Electric Motorized Bicycle Tips To Help You!
An electric motorized bicycle can be great for you, but only if you
make the right choices in your selection! Most people have unique
needs, so go with what is best suited to you.
What is best to do is to list what you need, and what is not essential to you for buying an electric
bicycle:
- I need to be able to travel 20 miles on one charge,
- I need a battery that will function well in the rain,
- I can charge overnight, so a fast-charge battery is not essential (will save money),
- I can afford $1000 (£680) maximum,
- Plus I want it to look good and be comfortable to ride.
This would be a basic list of needs and wants. You would then look for an electric bike that fits this list the best. This really is a great
way
to find your perfect electric bike, without paying for things you don't need!
But, there is much to consider with an electric bicycle.
Top Electric Bicycle Tips List
The electric bicycle laws require certain rules so that your bike is not considered a moped.
You must stick by these regulations if you don't want to pay taxes and many other things, which we are guessing
you don't. 
You can find these laws here.
All good manufacturers will make their electric bikes to law, but certain bikes are made to different laws (different countries) so make
sure
you check them out.
With the regulations controlling the top speed you can go, along with other things, what choices does that
leave you with?
Here is a list of what you should consider:
- Electric Motorized Bicycle Range: A minimum for most people should be 15 miles. Any
lower and you will be really quite restricted.
Tip 1: Most of the ranges that manufacturers state are off target.
The range stated is usually in the most perfect
of conditions, which is usually worked out in a lab. In reality there are hills, bumps, your weight, your luggage weight, plus
stopping and starting to contend with. How much you are willing to pedal also has a
very big effect on range.
Tip 2: Try to buy an electric motorized bicycle that offers more range than you need. That way you won't
have to worry about the range when you're
cycling!
- Electric Motorized Bicycle Battery: You will probably need
to buy a replacement battery at some
stage. So before you buy an electric motorized bicycle, check the price
of a replacement. Many cheap electric bikes will sell their batteries
at high prices. This is
where they make a lot of their money!
Tip 1: If they do not tell you the price of a replacement, just ask. If they
still don't, just forget it, a good, reliable company wouldn't do that!
Tip 2: Find out the guarantee that is offered.
Tip 3:
Read our battery guide to find the best.
- Electric Motorized Bicycle Weight: You really should not be
going over 25 to 30kg maximum.
A heavy bike brings with it too many problems, it is simply not worth it. Also try and keep the weight of the wheels to a minimum, this will
improve control.
Tip: If you have to carry your bike around a lot, be sure to
stay under 30kg! A good work out but it will just get really annoying
after a while. Plus those sweat patches might start to show up! Not
a good look.
- Electric Motorized Bicycle Charging: If you really need to
be able to charge your
bike fast, then there are new fast charging batteries on the market.
The 'SciB'
has revolutionised electric bicycle fast charging. But for the
majority of people, overnight charging is best. With todays technology,
it is also safe to do. Around 3 to 4 hours is acceptable.
Tip: If you do not have enough time or just forget to charge, you can carry
your charger around with you. This means you could charge it at work,
or at a friends house. It is also a good option to take
a spare battery with you and use it on the return leg. That way, if you
like an electric bicycle but it's range is too short, buy a second battery
and swap them on return.
- Electric Motorized Bicycle Hill Climbing: If you're climbing hills on your journeys, you will
need a gearing system. Being able to
climb hills with no effort is one of
the great advantages of electric motorized bicycles.
Tip: Front and rear hub motors don't have gears and will struggle to get up hills. A crank drive motor
would be a good solution.
Hub motors here.
- Electric Motorized Bicycle Price: Cheaper models that are still reasonable can cost around $599
(£400). Quality
will obviously be reduced from more expensive models, but there are still decent models at this price range.
A popular choice is paying around $1500 (£1000) for
an electric bike. Most of the better bikes are around this price range. But you can still find good e-bikes cheaper than this. The best
electric bikes
can cost silly money. An example would be one of the Optibike range which costs $13,995.
Tip: Set your budget then choose your electric bicycle from that. If you're going to be using your
electric bike daily then you should consider
investing in a good model. If you are only going to be using it now and again, you can look more towards the cheaper models.
- Electric Motorized Bicycle Safety: The
electric bicycle law
requires certain safety features such as front and back lights, along with the rider wearing a helmet. If you're buying lights, look for ones
that
are visible from around 200m.
In general, this is about all you need to consider when buying an electric motorized bicycle.
Enjoy this and want to find something similar?
If you have not read the introduction overview to electric
bikes, it
may be a good idea to do that before considering an e-bike any further.
Find out about folding electric bicycles with the fantastic
Nano Brompton.
Or you can return to the homepage and leave our electric motorized bicycle page.
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