Choosing the best conversion kit

[Tryingmybest]

Hello! I don't know a whole lot about e-bikes, but I’d really like to upgrade my current bicycle. I have a 7-speed Kent Beach Cruiser I believe it’s a 26. Ive got a $200-$300 budget and I’d really only need enough power to help me get up some small hills in my town. I typically only need to go a 1/2 mile on the road, but my bike is usually under a lot of weight as I use it to go to the grocery store and carry all my groceries home. I was considering a rear wheel kit, but I have seen a lot of mixed reviews. I was hoping someone with a bit more knowledge could give me some advice. Thank you so much in advance for taking the time to read this and possibly help!

 

[PedalUma]

Your budget won't allow it. Not even for total junk that is not worth investing in like this Rubbie. Total junk! Which begs the question, is it better to be the rubbie or the rubber?

 

[harryS]

Here's a cheap Cruiser I did in 2018. Bought a used bafang front motor and a used 36V nineboot scooter pack for $100. Motor controller was $75. Put it on a Kent 26" Cruiser. Rolling along for under $200. Later went to a 48V battery, upgraded the awful rim brakes to disk brakes, and am at $500.


I recommend a rear motor kit. A bad install on a front motor, you will rip out the motor and faceplant. Really, you can.

There are two kinds of motors. Geared motors and direct drive. The DD motors are bigger, stronger, heavier, less expensive, but they kill the bike's ability to coast. I only own geared motors because I have this retro belief that ebikes shoukd be pedalled. Can also run smaller batteries with geared motors.

Batteries are what blows your budget. Lithium batteries are fire risks. UL approved batteries will be mandatory someday, but few are sold for DIY market. Recommend only buying batteries advertised to use Samsung, Panasonic, LG or other brand name cells.

You can buy a low cost ebike on amazon for less than what it will cost to DIY, but you still have the battery issue, Vivi sold 24000 ebikes that way on amazon and walmart. They all had to be recalled this week because of vattery fires, but you will get a new battery, I hear.

 

[Grueso]

I liked the BikeOn, but I kept having issues with it on longer (multi-hour) tours, despite the inventor's best efforts.
He was going to make an updated version that would hopefully fix the issues I ran into, but the original device might actually be just fine for your needs. (The chain guard might be in the way though, if your Kent has one, since the device clips onto the largest rear sprocket and needs some clearance in front of it.)
The BikeOn seems to work ok for many people. I found it pretty easy to install, and being able to bring your own (large) 48V batteries was a definite plus for me. BikeOn do sell their own bottle holder battery.

 

[stompandgo]

You can buy a low cost ebike on amazon for less than what it will cost to DIY, but you still have the battery issue, Vivi sold 24000 ebikes that way on amazon and walmart. They all had to be recalled this week because of vattery fires, but you will get a new battery, I hear.

That recall will steamroll the company.