“After a long wait, the Swytch universal kit finally arrived.
I've installed it on my wife's Giant Box Two full-suspension mountain bike.
The end result is great; my wife is very happy. She can now keep up and overtake :-$, recently easily completing an initial 14 mile circuit.
The installation needs some comment. If you have 1" diameter handlebars where it is clamped to the stem you will need to ask for some suitable spacers; they aren't included by default.
Regarding the pedal sensor magnetic disk installation. For the size of gap between the pedal arm and frame, the manual suggested 'Easy Fit Regular' configuration. However, due to the 16mm spindle diameter, with the semi-circular toothed spacers trimmed to suit, it seemed to me to be liable to be knocked off since the semi-circular disks are not a tight fit nor is the retention ring (circlip) a tight fit. So I decided to glue them together with contact adhesive (which should still allow for it to be dismantled in the future if needed) AND I installed the pedal disk arm. This has resulted in a much more secure installation.
Being a full-suspension mountain bike, the pedal sensor itself had to be trimmed to fit nicely, which was suggested in the manual.
The front wheel was an easy fit and blends nicely with the existing rear wheel. The other components fitted easily.
In use, it just works! We did discover that there is a 0 power level which I think to maximise range will be needed because the assistance wasn't necessary on the flat (or downhill of course).
It would also have been easier to change power level without taking your hands off the handlebar but that isn't an option. We did try the twist throttle but it interferes with the gear levers so it can't be used.
I gave it four stars because there is room for improvement both on kit content and price.
Looking forward to the summer!”
“Having long been tempted by the idea of an e-bike, my interest was piqued when I learnt about Swytch and the ability to keep my existing bike. I took the plunge last summer. Whilst I understand the business model and was fully aware of the long ordering process it was a little frustrating not to be able to have the kit in a matter of days or weeks. I am very much a fair weather cyclist so the prospect of the kit arriving in the middle of December was a little disappointing. However, overall I was happy to trade this off against the cost savings compared to buying a ready built e-bike.
Once the kit arrived I found it very easy to set up. The only drawback was the need for Swytch to send
me spacers for my handlebars as the ones supplied were an unsuitable size- I appreciate the need to keep costs - and therefore prices - down but it is a shame that the kit does not include several different size spacers. This caused a frustrating delay of a further week before I could try out the kit.
However, now everything is up and running I am very pleased with the set-up. Everything works perfectly and I am very happy with the performance and flexibility of the settings. I am now using my bike on a regular basis and no longer count myself as a fair weather cyclist, tackling longer and hillier journeys than in the past. The wait was worthwhile and I thoroughly recommend this as an alternative to buying a second or replacement bike. Rating would be 5 stars if the business model was different but the price was the same!”
“I bought this kit in June 2020 and it was delivered in February 2021. I expected a long wait as this is a crowdfunded product.
Fitment was really easy and has brought new life to my 23 year old Kona! I can now keep up with my wife on her e-bile.
The kit is pretty stealthy and doesn't detract massively from the look of your bike.”
“It took a while coming due to local lockdowns and results of delays with regards to Brexit but it was worth the wait. The kit arrived really well packed, first impressions were good (I am fussy!) packaging was great, included info and links to web help was also great. The installation was very quick and easy on my Specialized Crosstrail Hybrid. The tyre went on without issues and the wheel installed without having to modify anything or file the forks. After some trial and error I got the PAS fitted, I opted to use the one that has an attachment to fit on to the pedal arm, this was held solidly by some zip ties which were in the kit. My PAS sensor would not fit, after researching on the internet and on the Swytch site I decided to take the mount off and cut the bracket which allowed a perfect fit using the double-sided pad included. I also used two small zip ties for increased security. On to the handlebar mount, the first hurdle - with the inserts, it would not fit, and without it was to slack. I managed to cobble it with some spacers I had printed as a stop-gap, a quick email to Swytch and some smaller ones were sent very quickly. The next job was to tidy up the cables using zip ties and then attach the battery pack for a test. Before I did this I noticed the stitching on the contact cover/hood had come apart, this is not an issue but I was concerned that the contacts were not protected when not in use, again a quick email to Swytch and they are looking into a replacement. The first test was a quick ride around the block, everything went really well, the whole system is very quiet. Just come back from a longer test. I had a full charge and cycled 21.1 km power setting was mostly set to 1 with occasional bosts to 5 for the hills including one very steep one. It's great as it makes you feel like you have still had some exercise and a bot of assistance on hills mean my knees aren't causing issues. I am a real pedal-assist convert. I would recommend it to anybody and to be honest, I am thinking of converting my other bike. Yes there were teething problems but Sytch sorted them quickly ( and to be fair they were only minor ones)”
“Hi. I have a MTB with rapid-fire + gear/brake levers, I also bought the the thumb throttle to add to my handle bars. Unfortunately the thumb throttle cable arm got in the way of my levers, see photo1&2. So I contacted customers services and they exchanged this for a
grip-shift throttle, see photo3. Now it works a treat, thank you Swytch.
My wife liked it so much that see has one as well, photo4.”
“Excellent product. I fitted this to a 1970s Puch touring bike and it was very easy, and works fantastically.
Please be aware that when you pre order, it will be at least 12 weeks before your kit is made, then shipped by sea from China (so its about 4 months in total). Throughout this time Swytch keep you informed, and you can track your package in its tanker across the seas.
The kit is well worth the extra time it takes to come. I've had other electric bikes and this kit is small but really powerful.”
“Swytch electric bike conversion is a fabulous bit of kit. Interesting to fit, with full support should you have any non standard bike parts. Great ride and particularly great assistance on hills.
It can be covert if you want so it's not obviously an electric bike.
If you have a bit of a wait for order and delivery that's due in part to the success of the kit well worth it.”
