How the Swytch Go Turned My Single-Speed Bike Into an E-Bike

When I first installed the Swytch Go conversion kit on my old single-speed bike, I was cautiously optimistic. The promise was simple: a compact $349 kit that turns nearly any traditional bike into a fully functional e-bike. What I didn’t expect was that it would not only improve my commute but reignite my love for cycling and unexpectedly boost my fitness.

After three months of testing, I can confidently say this: the Swytch Go may not be perfect, but it does exactly what it claims—and more.

From Struggle to Effortless Commuting

My base bike, a single-speed Quella Nero, looked great but punished me for my vanity. With no gears to help on hills and a stiff ride that made daily commutes feel like workouts, I dreaded every uphill pedal. Installing the Swytch Go changed that immediately.

The pedal-assist system gave me just enough boost to glide over hills and navigate traffic without breaking a sweat. I arrived at work fresh instead of flushed. And unlike many factory-built e-bikes with capped gear ratios, the Swytch Go let me keep my original gearing—a detail that preserved my top-end speed and road feel.

It was the best of both worlds: the performance of an e-bike, with the soul of the bike I already loved.

Fitness Through Pedal Assist? Absolutely.

Initially, I assumed adding pedal assist would reduce my physical activity. The opposite turned out to be true. The Swytch Go features five assist levels, and I found myself gradually lowering the support over time.

What began as a convenience became a training tool. The assist acted like virtual gears, allowing me to control intensity and build stamina. It turned a once-daunting ride into a scalable workout. I wasn’t just riding more often—I was riding smarter.

Where the Swytch Go Falls Short

While the kit performs impressively for its price, it’s not without downsides. The 5.75 lb (2.6 kg) battery is bulky and must be removed when parking in urban environments—a practical headache in cities where bike theft is rampant.

Cable management is also an issue. Because my bike lacked ideal mounting points, wires from the battery to the motor and display zigzagged awkwardly across the frame. A cleaner look would require either better bike compatibility or opting for the more compact Swytch Air model, which sacrifices range for elegance.

Even the OLED display, while helpful for tracking battery life and distance, is easy to accidentally bump—a small but sometimes irritating flaw during urban starts and stops.

Verdict: The Affordable E-Bike Alternative That Works

Despite a few frustrations, the Swytch Go remains a game-changer for budget-conscious riders who want electric assist without replacing their bike. For $349, it's a thoughtful and surprisingly refined kit from a brand that understands real-world cycling.

It made my daily commutes smoother, encouraged me to ride more, and even helped build my fitness. Ironically, the better it worked, the less I used the motor. Today, I pedal more than ever—and that transformation alone makes the Swytch Go worth every dollar.

Bottom Line: If you want a no-frills, reliable way to electrify your ride without breaking the bank, the Swytch Go might just be the smartest cycling upgrade you make this year.