About Modifying Electric Bikes

Electric bikes are fantastic things that are personal to us. Therefore, the trend of modifying electric bikes is becoming more popular. The thing about modifying an electric bike is that it can be extremely dangerous and cause various problems for you and your electric bike. Therefore we don't advise you to alter your electric bike in a way that changes its performance or compromises safety.

However, we are all for making your electric bike more personal and unique, so it suits your taste and stands out from the crowd. 

In this article, we will talk about cool things you can do to personalize your electric bike. We will also highlight the dangers of extensively modifying your electric bike to change its performance.

Changing The Look Of Your Electric Bike

One of the most fun parts of customizing an electric bike is making cosmetic changes that show your personality and artistic flair. There are quite a few things you can do to change the look of your electric bike; some are simpler than others, but it depends on how far you want to go.

Removing Stickers

You can make your electric bike unique by removing any stickers or decals that it came with. This gives it a minimalist look similar to debadging a car. If you want to remove any stickers or decals from your bike, a quick Google search will come up with simple instructions that will allow you to do it properly.

Wrap It

To completely change the look of your electric bike, you can wrap it with vinyl. You can get all kinds of vinyl wraps with endless choices of colors and designs that will make your electric bike completely unique and eye-catching if you want it to be.

You can use any kind of vinyl wrap as long as it is durable. A great example of this is wraps used for the automotive industry. 

Another advantage of wrapping your electric bike is that it is protected from dirt and stone chips which will help you sell it on in the future as it will be preserved as new.

Alternatively, you can give an older electric bike a new lease of life by covering up damaged paintwork with a striking vinyl wrap. You can wrap almost any part of your electric bike that doesn't move.

Add Stickers

Some people like to add stickers to their electric bikes, as it is one of the quickest and easiest ways to change their aesthetics. You can start with a simple cool or funny sticker, or you could completely sticker bomb your electric bike, giving it that punk-like skater look.

Paint It

If you want to go all out, you could repaint the frame of your electric bike.

It may sound like a great idea, but you need to be aware that a lot of work needs to go into repainting a bike frame. You may want to do this if your electric bike needs a major overhaul and you are completely rebuilding it, leaving the frame bare.

Other than removing all the components of your bike, there is a lot of preparation work before you spray the frame. You also need to do quite a lot of work afterward to ensure you get the desired finish.

Enhancing The Usability And Safety Of Your Electric Bike

Many electric bike owners like to make their electric bikes more functional while changing their look. Some of these modifications enhance the bike's usability, and others make riding much safer. Here are some examples:

Add Extra Lights

There are many different types of lights you can fit on electric bikes. These range from simple headlights and taillights, but you can also go crazy with more elaborate items.

Some electric bike riders have taken inspiration from the custom car world and fitted LED lights that illuminate the road below. This gives your electric bike a "Fast And The Furious" look. They also make you more visible to other road users.

You can enhance your visibility at night by fitting your electric bike with lights on the wheel spokes. These are super bright and come in seemingly unlimited colors and designs that show up as you ride in the dark. This is undoubtedly a way of making a statement, and you will be noticed on the roads.

Upgrade Your Saddle

The saddle on your electric bike can often be upgraded to something that suits you better, providing more comfort while enhancing the look of your electric bike. 

The best saddles are not necessarily the softest sometimes; harder saddles are more comfortable if they are shaped correctly. You may be surprised to learn that there are different saddles designed for women and men to maximize comfort while being better for your health.

Customize Your Handlebars

Electric bikes have different handlebars, and many electric bike owners like to change or customize them to be more comfortable or change their riding position. For example, sometimes electric bike owners fit BMX-style handlebars or change the grips for more comfortable ones.

Some electric bikes use grip tape around their handlebars like regular road bikes. By changing the tape or standard handlebar grips, you can enhance comfort and add extra color to your bike to suit your taste.

Change Your Pedals

Often electric bikes come with basic pedals, but you can change these for something of higher quality or a different color. You can buy bike pedals in all shapes, sizes, and materials. You can even opt for ones paired with special shoes that clip to the pedals to make your peddling more efficient.

You may want to choose pedals that are larger and have more pins. These give you more grip, which is much better for riding off-road.

Add Cargo Racks

A great way to enhance the functionality of your electric bike is to increase its load-carrying capacity by fitting cargo racks. You can do this on many electric bikes as long as they have the provisions for it.

Cargo racks sit over the front or rear wheels and allow you to strap things to them, so you don't have to carry them in a backpack. Some of these cargo racks are compatible with panniers or specially designed bags.

Fit Fenders

Not all electric bikes come with fenders fitted. But they are an excellent addition that enhances your riding comfort. They stop mud and water splashing up, hitting you in the face, and getting your clothes dirty. It also protects your electric bike from traffic film, and salt that will eventually corrode the frame and components.

The Dangers Of Modifying Your Electric Bike Incorrectly

There are a few modifications that people like to do that they believe will enhance their electric bikes. These sound tempting, but they can cause several issues for you and your electric bike. Let's take a look.

Making Your Ebike Go Faster

It is possible to remove or modify the built-in speed limiter of an electric bike. These limitations have been fitted to comply with laws and regulations. If you modify your electric bike to ride faster than the legal limit, it becomes an illegal motorbike. If you get caught doing this, you can face a hefty fine. This becomes more serious if you have an accident and you have been found to have illegally modified your electric bike.

The other problem with derestricting your electric bike is that the motor will run at a higher power than usual. This means that the battery needs to draw more current, which can burn the wires or cause damage to the battery.

You should also remember that the rest of the components on your electric bike have been chosen to cope with its original speed. So, if you ride at a speed faster than the other components are designed for, they will wear out much more quickly or may cause an accident.You could also check how others have done it.

Modifying The Battery Or Motor

Most electric bikes are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which are pretty powerful, but they are capable of much more with modifications. However, if you are tempted to modify the battery or motor fitted to your electric bike, there is a significant risk.

The risk is also significant if you try to save money by replacing the parts with those not recommended by the manufacturer. This is because the charge and discharge systems may not be compatible with aftermarket batteries, especially if you fit one with a larger capacity than what your bike was supplied with. There's a good chance the battery will overheat, which reduces its lifespan and increases the likelihood of it exploding.

Final Thoughts

Modifying the look and functionality of an electric bike is super cool, especially when you make it unique and reflect your personal style. However, doing significant modifications to the motor and battery system could land you in lots of trouble with the law, but it can also cause repairable damage to your electric bike or make it incredibly unsafe.