Bicycles

$349 conversion kit gives your regular bike a motor boost

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"Consumers are looking for more affordable and sustainable transport options, and the Swytch Go Kit is the ideal solution," said Swytch CEO, Oliver Montague. "Installation has also never been easier, so anyone can enjoy the benefits that electric bikes have to offer"
Swytch Technology
"Consumers are looking for more affordable and sustainable transport options, and the Swytch Go Kit is the ideal solution," said Swytch CEO, Oliver Montague. "Installation has also never been easier, so anyone can enjoy the benefits that electric bikes have to offer"
Swytch Technology
The Swytch Go works pretty much the Air kit launched in 2022, but the battery pack is mounted to the frame using three Velcro straps
Swytch Technology
The Swytch Go battery pack is available in three capacities: a standard version for up to 20 miles, a + flavor for up to 40 miles and a ++ variant for up to 60 miles
Swytch Technology
The Swytch Go battery pack is UL safety certified and IPX6 water-resistant
Swytch Technology
The Swytch Go Kit includes a front wheel featuring a 250-W hub motor, a pedal sensor, cabling and a charger
Swytch Technology
Installation is relatively straightforward, and the setup is reported compatible with bikes running rim or disc brakes
Swytch Technology
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As we discovered in 2022, traditional bikes can be given a new lease of life with an ebike conversion kit. But the price can be steep. The London-based makers of the kit we tried has now launched a budget-friendly option called the Swytch Go.

If you already own a non-motorized bicycle but fancy the idea of getting some help for uphill climbs, a conversion kit can provide assistance for more tiresome treks while also offering the freedom to roll with a more traditional setup when motor power isn't needed.

Such kits can be on the pricey side, sometimes costing even more than budget ebikes, but Swytch Technology has built on its initial crowdfunding success and 85,000+ customer base to bring a more wallet-friendly version to the e-mobility party – the Swytch Go.

As with its Air setup, the new kit includes a front wheel sporting a 250-W hub motor – which is available in 26, 27, 27.5, 28 and 29 inch flavors – and a cadence pedal sensor for a top assisted speed of 20 mph in the US, while riders in the UK and Europe will be limited to 15 mph (25 km/h).

The Swytch Go works pretty much the Air kit launched in 2022, but the battery pack is mounted to the frame using three Velcro straps
Swytch Technology

But rather than securing the battery box to the handlebar like previous iterations, this latest flavor hangs from the top tube of the frame using Velcro straps. The available capacity options range from 187 Wh to 378 Wh for between 20 and 60 miles of per-charge range. The cells within are UL safety certified for peace of mind and the casing has IPX6 waterproofing for all-weather assisted biking. A LED or OLED handlebar display is available as an optional extra, as is a twist throttle.

"By redesigning the battery pack with a larger form factor, embedding the power electronics inside the pack together with the battery, and designing a super-simple mounting solution that uses Velcro straps to strap the battery pack anywhere on the bike, we managed to bring down the price significantly," said Swytch CTO, Dimitro Khroma. "Plus, as an added bonus, the result was an ebike kit that is even easier and faster to install, and with increased range of up to 60 miles."

The Swytch Go is the recipient of a 2024 Red Dot Design Award, and can be purchased now for a starting price of US$699, or riders can join a pre-order waitlist for $349 – which essentially means that rather than shipping from stock, the kit is made to order.

Source: Swytch Technology

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1 comment
Karmudjun
Thanks Paul, this is a great looking deal when it comes through. I'm a retired physician who has arthritis and after my last hip revision I thought I might need to stop bicycling. But my fitness level has plummeted without my routine of bicycling. I can't take out from my hilly neighborhood on bicycle alone and just wait until I have multiple errands before I head out - but I could bicycle if I could take the hills safely, once in town at non-rush hour, I can manage just fine. I'll check into this (already have) and look forward to good results in my next few physicals. Recreational bicycling is proving good for oldster's knees & hips, so I want to get back into riding!