If you want an electric bike, but you don't want to get rid of your non-electric bike, then an e-bike conversion kit might just be what you're looking for. Here we've compiled a list of our top choices of conversion kits in the UK for 2026.
We've been reviewing electric bikes for six years, reviewing hundreds of models in that time - including dozens of conversion kits. And our mission is to help you find the right model for your particular needs.
So in price-ascending order, here is our selection of the best kits to electrify your bike:
- WR-TEAM - £184.99 - Most affordable
- Livall Pikaboost2 - £245.00 - £489.99 - Best lightweight
- BAFANG BBS Series motor - £303.67 - Best mid-drive
-
ebsenopower - £389.00 - Most powerful
- Boost - £649.00 - Best rear hub conversion
- Boost Brompton - £995.00 - Best for Brompton
- Skarper - £1,495.00 - Best design
Best mid-drive: BAFANG BBS Series motor - £303.67
Weight: 3.2kg (no battery) | Range: 30-60miles (battery dependent) | Type: mid-drive motor
This kit is the most versatile kit on the list! While the battery is sold separately you can pick from a range of 11motors and four different batteries. Of course, in the UK only 250W motors are road legal meaning that if you want a bike that you can take off of private property then you are limited to a choice of two.
Pros:
- Keep your current wheels.
- Fits a range of bikes.
- Can choose from a range of different powered batteries.
Cons:
- The battery is sold separately.
- Relative to other conversion kits, it is on the heavy side.
- The low slung motor doesn't offer much clearance under the bottom bracket for large obstacles.
- Batteries start at £139.00 and you can pick from a 48V or a 36V battery.
- Handlebar displays are also available at additional costs, starting at £15.
The kit fits a range of bikes with brackets of 68-73 mm,100mm, 120mm length, and 33.5-36 mm inner diameter. It is only suitable for bikes with chain drive systems equipped with carbon disc brakes.
Ultimately, this is a bit more of a built-it-yourself kit insofar as you have to buy all of the parts as extras but it does give you free reign on the type of e-bike that you will be converting your currency bike to!
Most affordable: WR-TEAM: £184.99
Weight: 12kg | Range: variable | Type: hub motor
Pros:
- Most inexpensive
- Easy to install
Cons:
- Battery sold separately
- Heavier than other alternatives
If you're looking for the cheapest way to turn your existing bike into an ebike, this WR-TEAM conversion kit is a great place to start. Available for 27.5-inch wheels, it uses a rear hub motor and includes the controller, display and all the essential hardware needed for installation. It's a straightforward option for riders who want electric assistance without spending a fortune on a brand-new ebike.
One thing to keep in mind is that the battery is sold separately, so you'll need to factor that into the total cost. The overall range will depend entirely on the battery you choose, giving you the flexibility to prioritise either a lower price or longer rides. At around 12kg, it isn't the lightest conversion kit on the market, but for riders on a budget it's still excellent value for money.
Most powerful: ebsenopower - £389.00
Weight: Approx. 13kg | Range: Variable | Type: Rear hub motor
Pros:
- Powerful 3000W rear hub motor
- Complete conversion kit with LCD display
- Excellent acceleration and hill-climbing performance
Cons:
- Battery sold separately
- Heavier than lower-powered alternatives
- Not legal on UK roads, for use on private land only
If outright power is what you're after, this PEXMOR 3000W conversion kit is one of the most powerful options you'll find. Designed to transform a standard bicycle into a seriously capable electric ride, it comes complete with a rear hub motor, controller, LCD display and all the key components needed for installation. It's an ideal choice for experienced riders looking for faster acceleration and plenty of torque.
Like most conversion kits, you'll need to buy a compatible battery separately, meaning the overall range will depend on the capacity you choose. The extra power also comes with added weight, so don't expect the lightest setup. However, if performance is your priority and you want to build an ebike that packs a punch, this kit offers excellent value.
Best lightweight: Livall Pikaboost2 - £245.00 - £489.99
Weight: 3kg | Range: up to 43miles | Type: all-in-one friction drive
The Pikaboost2 combines the motor and battery into one single unit which not only makes it sleek, but self-contained and easy to install. The system uses Livall’s adaptive assist technology which automatically adjusts motor output depending on how fast you’re pedalling.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Easy to install
- Multiple power modes
Cons:
- There can be slippage in wet conditions
The kit is also really lightweight, weighing in at 3kg, meaning that it doesn't dramatically alter the feeling of your bike. Especially when you're not riding it, your bike is still easy enough to maneuver or carry upstairs if necessary.
The kit also uses regenerative braking to recharge the battery as you cycle. This technology converts kinetic energy from braking into energy that can be fed back into the battery. This is great for keeping your battery life topped up while you are out.
The kit has two editions: the Lite and the Powerful. The Lite comes with one riding mode while the Powerful has three! These three include regular assist, cruise mode, and workout mode.
Workout mode was definitely my favorite aspect of this kit, and it’s something that I have never been offered on other conversion kits. In this mode, every pedal stroke becomes a challenge because the motor creates resistance! This meant that, when I wanted to, I could really feel a burn through my legs and get a workout in on the way home from work. Every pedal in this mode also generates energy that is stored in the kit’s battery.
Like with all friction systems, the Pikaboost2 is victim to dropping traction in wet conditions. It didn’t render the kit entirely unusable in wet conditions but I definitely felt some slippage and was not getting as much assist as I was in the dry.
Best rear hub conversion: Boost - £649.00
Weight: 4kg | Range: 35miles | Type: hub motor
The Boost Kit is a rear wheel motor kit that is built by the company's experts to fit your bike’s specifications.
Pros:
- Comes with a key to lock your battery.
- Fits to a range of bikes.
Cons:
- Does not come with a wireless display for the handlebars, this is an extra.
The battery is a 252Wh 36v LG cell bottle-style battery that fits into a battery mount cage. Bolts to attach the cage to the bottle mount are included in the kit.
The battery also has an On/Off button so you can switch the motor off and on as you please without having to remove the battery itself. So if you feel like you are fine on the flat and want to save some of your charge for those hills you can just reach down and electrify your ride when you want.
Once you have received your bespoke motorised rear wheel you can either fit the kit yourself or take it to one of the many Boost affiliated bike shops across the country. The kit is fairly simple to fit yourself: it's a matter of fitting the wheel and battery cage and then connecting two wires that connect the battery cage and motor.
Best for Brompton: Boost Brompton - £995.00
Weight: 2.5kg | Range: 30miles | Type: hub motor
Boost also makes a kit for Brompton bikes. Just like they do for the standard kit, your wheel and battery is built to your exact specification.
Pros:
- Maintains the true ride feel of the Brompton bike.
Cons:
- It takes 2-4 weeks to build and fit.
- The battery is fixed to the bike and cannot be removed for charging.
It comes with a fixed 126Wh battery. This means that the battery is really small and compact, out of the way and not affecting the handling feel of your Brompton, but it does also mean that it cannot be removed for easy charging.
The motor definitely gives the Brompton a ‘Boost’ but it doesn't alter the feel of the bike, and the kit accentuates the nimble handling of the Brompton.
This authentic feeling Boost kit means that you still have your trusty commuter Brompton, but you can go further and perhaps faster using less effort.
Though this kit is pricier than the standard Boost kit it is a much cheaper option than selling your existing Brompton and buying a brand new electric Brompton.
Best design: Skarper - £1,495.00
Weight: 4.5kg | Range: 30miles | Type: contact motor
Skarper’s conversion kit is designed to be easy to click on and off, so the change from your regular bike to an e-bike is not permanent. The motor is there for when you need it, but if you don't, then your regular bike is back within seconds.
Pros:
- Easy to fit and remove.
- All in one battery and motor.
- Has a DynamicClimb pedal sensor (that knows you're on a hill, before you do).
Cons:
- It cannot be fitted with a kickstand.
- Fairly premium price.
- Noisy compared to most e-bike motors, but not intrusively so.
You could even share the motor between two bikes if, for example, you and a partner don't ride at the same time or have the same sized bike, but both want an e-bike. (Both bikes must be fitted with the Skarper DiskDrive which can be bought separately.)
The easy click-on click-off design of this kit does mean that it is built for daily rides and commuting on tarmac, gravel, and light trails, and will not necessarily be able to withstand off roading adventuring.
The battery takes 2.5 hours to charge to full and has a range of 6-9miles on a half an hour charge.
The Skarper kit does not come with a wireless handle bar display for remote control but you can control the battery another way. To activate Skaper’s ‘Pause Mode’, simply back pedal three times to send Skarper to conserve battery when electric assist is not needed. To reactivate, simply backpedal three times again to go back to assisted riding.
While this is perhaps the easiest kit to fit, Skarper does offer free professional installation if you want to really make sure that everything is fitted correctly and securely.
