Converting a normal bike to an e-bike

Published: Apr 21, 2026 | Last edited: Apr 21, 2026


Why would you want to do this?

I am doing this because it would be a very good learning experience and teach me a BUNCH of stuff about electronics and batteries as well as (hopefully) build something that can actually move around.

Batteries are often the most expensive part of the entire build - building these yourself can save some money but at a risk of starting a fire that is difficult to put out and potentialy cause more damage to other parts.

The parts are still pretty expensive but nowhere near the cost of a new e-bike - plus I can modify this however I want, something that the store-bought e-bikes mostly cannot without the same or more work than converting / building one yourself. I can also go however fast I want (while not neccessarily legal in the UK to go above 30 MPH (average UK law nowadays - no fun allowed!) - it still has the possibility to do so which I like).

Parts

Here is a list of the parts that I have bought in order to build the bike:

  • Bike (any bike / bike frame with wheels & gears etc…)
  • Motor (mine is a kunray 72V 3000W brushless motor)
  • Controller (came with the motor)
  • Battery (either pre-built or made yourself - I did the latter option)
  • Cells (if making the battery yourself (I chose the 18650 EVE 25SP 2500mAh 20A batteries))
  • 2x XT-S 90 connectors (For connecting the; charger, battery and controller easily)
  • Pure nickel strips 2.0 mm (we need thicker than normal as we are pushing a large ammount of energy through it.

TBD