Already have a bike in mind for your eBike conversion? That’s great! If not, it’s important to consider your specific needs and riding style. Are you primarily looking for a bike to navigate trails, or are you more interested in smooth neighborhood rides or commuting to work? Think about what you want to achieve—are you seeking a workout, recreational fun, or reliable transportation for your daily commute? Do you need a bike that can handle heavier loads or even carry kids? There’s a perfect eBike option for every use case, from versatile mountain bikes and practical cruisers to speedy road bikes and cargo bikes. Whether you’re aiming to replace a car for daily errands or simply want a reliable way to enjoy outdoor adventures, CAPROUGE offers a range of customizing options to ensure your bike meets your unique needs. Explore our selection to find the ideal powered ride that fits you best.
Mountain
Electric Mountain Bikes (eMTBs)
Electric mountain bikes are gaining popularity across all ages, offering an entirely new way to enjoy outdoor adventures. For younger riders, eMTBs allow for multiple rides a day and the thrill of uphill flow—transforming uphill climbs into just as much fun as downhill runs.
For commuting, eMTBs provide the comfort of full suspension with added power, making them ideal for city roads, curbs, and off-road shortcuts. For older riders or those with physical limitations, eMTBs offer the ability to explore more while staying active. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your bike or create a custom eMTB, CAPROUGE is here to help.
City & Cruiser
Electric City Bike or Electric Cruiser Bike
Modern bike shops are often stocked with sleek road bikes for racing or rugged mountain bikes for off-road adventures. While both serve their purposes, they emphasize speed and performance over comfort, leaving riders hunched forward. Do you remember the days when biking was about enjoying the fresh air in everyday clothes, sitting upright to take in the scenery, and casually greeting neighbors? Back when the journey was just as enjoyable as the destination?
In Europe, cycling for daily errands or leisurely rides remains popular, and upright city bikes have been refined to perfection for this purpose. Meanwhile, in the U.S., cruiser bikes—like the iconic Electra Townie or classic beach cruisers—continue to charm riders. City bikes are excellent for commuting and errands, while cruisers prioritize comfort and relaxation. Both styles, however, can do it all, making them ideal for electric bike conversions.
If you’re in good health and live in a flat area, a traditional bike might suffice. But for those navigating hilly terrain, battling headwinds, or seeking a bit of extra support—especially for seniors or individuals with health concerns—an e-bike can transform your riding experience. Here in the Salt Lake Valley, for example, the landscape naturally slopes from the mountains toward the Jordan River, creating frequent hills, not to mention seasonal winds. For many, the added assistance of an electric motor makes all the difference, flattening hills and cutting through wind with ease.
Riders often find that once they convert their bike to electric, they start riding more frequently. The barriers that made cycling less appealing—like hills, distance, or effort—simply disappear.
If this sounds like the kind of cycling experience you’re looking for, a city bike or cruiser might be perfect for you. Whether you have one collecting dust in your garage or need help selecting the right bike, we’re here to help you transform it into an e-bike you’ll love.
Hybrid/Commute
Electric Commuter Bikes
One of the main reasons people hesitate to bike to work is the fear of arriving sweaty and uncomfortable. While the desire to ride is there, practicality often wins, leading many to drive instead. Enter the electric bike—a game changer. With an e-bike, you can commute without breaking a sweat and even shave time off your trip. For longer distances that might seem daunting on a traditional bike, the speed and range of an e-bike make commuting by bicycle more achievable.
So, what makes the best commuter bike? There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer—it all depends on your needs and preferences. Here’s a breakdown of popular bike styles and their suitability for commuting:
- City and Cruiser Bikes: Both styles can provide a smooth and comfortable ride for most commutes. While cruisers prioritize comfort, city bikes often offer more versatility for urban environments. If your route has rough roads or potholes, consider adding a suspension seat post to absorb bumps and improve your ride quality.
- Mountain Bikes (MTBs): For those commuting on rough terrain or through areas with trails, mountain bikes are a solid option. With full suspension, they offer unbeatable comfort and the ability to handle curbs, trails, and shortcuts. Though full suspension adds weight, this is hardly noticeable with electric assist.
- Road Bikes: Ideal for riders who enjoy speed and efficiency, road bikes can double as a training tool. Electrifying a road bike allows you to commute without exertion in the morning while saving the workout for the ride home.
- Hybrid Bikes: A popular choice for commuters, hybrids combine the speed of road bikes with the comfort of mountain bikes. You can further customize them for an upright, ergonomic ride with accessories like riser handlebars or upgraded saddles.
- Folding Bikes: Perfect for multi-modal commutes, folding bikes pair seamlessly with public transit or car travel. They’re compact enough to store under a desk at work and offer an easy way to navigate the last leg of your journey, whether from a station or a distant parking lot.
No matter which type of bike fits your commuting style, converting it into an electric commuter bike can transform your daily routine. Let us help you electrify your ride for a commute that's efficient, enjoyable, and uniquely yours.
Road
Electric Road Bikes
Road bikes are often associated with speed, fitness, and the pursuit of personal bests. They’re typically favored by racers and enthusiasts aiming to push their physical limits. At first glance, it might seem that road bikes are not the best candidates for electric conversions. However, there are two compelling reasons why electrifying a road bike can be a game changer.
1. Staying Connected Through Cycling
For many, cycling is more than just a sport—it’s a social activity shared with friends, family, or teammates. But what happens when someone in the group struggles to keep up? Whether due to differences in fitness levels, recovering from an injury, or managing a health condition, it can be disheartening to fall behind. Electric road bikes bridge this gap, allowing riders to join in and enjoy the experience without slowing down the group. Whether it’s a spouse wanting to ride alongside their partner or a cyclist recovering from a setback, an electric road bike can bring the joy of togetherness back to cycling.
2. The Ultimate Commuter-Training Combo
For road bike enthusiasts, commuting can double as an opportunity to train. However, arriving at work sweaty is often impractical. An electric road bike offers the perfect solution: riders can commute to work with minimal effort, thanks to electric assist, and then challenge themselves on the ride home by reducing or turning off the motor. This hybrid approach allows cyclists to incorporate training into their daily routine while maintaining the convenience and efficiency of an e-bike.
While electric road bikes are uncommon in traditional e-bike shops, converting your existing road bike can unlock its full potential. Whether you’re looking to enhance your group rides or transform your commute, we’ll help you select the ideal motor and battery to create an electric road bike that perfectly suits your needs.
Folding
Electric Folding Bike
Folding bikes are perfect for those who need a compact and versatile transportation solution. Whether you’re fitting your bike into the trunk of a car, conserving space at home or work, or navigating public transportation policies, folding bikes are built for convenience. For public transit commuters, some systems require compact bikes, while others may allow full-sized models—but a folding bike is always a safe bet.
If you’re considering an electric conversion, it’s important to choose a lightweight e-bike kit that won’t interfere with the bike’s folding mechanism. Keeping the setup light ensures that your bike remains easy to carry and store while giving you the added power and range of an electric motor.
Perfect for Split Commutes
Folding bikes shine in split commutes, where part of the journey is completed by car or public transit and part by bike. For transit riders, a folding bike bridges the gap between the station and the office. For drivers, it eliminates the hassle of finding parking in congested areas—park further out where it’s free or affordable, and ride your folding e-bike the rest of the way.
Most folding bikes are excellent candidates for electric conversion. If you already own one, or have a model in mind, that’s a great start! If you’re still exploring your options, we’re happy to help you choose a bike that fits your needs. Either way, we’ll work with you to transform it into an electric folding bike you’ll love—perfectly tailored to your lifestyle.
Cargo
Electric Cargo Bike
Cargo bikes are perhaps the most practical and obvious choice for electrification. If you’ve ever hauled kids, groceries, or other heavy loads, you’re likely familiar with the added effort it takes—especially when tackling hills or fighting headwinds. While baskets, racks, or panniers on a regular bike can help with small loads, a cargo bike is a game-changer for replacing more car trips and handling larger hauls.
Adding an electric assist to a cargo bike makes the experience smoother and more enjoyable. With a mid-drive motor, you gain optimal power for climbing hills, as it works seamlessly with your bike’s gears to make pedaling effortless, even with a heavy load. And the best part? An electric cargo bike is still an eco-friendly, cost-effective option—charging the battery typically costs less than 20 cents.
Replace More Car Trips with Ease
Whether you’re transporting kids, a week’s worth of groceries, or bulky hardware, an electric cargo bike can take the strain out of your ride while helping you reduce car usage. It’s not only good for the planet but also saves money and offers the flexibility to make errands enjoyable.
Some of our favorite projects have been cargo bike conversions, and we’d love to help you create one that fits your needs. Let us work with you to electrify your cargo bike and turn it into a reliable, powerful alternative to your car—a solution that will make every trip more efficient and enjoyable.
Fat Bike
A Fat Bike for everything
Before electric motors, fat bikes were primarily used for specific terrains like sand and snow. Their wide 4-5” tires provide excellent traction and control, allowing riders to effortlessly navigate fine sand, deep snow, and transitions between hard-packed and soft surfaces without getting stuck. These features make them a favorite for beach rides or desert trails.
However, the extra weight and rolling resistance of those wide tires make fat bikes challenging to pedal on regular surfaces without a motor. That’s where electrification transforms the experience. With an electric motor, the added weight and resistance disappear, giving you all the benefits of fat tires without the drawbacks.
Versatile and Adaptable
Many riders now choose fat bikes as their go-to option for everyday use. Whether for neighborhood rides, commutes, or being prepared for unexpected sand or snow adventures, an electric fat bike offers unmatched versatility. With the motor doing the heavy lifting, you can enjoy the stability and comfort of fat tires while being ready for any terrain—all with just one e-bike.
If you’re looking for an all-purpose e-bike that can handle everything from smooth pavement to rugged trails, an electric fat bike might be your perfect match. Let us help you create an e-bike that’s as adventurous and adaptable as you are.
Tandem
e-Bicycle built for two
Tandem bikes, designed for two riders, are excellent candidates for electric conversion. Adding a mid-drive motor enhances their performance without the need to replace the wheels, which are already built to handle the extra weight of two riders with reinforced rims and additional spokes. A mid-drive motor also uses the bike’s gears, making it easier to tackle hills and headwinds—perfect for long rides or when one or both riders need a break.
Unique Requirements for Tandem Conversions
Tandem e-bike conversions require specific adjustments to ensure smooth operation:
- Motor Placement and Controls: The motor is typically installed in the stoker’s bottom bracket (rear rider), while the controls are mounted on the captain’s handlebars (front rider). This setup allows the bike to function seamlessly even if only the captain is riding.
- Timing Chain Considerations: Tandem bikes use a timing chain to synchronize the cranks between the captain and the stoker. When adding a mid-drive motor, this chain needs to be reconfigured. While the timing chain is usually on the left side, it can be adjusted to the right if necessary. The key is to find compatible cranks:
- CYC motors require cranks with ISIS splines.
- Bafang and Tongsheng motors use square-tapered cranks.
If a left-side chainring isn’t available, both timing chainrings can be moved to the right side, where compatible options are more common.
Why Electrify a Tandem Bike?
Electric assistance on a tandem bike ensures that both riders can enjoy the journey, even if one gets tired. It makes longer rides more accessible and enjoyable while maintaining the spirit of teamwork that makes tandem cycling special.
If you’re considering an electric tandem bike, we can guide you through the conversion process, ensuring every detail is perfectly tailored to your needs. Let us help you turn your tandem into an e-bike built for two!