How to Choose the Right EBike Conversion Kit for You? Hub Motor Kit vs. Friction Drive EBike Kit vs. EBike Torque Sensor Kit

As cycling becomes an increasingly important way to promote green travel and healthy recreation worldwide, more and more riders are considering converting bike to ebike with an electric assist ebikekit conversion system. Compared with purchasing a complete skarper ebike, an ebike kit offers lower cost, greater flexibility, and the ability to keep the comfort and familiarity of your existing bike. This makes the electric bicycle kit an increasingly popular choice. However, when it comes to selecting the right ebike conversion, many riders find themselves asking: should I choose an electric hub motor kit, a friction drive electric bike kit, or a torque sensor ebike kit—and which one is truly best for me?

As an innovative company in the field of ebike diy, Lvbu factory develops and manufactures multiple series of e bike kits, offering a variety of battery capacities to choose from. LvBu factory can provide classic ebike hub motor kit, cost-effective friction ebike kit, and more intelligent ebike kit with torque sensor, covering a wide range of needs from daily commuting to advanced performance cycling. In this article, we will take a closer look at all three options, helping users clearly understand the differences and make the best choice when selecting an electric cycle kit.

1. Ordinary E Bike Hub Motor Kit— A Stable and Reliable All-Round EBike Solution
Front hub motor kit with battery is currently the most widely used type of ebike modification system on the market, and Lvbu’s KN20S series swytch bike kit builds upon this foundation with multiple optimizations. The result is a flagship product that strikes an ideal balance between reliability and riding experience, making the kn20s electric assist bike kit a standout choice for a wide range of cyclists.

An electric hub motor wheel integrates the motor directly into the bicycle wheel, once installed, it is neatly hidden inside the hub and looks very similar to a regular bicycle wheel. The electric motor for bicycle in the KN series swytch electric bike adopt a brushless geared design, ensuring smooth operation, high efficiency, and ultra-low noise. Compared with friction drive ebike, bicycle hub motor does not cause additional tire wear and is not affected by rainy weather or slippery road conditions that could otherwise reduce assist performance.

LVBU KN series swytch kit is available in multiple wheel sizes, including 16", 20", 24”, 26", 27.5”, 29” 700C(28”), making it compatible with a wide range of bicycles, such as converting folding bike to electric, converting road bike to ebike, and converting mountain bike to ebike. Installation is straightforward—users simply replace the front or rear wheel with the front and rear hub motor e bike to complete most of the setup. With quick-connect cables, the swytch battery and controller can be connected easily and clearly, making the installation process very beginner-friendly.

The KN series electric bike conversion kit comes in different power options, including 250W and 350W. The 250W bicycle motor kit is more than sufficient for everyday commuting needs, while the 350W electric bike motor kit provides stronger support for more challenging road conditions and moderate climbs. With the intelligent controller, riders can adjust the assist levels through the mobile app [WePower] or a wireless ebikeling lcd display [DW03T], allowing them to easily switch between energy-saving modes and maximum power assistance for a more personalized riding experience.

Once the KN swytch ebike kit is installed, the most immediate impression riders have is that “cycling becomes much easier.” During city commutes, the bicycle electric motor kit delivers power smoothly without any sudden or jarring surges. On longer rides, the continuous assistance significantly reduces physical strain, enabling riders to comfortably cover dozens—or even hundreds—of kilometers that might have felt exhausting on a traditional bicycle.

The KN diy electric bike kit is suitable for the majority of riders, including:
-Daily commuters
-City riders who also enjoy occasional long-distance trips
-Cyclists who want a one-time upgrade for long-term, stable use.
In short: If you don’t want to overthink your options, the KN swytch ebike conversion kit is by far the most reliable and worry-free choice.

2. Bike Friction Drive Kit — Beginner-Friendly but Functionally Limited Trial Option
DIY electric bike friction drive is among the earliest electric bike solutions. The principle is simple: the motor drives the wheel by directly contacting the tire surface via a friction roller. Lvbu RN series electric friction motor for bicycle is designed as a lightweight and economical e-bike solution for entry-level users.

The core advantage of diy friction drive ebike is the cheap price and simple installation. There’s no need to remove the wheel or replace any parts, you only need to secure the electric bike friction motor kit in an appropriate position on the frame and let the electric bike friction drive contact the tire surface. The entire process usually takes just 10 minutes, making it extremely user-friendly for beginners.

E bike friction drive kit is often priced lower than bafang hub motor kit and torque sensing mid drive kit, making it the top choice for those on a budget or anyone wanting a low-cost introduction to add electric assist to bike. For users who only plan to ride occasionally, they offer an economical and practical entry-level option.

During everyday flat-road rides, the assistance from an electric friction drive bicycle kit can reduce pedaling effort. However, in wet conditions, the electric friction drive bicycle motor kit may cause slipping. Additionally, due to the nature of friction-driven propulsion, noise levels tend to be higher, and long-term use can accelerate tire wear; you’ll need to change the tire after 5000km riding.

Friction drive bike kit electric is especially suitable for:
-Riders who want to try pedal assist conversion on a low budget
-Those who occasionally use their bike for short trips and don’t pursue a high-end experience
-Complete beginners with no installation experience
In short: friction drive ebike conversion kit serves as a “stepping stone” to experience diy pedal assist, but they are not ideal for long-term, high-frequency use.

3. Torque-Sensor Kits — Intelligent and Natural High-End Experience
When it comes to riding experience, smoothness and natural feel are key concerns for many users. Standard front wheel hub motor kit relies on an additional cadence sensor, which can sometimes cause delays or abrupt surges in assist power. In contrast, the ebike kit torque sensor detects the rider’s pedaling force in real time, delivering an intelligent experience of “assist as much as you pedal.”

The torque sensor ebike kit integrates the bbs02 torque sensor and cadence sensor directly inside the motor, allowing it to capture the rider’s pedaling force and cadence, and instantly calculate and deliver the corresponding assist. This approach makes the bbs02 torque motor’s intervention feel much more natural, as if the rider’s legs are being “instantly enhanced,” rather than being forcibly pushed along.

Compared to bafang front hub motor kit, the LVBU KN20S ebike torque sensor kit delivers a much smoother assist. Riders experience no noticeable delays or sudden changes in speed. Especially during starts, climbs, and long rides, the ebike kit torque sensor precisely allocates power, allowing users to maintain a comfortable rhythm at all times. Thanks to its intelligent power distribution, the ebike kit with torque sensor also achieves higher battery efficiency. With the same battery capacity, it often provides longer range—a significant advantage for long-distance riders or those with limited battery capacity.

The LVBU torque sensor ebike kit is designed for users seeking a high-quality riding experience:
-Long-distance or performance cycling enthusiasts
-Those who value a natural riding feel
-Riders with high demands for power efficiency and range
In short: the ebike torque sensor kit represents the premium end of electric bike conversion, offering an experience closest to that of a factory-built e-bike.

Diy ebike conversion is not simply about “adding an electric motor for bike conversion”; it’s about giving riders more choices and freedom. Lvbu KN series e bike conversion kit with battery covers a complete range—from classic dual hub motor ebike kit to intelligent torque-sensor electric wheel kit systems—while the friction drive electric bike conversion kit serves as an entry-level option, collectively meeting the needs of virtually every type of rider.

If you want stability and reliability, choose the KN20S bicycle hub motor kit;
If you want a low-cost introduction, the RN20A friction e bike kit is a great starting point;
If you want the most natural and intelligent high-end experience, go for the KN20S ebike kit with torque sensor.

No matter which option you choose, the right bike conversion kit can make your rides easier, more efficient, and much more enjoyable.