Choosing the Best Ebikes to Adapt: From Commuter Ebikes to Off-Road Ebikes with Easy Modifications

Modern electric bikes are all about versatility. With years of experience evaluating hundreds of bikes in the city and on the trails, I’ve concluded that the best electric bike is one that meets your needs to keep adapting. You can modify an electric commuter bike to capture weekend off road ebike thrills without spending a fortune in the process.  

Why Convertible Electric Bikes Make Perfect Sense

There’s no point in having a couple of bikes that you don’t use. Buyers in the last couple of years are now more likely to invest in a bike that they can make all in one. I’ve personally modified three bikes in five years, and the process has become remarkably easy.

Finding an electric commuter bike with a solid frame, well-placed motor, and large enough battery to manage different terrains is the most important step. When it comes to versatility, mid-drives do outperform hub drives, particularly with their torque and weight balance which is critical when moving between dirt trails and paved roads.

Best Electric Bikes for Converting

All Purpose Bikes

There are specific traits suitable candidates for conversion will display. Choose an electric bike that has a strong aluminum or steel frame, has mounting points for various add ons, and has suspension compatibility. Great platform brands for seamlessly transitioning from electric commuter bikes to off road ebikes include Rad Power Bikes, Aventon, and Ride1Up. 

The most powerful mid drive electric bikes feature a 750 watt motor and 48 volt battery. This setup makes conquering fuel steep city hills and provides the necessary torque for rocky trails When dealing with really tough trails, the 80Nm torque really helps.

Importance of Frame Geometry

When considering an electric commuter bike for possible conversion, focus on the frame geometry. A head tube angle that is slightly more relaxed (about 68-70 degrees) is steady at higher speeds, yet manageable in traffic. Also, the height of the bottom bracket should have sufficient ground clearance which is 12 inches minimum to avoid strikes on rocks and roots if you go off the road to a more rugged trail.  

Easy Modifications That Change Your Bike

Tire Changes: The Most Important Change  

You can’t change an e-Bike more than you can change tires. Then you can change tires more than anything. On my commute, I keep my semi slick tires at 50-60 PSI to reduce rolling resistance and keep battery range. Friday evenings, I put on my 2.4 inch wider knobby tires and use them at 25-35 PSI for traction and then drop the pressure for better performance on the trails.

Upgrading the Off-Road Suspension

Some electric commuter bikes have very basic front suspension or even none at all. Upgrading your front fork to one with 100-120mm of travel makes your ebike capable of off-roading. RockShox and SR Suntour have inexpensive valves with load lockout which allows roadies to rigidify their suspension for road riding efficiency.  

Though there is no rear suspension, an electric bike can still use a suspension seatpost. For $80-150, this upgrade is fairly inexpensive compared to the absorption of the impact of severely jarring trails and still adding a light mass.  

Gearing Adjustments  

Usually, electric commuter bikes come with a cassette that gears with a max range of 11-28T. This is fine for flat roads and some moderate hills. On the other hand, cassette range 11-42T or 11-50T will give significant climbing gear for steep off road trails. This will require a longer derailleur cage, however, this is a worthwhile upgrade for technical climbing.  

Handles and Grip changes  

While flat bars can be used for commuting, they become a hindrance in descents. I have found that a bike with wider (720-780mm) and slight backsweep increases comfort and leverage on the trails. This is best used with lock-on grips and ergonomic pattern grips. This changes the handling for your off road ebike for the positive.

Protecting Your Investment

Mudguards and Bash Guards

Before riding your ebike on the trails, be sure to take off the full-coverage fenders. They will collect unnecessary mud, and will be dead weight while riding. Instead, put on a small front fender that will protect the motor and battery from spray. Any off-road e-bike needs a bash guard to protect the battery case and motor from rock strikes.  

Lighting and Safety

Do not skimp on safe riding. Always have good lights on your e-bike, no matter what trail rides are planned. The new rechargeable LED lights are lightweight and mark you as a rider during early morning and late evening rides. I will always have lights on my bike after seeing so many near accidents on mixed-use trails.  

Assessment of Battery Range 

Riding all terrains and terrains other than smooth and level roads will give commuter ebikes range of roughly 30-40%. This is because soft tails and technical terrains are battery killers as opposed to smooth descents and leveled real world roads. In the case that you plan to ride lengthy trails, it would be worth the time if you packed along a spare battery or a battery range extender to avoid the unpleasantness of running out of battery mid ride.

Conclusion

Many audiences imagine the ideal ebike to be versatile.For an additional $300-600 worth of changes, and some bumping old batteries, a useful commuter bike can become an exciting off road ebike. This will save money and garage space, while giving you the ability to ride anywhere doing wild biking. Just be sure to start with a good bike, get the right upgrades, and take full advantage of the versatility modern ebikes provide.