[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":384},["ShallowReactive",2],{"article-en-brakes":3,"articles-en":287},{"id":4,"title":5,"applies_to":6,"author":8,"body":9,"confidence":265,"description":266,"extension":267,"faq":268,"meta":275,"navigation":276,"path":277,"seo":278,"sources":279,"stem":282,"test_bike":283,"topic":284,"updated":285,"__hash__":286},"content_en\u002Fen\u002Fwissen\u002Fbrakes.md","Brakes for an E-Bike Conversion: What You Need",[7],"all","fabio-gentsch",{"type":10,"value":11,"toc":252},"minimark",[12,24,29,32,36,127,130,134,137,154,157,160,164,167,171,204,208,216,220,225,229,232,239,243,246],[13,14,15,16,23],"p",{},"A converted bike is heavier and faster, so the brakes have to do more. Hydraulic disc brakes are best, and rim brakes reach their limits (",[17,18,22],"a",{"href":19,"rel":20},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.giga.de\u002Ftech\u002Fwer-billig-kauft-kauft-zweimal-diese-fehler-solltet-ihr-vermeiden-wenn-ihr-eurer-fahrrad-zum-e-bike-umbaut--01K0YYJEVGW05AE9TTBCPW0DAM",[21],"nofollow","GIGA","). Put the brake upgrade in your budget before you order the kit.",[25,26,28],"h2",{"id":27},"why-brakes-matter-on-a-conversion","Why brakes matter on a conversion",[13,30,31],{},"A kit with battery often weighs 6 to 8 kg (GIGA). On top of that, with a motor you spend more time at 25 km\u002Fh than you are used to. Both lengthen your stopping distance. In the wet you notice it clearly.",[25,33,35],{"id":34},"which-brake-type-is-enough","Which brake type is enough?",[37,38,39,55],"table",{},[40,41,42],"thead",{},[43,44,45,49,52],"tr",{},[46,47,48],"th",{},"Brake type",[46,50,51],{},"For a 250 W pedelec",[46,53,54],{},"Note",[56,57,58,70,81,91,101,112],"tbody",{},[43,59,60,64,67],{},[61,62,63],"td",{},"Hydraulic disc brake",[61,65,66],{},"very good",[61,68,69],{},"best choice, budget for the cost",[43,71,72,75,78],{},[61,73,74],{},"Mechanical disc brake",[61,76,77],{},"good",[61,79,80],{},"check pads and adjustment",[43,82,83,86,89],{},[61,84,85],{},"Hydraulic rim brake",[61,87,88],{},"usually enough",[61,90],{},[43,92,93,96,98],{},[61,94,95],{},"V-brake with good pads",[61,97,88],{},[61,99,100],{},"fresh pads, clean rim",[43,102,103,106,109],{},[61,104,105],{},"Old side-pull brake",[61,107,108],{},"marginal",[61,110,111],{},"better replace",[43,113,114,117,120],{},[61,115,116],{},"Coaster brake",[61,118,119],{},"not enough alone",[61,121,122,123],{},"see ",[17,124,126],{"href":125},"\u002Fen\u002Fknowledge\u002Fcoaster-brake","coaster brake",[13,128,129],{},"The table's rating for V-brakes and hydraulic rim brakes is an experience-based value Fabio is still checking.",[25,131,133],{"id":132},"the-cut-off-lever","The cut-off lever",[13,135,136],{},"When you brake, the motor should switch off at once. Two common solutions exist:",[138,139,140,148],"ul",{},[141,142,143,147],"li",{},[144,145,146],"strong",{},"Brake lever with cut-off:"," A small switch in the lever tells the controller you are braking. This suits mechanical brakes.",[141,149,150,153],{},[144,151,152],{},"Magnetic sensor:"," On hydraulic brakes there is often a sensor at the lever that reacts to a magnet.",[13,155,156],{},"This matters especially with cadence sensors, because they only detect whether you are pedalling and the motor otherwise runs on briefly. With a torque sensor it is less critical but still a good safety plus. Both statements are assumptions that Fabio is still checking.",[13,158,159],{},"When buying, make sure the cut-off suits the brake type. A lever for mechanical brakes does not fit a hydraulic system.",[25,161,163],{"id":162},"disc-brake-and-the-motor","Disc brake and the motor",[13,165,166],{},"If you want a front motor with a disc brake, the motor needs a disc mount. For front and rear motors alike, the disc interface (for example 6-bolt or Centerlock) has to match the rotor. Ask the dealer what their hub has. With rim brakes, the rim needs a braking surface that suits your pads. With home-built wheels, look closely.",[25,168,170],{"id":169},"how-to-go-about-it","How to go about it",[172,173,174,180,186,192,198],"ol",{},[141,175,176,179],{},[144,177,178],{},"Check the condition."," Pads, rim or rotor, cables and levers.",[141,181,182,185],{},[144,183,184],{},"Replace worn parts."," Worn parts get replaced before the conversion (GIGA).",[141,187,188,191],{},[144,189,190],{},"Assess the upgrade need."," If the brakes are weak today, \"good enough\" does not apply.",[141,193,194,197],{},[144,195,196],{},"Plan the cut-off."," Pick a lever or sensor that suits the brake type.",[141,199,200,203],{},[144,201,202],{},"Test after the conversion."," Braking test on a clear stretch, with and without load.",[25,205,207],{"id":206},"cost","Cost",[13,209,210,211,215],{},"A brake upgrade costs from 0 to about 200 euros (rule of thumb, no guarantee, as of November 2026). If good brakes are already fitted, it costs nothing. If you have to retrofit hydraulic disc brakes front and rear, you land at the top of the range or beyond. It belongs in the total, see ",[17,212,214],{"href":213},"\u002Fen\u002Fknowledge\u002Fcosts","costs",".",[25,217,219],{"id":218},"coaster-brake-the-most-common-deal-breaker","Coaster brake: the most common deal-breaker",[13,221,222,223,215],{},"If you have a coaster brake, that is often where the conversion fails. Either the motor has no room, or the coaster brake no longer works. Details are under ",[17,224,126],{"href":125},[25,226,228],{"id":227},"when-to-leave-it","When to leave it",[13,230,231],{},"If frame or fork cannot take a disc brake and the rim brake is weak, the conversion can get expensive. Then retrofit a brake or buy a used e-bike. Honestly: brakes are the wrong place to save money.",[13,233,234,235,215],{},"For the bigger picture see the ",[17,236,238],{"href":237},"\u002Fen\u002Fknowledge\u002Fconvert-bike-to-ebike","conversion overview",[25,240,242],{"id":241},"how-reliable-is-this","How reliable is this?",[13,244,245],{},"That rim brakes reach their limits and hydraulic disc brakes are best, as well as the kit weight, come from the source named. The rating of V-brakes, the cut-off solutions and the costs are experience or assumptions that Fabio is still checking.",[13,247,248],{},[17,249,251],{"href":250},"\u002Fen\u002Fconfigurator","Does a conversion fit your bike?",{"title":253,"searchDepth":254,"depth":254,"links":255},"",2,[256,257,258,259,260,261,262,263,264],{"id":27,"depth":254,"text":28},{"id":34,"depth":254,"text":35},{"id":132,"depth":254,"text":133},{"id":162,"depth":254,"text":163},{"id":169,"depth":254,"text":170},{"id":206,"depth":254,"text":207},{"id":218,"depth":254,"text":219},{"id":227,"depth":254,"text":228},{"id":241,"depth":254,"text":242},"assumption","Rim or disc, cut-off levers and sensors: which brakes are enough for a 250 W pedelec and when an upgrade is needed.","md",[269,272],{"q":270,"a":271},"Are my old rim brakes enough for an e-bike?","Often only just. Rim brakes reach their limits with the extra weight and higher speed. Good V-brakes with fresh pads are usually enough at 250 watts.",{"q":273,"a":274},"Why does an e-bike need a brake cut-off?","So the motor stops pushing the moment you brake. With a cadence sensor in particular, the motor otherwise runs on briefly.",{},true,"\u002Fen\u002Fwissen\u002Fbrakes",{"title":5,"description":266},[280],{"title":281,"url":19},"GIGA: mistakes when converting to an e-bike (German)","en\u002Fwissen\u002Fbrakes",null,"bremsen","2026-11-09","EATgY5b1bunisfoK2FGHl40RpXlaoOiY2b6Dp8c3x0U",[288,294,296,302,308,314,320,326,332,340,347,353,359,366,372,378],{"path":289,"title":290,"description":291,"topic":292,"applies_to":293,"confidence":265,"updated":285,"author":8},"\u002Fen\u002Fwissen\u002Fbattery","E-Bike Battery for a Conversion: Position, Space, Range","Where the battery fits on a converted bike, how to measure the space, what branded cells bring, real-world range and how to dispose of it.","akku",[7],{"path":277,"title":5,"description":266,"topic":284,"applies_to":295,"confidence":265,"updated":285,"author":8},[7],{"path":297,"title":298,"description":299,"topic":300,"applies_to":301,"confidence":265,"updated":285,"author":8},"\u002Fen\u002Fwissen\u002Fcoaster-brake","Coaster Brake and E-Bike Conversion: What Works","A coaster brake is the most common deal-breaker. Which motors work, where coaster-brake variants exist and when to leave it.","ruecktrittbremse",[7],{"path":303,"title":304,"description":305,"topic":306,"applies_to":307,"confidence":265,"updated":285,"author":8},"\u002Fen\u002Fwissen\u002Fcommon-problems","Common Problems After an E-Bike Conversion","Axle spinning, broken spokes, motor cutting out, jerky starts, fast chain wear: causes and fixes from everyday conversions.","haeufige-probleme",[7],{"path":309,"title":310,"description":311,"topic":312,"applies_to":313,"confidence":265,"updated":285,"author":8},"\u002Fen\u002Fwissen\u002Fconvert-bike-to-ebike","Convert a Bike to an E-Bike: Overview and Steps","What a conversion costs, which motor fits, what the law says and when you should buy a used e-bike instead. An honest overview from the workshop.","fahrrad-zum-e-bike-umbauen",[7],{"path":315,"title":316,"description":317,"topic":318,"applies_to":319,"confidence":265,"updated":285,"author":8},"\u002Fen\u002Fwissen\u002Fcosts","What Does an E-Bike Conversion Really Cost?","Cost items at a glance: kit EUR 400 to 1,700, brakes, tools, small parts. Plus the comparison with used and new (about EUR 2,500) and the cost calculator.","kosten",[7],{"path":321,"title":322,"description":323,"topic":324,"applies_to":325,"confidence":265,"updated":285,"author":8},"\u002Fen\u002Fwissen\u002Fframe-and-weight","Frame and Weight: Which Bike Suits a Conversion","Steel and aluminium are usually fine, carbon is not. Plus the magnet test, total weight, warranty and the wear parts to replace before converting.","rahmen-und-gewicht",[7],{"path":327,"title":328,"description":329,"topic":330,"applies_to":331,"confidence":265,"updated":285,"author":8},"\u002Fen\u002Fwissen\u002Fglossary","E-Bike Conversion Glossary: Terms Explained","Rated power, volts, watt-hours, newton metres, PAS, torque sensor, Higo and Julet, controller and display: the glossary for e-bike conversions.","begriffe",[7],{"path":333,"title":334,"description":335,"topic":336,"applies_to":337,"confidence":265,"updated":285,"author":8},"\u002Fen\u002Fwissen\u002Fhub-spacing","Hub Spacing and Axles for an E-Bike Conversion","How to measure hub spacing, quick release versus thru-axle, spreading 130 to 135 mm on steel frames and what to watch with dropouts.","einbaubreite",[338,339],"front","rear",{"path":341,"title":342,"description":343,"topic":344,"applies_to":345,"confidence":265,"updated":285,"author":8},"\u002Fen\u002Fwissen\u002Fmeasure-bottom-bracket","Measure Your Bottom Bracket for a Mid-Drive","How to measure shell width and bore of your bottom bracket and tell BSA 68\u002F73, Pressfit and BB30 apart. Step by step for a mid-drive motor.","tretlager-messen",[346],"mid",{"path":348,"title":349,"description":350,"topic":351,"applies_to":352,"confidence":265,"updated":285,"author":8},"\u002Fen\u002Fwissen\u002Fmid-drive-vs-hub-motor","Mid-Drive or Hub Motor: What Suits You?","Ride feel, hills, gears, installation and cost compared, with a clear guide to when a mid-drive and when a front or rear hub motor makes sense.","mittelmotor-oder-nabenmotor",[346,338,339],{"path":354,"title":355,"description":356,"topic":357,"applies_to":358,"confidence":265,"updated":285,"author":8},"\u002Fen\u002Fwissen\u002Fmotor-types","E-Bike Conversion Motor Types Compared","Front, rear and mid-drive motors, friction rollers and seat-tube motors compared: feel, installation, cost and which bikes suit which.","motorarten",[7],{"path":360,"title":361,"description":362,"topic":363,"applies_to":364,"confidence":365,"updated":285,"author":8},"\u002Fen\u002Fwissen\u002Fpedelec-law","Pedelec Law: 250 W, 25 km\u002Fh and Walking Assist","What a conversion may do legally: 250 W rated power, assist only while pedalling up to 25 km\u002Fh, walking assist up to 6 km\u002Fh and what lies beyond.","pedelec-recht",[7],"source",{"path":367,"title":368,"description":369,"topic":370,"applies_to":371,"confidence":265,"updated":285,"author":8},"\u002Fen\u002Fwissen\u002Ftools","Tools for an E-Bike Conversion: The List","Which tools you need for front, rear and mid-drive conversions and what kits usually lack, above all the lockring tool.","werkzeug",[7],{"path":373,"title":374,"description":375,"topic":376,"applies_to":377,"confidence":265,"updated":285,"author":8},"\u002Fen\u002Fwissen\u002Ftorque-arm","Torque Arm: When You Need One","Why the axle of a hub motor turns in the dropout, when you need a torque arm and how to fit it.","drehmomentstuetze",[338,339],{"path":379,"title":380,"description":381,"topic":382,"applies_to":383,"confidence":265,"updated":285,"author":8},"\u002Fen\u002Fwissen\u002Fwheel-sizes","Wheel Sizes and ETRTO for E-Bike Conversions","Inches are unreliable, ETRTO is not: how to read wheel size off the tyre and avoid the 635\u002F622 and 406\u002F451 traps.","laufradgroessen",[338,339],1794254701503]