Spiny 2 kit turns an old bicycle into an e-bike, range up to 180 km with extra battery

With petrol and diesel prices and general inflation rising, ordinary people are struggling. A new electric bicycle or scooter for daily commuting costs Rs 35,000 to Rs 45,000, which is beyond many. A new gadget, the Spiny 2, an ultra-portable conversion kit, is drawing attention. It turns any old bicycle into a high-speed electric bike in a few seconds.

Unlike other kits on the market, it does not require replacing the bicycle's pedals, chain, sprocket or tyres. The system is simple. A small bracket is fitted to the bicycle frame and the device locks into it easily. A special roller mechanism lets the device turn the rear tyre and power the bicycle electrically.

The motor and battery unit weighs only 2.2 kg. For fear of theft or for safety, it can be removed in just 5 seconds and carried in a bag.

The kit has a 250W motor that can deliver a speed of up to 32 kmph. The in-built battery gives a range of up to 90 km on one charge. With an external, or additional, battery, the range rises to as much as 180 km.

A Bluetooth handlebar remote and a dedicated smartphone app are provided to make it easier to use.

The saving on petrol is also easy to work out. Take someone who rides about 20 km a day, or 600 km a month. Compared with a petrol bike, the electric kit works out considerably cheaper. Because of the heavy spending on petrol and maintenance, the kit recovers its full cost within 3 years.

On price, the Spiny 2 E-Bike conversion kit costs about $299 to $349 in the international market. In Indian currency, the kit could cost between Rs 25,000 and Rs 29,000. A dual-battery combo pack for greater range would cost about Rs 32,000. It could be an affordable and smart alternative to buying a new e-cycle.