Hub motor conversions

Is a hub motor the right choice for you?

How does it work?

The front wheel of the bike is replaced with a new wheel with a motor integrated into the hub at the centre.

Battery

The motor won't be able to spin without energy - here's where the battery comes in. Usually fitted as bottle form on the frame, but saddle pack batteries also available (see below).

Drive

The unique speed sensor and gyroscope of the LVBU system detect whether you are accelerating, braking, or going up or down a hill - and intelligently deliver power accordingly.

Control

You control the level of assistance you require from an app on your phone - connected to the system via Bluetooth. A remote bluetooth display is also available as an option.

Pros and Cons

Hub motors vs mid mount conversions

Advantages

Simpler design with fewer parts means lower cost.
Installation is also less complex, meaning further savings can be passed on.
Usually adds less weight to the bike.
The LVBU setup has anti-theft measures including remote-disabling of the bike, alarm and tracking.

Disadvantages

Motors have less torque than mid mount options.
Less effective power delivery than a mid mount setup.
Smaller batteries mean less weight, but also less range.
Adds weight to either the front or rear of the bike (rather than centrally like a mid-mount).

Is a hub motor right for you?

If you have a folding bike, hub (Sturmey Archer type) gears, or a dutch style bike, it's the only choice! Otherwise if you don't need huge range and just want more help getting up hills (or not arriving at work sweaty!) then it might be exactly what you need.

Our hub motor options

We use LVBU systems for our hub motor conversions as we feel they offer the best blend of performance, technology, reliability and price. Compared to a Swytch kit, they offer more range, better integrated technology and far better availability and service.

The Swytch-Buster

The KN20S kit, featuring a 250W (35Nm) front motor wheel and a 5.8Ah (210Wh) battery.

Motor

Rather than using a cadence sensor to detect your pedal strokes and add power, the LVBU system cleverly uses a combination of gyroscope and wheel speed sensor to detect how much power you need - and then intelligently delivers it according to your setting in the app.

Battery

The KN and KF models use a bottle battery style with and LED power display on the top. It's lockable onto the bike and easily removable for charging, via the supplied USB-C connector.

Price & Upgrades

£645 fully installed with 12 months warranty.

Bluetooth display: + £35
350W motor upgrade: + £30 (see FAQ re regulations)
8.7Ah (315Wh) battery: + £50

Bluetooth connectivity

The Wepower app connects to the bike through Bluetooth, enabling you to adjust the level of power assistance, record distance, speed and temperature, and also track and disable the bike remotely in case of theft.

Battery selection

The batteries are available in black, silver, red and blue anodised options to match your bike.

Compatibility

Wheel sizes from 12"-29" are catered for, meaning unusual or folding bikes are still easy to convert.

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How Does it Compare to a Swytch Kit?

To ride, the kits will feel quite similar in terms of power and response. However the LVBU kit has a 16% larger battery (5.8Ah vs 5Ah) - countering one of the common criticisms of the Swytch kit - range.

This is even more obvious when you look at the upgraded battery options:

Swytch PRO: 7Ah, + £125
LVBU KF30: 8.7Ah, + £50

Swytch kits have a handlebar mounted battery, while our LVBU options include either bottle battery or saddle bag battery (see below).

Our LVBU kits also have Bluetooth to connect and control the assistance from your phone - something the Swytch kits do not have.

The LVBU system's security features, including remote tracking and disabling of the bike, are also unique.

Finally, the most frequent criticisms of Swytch are product availability and customer service. Orders for new Swytch kits can take 6 months, and customer service if anything goes wrong has reportedly been very poor. Our kits have common wheel sizes in UK stock, which can be delivered in a week. If there isn't UK stock, then it can be shipped in around 6-8 weeks (vs 6 months!).

The Rangemaster

The KD30S kit, featuring a 250W (35Nm) motor and a 8.7Ah (315Wh) saddle bag battery. Available as a front or rear hub option.

Motor

The same unit fitted to the KN20S kit above, featuring 250W and 35Nm torque in standard set up. It also shares the same bluetooth connectivity, phone controls & theft protection through the app.

Battery

The KD models use a saddle battery style available in two different styles. As standard it has a 8.7Ah (315Wh) capacity and is easily removable for charging. This model suits bicycles which don't have water bottle mounts, like foldable or dutch style bikes. As standard, expect a 35 mile range when using medium power.

Price & Upgrades

£695 fully installed with 12 months warranty.

Bluetooth display: + £35
350W motor upgrade: + £30 ((see FAQ re regulations)
11.6Ah (420Wh) battery: + £50

Optional battery case

Both styles function in the same way - attached via a buckle to the underside of the seat and connected to the system via an easily detachable cable for removal. Note this system is not lockable, unlike the bottle type.

Low friction motor

With some motor designs pedalling once your battery is dead is REALLY hard work. Not so with this low friction brushless design with planetary gear and clutch. If your battery does run out, pedalling is still a breeze.

Accessories

If you don't want to control the bike from your phone, then a bluetooth display is available - as is a wireless cadence sensor which changes the way the bike delivers power (according to your pedal strokes).

Need more power or range?

Whilst hub motor conversions are extremely cost effective and will rock your world if you're only used to pedal power, there are further advantages to venturing into the world of the mid drive conversion - if your bike is compatible (most are).

Why go mid drive?

Any questions?

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We love a nerdy (no obligation!) chat about ebike specifications and upgrades, so if there's something you'd like to discuss, drop us an email or give us a call.

We are:

London eBike Conversions
83 Anson Road
Willesden Green
London
NW2 4AB

email: hello 'at' ebikeconversionslondon.co.uk
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landline: 020 8452 5474
whatsapp: 07426 754284

Note: visits are by appointment only. Call or message on WhatsApp business number above.