Electric bicycles, better known as ebikes, have grown significantly in popularity in the last few years. And with more people turning to greener modes of transportation, the market for new ebikes and ebike conversions will likely only continue to grow. If you’ve just heard the term but nothing more, you’re probably wondering what the heck an ebike is. Though they can have a lot of extra bells and whistles, an ebike at its core is simply a pedal bicycle equipped with a battery-powered motor. The motor provides an added boost that makes pedaling less strenuous, particularly when riding uphill or into the wind. One of the best parts about the motor is that you can recharge it. No gas needed — just plug it in to add more juice. Ebikes offer numerous benefits. Not requiring gas to run means they help reduce your carbon footprint. Riding longer distances is easier, too, so you may not have to rely on your car as much. Ride to work or the store without worrying about getting all sweaty — and get in a little cardio while you’re at it. When it comes to getting an ebike, you have a couple of options. One is to purchase a pre-made bike, which is already assembled and ready to go when you buy it. Your other option is to get a conversion kit to turn your existing bicycle into an electric one. Unsure of which way to go? Here are five reasons to consider an ebike conversion. 1. You Save Money One of the most significant benefits of converting your current bicycle to an ebike is that it saves you money. Cost varies greatly between different types of ebikes, but the average cost of a pre-built road ebike is around $4,750. Some ebikes, however, can reach almost $10,000. But there’s no need to buy a whole new ebike when you already have a functional bicycle. If you have a perfectly good conventional bike sitting in your garage or basement, you already have a great base! At Ebike Essentials, you can purchase a complete front hub motor kit and battery for $699.99 or a 1,000-watt BBSHD mid-drive motor kit and battery for $999.99. You’ll find batteries for less than $700 and a vast array of affordable parts to help you perform your ebike conversion. While you do need to charge your ebike, the cost to charge is substantially less than the cost of gas. Additionally, if you start taking your bike instead of your car, you’ll have less wear and tear on your four-wheeled vehicle, saving you money on maintenance. So, while you do have the initial investment of buying parts, you’ll still pay much less than you would for a pre-made ebike. And some of the money you save by not buying a whole bike can go toward a much more powerful motor than you would find in even mid-range pre-built ebikes. While Bafang offers motors of up to 1,000 watts, the average pre-built ebike is only rated at around 250 to 300 watts. 2. Ebikes Offer the Same Physical Health Benefits as Regular Bikes Riding a bike is an excellent form of exercise, but there’s a common belief that ebikes take away from the benefits of cycling. After all, you have the assistance of a motor to help you power up steep hills and through other conditions. Studies show, however, that riding an ebike still offers great health benefits. Just like with a conventional bicycle, riding an ebike reduces your risk of heart disease and improves your overall well-being. It’s also a low-impact form of exercise, which means that it’s easy on your joints. While you might not have to work as hard to climb a steep hill, you still have to exert some effort. Working those muscles burns calories, keeping your body fit and healthy. 3. You Reduce Your Carbon Footprint Bicycles, including ebikes, are a great way to reduce your impact on the environment. For one, you don’t need to fill them up with gas to make them run. While your ebike does require electricity to recharge the battery, it has a much smaller footprint than a car. And, since an ebike lets you go further than you might otherwise go on your own, you’ll be more likely to take it more often. The less you use your car, the better it is for the planet. 4. Biking Is More Enjoyable with an Ebike The thing about exercise, including cycling, is that it requires commitment and a lot of effort. For many of us, even getting psyched up enough to exercise can be challenging. Cycling makes you sweaty and sore. Where’s the fun in that? Well, an ebike conversion puts the fun back into riding your bike. While you still have to push yourself some, the electric motor gives you the extra boost you need to conquer tough climbs and terrain. The great thing is that you won’t get nearly as sweaty, and you’re less likely to tire out as quickly. You’ll be able to go longer distances while having a lot more fun riding around, whether you’re going to and from work or taking a trek around your local trails. 5. You Get the Satisfaction of Converting Your Bike Yourself If you love all things DIY and working with your hands, you know how immensely satisfying it is when you complete a project on your own. Converting your conventional bike into an ebike can provide you with that same sense of satisfaction. Ebike Essentials provides all the ebike manuals and installation guides you’ll need to complete your conversion and get your newly converted ebike up and running properly. Then when someone asks you where you got your ebike, you can proudly proclaim that you did it yourself. Convert Your Bike to an Ebike with Help from Ebike Essentials While you could go out and buy a pre-made ebike, an ebike conversion offers many more benefits. You save money by keeping the bike you already have while making biking a much more enjoyable (and accessible) transportation option. Plus, you get the satisfaction of knowing you did the conversion yourself, which is pretty amazing on its own. If you’re thinking about converting your bike to an ebike, Ebike Essentials has what you need to get the job done. Check out our shop to see all that we have to offer. And, if you have any questions, feel free to contact us for more information.
