Understanding E-Bikes

Who would have thought 15 to 20 years ago that we would be selling so many electric-assist bicycles and electric-assist recumbent trikes to our customers? E-bikes are bicycles that assist you with power when pedaling. We see customers from all different backgrounds, including those who might have once been a competitive cyclist or a daily bike commuter, weekend cycling enthusiast, or someone who hasn’t ridden a bicycle in many years.
The bicycle industry has many different types of e-bikes to choose from that can help people enjoy cycling again. Most people looking at e-bikes want something that will make it easier for them to get out and not have to deal with the normal struggles that come with riding a traditional bicycle.

A Way to Keep Going

I’m starting to see a trend in my circle of friends and customers. Many aren’t able to ride the way they once did and are having problems keeping up with their friends or partners, but they still want to get out and bike for recreation, fitness, and fun. This is what brings them through our doors at the Hostel Shoppe.
Every week, we have people coming in to look for an e-bike or an e-recumbent trike for themselves or their partners because they are struggling to enjoy cycling, their partner cannot keep up on a ride, or they hate cycling their favorite routes with hills or in windy weather conditions that make their ride not very enjoyable. We also see the distances they used to ride decline. Once we find the right type of e-bike, we can get them back to riding their favorite routes and having fun.

A great example is when my sales manager at the Hostel Shoppe recently purchased an e-assist mountain bike. On his first ride at our hilly mountain bike park, he rode longer and farther than he had in some time, adding that it was the most mountain-biking fun he’d experienced in a long time.

Choosing the Right E-Bike for You

In the bike world, there are kids bikes, comfort bikes, fitness bikes, cargo bikes, road bikes, gravel bikes, fat bikes, and mountain bikes, as well as the recumbent trikes we specialize in here at the Hostel Shoppe. You can easily find the type of e-bike that fits your needs and the type of cyclist you are.
Without getting too technical, there are three different classes of e-bikes. Class 1 is where the motor provides assistance when you pedal and will assist you up to 20 mph; at that speed, the motor-assist stops. Class 2 has a motor assist up to 20 mph when you pedal, but it also is equipped with a throttle that doesn’t require you to pedal while getting that assist up to 20 mph. Class 3 is only pedal assist, like Class 1, but the pedal assist will take you up to 28 mph before the motor assist stops.
I recommend Class 1 assist for new customers getting into e-bikes, but that is solely a decision of the customer and we try to guide them to the right class of e-bike when initially talking with them. Depending on your location, some classes, especially Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes, may not be allowed on certain bike paths or trail systems in your area according to state or local regulations. We recommend checking into the access rules for e-bikes in your area or where you are planning on riding before making a purchase.

Motor Stuff to Know

There are two different types of motor systems for bikes and trikes. First, there is the mid-drive motor, which is mounted in the frame where the crank arms are attached. Second, the rear-wheel-hub drive motor. Both systems can sometimes be adapted to your current bicycle that you own, depending on compatibility.
Both types of assist systems can add up to 25 pounds to the weight of a traditional or recumbent trike. The average weight of most e-bikes seems to be right around the 50 to 60-pound range. The mid-drive motor gives a more normal-pedaling feel, similar to your traditional bicycle. It also keeps the weight of the system lower and if for any reason the e-assist failed to work, you could still ride your bike like a traditional bike to get to your destination.
A rear-wheel hub drive motor can make the assist feel like you’re being pushed from behind when pedaling. This system can be slightly more complicated if you were to have a flat tire or a system failure, as it can be more difficult to remove the rear wheel from the bike or trike. Also, if the assist fails to work, it can be harder to pedal to the end of your ride.
An oft-asked question is how long the battery lasts on a charge. Most e-bikes or e-trikes will have a range of from 30 to 60 miles, depending on what level of assist you use. Motor and battery size will also determine the mileage range, so make sure and ask about these two important components when shopping for your first e-bike or e-trike.

Also, e-bike systems will have multiple assist levels for you to choose from. If you ride on the highest assist level, your mileage range will be lower; if you ride on the lowest assist level, your range in miles will be higher. Other factors can be where you ride. A hilly route can shorten your assist range, and how you shift during your ride can help make the range either longer or shorter. Battery recharging usually takes anywhere from 3 to 6 hours depending on the system and can have anywhere from 500 to 1,000 charge cycles.

Before Deciding …

My final word of advice: Take the time to test ride whatever type of e-bike or e-recumbent trike you are interested in power device.
My wife initially needed to adjust to the heavier weight of her new e-bike and, after a few rides, she was not only fine with it but also dropping me on our rides! Also, make sure that the e-assist system is supported by the manufacturer in case you have questions, system updates, or technical problems with your e-bike or e-recumbent trike.
Never again say you can’t ride a bicycle when you have all these great options that are available out in the world now to keep you active. They will help you keep pedaling onward!