Kit or E-Bike
$2000
vs
$1000
A list member recently mentioned that they were torn between adding an e-bike kit to their existing bicycle or purchasing a whole new e-bike. Since ours is the only shop in the area offering both, we are in a unique position to make a recommendation without prejudice.
Let’s start comparing what can be a Class I mid-drive kit from Tongsheng. That’s 85nm of torque. There are no factory e-bikes with more. They boast torque sensing, Tongsheng has torque sensing. They use cheap spring suspensions on rediculously huge and heavy frames. A kit on your existing bike will out perform anything you can buy factory wise and that doesn’t include all the ways you would, but should not, hot rod yours.
You already know you like your bike, their fit, comfort and handling. You don’t know that about any factory bike and BTW, I sell five brands.
I adore The Reid Blacktop 2.0. it is the lightest gravel ready e-bike on the market. Rocky Mountain makes the most cutting edge emtb and Surly is most versatile. Still, your bike, with a torque sensing mid-drive kit, is almost certainly going to give you better handling and range.
So, if you are ilooking to add a new bike, get a factory e-bike. By the time you purchase a good donor bike, fix it and add a kit, you haven’t gained much if anything. If you are looking to replace a bike you love, the choice is clear, add an e-bike kit.