Spiny: Universal retrofit kit turns your bike into an e-bike in 5 minutes

EBIKE NEWS The fender and luggage rack do not restrict installation.

The Spiny drive is attached to the seat tube using a small bracket. This means that it can be attached or removed as needed. If you want to use the system alternately on different bikes, you only need a separate bracket for each bike.

Unlike other upgrade kits, the rear tire drive wheel is located between the seat post and the rear tire of the Spiny. It does not rest on the bike from above, as is the case, for example, with the Rubee X electric e-bike conversion kit. This has the advantage that the Spiny system usually also works when a mudguard or luggage rack is mounted on the bike.


Although the newly designed motor has been available for a few months now, according to the manufacturer, Spiny now also offers a new wireless control unit for the handlebars as an option. The system also includes two wireless sensors. The speed sensor and the pedal sensor are attached to the rear wheel or to one of the pedal cranks using the included rubber band.

According to the manufacturer, the entire assembly takes just five minutes. With the exception of an Allen key included in the set, it is done without any tools. An assembly video on the Spiny website illustrates the placement of the individual components.

Autonomy of up to 50 kilometers after 4 hours of charging

The Spiny friction roller drive has a maximum power of 250 watts. Support is provided via five adjustable performance modes. The Spanish manufacturer claims a range of up to 50 kilometres with a four-hour charging time for the 10-ampere-hour lithium-ion battery installed in the system.

For a price of 599 Euros, equipping an existing bike with the Spiny friction wheel motor is of course cheaper than buying a new e-bike. However, a friction roller drive also has disadvantages. For example, the friction makes it relatively noisy.