Convert a Bicycle to Electric Bike
Written by Loxley Browne
How to Convert a Bicycle to an Electric Bike: A STREAM Project for Real-World Skills
At Athenian’s FABcamp 2023, teens transformed ordinary bikes into electric-powered creations—and along the way, gained engineering know-how, creative confidence, and career-building STEAM skills. Our “How to Convert a Bicycle to e‑Bike” guide walks you through planning, budgeting, building, and the exhilarating test ride—making it a perfect showcase of hands-on learning through edu-tainment.
Imagine rolling up to school on something you built yourself. Forget about Uber; you’ll be your own ride-share service. And the best part? You don’t need to be a tech wizard to join. Just bring your curiosity, your creativity, and a little bit of grit. We’ll supply the rest.
Parents, this isn’t just another screen-time killer—it’s a full-throttle experience where your teen learns the real-deal skills of the future. Engineering, mechanics, and eco-friendly tech come together in one epic course, and by the end of it? They’ll be cruising on their very own e-bike, built by none other than them. How cool is that?
This project is a FAB build that will gives an incredible story to expedite a path into college or employment. Being able to explain the steps that it took to build this e-bike and what you learned along the way = priceless. Colleges, SAE teams, and employers will vie for your attention and to have you join their team.
“To be able to ride a vehicle that I created and built myself….that is the BEST feeling in the world! Nothing feels better than the pride of a job well done.”
–Loxley, Athenian Founder & CEO
Why Build an E-Bike?
Imagine zipping through town with the wind in your hair, knowing you’re not just riding a bike—you’re riding your creation. Plus, you’ll learn real-world skills like engineering, mechanics, and electronics, all while having a blast. By the end of the course, you’ll be the proud owner of a sleek, custom e-bike that’s as unique as you are.
The steps for the e-bike project:
- Planning
- Budgeting
- Purchasing
- Prep
- Build
- Test drive!
Who’s This For?
This course is perfect for teens and adults who want to dive into the world of sustainable transportation. No need to be a tech genius or a seasoned mechanic—just bring your enthusiasm, and we’ll guide you every step of the way. Parents, this is a golden opportunity for your teen to gain hands-on experience with the technologies of tomorrow.Our team suggests the kit we used for this project. Everything arrives in one box with no missing parts or batteries to track down.
The entire parts list is shown in our e-bike course at the Discovery Zone making it easy for you to do this project on your own with little to no experience. And yes, as I said little to no experience. I haven’t touched a bike since I was 10. Worked on, repaired, or customized a bike? Never!
The most fun task that you were going to have with this is finding the bike. Each one of us has our own taste and preferences as to what we want the result to be and this is your time to let your personality shine through! Whether you completely customize your bicycle or find one that fits the need without doing any structural adaptations or special paint jobs, there are many ways that you can make your bike match your personality.
You will notice from the pictures, that I took this to the extreme! I discovered with the first bike that I bought that wheel size was not correct, but I loved some of the elements on the bike. I scavenge those from the bike and then re-sold the bike for the same price as I paid. The second bike that I purchased had the correct wheel size of 26 inches. The seller had to send me pictures to confirm!
Note to Self: when you measure the wheel of a bicycle, you include the tire on both sides. Tire + wheel size + tire = the wheel size of a bike. For this kit, a 26 inch wheel is needed.
“I got the surprise of a lifetime when Ms. Loxley appeared in my backyard to help me build my e-bike. Total shocker!”
–Eleanora, 2023 FABricator
With this project, I did a complete customization including sanding down the frame and starting from scratch with a custom paint job using a matte navy blue paint. A new skill that I can list on my résumé is the fact that I can rattle can a paint job to look as though it came straight out of an automotive paint booth. For reasons that you will discover in the course, you should take the time and care to do the job right, use a primer base, and then complete your layers of paint.
The actual installation of the kit was the easiest part of this job. For those of you who are not going to customize your bike, you should be able to complete this project in a weekend.
Here are some great reasons to build an e-bike:
Hands-On Learning: Building an e-bike is a fantastic way to learn practical skills in engineering, mechanics, and electronics. It’s learning by doing, which sticks with you far longer than reading from a textbook.
Eco-Friendly Transportation: E-bikes are a green alternative to cars and public transportation. Building one teaches teens about sustainable practices and the importance of reducing their carbon footprint.
Boosts Creativity and Problem-Solving: Designing and assembling an e-bike involves creative thinking and problem-solving, helping teens develop critical skills that will serve them in all areas of life.
Build Confidence: There’s a huge sense of accomplishment in riding something you’ve built yourself. This project can boost a teen’s confidence in their abilities and inspire them to take on new challenges.
Cost-Effective Mobility: An e-bike is a cost-efficient way to get around, especially compared to owning a car. Teens can learn the value of smart spending and resourcefulness.
Promotes Independence: With their own e-bike, teens gain a level of independence and freedom to travel locally without relying on parents or public transport.
Learn About Technology: E-bikes incorporate modern technology like electric motors and batteries, giving teens a hands-on introduction to emerging technologies that are shaping the future of transportation.
Physical Activity: While e-bikes are motorized, they still require pedaling, making them a great way to stay active and healthy while enjoying the benefits of powered assistance when needed.
Prepare for the Future: As the world shifts toward more sustainable living, skills related to electric transportation will become increasingly valuable. Building an e-bike is a step toward staying ahead of the curve.
Fun and Rewarding: Ultimately, building and riding an e-bike is just plain fun! It’s a rewarding project that combines creativity, technical skills, and a love for the open road.
What You’ll Get:
- Expert Guidance: Learn from pros who know e-bikes inside and out.
- Hands-On Experience: Build your e-bike from the ground up.
- Custom Ride: Walk away with a personalized e-bike that’s ready to hit the road.
Sign Up Today!
Don’t miss out on the chance to create something amazing. Join our “How to Build an E-Bike” course, and let’s get those wheels turning. Ready to ride? Sign up now and start building your future, one pedal at a time! So what are you waiting for? Get ready to roll with the pros and build something epic. Sign up now and let’s get those wheels turning!The great thing about a fabrication project is that it is your time to follow your dreams and bring to life a vision that you see in your mind. For me it was 15-hour days for four straight days to pull together this very customized e-bike. My vision was a vintage European look with Ralph Lauren style to coordinate with my personal style sense.
The reward is doing this yourself. Of being able to tell the stories when you’re applying to colleges or interviewing for job. This project is one of the many stepping stones (aka portfolio projects) that we provide at Athenian to help you along your career path with stories that put the spotlight on your talents.
Now let’s get started on building YOUR bike!
FABcamp is my favorite thing to do each summer. The speakers have inspired me to follow my dreams of designing spacecraft. I can’t wait till next year! I’m ready to build!
~Anna