Converting Your Regular Cycle To An e-Cycle Is This Easy…

Riding a conventional cycle has several health benefits. Research indicates that regular cycling stimulates and strengthens your heart muscles, lowers blood fat levels and improves blood circulation, thereby reducing your risk of picking up cardiovascular diseases. But cycling regularly isn't everyone's cup of tea and you need to be fit enough to cycle to work, the shops, the park or school every day.

Electric cycles like the Lectro Electric C8 seem to be a better choice here. Tired of pedalling your lungs out? Simply switch to pedal-assist or use the throttle to amble around at city speeds. It's a simple yet effective solution. But should you invest in a new e-cycle that demands a higher upfront investment, or buy a conversion kit if you already have a regular cycle and save some cash? 

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What's a conversion kit?

Let's get the basics out of the way. A conversion kit is an assortment of parts that transform your regular cycle into an electric one. Of course, the end result is a bit crude, but the functionality is essentially the same. You will be able to use pedal assist, which offers motor assistance per revolution based on your chosen assistance level. It makes pedalling effortless. Alternatively, you could use the throttle and hit speeds of up to 25kmph based on your battery and motor setup. 

What's included in a conversion kit? 

Most kits come with a BLDC front or rear hub motor, a detachable battery (similar to the Hero Lectro WINN-X), charger, controller, throttle grip, sensors, a wheel and an LCD display which reads out information like battery level, range, speed, odo and pedal assistance mode. 

You could either opt for the entire kit, including all the above components, or a partial kit without the battery and charger setup. The latter gives you the freedom to choose your battery capacity based on your riding needs. 

What about costs? Where can you get them?

A full-fledged kit could cost around Rs 20,000 to 25,000, depending on the quality of the product and manufacturer. Partial kits would set you back around Rs 6,500 to Rs 12,000. These kits are readily available across e-commerce platforms. 

Can you install it yourself?

It takes between 20 minutes to an hour to install these kits, depending on their complexity. You can either do it yourself by simply following the instructions manual or visit your nearest cycle store and ask for assistance. 

Pros

• There's no need to invest in a brand-new e-cycle. If you love your current bike, a conversion kit could do wonders.

• It costs less than the price of an e-bike.

• It's easy to install if you simply follow the instructions to the tee. 

• You can always switch back to your old bike by removing the conversion kit. 

Cons

• Yes, it works pretty much like an e-cycle, but the feel isn't exactly up to the mark. Moreover, the fit and finish levels won’t be as good as a factory-built e-cycle.. 

• The motor and battery add to the weight of your cycle. So moving it around or carrying it uphill or upstairs will be more of a task.

• You will need to refill air in your tyres more often thanks to the extra weight. 

Is it worth it?

Yes, and no. Sure, cycling will require less effort, so you can travel longer distances at a fraction of the cost of an ICE-powered two-or four-wheeler. It's also cheaper to get a conversion kit and slap it onto your current cycle instead of investing in a brand-new e-cycle. But, the fact of the matter is, it isn't the best solution. While they might work perfectly for some, considering the budget or travel requirements, they might not meet everyone's expectations. First of all, there's no mention of any warranty and secondly, you never know how reliable these manufacturers and their after-sales services are. Thirdly, the cost difference between a brand-new e-cycle, say a Hero Lectro Electric C3, and a complete conversion kit is merely Rs 4,000 - Rs 5,000. So it really boils down to your requirements and budget.