Electric bikes are becoming more and more popular as people look for ways to reduce their carbon footprint and get around town without breaking a sweat. But what exactly is an electric bike, and what do you need to know before buying one? This post will discuss the three most important things you should know about electric bikes!
What is an Electric Bike?
Electric bikes come in all shapes and sizes, but they all have one thing in common: they are battery-powered to give you a boost while pedaling. This can be helpful if you want to go further, faster, or tackle a hill without breaking a sweat!
It is still possible to improve your traditional bike to an e-bike. If you wish to know how to go about it, read this article for more ideas. However, you will have to pedal the bicycle when using it in electric mode. You can use an e-bike just like a regular bike, but your range is limited by how much electricity you can store on your battery and how much effort you’re willing to put into pedaling. The more assistance you want, the more you’ll have to pedal.
Some of the things you need to know include:
- There Are Different Types of Electric Bikes
As the name suggests, electric bikes run on electricity! It may not be immediately clear what type of bike you should choose if you consider purchasing an e-bike. The three main types are:
- Pedal-assist/Throttle bikes
Your traditional electric bike will have a motor you control by pedaling or throttle. These bikes are popular since they do not require any special licensing or insurance.
- Freewheel Bikes
Your e-bike will have a motor, but it will only activate when you pedal – so if you stop pedaling, the motor will stop running. Freewheel bikes are becoming more popular among e-bikers because they allow you to use your strength to go farther than if you were relying on an electric motor alone.
- Hub Motor-Powered
These types of bikes look just like standard bicycles but have an added electric motor in the front or back hub. Most metropolitan cities have a higher density of these types of bikes, as they require no registration and are often a more affordable option for those on a tight budget.
- Know How to Get the Most Range Out of an Electric Bike?
One of the main concerns when looking to purchase an e-bike is how far you can travel on a full charge since it doesn’t sound nearly as fun if you have to keep stopping to send your battery in for charging. Here are some tips for getting the best range possible:· If you have money to spend, upgrade your battery. Some higher-end electric bikes use lithium-ion batteries, which are much lighter than the traditional lead-acid ones.
- Use Pedal-Assist Mode on Hills
There is nothing more tiring than getting up a hill and having to push yourself the whole way up. If you use the pedal-assist mode, the bike will sense when you get tired and switch to an electric motor to do too much work.
- Try Not to Use Throttle Mode on Hills
Adding the element of resistance is very important when climbing a hill, but if your bike has a throttle mode, the motor will kick in and take over that resistance, leaving your legs to rest a little bit.
- Take It Easy on the Throttle
Remember not to give it too much gas when going downhill, as you could cause the battery to lose some of its charge. It might be fun to go fast at first, but you don’t want to be caught without enough juice to make it home.
- E-bikes are inclusive!
Another big misconception about electric bikes is that they are only for the elderly or people who want to take them easy. This couldn’t be further from the truth! Electric bikes are becoming more popular among city dwellers because of their convenience and ability to navigate through traffic easily. Not only are e-bikes great for zipping around congested cities, but they are also great for long commutes because you can use pedal assist mode to get around without feeling exhausted, which is where throttle mode comes in handy if you’re in a rush.
Electric bikes are also accessible for people who normally cannot ride a traditional bike. This includes people with disabilities or injuries that may not allow them to exert themselves. Not only are the bikes themselves accessible, but there are also ways to adapt your current bike to accommodate for these hardships – such as adding hand-operated brakes or a motorized system that allows you to move the pedals with ease.
In summary, electric bikes are not your parents’ suburban form of transportation. They are great for zipping around the city, making it to work on time, accommodating for disabilities or injuries, and they can even help you lose a few pounds! So the next time you see someone cruising along on an e-bike, don’t be that guy who gives them side-eye – they could be the next future e-biking champion!