Convert to E bike query

[Schaffer]

Hello, my dad in law is kindly gifting 2 identical folding push bikes he no longer uses to my wife and I and I am considering converting them to electric. I have riden one of them in the past and it was the right size for me with (I think 20’ wheels)
I have seen a 2nd hand swytch kit for sale for a reasonable but it’s got a 700 wheel . Can I ask if it’s a big task to remove the motor and see if it fits in the original wheel please ? I anticipate needing different spokes but is this still practical (eg other components may not fit)
Thank you

 

[matthewslack]

It will be the wrong speed. Motors for different size wheels are wound differently and have different rpm ratings.

A 700c motor moved to a 20" wheel will work, but will be rather slow: about 11 or 12 mph.

 

[Schaffer]

Ahh, thanks very much for the fast reponse and that has helped .
Will start doing some research into bike conversion kits.

 

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[sjpt]

It will be the wrong speed. Motors for different size wheels are wound differently and have different rpm ratings.

A 700c motor moved to a 20" wheel will work, but will be rather slow: about 11 or 12 mph.

BUT it will have better hill-climbing capability as it will be working more efficiently at lower speeds such as 6 to 8 mph.

Depending how you use your bikes that could outweigh the speed disadvantages.

If the folder has steel forks with the right dropout width you should be fine from the firring and the torque point of view. If the forks are lighter with aluminium forks the forks may not be strong enough. You may need torque arms, or it may not not be a good idea even with those. As the Swytch motor isn't that powerful it should be find on most folders.

If you look at other threads here you will see that the Swytch control system isn't that good and there can be complications fitting different batteries.

 

[Peter.Bridge]

Here's a couple of my attempts

All seemed very easy to do

Converting a little folder

I wanted a bike that I could do a bit of exploring when we go on holiday in our campervan. My wife has a lovely little folder that I have got my eyes on I had a little ride on it just now and it put a big smile on my face ! Roughly 75mm between front forks I was wondering about a front...

www.pedelecs.co.uk

Help! - Converting folder bike to cassette

There seems quite a lot of 7 speed freewheel folding bikes with disc brakes (e.g. https://www.compass24.com/compass-folding-bike-20-inch-blue-415370/blue) which seems to get good reviews on bike forums. If I added a hub motor,.my only concern would be the smallest freewheel cog is 14t. If I...

www.pedelecs.co.uk

Help! - Converting folder bike to cassette

nice bike. yeah - seems ok for £200 - quite funky BMXy looking. My mother in law will look very cool cycling round Didsbury :)

www.pedelecs.co.uk

The first one (dahon clone) had 75 mm between the front dropouts, the second two had 100 mm. I just checked the front forks with a magnet - they were all magnetic so I concluded would take the motor torque no problem

 

[Schaffer]

Thank you for the suggestions.

would this be viable please (once I check it fits ):

36V250W 20" Front E-Bike Conversion Kit

1.Technical Data and Packing list 2. Warm tips*Our package is equipped with an integrated sensor（as top left corner）. The original pedal sensor in kit isn't fit for Hollowtech II and Octalink. The brake levers are not fit for bike with hydraulic brake. Please carefully confirm the suitable...

www.yosepower.co.uk

 

[Schaffer]

Here's a couple of my attempts

All seemed very easy to do

Converting a little folder

I wanted a bike that I could do a bit of exploring when we go on holiday in our campervan. My wife has a lovely little folder that I have got my eyes on I had a little ride on it just now and it put a big smile on my face ! Roughly 75mm between front forks I was wondering about a front...

www.pedelecs.co.uk

Help! - Converting folder bike to cassette

There seems quite a lot of 7 speed freewheel folding bikes with disc brakes (e.g. https://www.compass24.com/compass-folding-bike-20-inch-blue-415370/blue) which seems to get good reviews on bike forums. If I added a hub motor,.my only concern would be the smallest freewheel cog is 14t. If I...

www.pedelecs.co.uk

Help! - Converting folder bike to cassette

nice bike. yeah - seems ok for £200 - quite funky BMXy looking. My mother in law will look very cool cycling round Didsbury :)

www.pedelecs.co.uk

The first one (dahon clone) had 75 mm between the front dropouts, the second two had 100 mm. I just checked the front forks with a magnet - they were all magnetic so I concluded would take the motor torque no problem

Thank you, just saw this after I posted and will do some reading !

 

[saneagle]

Hello, my dad in law is kindly gifting 2 identical folding push bikes he no longer uses to my wife and I and I am considering converting them to electric. I have riden one of them in the past and it was the right size for me with (I think 20’ wheels)
I have seen a 2nd hand swytch kit for sale for a reasonable but it’s got a 700 wheel . Can I ask if it’s a big task to remove the motor and see if it fits in the original wheel please ? I anticipate needing different spokes but is this still practical (eg other components may not fit)
Thank you

I wouldn't buy a second hand Swytch kit. The battery is probably shagged due to the high strain on it, and there are other issues. The battery is the most important thing, so you need to buy a new one. In that case, you might as well buy the whole kit.

You can't fit any kit to any bike, so show some photos of the bikes so that we can advise you.

 

[thelarkbox]

A donor bike for conversion
NEEDS:
1) GREAT Brakes, disk preferably hydraulic, your likely to be travelling at a higher speed much more often and require superior brakes.
2) a suitable place to house a battery without raising the centre of gravity to high or shifting it too far back or forward, upsetting balance and steering.

COULD USE: Suspension, and a comfy saddle, sitting will be much easier to do with motor assistance no need to rise out of the saddle so often ( unless you want to) - So you will feel every bump and stone you ride over without suspension

 

[Az.]

Stay away from Swytch.

Woosh offers conversion kits

Woosh hub kits | Electric Bike Conversion Kits from Woosh

Woosh range of hub kits with choice of front or rear hub motors. Convert your bike into an electric bike.

wooshbikes.co.uk

 

[sjpt]

A donor bike for conversion
NEEDS:
1) GREAT Brakes, disk preferably hydraulic, your likely to be travelling at a higher speed much more often and require superior brakes.

Some people use their ebikes that way. Many (I suspect most) use them in a much more leisured way; especially if the bike is a converted folder. You didn't mention how you expect to use the bikes.

My average speed on our bike or etandem is quite a bit lower than my average speed on a regular bike 25 years ago; and that was with standard fairly crummy centrepulls whose only redeeming feature was that they weren't as bad as sidepulls. V-brakes are quite adequate for our current usage.

I second Woosh as a good supplier of kits.

 

[Peter.Bridge]

Thank you for the suggestions.

would this be viable please (once I check it fits ):

36V250W 20" Front E-Bike Conversion Kit

1.Technical Data and Packing list 2. Warm tips*Our package is equipped with an integrated sensor（as top left corner）. The original pedal sensor in kit isn't fit for Hollowtech II and Octalink. The brake levers are not fit for bike with hydraulic brake. Please carefully confirm the suitable...

www.yosepower.co.uk

Probably OK if the width between the front fork dropouts is 100 mm (some folders it is 74mm)

 

[thelarkbox]

Some people use their ebikes that way. Many (I suspect most) use them in a much more leisured way; especially if the bike is a converted folder. You didn't mention how you expect to use the bikes.

My average speed on our bike or etandem is quite a bit lower than my average speed on a regular bike 25 years ago; and that was with standard fairly crummy centrepulls whose only redeeming feature was that they weren't as bad as sidepulls. V-brakes are quite adequate for our current usage.

I second Woosh as a good supplier of kits.

True, and hands up Im guilty of making presumptions.. But after converting my bike with V brakes, and needing to tweak the brakes frequently, (every few days!!), and staining my cream tyres with black rubber?aluminium? residue from braking, its something im quite mindful of.. 3 years of analogue cycling on the bike and the tyres remained cream in colour, it only took a few months post conversion for the staining to start..

So Yes a conversion with V brakes can work out, but not just brake block wear needs consideration now rim wear is a real issue too, And attention/maintenance is way more intensive.. this end at least..

And while i am no speed deamon, and will frequently opt for the slow give way to pedestrians route option, i am aware of taking full advantage of the motor assist frequently when conditions allow.