DIY Conversion or a Pre-Engineered E-Bike?
Considering an electric conversion on your fat tire bike? Conversion kits are an excellent way to add power and performance, leaving you with a frame you already enjoy. This article will help you get started with all the information you need, from how the fundamental technology operates to how to choose the right kit for your situation. We have recommendations and advice that covers everything to help you build a fantastic do-it-yourself bicycle. Do you want to construct it yourself, or are you looking for a solution that is already perfectly engineered? To begin, you must decide whether or not you wish to convert an existing bicycle. The ENGWE M20 is a vehicle that was designed from the ground up. Because it has been carefully matched and tuned, this eliminates the need for guesswork and error on your part. One of the key benefits of factory-designed systems is that they produce some components or systems that are difficult to replicate using a kit. For example, a custom-designed dual suspension system, which includes a front hydraulic shock and a rear air shock absorber, absorbs more than twice the impact of a single suspension on rough terrain. Routine riding on bumpy surfaces is very comfortable because the seat and person only experience a quarter of the bump. Range anxiety is a key drawback to a DIY build. With 75km+75km maximum range due to an optional 48V 26Ah dual-battery, the ENGWE M20 has you completely covered. Each part is designed to work with the others: the powerful brushless motor, which produces 55 N.m of torque; the 20 x 4.0-inch triple-layer fat tires, which have excellent comfort for unmatched grip, balance, and rolling resistance; and the dual-disc brake system on the 160mm thickening disc, which keeps you under complete control and can stop you on a dime.
Understanding the Core Components
So, before you can choose a kit, you must understand its core components. Getting this right is crucial for a successful and safe conversion. Each part plays a crucial role in how your e-bike will perform, so familiarize yourself with the terminology and technology. This knowledge will allow you to choose a kit that feels like a natural evolution of your bike – while a poorly fitted kit will lead to a poor experience and frustration. The core components include:
Motor
This is the heart of your conversion. For fat bikes, you have two options. Hub motors are designs built into the hub of the front or rear wheel and rear hub motors are more common on e-fat bikes, creating a ‘pushing’ feeling. They are typically more convenient and cheaper than their mid-drive counterparts. Mid-drive motors are designs that mount at the bike’s bottom bracket, driving the chain directly. This allows the motor to take advantage of the bike’s existing gears, making it ideal for climbing steep inclines and technical trails.
Battery
Your fuel tank. Key specs are Voltage and Amp-hours. A 48V system is a common standard in fat bikes and is more than sufficient. Amp-hours will determine your range and the further you can travel while spending one charge.
Controller
The brain of the system. It is the bridge between the throttle, your pedal assist sensor, and the motor, meaning it processes the amount of power the motor delivers. Kits usually come with controllers fitted with the motor and battery, so you do not need to choose this separately.
Display and Controls
The display shows you information on speed, battery, and assist level. Controls usually include a thumb or twist throttle for burst power and a Pedal Assist System sensor that engages the motor automatically as you pedal.
Hub Motor Kit Recommendations
For most riders, a high-quality hub motor kit is the best compromise between performance, cost, and ease of installation. As previously stated, these systems are ideal for converting a fat bike into a competent commuter, beach cruiser, or a relatively all-terrain vehicle on mild trails. As a result, they may be installed with fewer specialist tools than chainring systems, and they keep the bike’s original drivetrain, which means they’re simpler to diagnose. The following is a list of high-quality suggestions for using a hub motor kit:
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Bafang Geared Hub Motor Kits Rear Wheel
Bafang is a well-known name in the e-bike market. Among fat bike riders, their 750W and 1000W geared rear hub motors are renowned for their dependability and high pulling strength.
Key Strengths: Excellent for fast climbing, lightweight for a hub motor, readily available with excellent community backing hands-on experience for debugging.
Ideal For: All scenarios, from urban commuting to trail riding.
Pro Tip: Double-check the wheel diameter – 20-inch or 26-inch – and the drop-out width – usually 175 mm or 190 mm for a fat bike – to ensure the unit is appropriate for your frame.
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AW Rear Wheel Conversion Kit
Commonly regarded as a top-value offer, the AW kit provides established kits that serve as a perfect e-bike conversion gateway.
Key Strengths: Excellent purchase price, everything arrives in one pack – wheel with a motor, controller and display, throttles, and effortless installation.
Ideal For: Riders who desire to keep their expenses to a minimum and stay near flat terrain or have no work expertise.
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Voilamart Fat Tire E-Bike Kit
Voilamart also makes affordable and full conversion kits that are simple to purchase and popular with at-home mechanics due to their simplicity.
Key Strengths: Cost competitiveness, dual-mode controllers work both with and without a Hall sensor, which improves dependability.
Ideal For: Common leisure travel and for no-fuss riders.
Mid-Drive Motor Kit Recommendations
If maximum performance is your priority, especially for climbing the steepest of hills and taking on the most technical trails, and you want to exploit the full potential of your off-road monster, a mid-drive motor kit is the way to go. By driving the crankset, these motors leverage your bike’s gears, allowing them to operate at their maximum RPM range, which gives several advantages such as superior torque, and better weight distribution for optimal handling. The installation process is more complex and requires specific tools, but the performance gains are staggering for the most dedicated enthusiasts.
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Bafang BBSHD
The undisputed king of high-power DIY mid-drive kits. This robust, overbuilt motor is designed to take extreme power and stress.
Strengths: Massive torque, highly programmable, incredibly durable.
Perfect For: Off-road use, cargo bikes, riders who demand extreme power.
Pro Tip: A crank puller and a specific BBSHD bottom bracket tool are required. Ensure your bike’s chain and drivetrain are also in good condition as they will be subjected to more stress.
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Bafang BBS02
The BBSHD’s little brother is probably the most common mid-drive kit in the world. This kit has the perfect combination of power, efficiency, and cost.
Strengths: Suitable for most users, less weight than the BBSHD, decent range and performance.
Best Suited To: All users, mountain bikers who want more power.
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CYC Motor X1 Pro Gen 3
CYC is a high-end kit manufacturer known for providing the lightest possible power. This kit is smoother and lighter while putting out a sizable amount of power.
Strengths: High torque, very compact, uses an innovative and rugged design.
Best For: High-performance riders, mountain bikers, and those who use innovative methods.
Pre-Purchase Checks and Final Advice
Yet, the key to success largely depends on thorough planning and scrupulous attention to details. Before buying the kit, consider the pre-installation check; it will ultimately save your time, money, and nerves. Although beginners often make the most frequent mistake of haste at this stage, only several useful tips are needed for you to select better-quality components and build in such a way that you do not overpay.
Essential Pre-Purchase Compatibility Checks:
- Dropout spacing for hub motors: Use a ruler or a pair of calipers to assess the inward distance between the inner faces of your frame’s rear dropouts. Typically, for fat bikes, it is 175mm or 190mm, so your motor’s proper axle width should be adjusted to match it accordingly.
- Bottom bracket for mid-drives: Measure the width of your bike’s bottom bracket shell. Fat bikes mostly have wide shells, and you should buy a mid-drive kit that was directly designed for such width, i.e., 100mm or 120mm.
- Brake type: Identify if you have mechanical or hydraulic brakes; most kits are sold with levers in-built with a motor cutoff switch. However, it only works with mechanical brakes, and you would have to buy separate brake sensors for hydraulic brakes.
- Battery mounting space: Check how much of a “main triangle” your frame’s area has. If there is not enough space left, a rack-mounted battery may be adopted instead of a shark- or dolphin-type.
Tips for Quality and Savings:
- Source a Quality Battery. The battery is the most expensive component. Do not skimp here. Your best investment for safety and longevity is buying from a reputable supplier using genuine cells – Samsung, LG or Panasonic.
- Buy a Complete Kit. It’s almost always cheaper and easier to buy a complete, bundled kit from a single vendor than it is to source each component individually.
- Invest in a Torque Arm. For hub motors over 500W, especially on aluminum frames, installing one or two torque arms is a safety step you can’t afford to skip for preventing the motor’s axle from spinning out and severely damaging your frame.
| Feature Comparison | Hub Motor Kits | Mid-Drive Motor Kits |
|---|---|---|
| Installation Difficulty | Easier | More Complex |
| Performance on Hills | Good | Excellent |
| Weight Distribution | Concentrated at wheel | Centralized and low |
| Drivetrain Wear | Minimal | Increased |
| Ride Feel | Feels like being pushed | Natural, like powerful legs |
| Cost | Generally more affordable | Generally more expensive |
FAQs
Q: How much power do I need for my fat tire bike?
A: For general use and moderate hills, a 750W kit strikes a great balance of power and efficiency. But if you’re tackling very steep terrain or have very heavy loads, a 1000W kit makes sense – just make sure to check with your local e-bike laws on motor limits.
Q: Can I install a conversion kit on any fat tire bike frame?
A: While most frames are compatible, many prefer steel frames for their strength and durability. Be sure to always check the critical compatibility checks for dropout spacing with a hub motor or bottom bracket size with a mid-drive motor before buying any kit.
Q: Can I ride my converted e-bike in the rain?
A: It is worth noting that almost all e-bike conversion kits are remarkably resilient to water. In other words, you can ride the bike in the rain without it having any noticeable effect on its performance. However, the device is not fully water-resistant. Do not submerge the motor or battery. And under no circumstances use a high-pressure washer to clean your bike. In the end, your conversion kit will revolutionize the way you ride and expand the horizons of your adventures with it.
