# Swytch vs Bafang conversion kits Source: https://pedalandvolt.co.uk/blog/swytch-vs-bafang Published: 2026-10-12 Publisher: Pedal and Volt **In short:** Swytch is best known for a front hub motor wheel with a compact battery pack that clips to the handlebar, designed to fit many bikes quickly and come off easily. Bafang is best known for bottom-bracket mid-drive kits that drive the chain and use your gears, which climb better but take more work to fit. For quick, light conversions on town bikes, Swytch suits; for hilly routes and mountain bikes, a 250 W Bafang mid-drive suits. Check any kit is the 250 W version for UK roads. Swytch and Bafang come up in almost every conversation about converting a bike, but they solve the problem in different ways. One is built around simplicity and portability, the other around climbing ability and using the bike's own gears. This guide compares the two approaches on fitting, ride feel, weight, legal set-up and bike suitability. Specifications change between kit versions, so check the maker's current details before you buy. ## How each kit works Swytch kits are built around a front wheel with a hub motor, laced to a rim in your bike's wheel size. A small battery pack sits in a bracket on the handlebar and can be lifted off to take with you or charge indoors. A pedal sensor on the crank tells the motor when to help. The design aims to fit a wide range of bikes, including some folding bikes. Bafang makes several kinds of motor, but its best-known conversion kits are mid-drives such as the BBS series. These replace your bottom bracket and drive the chainring directly, so the motor's power goes through your gears. The battery usually mounts on the down tube bottle bosses or on a rack. ## Side-by-side comparison These points reflect each brand's best-known kit layout. Both brands sell several versions, so check the specific kit. | Factor | Swytch (front hub) | Bafang (mid-drive) | | --- | --- | --- | | Motor position | Front wheel | Bottom bracket | | Uses bike gears | No | Yes | | Battery position | Handlebar pack | Down tube or rack | | Fitting | Wheel swap, sensor, bar mount | Remove cranks and bottom bracket | | Steep hills | Fine on moderate hills | Stronger on long, steep climbs | | Drivetrain wear | Normal | Faster chain and cassette wear | | Removing the battery | Lifts off the bar mount | Slides off the mount | | UK road use | Choose the 250 W version | Choose a 250 W model and set 25 km/h | Swytch front hub kit vs Bafang mid-drive kit ## Which bikes each suits A front hub kit suits bikes with a sturdy steel or aluminium fork and suitable front dropouts, and is a common choice for hybrids, town bikes and some folders. It is not suited to carbon forks, and torque arms help where the maker recommends them. Because nothing changes at the cranks, it works with most drivetrains. A Bafang mid-drive suits bikes with a standard threaded bottom bracket shell in a width the kit supports, enough clearance around the chainstays and down tube, and a drivetrain in good order. It is a popular choice for hardtail mountain bikes and touring bikes. Press-fit bottom brackets and unusual frames may not work. Our [can you make a normal bike electric guide](https://pedalandvolt.co.uk/blog/can-you-make-a-normal-bike-electric) covers frame checks. ## Ride feel, hills and weight A front hub pulls the bike along. On flat and rolling roads it feels light and easy, though the steering can feel heavier with the battery on the bars. On long, steep climbs at low speed, a hub motor works hard. A mid-drive multiplies its torque through low gears, so it climbs steep hills more easily and keeps the weight low and central. Bafang BBS kits usually use a cadence sensor, which gives steady help for light pedalling. Swytch kits also use a pedal sensor. Our [torque vs cadence sensor guide](https://pedalandvolt.co.uk/blog/torque-sensor-vs-cadence-sensor) explains how that affects the feel. ## Staying within UK rules Both brands sell kits at several power ratings for different markets. Only a kit with a 250 W continuous rated motor, set to stop assisting at 15.5 mph (25 km/h), can make an EAPC for UK roads. Higher-power Bafang models, often sold for off-road use, take the bike outside the rules. If a kit has a throttle, limit it to 6 km/h or leave it disconnected. Read [are e-bike conversion kits legal in the UK](https://pedalandvolt.co.uk/blog/are-ebike-conversion-kits-legal-uk) before you buy, and check gov.uk for the rules in force. Note: This page is general information, not legal advice. Use the charger supplied with the kit, charge where you can keep an eye on it, and have a qualified mechanic check the fitting if you are unsure. ## Which to choose If you would rather skip fitting altogether, our [electric bikes under 1,000 guide](https://pedalandvolt.co.uk/best/best-electric-bikes-under-1000) shows ready-built 250 W options. Replacement packs for common mounts are in our [replacement battery guide](https://pedalandvolt.co.uk/best/best-ebike-replacement-batteries). - Town bike or hybrid, moderate hills, want a quick fit and removable battery: a Swytch-style front hub kit. - Mountain or touring bike, steep or long climbs, comfortable removing a bottom bracket: a 250 W Bafang mid-drive. - Carbon fork or worn bike: consider a [new e-bike](https://pedalandvolt.co.uk/blog/conversion-kit-vs-new-ebike) instead. [See ready-built 250 W e-bikes](https://pedalandvolt.co.uk/best/best-electric-bikes-under-1000) ## Frequently asked questions **Is Swytch or Bafang easier to fit?** A front hub kit like Swytch is generally easier, as it is mostly a wheel swap. A mid-drive needs the cranks and bottom bracket removed. **Which is better for hills?** A mid-drive such as a Bafang BBS usually climbs better because it uses your gears. **Are Bafang kits legal in the UK?** The 250 W versions can be, if set to cut assistance at 15.5 mph. Higher-power versions are not road legal. **Can I move a Swytch kit between bikes?** The handlebar battery design makes swapping easier, but each bike needs a compatible wheel size and mounts. Check with the maker. ## Buying guides on this topic - https://pedalandvolt.co.uk/best/best-electric-bikes-under-1000 - https://pedalandvolt.co.uk/best/best-ebike-replacement-batteries - https://pedalandvolt.co.uk/best/best-electric-mountain-bikes ## Sources - [Bafang](https://www.bafang-e.com/) - [gov.uk: Electric bikes, licensing, tax and insurance](https://www.gov.uk/electric-bike-rules)