Electrical bicycle: Selection of Components and Retrofitting

This review article is to guide the components selection for the retrofitting of a conventional bicycle into Electrical motor operated cycle (E-cycle). Secondary objective is to compare and discuss the performance, ease of driving, ease of breaking, ease of assembling and safety aspects of the E-cycle of two kinds. Viz, Front wheel operated E-cycle and Rear wheel operated E-cycle. The motivation behind this article is, in the recent years the conversion kit for converting the cycle into E-cycle is available with various options. Whenever the options are more, the selection becomes a challenge. Knowledge required for the selection of the components for our specific requirement is the key enabler for proper selection. Online markets play major role in selling E-cycle conversion kits with various verities. One of the purposes of this article is to assist the reader in the selection of the components and type of drive. Here only hub type drive is considered. Trend towards E-cycle is of multi fold. Community’s environmental awareness stimulates the E-cycle conversion. Decrease in the availability of fossil fuels also drives the E-cycle conversion process. Those who considers cycling as exercise for physical fitness also act as a catalyst for the conversion process. Increase in fuel price is another key factor which attracts more attention towards E-vehicles.