If you’re serious about getting an electric bike, or how an electric bike works, read this guide for a thorough understanding of electric bikes and what you should be looking for in a good quality electric bike.
Contents
What is Electric Bike?
An electric bike is just like your bike with a motor and battery pack attached. Riding an electric bike is easier and swifter compared to riding on a normal bike. It is like seating a very fit athlete instead of the old you. Riding to work on your electric bike will shave off several minutes from your traveling time and keep you from getting sweaty.
Riding Options of Electric Bikes
Electric bikes come with two options: Pedal Assist and Full throttle.
Pedal Assist Mode of Electric Bike
Pedal Assist is like having an addition set of legs assisting you on your daily commute. Your bike has torque and motion sensors that will activate the motor the moment you start pedaling.
Full Throttle Mode of Electric Bike
Full throttle mode is different because it does not require any type of pedaling activity. You can use this option if you are finding it very difficult to climb hills or you are getting very late to work and need an extra boost of speed to make it to that meeting in time.
Most people’s journeys are most 2-5 miles. Taking your car for short commutes is wasteful. Electric bikes can cover 25 miles on a single recharge. Even after considering depreciation, cost of recharging, cost per mile comes to pennies. Traveling by car is not only expensive but harmful to our health too. Electric bikes are greener and consumes energy equivalent of a 100 watt bulb.
How to Choose an Electric Bike?
A good measure of quality is how easy it is too cycle without any power. The newer electric bikes are much lighter compared to older bikes. Ideally your electric bike should not weighs more than 66 lbs. However, there are a few other factors that have to be taken into consideration.
Step Through Vs. Cross Over Bikes
Basically there are two types of bikes: Step through bike and Crossover bike. Crossover bike is built like men’s road bike, featuring a horizontal bar few inches below the seat (2 inches ideally). Step through bikes do not have this. If you suffer from knee or hip problem, it is better to invest in a step through bike.
Pedal Assist or Throttle assist
Pedal assist use motion or torque sensors that activates the motor as you start pedaling. It is just like having an extra set of legs to assist you in your cycling activity.
Throttle assist uses a twist grip on the handlebars similar to that used in a moped to provide power. Throttle assist is very helpful for those who are recuperating from a serious injury and need a mode of transport that will help them to move from one place to another without expending too much energy. However, you will still need some initial pedaling to get you started. Once you get started, you can start right away.
Adjustability
Riding position and comfort is very important if you want to ride for longer intervals. If you have adjustable settings in your bike, you will be able to try out different combinations to get to the most out of your bike. Ideally bike handlebars should be at the same or slightly higher level to the seat; your electric bike comes with preset factory settings that are not perfect and require a little bit of tinkering. If your bike has an option for adjustable setting, you can raise the height of the handlebars to where it is perfect.
Weight of Electric Bike
Ideally, your bike should not weigh more than 66 lbs. The newer electric bikes use better quality material in their construction making them lighter and longer lasting. If the bike you have chosen weighs more than 66 lbs., it is time to chose something that is lighter.
Mileage Range of Electric Bike
The electric bike you choose must have a 20 mile radius on a single recharge. If your bike does not offer you a minimum of 20 miles on a single recharge, it is not worth buying. After every recharge, your battery will lose some of its capacitance lowers the battery life of your electric bike substantially. It is a good idea to ask your dealer how far you can travel on a single charge.
Availability of Spare Parts
Depreciation is inevitable in the life time of an electric bike. Even if you take the greatest care, your bike will eventually wear down necessitating spare parts. Therefore, it is a good idea to check for the availability of spare parts before purchasing an electric bike.
New Vs. Old Electric Bikes
Electric bikes fetch a good resale value in the market compared to normal bikes. However, purchasing second hand bikes is not without risks. For example, the battery may have denigrated to the point where replacement is inevitable.
Your bike suffers usual wear and tear over a period of time which reduces battery life significantly. It is very difficult to understand the state of bike battery by merely looking. Taking these factors into consideration it is advisable to purchase a new bike.
Storage
Before purchasing your bike, you must make sure that you have a room that is dry and away from sunlight. The room temperature should be below 25 Celsius as it is optimum for battery. Do not keep your electric bike in direct sunlight as it causes the paintwork to fade. If you are going away charge the batteries, deflate tire pressure to half and ensure that the bike tires do not touch the ground by suspending the bike a few feet off the ground.
Concluding Remarks about Electric Bikes
Choosing the right bike is very important if you want to make the most out of your electric bike. Before making the purchase, it is crucial to understand why you want an electric bike in the first place. Once you know the reason behind your purchase you will be able to make the right decision when it comes to purchasing the best electric bike.
Hi, This is Catharine Pendrel, a professional cyclist and founder of Bikeoure. I have been riding bikes for more than 23 years and writing about cycling and other outdoor magazines for about 5 years. Mountain biking has been my passion ever since I first came across it a decade ago. I participated in various MTB tournaments and won numerous mountain trail races.
I started Bikeoure to share my expertise and cycling experience with cyclists all around the world to make them addicted to cycling. My cycling and solo traveling expertise help new cyclists find the best and latest gear in the market for their cycling adventures.