All About E-Bikes

Not only e-bikes are the hottest trend and growing in popularity around the world, but they are also a highly cost-effective mode of transportation, environment-friendly, and offer a whole lot of other benefits. If you’re considering purchasing an e-bike for your good and that of the environment, here’s everything you need to know about this wonder vehicle.

What are E-bikes?

As the name suggests, e-bikes are electric bikes that run on electric-powered motors. The main difference between a regular bicycle and an e-bike is that the electric motor will deliver the required power whenever you need rest from pedaling.

As a rider, one of the huge benefits you can enjoy with an e-bike is that you can pedal it manually, just like you would a regular bike, or use the electric motor to ride without pedaling. This function specifically comes in handy when you need additional power during instances like facing a headwind, riding on a steep road, or simply because your legs need some rest.

Furthermore, e-bikes can be extremely helpful for individuals who otherwise hesitate to ride a bike, say due to a health reason or fear, but would appreciate an effortless alternative.

More on E-bikes

If you thought e-bikes are just a refined version of a motorbike or scooter, well, you are not half wrong. Yes, e-bikes are quite similar to their motorized counterparts, except for the one important detail that you can manually power an e-bike. And as we also pointed out earlier, a deal-breaker is the fact that even people who need the benefits of a motorized vehicle but without all the bells and whistles attached to a motorcycle or scooter can benefit from choosing an e-bike.

Did you know? You can even transform your regular bicycle into an e-bike by using an electric bike conversion kit available online here.

Price

Depending on their features, the durability of the components used, and serviceability, the pricing of e-bikes can vary anywhere between several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. In general, you can expect a quality electric bike to be priced in the range of $1,500 to $2,500. Of course, you can also find e-bikes with a less than $500 price tag; but, they don’t come highly recommended, and may not be suitable for you if you’re after a model that will last for a long time to come. If you can spare the money, you can easily find a high-end e-bike model that costs $5000 and more.

All things considered, e-bikes are indeed more affordable than using a car for daily transport, especially in the long run.

Maintenance

E-bikes are an advanced piece of technology, which you can benefit from for years, provided you care for and maintain them properly. From proactive maintenance to immediate repairs, proper care can go a long way when it comes to making your e-bike run smoothly.

As you probably might have guessed, the cost of maintenance of an e-bike is typically lower than that of a car. In addition, riding a bike regularly is good for your health, and an e-bike is good for the environment too. And with technology constantly improving, modern e-bikes are not only looking and feeling better but also are becoming more affordable than before.

Limitations

There are two sides to a coin, which means any product can and will have some limitations, and so do e-bikes.

Let’s face it, e-bikes are heavier than traditional bikes, the culprits being the electric motor and the battery, which can easily add up to forty pounds more to the bike. This increased weight becomes an issue if carrying your e-bike will be a part of your regular commute, like up or down a flight of stairs.

The second issue is pertinent to the battery charging time. Depending on the condition of your battery, it could take up to two hours for it to charge fully.

Types of E-bikes

E-bikes can be classified into different types, and each type comes with its fair set of benefits and downfalls.

Street E-bikes

Apparently, street e-bikes are designed to be ridden on the streets, and most of these models are street-legal, which means they come with a proper license, and you can register them, and get insurance as well. These e-bikes are ideal for commuting through a city or town, easy to accelerate and brake, and tend to be extremely helpful to face peak-hour traffic.

Mountain / Off-road E-bikes

Electric mountain bikes or mountain e-bikes or off-road e-bikes are built to make off-roading or off-road bike riding easier for bikers. These e-bikes come with the necessary parts and technology of traditional mountain bikes, and at the same time, are also equipped with a more powerful motor and battery than street e-bikes to power them electrically to tackle difficult terrains.

Even ardent mountain bikers love such mountain e-bikes because this version gives them the ability to conquer those treks that were previously practically impossible for them to reach.

Folding E-bikes

Evident from their name, folding e-bikes or electric folding bikes are designed to fold into a compact size and shape to make storing them easier. These bikes become so compact after folding that they can be easily stored in your closet or car trunk, or even under a desk. Not just that, but their foldable design also makes carrying them between uses easier. These mini commuter machines are the perfect type of e-bike for you if your commute regularly involves carrying your bike in different places.

Electric Pedicabs

Ever heard of pedicabs? Widely found in touristy destinations, these are public passenger vehicles, typically pedal-powered by the driver/chauffer, and also have electrical assistance. These e-bikes are considered an efficient alternative to other forms of public transport, especially for shorter distances.