Frequently Asked Questions
What are they ?
An electric bike, a.k.a the e-bike – is a motor-assisted ride. For the most part, they are a combination of a conventional bike with a battery, a controller and a motor, which takes some of the efforts out of pedaling.
There are various types of e-bikes in the world. There are those that have a small engine to assist the rider’s pedal-power, the pedelecs, and those that are somewhat more powerful e-bikes which tend to be closer to the moped-style functionality.
According to various e-bike engineers, there are two styles of e-bikes: the flat-bar hybrids and the mountain bikes.
The hybrid style is the most common – the bike’s riding positions vary between the slightly stretched out stances of a cross-country mountain bike to sit-up-and-beg positions. The hybrid has large wheels and skinny tires thus making it nippy, while the mountain bikes have wide tires and small wheels which make them great for round-town pothole-bashing and they enable you to venture on to tracks and trails.
According to various e-bike engineers, there are two styles of e-bikes: the flat-bar hybrids and the mountain bikes.
The hybrid style is the most common – the bike’s riding positions vary between the slightly stretched out stances of a cross-country mountain bike to sit-up-and-beg positions. The hybrid has large wheels and skinny tires thus making it nippy, while the mountain bikes have wide tires and small wheels which make them great for round-town pothole-bashing and they enable you to venture on to tracks and trails.
How do these electric bicycles work ?
The basics of an electric bicycle are simple. It features the electric motor that propels it, the battery that supplies the power, and a throttle that offers you speed control – although not all e-bikes have an accelerator. The primary distinction lies in how these components are and how they help you in your riding expeditions.
- The Motor
- The Battery
- The Controller
What features did we look at ?
In the last decade, electric bikes have become the norm among cycling enthusiasts and commuters alike. There are a variety of advantages to owning an e-bike that appeals to the various types of riders, and there are also as many types of electric bikes to accommodate them.
There are the higher end bikes that easily cost thousands of dollars, while there are also more affordable options in the lower price range, meaning anyone can afford to own one. For an inexperienced rider though, picking out one quality, a reliable and the functional e-bike can seem daunting. That is why we have put together this honestly reviewed and unbiased buying guide. These guidelines will allow you to choose the one that suits you best. So, with that said, when writing this guide, we put into account the many features to look out for when comparing electric bicycles.
First of all, we examined the motor power and weight capacity. There are various types of motors namely- the hub-mounted the motor and the frame-mounted the one. The hub motor is a feature mostly on cheaper e-bikes. These offer you a quiet and peaceful ride, but they cannot handle hills and slopes well. The frame-mounted motor, mid-drive motor, on the other hand, is lightweight and stable. It makes riding uphill a breeze. An engine is supposed to allow you to move at a steady speed and offer you smooth rides. When choosing according to weight capacity, make sure you get a lightweight e-bike to make riding and carrying it as easy as ABC. Cumbersome bikes are difficult to lift and will hurt you if they fall on you or a friend at the bike rack.
Secondly, we looked into the battery life and capacity. No battery will last forever, but that does not mean you cannot get some serious mileage out of whichever comes on your bike. An excellent e-bike needs to charge at a reasonable pace and also give you service for a reasonable period, say an hour per 100miles. Last but not least we considered the maneuverability features. An electric bicycle should enable you to ride it without a struggle. You need to be able to control it well, have an easy drive and offer you quality assurance. Maneuvering through the hills, grass, road, and pavements should be a breeze.
Some other considerations would be the foldability, brakes, range, local regulations, durability, safety, your lifestyle, price, brand, design, and maintenance of the e-bike. If you are looking for top-rated bikes with excellent features, then you will want to check out our best electric bikes guide.
First of all, we examined the motor power and weight capacity. There are various types of motors namely- the hub-mounted the motor and the frame-mounted the one. The hub motor is a feature mostly on cheaper e-bikes. These offer you a quiet and peaceful ride, but they cannot handle hills and slopes well. The frame-mounted motor, mid-drive motor, on the other hand, is lightweight and stable. It makes riding uphill a breeze. An engine is supposed to allow you to move at a steady speed and offer you smooth rides. When choosing according to weight capacity, make sure you get a lightweight e-bike to make riding and carrying it as easy as ABC. Cumbersome bikes are difficult to lift and will hurt you if they fall on you or a friend at the bike rack.
Secondly, we looked into the battery life and capacity. No battery will last forever, but that does not mean you cannot get some serious mileage out of whichever comes on your bike. An excellent e-bike needs to charge at a reasonable pace and also give you service for a reasonable period, say an hour per 100miles. Last but not least we considered the maneuverability features. An electric bicycle should enable you to ride it without a struggle. You need to be able to control it well, have an easy drive and offer you quality assurance. Maneuvering through the hills, grass, road, and pavements should be a breeze.
Some other considerations would be the foldability, brakes, range, local regulations, durability, safety, your lifestyle, price, brand, design, and maintenance of the e-bike. If you are looking for top-rated bikes with excellent features, then you will want to check out our best electric bikes guide.
What Are the Advantages of Having an E-Bike ?
Basically, an electric bicycle is heaven sent in various ways which go to show that with an electric bike, you can lower the pollution rate, improve on fitness, save a couple of bucks and still arrive at the same time as your car-bound colleagues.
- They offer those with low lung capacity; people living with asthma and those who are allergic the chance to have a minimized fitness level to go out and enjoy Mother Nature’s philanthropic gifts. Even the moderately fit can appreciate some assistance when moving uphill.
- They provide you with a convenient mode of transportation especially those with time-conscious bosses and busy adult towing a buggy full of children or picking up some groceries.
- They are an eco-friendly or green alternative to driving a vehicle. According to some studies, the average car speed in rush hour traffic can dip as low as 18 to 20 mph. E-bikes’, on the other hand, speed can be as high as 15 mph.
- They are economically advantageous. Picture this, the annual cost of running a new car is, on average, about $10,000 per year. Running an electric bike, however, costs around $400 per year. If you consider filling the gas tank cost, it lets say $30. Recharging an electric bike battery costs only about 50 cents.
How Far Can An E-Bike Go ?
It all depends on the terrain, whether flat or hilly, the rider’s weight, the tire pressure, the rider’s input, and the wind. Under normal conditions though, you can expect it to go 20 to 40 miles per charge.
What Kind of Service Do Electric Bikes Require ?
Every bike, regular or electric requires maintenance. For the e-bikes though, those with the lithium-ion batteries to be precise, you need to keep them at room temperatures since they perform better in such conditions. Battery life depletion may occur if you expose them to extreme temperatures. Therefore, we recommend storing them indoors.