Welcome to island city bikes: Electric Bike Conversions
Alvin Carpenter, CEO
Did you know the best electric bike in the world is already sitting in your garage?
Did you know the best electric bike in the world is already sitting in your garage?
Three important words.....
When it comes to electric bikes there are three words I hear every day. The reason I hear those same three words is because they are the most important concern of anyone considering converting their bicycle to electric. Having almost 800 clients of whom we have converted their bike to electric, I am an expert (by default) on what is important to those considering an electric bike. These three words in order of importance are: cost, range, and weight.
Cost: "How much does it cost?" We do our best to keep the cost of our conversions down, but we will never reduce the quality or safety of our work. Our clients understand that and if a bike needs new brakes or tires we find them agreeable. In spite of the increase in shipping of our batteries (tripled) and motors (doubled), we have managed to keep our price the same.
Range: "How far can I go on a charge?" This is a very important concern and is second to "How much does it cost?" Range is determined by many factors such as wind, hills, weight of rider and other factors. To help alleviate what is known as "range anxiety," we offer our clients a second battery that they can carry with them at a $200 discount. This will give their electric bike a range of 70-100 additional miles.
Weight: "How much weight does it add to the bike?" Our motors are the lightest 750w on the market and weighs eight pounds. Our side release battery weighs six pounds and our largest battery weighs nine pounds. Weight is important because folks need to carry their electric bike from place to place in order to ride in interesting areas. Every bike we build can be carried on a bicycle rack on the rear of a car.
In order to meet the expectations of our clients, those three things (cost, range, and weight) are constantly at the forefront of all our work.
Quick Links:
Why buying an electric bike online is a bad idea
Disc brakes or rim brakes on a eBike
What is a Lekkie Chainring and why is it important?
Did you know the best electric bike in the world is already sitting in your garage?
Did you know the best electric bike in the world is already sitting in your garage?
Did you know the best electric bike in the world is already sitting in your garage?
The best electric bike in the world is sitting in your garage and all it needs is a motor, battery, and assembly by the most experienced team of mechanics and technicians in the Greater Bay Area.
1. All electric bikes are simply bicycles with motors and batteries.
That's it in a nutshell. The frameset, fork, wheels, tires, stem, chain, derailleurs, bars, grips, shifters, brakes, brake levers, seatpost and saddle are exactly the same on an electric bike as they are on a standard bike. The only things unique to an electric bike are the motor and battery. There is no need to buy a new electric bike...just add the motor and battery to the bike you already have.
2. Electric bike conversion costs 1/3 of a pre-built electric bike.
By way of comparison, were you to purchase a bike similar to one of our standard conversions it would cost between $4,000 and $4,500. In addition, the motor that we use has more power, is simpler to use, and is maintenance-free.
3. Service of your converted electric bike
All of the bikes we convert to electric we service "in house." We never send anything back to the factory for service because we are the factory. In addition, we provide lifetime safety checks of your bike for as long as you own it.
4. All of our conversions use the Bafang Mid Drive Motor
The Bafang BBS02 750w mid drive motor is the most popular electric bike motor in the world. Bafang Industries produce and sell over 1,000,000 of these motors every year. They are maintenance free, reliable, lightweight (eight pounds), simple to use, and have incredible hill climbing torque.
5. Our batteries are manufactured by the largest Lithium Ion battery factory in the world: UPP Unit Pak Power
Of the last 800 batteries used on our conversions, the failure rate has been zero.
6. We have the best warranty in the business. Our motors, batteries and craftsmanship carry a one-year warranty.
7. Second battery option. For our clients we offer an optional second battery for $200 off our retail price. This will double your range. When one battery is depleted, slide the next one on and off you go.
What is the cost of our conversion?
What is the cost of our conversion?
What is the cost of our conversion?
The cost of converting your bike to electric is $1699.
This includes the most popular, powerful, reliable, maintenance free motor in the world and a long range 48v battery. We also include a one year no fault warranty on the motor and the battery. "No fault" means you do not have to fill out reams of information to explain why the battery is failing to charge or the motor to run, just give us a call to set up an appointment and let's get you back on the road. In addition as a courtesy to our clients we provide safety checks for as long as you own the bike.
What it includes: For the best explanation of what it includes see our next page on the conversion process. The entire process can take up to three days as it is very labor intensive. Each employee is trained in bike mechanics, and the installation methods of motor, battery, cabling, and instruments of the Bafang motor system.
We have developed proprietary methods of both motor and battery installation. In addition, we have our own machine shop that allows us to mill custom bottom bracket adaptors, and battery spacers for our electric bikes. If we we do not have a part we make it ourselves to insure your bike is finished on time.
Our consultants include a Senior Engineer at Tesla Motors, a Professor of Federal Law at Golden Gate University, a Professor in Engineering from California University and a Senior Electrical Engineer from Stanford (retired). Our employees are former road bike racers, old school mechanics, new to the field mechanics, in training mechanics, and a CEO who has over 50 years of experience working on bikes.
All of our conversions meet Federal Guidelines
What is the cost of our conversion?
What is the cost of our conversion?
Here are the three classes of eBikes
Class I: A class I electric bike is a bike with a motor that cuts off at 20mph and does not have a throttle. Class I electric bikes are allowed anywhere a standard bike is allowed. Class I one bikes are accepted on most bike paths, century rides, and Grand Fondo's.
Class II: A class II electric bike is a bike with a motor that cuts off at 20mph and has a throttle. Class II electric bikes are allowed anywhere a standard bike is allowed. Class II electric bikes generally are not allowed on bike paths, century rides, and Grand Fondo's.
Class III: A class III electric bike is a bike with a motor that cuts off at 28mph and does not have a throttle. Class III electric bikes are allowed anywhere a standard bike is allowed. Class III electric bikes generally are not allowed on bike paths.
We believe it is important to work within the confines of both Federal and State Laws that govern the use of electric bikes for the protection of our clients.
Meet a few of the team
Alvin, CEO/Mechanic
Jeff - Regional Manager, Sacramento
Jeff - Regional Manager, Sacramento
The above picture is our CEO, who raced for Team Davis. Dr. Carpenter spent his many years as a principle in the funeral industry, a Military Chaplain, and an educator. His motto is, "People first, bicycles second."
Jeff - Regional Manager, Sacramento
Jeff - Regional Manager, Sacramento
Jeff - Regional Manager, Sacramento
Jeff is the Regional Manager of the Greater Sacramento Region and a talented bike mechanic. Due to the Coronavirus, we were not able to keep our facilities open in Sacramento. However, we are looking forward to reopening in the Sacramento area as soon as possible.
Isabella, Mechanic/Supervisor
Jeff - Regional Manager, Sacramento
Isabella, Mechanic/Supervisor
This is Isabella, one of our top mechanics and former pro racer. Isabella has been with us for over a year and brings a wealth of experience to our shop and office. Isabella is our shop supervisor, and is responsible for training and managing our mechanics and technicians.
Fred, Mechanic/Engineer
Fred, Mechanic/Engineer
Isabella, Mechanic/Supervisor
Fred is our latest edition to the team and he brings a wealth of information in the area of engineering. Not only does he know bikes, his background in engineering expands our ability to manufacture parts such as bottom bracket adaptors and special tools that will allow just about any bike to be a candidate for conversion.
Jennifer, CPA
Fred, Mechanic/Engineer
Macy, General Office
Jennifer is a CPA with many years experience managing the finances of some of the largest companies in the State. It is under her watchful eyes that this business has always thrived. Jennifer has advanced degrees in accounting from the University of California at Berkeley.
Macy, General Office
Fred, Mechanic/Engineer
Macy, General Office
Macy is in charge of procurement and inventory. Need a part? Macy will know where it is, how much it costs and if it is time for restocking. She is an avid swimmer, surfer, and rock climber. She is a graduate of UC Berkeley and a great addition to our staff.