We Convert Cheap Bikes To Ebikes… What Could Go Wrong?
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- čas přidán 29. 06. 2024
- It's challenge time and this time we're dropping Conor, Manon and Hank in a lay-by in Somerset with nothing but their cheap bikes, some basic tools and the innovative Swytch Bike kits to get home. Can they figure out a decent way back to HQ across the hilly and windy terrain south of Bath on their e-bikes?
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Would you consider an e-bike conversion kit such as those offered by Swytch Bike? Let us know in the comments 👇
Hell yeah!
The Swytch kits are great concepts and will be a great purchase for those who would benefit from using an ebike but cannot afford to upgrade their entire machine. It's worth pointing out their limitations as not every single wheel size is available, and the battery packs are a compromise between size and capacity. The system also has a short delay to activate and deactivate as it is not directly connected to the drivetrain.
Hell no, Tongshen TSDZB2(B) with a reasonable =>600WH battery is *THE* budget e-bike conversion option, all others are sh1te -> torque sensor, max 18A and lively open source firmware community *AND* you don't need no stinking propitiatory battery but can use *anything you want*.
Downside is increased drive train wear, but that's to be expected with any mid drive.
If only I have the money my rb still uses thumb shifters because in our country even the cheapest briefters is considered expensive
If i did not have an e-bike already, i would probably consider a conversion kit. It looked simple enough to convert the bikes and they did not look completely aweful afterwards. The Air variant looked good to me because the battery is small enough to have 1 on the bike and another spare one in your bag maybe - since they seemed only slightly larger than a chunky powerbank; well, a lot larger .. but seems to be small enough to fit into my bag. I did not care too much for the Go variant with this ugly battery pack.
Are we doing Top Gear with bikes? Because I’d be down for that.
Hmmmm. STIG will be?
That's what GCN has always been
bread and circuses....
Oh my gosh, YES!!!👏🏻
Top Sprocket more like 😅
Tonight on fixed gear… asking for directions, buying a train ticket and using some cheap bike… loved it guys
We had some great fun filming this one 🙌
Things I've learnt watching this video. Hank wasn't a homing pigeon in a previous life. Conor is tall enough to see Bath. Manon, sometimes it's faster to cycle to your destination than use the train.
I used for it
faster on a normal bike I guess, not on that small thing.
Who made that trophy?! It’s a thing of beauty. They deserve a trophy for that.
It's from our GCN film Junk bike battle 🙌 Coming soon to GCN membership 👌
Surely Jon Cannings!
Hankl..."I've still got a full battery". Connor..."Did you connect it?"... Hank..."......!!!"
Only Hank could do that 🤣
Awesome 🤣
Is this the way GCN is going to be now? Because I’m very much here for stuff like this
Adverts?
@johncoxy1 they've been doing stuff like this for a good while now!?
@@johncoxy1Because of course creating polished, free to view media requires no time or effort at all, and of course they should do it for free. And of course, all media coverage of cycling has never involved advertising up till now. With the exception of low quality, opinionated ranting.
Thanks! We had some great fun filming this one 🙌 We'll keep it coming!
How is this any different from all the other prescribed ad videos?
Hank charged the battery, rather than deplete it.
Something only Hank could do 🤣
Manon Lloyd pulling a Dan Lloyd move by using the mass transport system.
it should be call Lloyd move
@@LukaszMielczarek the Lloydie.
Might be in the name 🤣
@@gcn exactly! I can remember that old commuter challenge video clearly. Lasty was very muddy while Dan was very much comfortable sitting in the train reading the magazine he brought with himself in the feature. Lol
Buying a folding bike => Intendding to use the public transportation => using the public transportation => not folding the bike.
12:30 James May would be very proud of Hank. 🤣
Who did my cheap bike?
One of the reasons I haven't done an e-bike conversion is because I wasn't sure how complicated it would be to do myself, and never bothered to find out. This video has helped alleviate that concern.
There's still the whole faff about time and money - welcome to being an adult - but at least I won't be hesitating once those get sorted.
As an Ebike builder and regular commuter I've always thought the swytch kits are a really good idea for people who want to keep their bike for both commuting and weekend riding
Swytch kits are great - I’ve got 2, and am waiting for the 3rd - but don’t expect them to arrive on time, and be easy to install. The 1st, ordered in 2022, took 9 months to arrive, and I had to file down the axle to get it to fit the dropouts. The 2nd, ordered in 2023, took 4 months and I needed the file again. The 3rd, ordered in 2024, has taken 2 months so far, and has already been delayed 1 month, and I expect issues fitting the pedal assist sensor (PAS), because unlike the 1st two bikes which have square taper cranks with plenty of room between the non drive side arm and frame, the 3rd has round, splined cranks with no gap to fit the sensor so I expect it’ll need some customizing. That said, installation is a minor nuisance, they work fine, and I would do it again.
Yes it goes
YAY so glad to have content like this!!!! I'm glad you'all are independent now!!! And yeah the swytch system is on my radar when I get too old to cycle unaided.
This is awesome! Thanks 🙌
I want, nay need the GCN Junk Bike Battle trophy.
You've got to earn it 👀
I can’t believe Si was involved in something that involved so many cable ties.
Who SI?
🤨🧐@@oumtaha3834
Brilliant Top Gear with push bikes! Loved it. Good advert for Swytch kits.
I would definitely opt for a Swytch ebike kit when I’m a bit older.
That's awesome! We're glad you enjoyed the episode, we'll keep it coming 🙌
Loved this video. Need more of these blind challenges. well done Conor!!
We will see what we can do!
I got a Swytch kit for my mum for Christmas 2 years ago and it has meant she uses it in our hilly area so much more! It can be a little fiddly with the cable ties, and the pedal cadence sensor can sometimes be knocked out of place on our system so you need to check it
But overall it's a cool piece of kit and the range is easily above 30km
Almost more impressive than the design of the Switch motor is the design of that trophy 🏆
Both are epic 🙌
Excellent and very entertaining challenge. I will now have to seriously consider an e-wheel for my cruising bicycle (old Uni Vega 12 speed). Very impressed with the ease of kit assembly ! I hope the winner bought the first round at the pub ;-)
Great video keep more like this coming very enjoyable to watch
We'll keep it coming if you keep it watching 🙌
That was such a cool day out. Well done to these 3 musketeers.
Great challenge. Swytch kits seem a great way to breathe new life into a bike.
Love this gang!
Junk Bike Battle was one of my favorite challenge series on GCN+. I’m glad to see the next iteration on the channel.
How I envy the accessibility to such great ebike conversion kits. It doesn't kill the joy of cycling, it supplements it.
Cycling pre-gps was obviously more social.
Hahahah interesting idea 👀
Well done Conor, well deserved win 😊😊😊
He knew what he was doing 👀
I love the challenges with a side of sass.
Manon's side look 😂😂😂😂😂
Cool trophy
Great challenge and definitely would want to see more!
Great video!!
That looked like good fun !
It was super good fun 🙌
That trophy is awesome!😮😊
Electrifying video - love the challenges. More please! :)
Oh we see what you've done there! 👀
Love this kind of content
Thanks! We loved this one 🙌
I'm loving Conor and Manon riding in everyday clothes - no need for lycra on every ride. And a big thumbs up for ebikes. I love using mine for commuting. I keep the lycra and aero bike for fast training rides: relaxed ebiking in normal clothes is just great amazing!
E bikes and casual clothing... we love it 🙌
Love these fun challenges!
That trophy is off the chains
That was fun!! And clearly they had a great time doing it!🎉 that said...Hank, grease those brakes!😂
Your Wahoo chimed at 12:17, mate!
Love this video😂
nice one thank you
Great idea. You should do more of these challenges.
Any challenge ideas? 👀
Wonderful content. Keep it up.
Also, Si now casually roasting his collegues after he got a second place in a race 1:08
Really enjoyed watching that
That was a fun video 😁
Very nice video. More of those challenges please!
I have swytch kit since last year, use it to commute to work. So far after 900km it's still great I prefer it to regular ebike because I don't want yet another bike nor do I have place for one plus it's cheaper and when I decide that I don't need it I can easily come back to regular bike. With the air kit if you need more range you just get extra battery. This kit also looks much better than other kits where you have additionally box for controller, swytch overall looks much cleaner if you arrange cables well. Only complaint, battery indicator on the battery itself is useless, the one on the oled display is much more precise.
more of these challenges please
I’ve been considering Switch since they first surfaced. I’ve bought a gravel e-bike now but will consider it for my folder. I’ve been waiting for a review. Thanks. Love you guys.
Glad you enjoyed this one 🙌We had a lot of fun filming with the Switch kits
Great challenge and a good laugh at Hank doing the route with full battery remaining😁
Only Hank could do that 🤣
Sssoooo... Conor built the bike up while Hanks bike was still next to him, yet he managed to go second. And Hank not only jumped timelines, but managed to change clothes too. :D Very nice trophy by the way. That spinning top is great.
Brilliant! Swytch may seem like a gateway into e-biking, where someone might graduate later to a purpose built e-bike with more capability. But remember that building new bikes creates emissions. So the best bike for the planet is the one you already own. And in addition to Swytch there are other companies building retrofit motors. I've e-converted an 11 year old MTB and a 20 year old recumbent tadpole trike.
The finest trophy I've ever seen, who ever made it; give them a raise right now!
Wohoo Conor the Giant Homing Pigeon!
Loved the challenge!😁
We did too! It was very fun watching this lot try and get home 🏡
Connors lean arms, great video
I have arthritic knees and could only continue cycling with some assistance. I bought a mid-drive Bafang kit. I would never consider a Swytch kit as their achilles heal is a lack of range. Their range claims don't consider hills, rider weight, cross winds, etc. I chose my Bafang motor and went for a hefty battery to future proof my ride. My knees have eased with gentle riding, so I find I want to go out on ever more challenging rides, so a big battery proved a wise choice. This is where the Swytch kit would leave you stranded.
I see a Dahon and I'm biased because I have one (the same stainless steel Manon has!) but it's the best one!
I'm modding mines with Brompton wheels, SRAM Force calipers, 52 tooth chain ring/cranks from AliExpress!
That's awesome! It's a great bike 🙌
I bet you fold yours to go on the train, unlike Manon.
What fun!!
Go Manon! 😊
People are far too nice down there. If you're weak enough to ever ask directions in Glasgow you're going to end up heading in the wrong direction every single time. 😂
Somewhere between Mogadishu and Karachi you say?
@@JamesSmith-qs4hx yes exactly 😂
Just started video and love the trophy!
Love the trophy!!!
I'd like to see y'all review the friction drive E-bike motors like Rubbee.
I want a video on how to build the trophy next, come on bike tech people, scrap yard challenge with what’s in the spares box in the studio.
Fun challenge!
The Peugot bike that was less than £100 rocking those £500 power meter pedals X-D
With older bikes, we've found that you usually have to spend 20 minutes filing out the droupouts in order to accept the larger 10mm axle of the Swytch kit.
Why in the world would you file the dropouts instead of filing slight flats onto the axles?
Jon Cannings must have made that beautiful trophy.
Nice challenge
Very nice video
3:15 So, Manon's wheels starts without a tyre. I hop that she got a time discount to reflect that?
These fight videos are the best 👍
If a large part would start using these systems and cheap Chinese electric bikes.. by force the prices of electric bikes should be reduced 🤔
We missed the bit when we all had a fight 👀
@@gcn It's really great to get an answer to a comment from such a big channel 😁😁👍
Are those roads still named the same from 15th century ??????
I’m slightly in love with Manon. Much like Hank.
Proper Top Gear vibes. Except none of the TG presenters would ever ask directions…
Still…could be worse *jump cut to a worse situation*
I'd go with the Peugeot all day and night!
Why's that?
Cause vintage road bikes are the shiznit!
Dahon Classic ✨️
You can't beat a Dahon 👀
So both presenters with the last name “Lloyd” used a folding bike and a train in a GCN challange
Good spot 👀
Does cycle to work scheme work on these kits ??
At 4:56, Hank is such a dude after saying he doesn't know where he is and doesn't ask for directions from the man across the street.
4:42 Hank… “you beautiful people “ someone has been hanging out with their Brother Blake from GMBN.
Don't get those two started 🤣
OMG, your trophy is SOOO clutch. Or is that freewheel. Anyway, trophy builder should be commended.
One word ..... hilarious
Hahahah we loved filing this one 🙌
How much does it cost to convert a beautiful steel frame race bike to an e-bike? Just your soul....
Hank Built the Swift 🖖😁
want to see the connor homing pidgeon spinoff! please
Hahaha should we take this challenge up a notch... send him into the wilderness 🤣
How can you not love Manon?
Hank is cheating with his Computer bleeps notifying his ride is auto paused 🤣
I'd be useless at that
I've got no sense of direction
GPS for me
Where is the fun in that 👀
Yes!!!!! JUNK BIKE BATTLE!!!
What a film 👌
I like the format but these ads are so transparent. I wish media companies were not so cash strapped
Is GCN becoming an Infomercial channel?
Nice 😂
dude i literally ride the elops speed 500, its actually one of my favourite bikes even tho i have an expensive roadbike lmao.
It's not about how "good" the bike is but how much fun you get our of it 🙌
Nice Swytch advertisement 😉
Glad you noticed 🙌We love getting to work with some amazing brands like Switch to bring you guys the best content possible
@@gcnbig fan of commuting with a city electric bike. Good thing to get the brand out there with your huge reach.
5:27 will give Si a seizure!