Professional E bike conversions

[Hedgesteeper]

I am considering setting up a business fitting e bike motors to bikes with the customer sourcing the kit. Does anyone on here know of any pitfalls to watch out for?. I have already done one conversion for a friend which went very well after the bike had a brake service.

 

[richtea99]

Off the top of my head, here are a couple of risks:

1) you don't have a quality control over the parts, yet you have to accept back any faulty units. That means you need a good working relationship with the OEM, in terms of being able to return kit.

2) the customer abusing the system/bike - accidentally or otherwise. Many people don't take care of their bikes. Educating them will be part of your costs in terms of time (as opposed to building stuff). This can be offset by offering reasonably priced servicing to make sure they keep working, and guarantees you some ongoing income.

 

[Nealh]

He's only offering a fitting /conversion service, not supplying any of the motor kit.

 

[guerney]

I've often wondered if small ebike conversion services have indemnity insurance, in case a pedal hacks off a leg or customers get electrocuted in the rain... or something. Of course, defending against lawsuits is expensive. Would getting customers to sign a relase and non-disclosure agreement prevent lawsuits? It's quite a litigious society these days.

 

[Hedgesteeper]

Teaching customers to finish off the conversion themselves is what I have in mind, but I am open to other suggestions.

 

[georgehenry]

Although I have never used them, this company was recommended by other pedelec members and seems a professional outfit.

https://www.brightonebikes.co.uk/

https://www.brightonebikes.co.uk/gallery.html

 

[richtea99]

He's only offering a fitting /conversion service, not supplying any of the motor kit.

Quite right - my mistake.

When the system goes wrong, the first point of call will be Hedgesteeper though - not the vendor of the kit. That support will need factoring in.

 

[Nealh]

We do need kit converters or fault finders for basic non proprietary kits, but as business model I personally don't see it as being a real money maker or proper earning opportunity.
A network of good knowledgeable of hobby fault finders for a bit of pocket money/ repair fee in return for time and parts for repairs could sort out a lot of niggly problem bikes.
Tbh with most bikes one would best advise such an owner to spend £80 -£100 + a couple hours of labour to simply replace any electric kit on a hub bike with a decent Kuenteng electric kit.
Most hubs conversions bring up various issues and not all frame drop outs are suitable to just drop in a hub motor without work, once done most may well render the frame useless for repurposing later as a normal pushbike.

Tbh for most hub bikes a front light motor for a bit of extra power is more then ample then a rear hub where very steep terrain ins't encountered.

My small 1.6kg front hub quite happily pulls 150 - 170kg of rider and cargo with a trailer.