Most people who want an e-bike don't actually want a new bike. They want the bike they already have, the one that fits them, the one with the basket and the scuffed grips, to stop feeling like work on the way home.
That's a different problem than "which e-bike should I buy," and it has a different answer. Sometimes the best e-bike is the one you add, not the one you replace.
Why a whole new e-bike is a big ask
Full e-bikes are great, and we carry plenty of them. But they come with three costs people don't think about until after checkout:
- Weight. A typical e-bike weighs 55 to 70 pounds. That's fine on the road and miserable on stairs.
- Theft. A $2,000 bike locked outside a coffee shop is a $2,000 bike you're thinking about the whole time you're inside.
- Storage. In an apartment, a big e-bike competes with your couch for floor space.
If any of those sound like the reason you haven't made the jump yet, a conversion kit is worth a look. And the simplest conversion kit we've seen is one you don't install at all.
Meet CLIP: the motor that clips on
CLIP is a portable friction-drive motor that clips onto your bike's front fork. A powered roller presses against the front tire and pushes you along while you pedal. There's no wheel swap, no new tire, no wiring, and no tools. You line it up over the front wheel, clip it on, and ride.
Because it never touches your chain, gears or brakes, taking it off puts your bike back exactly the way it was. That's the whole idea: your bike, with help when you want it.
What it's like day to day
The ride. CLIP's 450W motor gives you pedal assist up to 15 mph. A handlebar boost button (wireless, pre-paired) adds extra push when a hill shows up. Headwinds and stop-and-go traffic stop being the part of the ride you dread.
The parking. When you get where you're going, CLIP comes off and goes inside with you. Under 10 pounds, it fits in a backpack or sits next to your laptop. What's left locked outside is a regular bike, which is a much less interesting target.
The charging. It plugs into a standard outlet. The Commuter charges in about 30 minutes and the Explorer in about an hour, so a morning at the office or a long lunch is enough to top up for the ride home. It also recovers a little energy through regenerative braking as you slow down.
Commuter or Explorer?
Both models share the same 450W motor, 15 mph assist and boost button. The difference is the battery.
- Commuter, $499: up to 6 miles of assist, about 30 minutes to charge, 8.8 lb. Built for short city trips and last-mile rides, like the train station, the office or the grocery run.
- Explorer, $599: up to 12 miles of assist, about 60 minutes to charge, 9.8 lb. Better for longer commutes or weekend loops.
A simple rule: if your one-way trip is under 3 miles and you can charge at your destination, the Commuter is plenty. If you ride farther, or want a round trip on one charge, go Explorer. Real range depends on your weight, the terrain, your tire pressure and how much you lean on the boost button.
Will it fit your bike?
This is the part to check before you order. CLIP works on most city, road, hybrid and bikeshare bikes with a 27" to 28" (700c) front tire, with any fork thickness. It is not made for bikes with front suspension forks (most mountain bikes) or for cargo bikes.
It's water-resistant for light splashes, but it isn't meant for riding through medium or heavy rain, so on a stormy day leave it inside and ride the old-fashioned way.
Not sure about your bike? Email sales@allgadgetworld.com with your bike's make and model and we'll tell you.
Who CLIP is (and isn't) for
CLIP is a great fit if you already love your bike, live somewhere with stairs or limited storage, park outside a lot, or just want to test the e-bike life without buying a whole new bike.
If you're riding 20+ miles a day, tackling trails, or hauling kids and groceries, a full e-bike is the better tool, and our guide to carbon e-bikes for commuting is a good place to start.
Try it this week
CLIP is new at All Gadget World, and through Tuesday, October 27, code OCT20 takes 10% off. That's $449.10 for the Commuter or $539.10 for the Explorer.
Find more rides and accessories in our eBikes & Accessories collection.
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