Everything You Should Know About Buying an Electric Bike

Even if you’re not a fan of traditional cycling, electric bikes might win you over. Not only do they provide a little bit of assistance to make your riding experience easier and more enjoyable, but they have much better climbing efficiency and wind resistance than manual bikes. Now that your interest is piqued, here are a few tips for buying an electric bike in Boca Raton, FL.

Main purpose

The electric bike market has products for a wide variety of lifestyles and functions, so there’s bound to be one that’s most suitable for you. There are e-bikes specifically designed for recreational cruising, mountain biking, urban commuting and everything in between. Think about which activities you’d like to use your electric bike for the most, and browse for ones within those criteria.

Type of drive

Most electric bikes use a drive system commonly known as pedelec or pedal assist. This system adjusts motor assistance based on aspects of the rider’s pedaling, such as rate, force and speed. The motor output is usually regulated to shut off when it reaches a maximum speed. Higher performance electric bikes that exceed this maximum speed exist, but they require a license and insurance to operate.

The other type of drive system is called twist and go. The rider must activate a switch in order to trigger motor assistance. This throttle function uses a lot of power, which is important to keep in mind so you don’t drain the battery before your ride is over.

Motor mount

The motor is usually mounted in one of two ways. Hub motors are mounted in one of the wheels. They tend to generate very little noise, but they’re not ideal for handling steep inclines. Crank assist systems have the motor mounted at the crank and pedal, so they have sensors that can monitor how hard you’re pedaling and how much motor assistance to provide. While they’re effective at climbing hills, they’re usually much noisier than hub motors.

Battery life

Range is the distance an electric bike can travel on one battery charge. It’s dependent on factors such as battery capacity, overall weight of the rider and the bike, assistance level chosen and biking speed. Make sure you’re buying an electric bike with enough range to complete your typical activities without running out of power.

As with any battery source, the range will degrade over time, so you should strongly consider buying an electric bike with a higher range than you currently need in order to extend its lifespan. The quality of the battery itself also makes a difference, so look for one from a reputable manufacturer that comes with a warranty of at least two years.

Interested in buying or trying out an electric bike in Boca Raton, FL? Bicycle Doctor House Calls is a mobile bicycle repair shop that also offers bike sales, rentals and so much more. Contact us today to learn more about our products and services, and to get more tips for buying an electric bike.

Categorised in: Electric Bikes

This post was written by Writer