How to Put an Electric Motor on a Rear Suspension Bike

Not everyone has the money to invest in a pre-built electric bike. However, that doesn’t mean that you have to be stuck with a traditional bike. If you’ve got the need for speed, think about modifying your regular bike by installing an electric motor. Especially if you have a rear suspension bike, this hack might be the best way to create the best e-bike, if standard electric bike models are outside of your budget.

Think About Your Riding Habits

While adding an electric motor to an existing mountain or road bike is a fairly common modification, you need to think about your riding habits as this will impact which motor you should select.

People who tend to ride on more difficult terrain will want to invest in a more powerful motor while those who want to upgrade a bike for commutes around town might not need as much power. Also, keep in mind that some motors may require additional attachments so that the motor and battery can be safely mounted on your bike. And here are the best ways to add a battery pack to your ride.

Consider the Modification Kit

The good thing about adding a motor to your bicycle is that this modification comes with a comple te kit that includes everything you need to update your ride. Conversion kits usually include the following items:

• Controller
• Motorized hub
• Battery pack

Conversion kits are typically offered for front or rear mounting. Front-mounted motors can make steering your bike more difficult. But on the other hand, if you pick a rear-mounted motor you need to confirm that it’s compatible with your bike, and won’t interfere with the gears or derailleurs. Knowing how to program your e-bike motor controller is also important here, because it determines how well the motor works with connected peripherals.

Determining Wattage

Motors are ranked by wattage, and understandably the higher the wattage the more power it can produce. But you need to consider that running at maximum power for extended periods can cause the motor to overheat which may damage performance over time.

Installing the Motor

Now that you’ve selected the appropriate motor for your bike, it’s time to begin the installation process. The steps are fairly straightforward and shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes to an hour to complete.

But you should always check with your specific conversion motor kit to ensure that you’re following the right procedures. Depending on the kit you select you’ll follow different steps. Mid-drive conversion kits focus on attaching the motor to the bike’s frame while wheel kits replace either the front or back wheel with a motorized component.

Also, keep in mind that you might need a few essential tools such as screwdrivers and socket wrenches that make the installation process easier usually won’t be included in your conversion kit.

Installing a Wheel Motor Kit

While there are several kinds of motor conversion kits for your bike, one of the most common options is the wheel motor kit. Below are the steps necessary to upgrade your bike with an electric motor using a wheel kit.

1. Remove the Rear Wheel

Regardless of which conversion kit you pick, the first step is almost always going to be removing the rear wheel since the motor is designed to be mounted in the back.

2. Replacing the Freewheel

Many conversion kits require replacing the existing freewheel on your bike with one that’s designed to accommodate specific speeds, such as a seven-speed freewheel. So, in addition to the conversion kit, you might also need to purchase a freewheel that can be used to replace your existing one.

3. Removing the Tube and Tire

If you’re planning to reuse the existing tube and tire on your bike wheel, you’ll need to safely deflate the tire, and remove both the tube and tire. Set them to the side until it’s time to reinstall them. Along with deflating the tire, note that you might need tire levers to properly remove the tire without damaging it.

4. Install the Tire and Freewheel

Now that you’ve removed the tube and tire from the old wheel, it’s time to install them on your new wheel hub. Be sure to follow the instructions accurately to prevent the freewheel from binding to the new wheel hub.

5. Installing the Wheel Back onto the Bike

At this point, your conversion project is almost done. All that’s left to do is to put the new wheel back onto your bike. Typically, your conversion kit will include the necessary washers and spacers to ensure that the bike wheel is properly attached and that there’s adequate space between the freewheel and the frame.

6. Wiring and Installing the Display and Controls

Be sure to secure the wires to the bike frame so that they’re not touching the wheel or posing a riding hazard. Next, you’ll need to install the display and controls. Normally, you’ll want to remove your handlebar grips along with the shifters and brakes.

The display can be mounted in the center of your handlebars and then decide whether you want to mount the throttle and e-brake on either your right or left handlebar. You may also have other controls such as cruise control, an additional e-brake, and possibly a speed shifter that will need to be installed. Reinstall the grips and connect all of your brake cables to finish the installation process.

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