtain higher quality performance than most electrically assisted all-terrain bikes already assembled. Discover our comparative buying guide for the best electric mountain bike kits on the market.
Why transform your mountain bike with an electric bike kit?
Using a conversion kit on your mountain bike has many advantages. If you are new to the field and want to learn more, you have come to the right place.
Although it is easier to buy an electric mountain bike directly, if you are passionate about sporty driving in the great outdoors, we can only advise you to choose the mountain bike that you like and use it add an electrical transformation kit.
The advantages of an electric MTB motor kit
Installing a bicycle electrification kit is much less complex than you might imagine. If you are slightly handy, it will not take you more than 2 hours to get an electrified mountain bike.
There are many electric mountain bike kits on the market and we give you tips for choosing the one you need. Mountain bike enthusiasts like to choose the geometry and components adapted to their use. You can therefore build your custom-made electric mountain bike!
Cheaper than a commercially available e-mountain bike
The first reason that makes users want to use an electrical transformation kit is above all financial. Indeed, the price is much more accessible for an electric bike kit than a commercial electric mountain bike.
For enthusiasts looking for performance and comfortable models, purchasing an electric motor kit and a classic mountain bike allows for enormous savings. At equivalent power, this amounts to dividing the cost by 3. In stores, you need to count between 3500 and 8000 euros for an electrically assisted mountain bike.
With the electric motor kits, it will cost you a little more than 1000 euros in addition to the classic mountain bike purchased commercially. And if you already own a mountain bike, this is even more advantageous.
Recycle your old mountain bike
With theecologicalquestion that arises, it is much more favorable to be able to recycle your old mountain bike by electrifying it. This both avoids overconsumption, but also allows you to sentimentally keep a bike with which you had good times.
An ATV is an easily repairable vehicle so you might as well take advantage of it to give it a second lease of life. This is the other strong point of this montage. It is much simpler to maintain and easier to repair since the components are accessible.
Choose a more efficient crank motor kit
By preferring the installation of an electric motor kit for mountain bikes, you have the possibility of choosing the motor that best suits your practice. You can select the engine power that will best meet your demand. There are several pedal motors which develop significantly greater power than the commercially available integrated motor.
A lighter mountain bike
Adding a kit to your bike offers the advantage of lighter weight. Here you only select what interests you. The kit goes to the essentials by offering you only what you need. You save weight on the motor, battery and other components. By being lighter, your sporty sensations will be stronger on a mountain bike converted to electric.
An all-terrain bike that adapts to your desires
An electric pedal kit is effective on all terrain as well as on slopes and provides excellent performance. Which then makes it a low battery consumer. In terms of the bike's behavior, the dynamics remain the same as without the engine, which is a very important point for the rider.
A point on legislation
If it is possible to install an electric conversion kit yourself on your mountain bike, it is necessary to know the regulations in force. To travel on public roads, an electric mountain bike with an engine power greater than 250W must have a license plate and insurance.
The conversion with an electric mountain bike kit exceeds this power and is declared in the eyes of the law as a Speedbike .
On the other hand, for purely off-road use, you can do without this regulation. But it always helps to know what you're getting into.
What are the different electric motor kit systems?
To electrify your bike, there are 3 main types of devices. For ease of assembly, a front wheel motor kit is the simplest. But this is not very suitable for off-road driving, like the electric hub in the rear wheel. In addition, these 2 conversion systems are more problematic in the event of a tire puncture. This is more common in sporty driving so we do not recommend their use on a mountain bike.
The MTB electric pedal motor (as offered on Weebike electric bike kits ) is the most used and reliable system on the electric transformation market. It is also the one that provides balance and performance, ideal for all-terrain athletes!
It requires relatively little maintenance other than replacing the chain and sprockets with models (in titanium) more resistant to the power of the engine.
Installation compatibility
However, be careful with the compatibility of a pedal motor kit. Choosing to install an electrical kit rather than purchasing a complete e-MTB is clearly choosing a DIY method rather than the turnkey method.
It is important to check whether your mountain bike is compatible with such a system. The main disadvantage is selecting a kit compatible with the braking system of your mountain bike. If your mountain bike is equipped with mechanical disc brakes, the electric kit should be too. Same when using hydraulic braking.
For safety reasons on your mountain bike, we do not recommend a bike with drum brakes. Given the power of the electric motor, it is necessary for your two wheels to be able to brake effectively.
How does an ATV electrification kit work?
It's relatively simple to understand how electrifying your bike works. When choosing a crank motor suitable for mountain biking, here is what the main kits consist of:
- an electric motor to be installed at the pedal level
- The sensor or sensors
- a controller that electronically manages the exchange between the battery and the motor
- a lithium battery
- a display on the handlebars (control screen)
The crank motor is therefore installed in place of the original crankset of the mountain bike. It is directly connected to the transmission of your bike. The Bafang brand of electric motors is the most renowned on the market. With this type of installation you can easily reach 50 km/h and climb in the mountains like a pro.
For sporty mountain biking, Weebot recommends purchasing a motor greater than 250W. These are designed for riding on flat ground in an urban environment. It is therefore preferable to transform your mountain bike to opt for a 500W, 750W or even 1000W model.
MTB Electric Motor Kit Comparison: TOP 5
1 - Weebike RokKit Trail (Bafang BBS02 750W)
It is the best value for money, with a very light weight of 4kg and assembly in less than 2 hours. The Weebike RokKit Trail consists of a powerful Bafang BBS02 750W crank motor , a Samsung 17.5Ah lithium battery with USB port and a color display and Bluetooth on the handlebars (Bafang 750C).
You should know that Bafang is the pedal motor specialist and equips 40% of electric bikes in Europe behind Bosch. This electric motor has the same performance as models considered very high-end.
With its attractive and easy to configure user interface, the Bafang 750C color LCD screen gives the speed, distance traveled, duration and battery charge level. In addition, it can be connected via Bluetooth to your smartphone to display your GPS directions directly on the screen so you never lose your way.
This electric bike kit from Weebike combines a very good power thanks to 9 levels of assistance (50 km/h at maximum speed electric assistance), a torque of 120 Nm and the balance with its weight of only 4kg positioned in the center of the bike.
The kit is one of the lightest on the market unlike Bafang's BBSHD 1000W. Which is a real advantage for the comfort of using the mountain bike.
For this price range (€1490), the Weebike RokKit Trail is compatible with the vast majority of mountain bikes on the market in mainland France.
2 - Theebikemotor (1500W rear wheel motor)
For cyclists looking for thrills, the Theebikemotor 1500W system offers exceptional power. With the 1500W of its 48V motor in the rear wheel, it propels you to the maximum speed of 65 km/h. It is astonishingly effective for anyone looking for impressive driving speed.
3 - Weebike RokKit Off Road (Bafang 500W crank motor)
For a hundred euros less, you have roughly the same power as the previously mentioned Weebike RokKit Trail electric mountain bike kit. The electric assistance is progressive, with a torque sensor that detects your pedaling power and assists you smoothly. Perfect for driving on flat as well as hilly courses and off-piste for maximum thrills
You will find the same accessories on the Weebike RokKit Off Road , namely the Samsung 48V 17.5Ah battery offering excellent autonomy as well as the Bafang 750C LCD display on the handlebars.
Note that the Weebike electric bike kit has an IP65 waterproof standard. It is therefore water resistant and can therefore be used in rainy weather.
4 - Lift MTB
The Lift MTB electric mountain bike kit is a system made in France. It has the advantage of being able to be fitted on 80% of bikes, of retaining its chain, and its development reports. Easy to assemble and disassemble (25 minutes), this system has the advantage of being able to do without the electric motor.
This system is not restricted and allows you to reach a speed between 35 km/h and 40 km/h on the flat. Its supplied 1.1 kg battery should be placed in a backpack instead of attaching to the mountain bike.
This kit is suitable for the following practices: hiking, enduro, downhill, freeride, or even cross country. The advantage of this hybrid pedal motor kit system is that it does not produce resistance when you do not activate the electric assistance. This is controlled only from the handlebars using an acceleration trigger. No torque sensor here! To be reserved only for the most sporty.
5 - Tongsheng TSDZ2 (500W pedal motor)
Although it is not a complete kit, it was important to mention the Tongsheng TSDZ2 electric motor in our ranking. It offers the advantage compared to Bafang electric motors, much more natural and intuitive electric assistance. This allows the rider to feel much more in control of their mountain bike thanks to the progressive torque sensor. This better accompanies the pedaling force with a less “on/off” effect.
The Tongsheng TSDZ2 is also physically smaller than the Bafang. It therefore offers higher ground clearance and reduces the risk of damage caused by obstacles on sports paths. That electric motor in the crankset is also half a kilo lighter than the Bafang.
If you want an electric motor that will complement your own capabilities, while still giving you a good workout, then the TSDZ2 is excellent.
