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"Ebikes 101"
Are you looking to go farther, faster and longer on two wheels? If you currently use a traditional bicycle to commute to work or for leisurely riding, for off-road adventures or for long-distance cycling, you might be intrigued by the electric bike, also known as an ebike
We will cover some basics of ebike safety, including how fast do electric bikes go and how to use an electric bike.
Are you looking to go farther, faster and longer on two wheels? If you currently use a traditional bicycle to commute to work or for leisurely riding, for off-road adventures or for long-distance cycling, you might be intrigued by the electric bike, also known as an ebike.
How do electric bike work?
How is an ebike different from regular bikes? Think of it like a typical bike but with the added assist of a motor to help you with speed or hilly terrain. Ebikes are both practical and entertaining without taking the physical fun out of the ride — you will pedal but get an assist. And if you’re not familiar with ebikes, you will be soon. Domestic demand for ebikes is growing, with 130 million of them expected to be sold in the next three years.
Class / Type 1
Pedal assist, also known as PAS, and does not have a throttle. This class and type vehicle is limited to 20 miles per hour and can be ridden anywhere existing bicycles are permitted.
Class / Type 2
Same as Class / Type 1 but includes a throttle.
Class / Type 3
Pedal assist with a throttle. This class and type of vehicle is limited to 28 miles per hour and can be ridden on roads and any bicycle lanes which are designated lanes on roads.
Safety
Stay safe on your ebike; it is a "powered machine" and you MUST read the manual(s) provided when purchased and before you ride to understand the capabilities and how to safely ride. Here are a few of the most important rules that the rider should follow 100% of the time when riding an ebike.
- Bike helmet - always, always, always wear a bicycle helmet from a respected manufacturer.
- Reflective gear - always wear reflective or bright colors to improve visibility to others on the road or bike path.
- Traffic laws - obey all traffic signs and rules.
- Battery level - check battery charge before each ride to make sure you have enough capacity for your round trip.
- Alert others - when riding in congested areas, use your bell or horn, mirror(s), and lights to alert others when close distance.
- Braking - check brakes regularly to ensure that they are operating correctly. Apply brakes early to avoid any possibility of coming into contact with a person or an object.
- Maintenance - perform maintenance on the ebike and electrical system as specified in the manual and do this on a regular basis.
What are some ebike riding tips?
Are you looking to go farther, faster and longer on three wheels? If so, you might be intrigued by the electric trike, also known as an etrike. The following information here in describing ebikes but also applies to etrikes.
Motors
Hub motor - usually mounted on the rear of the ebike but can also be mounted on the front wheel of the ebike. Either of these are a good choice but front wheel drive is good for traction in snow, sand, or loose gravel. Hub motors are very economical and are best for flat terrain or small random hills.
Mid drive motor - usually mounted in front of or sometimes integrated within the bicycle front sprocket (also known as the bottom bracket). This location is very efficient as it can utilize the speeds, e.g. 7 speed bikes, for more power and efficient higher speeds. This motor location is best for hilly terrain and off-road biking.
ETechGadgets, LLC designs and builds custom ebikes and etrikes to meet your specific needs. Please contact us before buying as our product list contains sample products. Please remember we make "custom" ebikes.