I watched the whole video but did jump ahead a couple of times. That crusty bike was transformed with a clean - nice job. The kit and your workmanship make the conversion seamless and so unobtrusive that such a cool vintage bike deserves. Well done. Thoughts on fitting the tires back on. Before the conversion, only the back wheel propelled the bike forward. The front wheel only slowed the bike down. Now the front wheel is also driving the bike forward (and slowing it down) so the rotation direction may be better being the same as the back tire .Close examination of the tread pattern could show which way around the front tire could/should go, or leave it as is until the next puncture. Replacing the quick release hubs with 17 mm nuts to me is a Major improvement - the very last thing you want is the front wheel coming off. In my opinion this applies to any bike. Nuts also make is harder for someone to steal your wheel - quite valuable now that it has a motor in it. Though carrying a 17mm spanner in case of punctures is a bit a faff. I’ve had several bikes with cadence sensors - like swytch - and hated the bikes for that reason. I now have an ebike with a torque sensor in the bottom bracket and love how the power comes on in proportion to how hard I pedal and does this automatically. I appreciate that a kit like swytch can’t easily do this, but if you ever get the chance to get a kit with torque sensing, grab it; it makes a world of difference in a very refined, enjoyable way. Good luck with your next conversion; I watched your brompton conversation too. You will have friends and family queuing at the door. BTW my kit came from ebike.ca Grin Tech in Canada; very knowledgeable ebike people.
Simon, thank you for taking the time to leave such a great comment under my video. Your point about the rotational direction of the front tyre is very interesting, and something that I am going to research further. Next time I am in a bike shop that has a factory front drive bike ride, such as a Brompton electric, I am going to try and see what they have done with the front tyre. You are correct, there is a difference between cadence and torque based sensors. We are lucky to have several e-bikes in the household, front hub drive, Mahle rear hub drive, Shimano mid drive, and a very clever Fazua system (recently bought by Porsche). All have subtle differences, and different sensors The most efficient seems to be the rear hub drive, with a cadence sensor, but I agree the bikes with torque sensors seem more natural. The Swytch kit in this case has done its job, a simple conversion, and the owner of the bike is cycling again and enjoying it. Thanks again !
Danny, Switching gears does not affect the assistance from the motor. A huge change in cadence could effect how much assistance you get, but if you are using the gears normally then there should be no huge differences in cadence. I suppose it’s a bit like having a two wheel drive bike. It all feels surprisingly normal and natural.
It’s variable depending on the different kits, and how long you are prepared to wait for delivery. Check out the Swytch website for the latest price info.
I watched the whole video but did jump ahead a couple of times.
That crusty bike was transformed with a clean - nice job.
The kit and your workmanship make the conversion seamless and so unobtrusive that such a cool vintage bike deserves. Well done.
Thoughts on fitting the tires back on. Before the conversion, only the back wheel propelled the bike forward. The front wheel only slowed the bike down. Now the front wheel is also driving the bike forward (and slowing it down) so the rotation direction may be better being the same as the back tire .Close examination of the tread pattern could show which way around the front tire could/should go, or leave it as is until the next puncture.
Replacing the quick release hubs with 17 mm nuts to me is a Major improvement - the very last thing you want is the front wheel coming off. In my opinion this applies to any bike. Nuts also make is harder for someone to steal your wheel - quite valuable now that it has a motor in it. Though carrying a 17mm spanner in case of punctures is a bit a faff.
I’ve had several bikes with cadence sensors - like swytch - and hated the bikes for that reason. I now have an ebike with a torque sensor in the bottom bracket and love how the power comes on in proportion to how hard I pedal and does this automatically. I appreciate that a kit like swytch can’t easily do this, but if you ever get the chance to get a kit with torque sensing, grab it; it makes a world of difference in a very refined, enjoyable way. Good luck with your next conversion; I watched your brompton conversation too. You will have friends and family queuing at the door. BTW my kit came from ebike.ca Grin Tech in Canada; very knowledgeable ebike people.
Simon, thank you for taking the time to leave such a great comment under my video.
Your point about the rotational direction of the front tyre is very interesting, and something that I am going to research further. Next time I am in a bike shop that has a factory front drive bike ride, such as a Brompton electric, I am going to try and see what they have done with the front tyre.
You are correct, there is a difference between cadence and torque based sensors. We are lucky to have several e-bikes in the household, front hub drive, Mahle rear hub drive, Shimano mid drive, and a very clever Fazua system (recently bought by Porsche). All have subtle differences, and different sensors The most efficient seems to be the rear hub drive, with a cadence sensor, but I agree the bikes with torque sensors seem more natural.
The Swytch kit in this case has done its job, a simple conversion, and the owner of the bike is cycling again and enjoying it.
Thanks again !
Excellent video. I just installed a swytch kit on a vintage Raleigh Sports. Wish I had watched this video prior to my install.
Thank you, I hope you enjoy using your electrified bike.
what happens when you switch gears with the swytch on the bike?
Danny, Switching gears does not affect the assistance from the motor. A huge change in cadence could effect how much assistance you get, but if you are using the gears normally then there should be no huge differences in cadence. I suppose it’s a bit like having a two wheel drive bike. It all feels surprisingly normal and natural.
how much
It’s variable depending on the different kits, and how long you are prepared to wait for delivery. Check out the Swytch website for the latest price info.