Electric bikes and regular bicycles are very similar. One hardly differs from another. Both have a frame, two wheels, handlebars, seat, pedals and other parts. This means that when thinking about buying an electric bike, you’re probably already a bicycle fan.
We’re going to compare an ebike to a regular bike rather than a motorbike, car, or public transport. In this article, we will look at the main pros and cons of electric bikes compared to regular bikes, as well as some common features between them.
An ebike is environmentally friendly – just like a normal bicycle. It does not produce harmful emissions into the atmosphere because it runs on electricity rather than liquid fuel. For the same reason, electric bikes are as quiet as regular bicycles.
Riding a bike is very healthy. When you turn the pedals, it’s not only your legs that work, but your whole body – your arms, shoulders, core etc. It’s like swimming in the sea, only you’re sailing through air currents, not water currents.
Importantly you’re getting exercise when you ride an ebike. Rather different that riding an electric scooter, for example.
If you like to participate in sports events on a regular bicycle, you can also do it on an electric bike. Even today there are many competitions on electric bikes, even popular regular bike events such as Giro d’Italia have an electric bike alternative such as Giro-E.
News flash – you need to pedal on an electric bike. Yes. If you thought that electric bikes move on their own, then you’re wrong. The motor works when you pedal. These bikes are called “pedal assisted electric bikes“.
Having said that, there are ebikes you don;t need to pedal, but they are fairly rare. But to add to that, you cannot ride them on the streets without a license because they are basically mopeds, or motorcycles.
An electric bike is easy to ride – the motor helps you pedal
An electric bike is easy to ride – the motor helps you pedal. You put less effort into it, you sweat less, riding is even more comfortable and pleasant. This is especially important for commuting if you do not have a shower at work.
Electric bikes are also great for the physically less strong or able. You can read many reviews on the Internet around people having “a second bicycle life” with their ebikes.
You can reach speeds up to 15.5 miles per hour (25 km per hour) in motor assistance mode. This is quite enough for riding city streets, and everywhere else. It’s a lot faster than the average speed of a car in traffic during rush hour (7 miles per hour).
When riding an ebike, the motor will help you pedal until you reach a speed of 15.5 miles per hour. This is the maximum speed allowed by law, otherwise, the bike will ride too fast (more like a moped or a motorbike). You can go as fast as you like after that, but under your own power. Motor manufacturers, therefore, limit the speed for you. (But you can keep pedalling and ride faster — you just have to put in more effort.)
There are e-bikes that go faster — up to 30 miles per hour, or more. Once again, we are talking about the motor assistance mode. These bikes are called “speed pedelecs”. The motor in these bikes assists the rider in the same limited way, and in the UK these need to be registered with the DVLA to be road legal.
The power of electric bicycle motors is limited — in England, by law, up to 250W.
Depending on the battery, and charger, it can take around 2.5-8 hours to fully recharge from flat. However you don’t need to run the battery down before charging, there is no “battery memory”. Charge it any time you need to!
If the battery of an ebike runs out on the road, you can still ride it just like riding a normal bike. A heavy normal bike. You just need to continue pedalling. It will not just stop, like a car that’s run out of petrol.
If you have ever ridden a regular bicycle, you know that 20-30 miles is a pretty long ride. You can ride further on an electric bike with the same amount of effort. On average this is between 40 and 75 miles on one battery charge, depending on its capacity and the terrain, the way you ride, etc. Bosch have a great ride simulator that is amazingly accurate: Click here to try it out in a new tab
One of the main benefits of an e-bike is that it is much easier to ride on uneven terrain and when climbing hills or mountains. Riding up hills or mountains can be very difficult if you’re not a very active person.
An electric bike also makes it it easier to tackle those nasty headwinds. What headwinds??
The range of electric bikes available matches, or even surpasses, the range of non-electric bikes. All categories are catered for, from sport road cycling to delivery bikes, from taking the kids to school to advanced technical descents at high speed. In addition, almost all regular bicycle manufacturers now produce electric bikes too. If you love a particular brand for example, Cube, you are likely to find an electric bike from that manufacturer.
Almost all regular bicycle manufacturers now produce electric bikes too
So, these days you will find all types of bicycles on the market from both regular and specialist ebike producers (like Moustache, Ries & Müller, etc). There are city bikes, road bikes, mountain bikes, folding bikes, cargo, and family bikes, and many others. For example, if you already have a city bike, you will find there’s an electric equivalent as well. The same is true for mountain bikes and so on.
Electric bikes are usually heavier than a normal bike. They can weigh up to 25 kg or more, while a regular bike weighs around 10 kg. It is not difficult to work out that the heavier parts of an electric bike are the motor and battery.
Electric bikes can be harder to transport because of their weight, particularly if you don’t live on the ground floor. To store them, you might need a little more space. And to transport around you may need to put them inside the car, or on a towbar-mounted rack, rather than on the roof.
Electric bikes are more expensive then a non-elecrtic bike. As a comparison, you can buy a good regular bicycle from a well-known manufacturer for around £1,000, and you need at least £1000-£1,500 to buy a basic electric bike. For that price it’s likely to have a hub motor, but those ebikes usually work very well. On average, good electric bikes cost up to £3,000, but often £4,000 or even more. So you consider it as more of an investment than a ad-hoc purchase!
Electric bikes are very sought after and desirable so there’s a greater risk that it could be stolen if left on the street, so it’s always advisable to store it inside or securely outside.
If you don’t need your ebike any more, or want to buy a new one, it’s likely to retain its value very well. In this way it is similar to selling Apple products. They hold their value well and slowly drop in price over time.
If you buy a new model rather than a used one, electric bicycles will hardly need any maintenance. The most important things are to keep it clean, lubricate the drive system and regularly check chain and wheels.
Maintaining and repairing an electric bike shouldn’t be more expensive
But if you do need to repair your bike, it is usually as easy as an ordinary bicycle, this is something we help with too. Maintaining and repairing an electric bike shouldn’t be more expensive, though finding a repair specialist might be difficult. Motor manufacturers such as Bosch and Shimano have a network of qualified dealers who are able to work on any bike equipped with their systems.
You don’t need a license to ride a bike and you don’t have to pay any tax. You will need to comply with motor law though as you would riding a regular bicycle. The benefits compared to those of a motorbike or car is that you can pop to the shops in the same way, but you avoid road taxes, MOTs, insurance etc – big payments to pay every year.
Of course if you opt for more powerful or faster bikes, you will need a license and other documents.
If you buy a more powerful bike here and intend to travel on it or want to take it with you on a bus, train, or plane, it’s important to stay up to date with the rules that apply in other countries. The laws on riding an ebikes are still being written.
It is not possible to install a more powerful motor on an ebike (it’s illegal). However, other than the motor and battery it’s really a normal bike so you can find countless accessories and parts to make the bike your own.
Riding an electric bike is a fashionable and trendy thing right now. As the eco-movement continues to gain traction, ebikes are seen as a viable eco-friendly alternative right now and we see that trend growing day by day.
By buying any bike, you become a member of one large family of cyclists. There are many cycling clubs in England and around the world where you can find other fans of this mode of transport to ride together. Not to mention the whole world if you look at apps like Strava. Electric bike clubs are very similar in this way.
Electric bikes and regular bikes have many common features and almost the same number of e bikes pros and cons. Riding any bicycle is not a comparison between motors or the power of your legs, but a choice of healthier and more environmentally friendly type of transport.
Therefore, the main advantage of an electric bike over the regular one is, of course, the electric motor, which helps you pedal and makes it easier to ride. You can travel longer distances — from 40 to 75 miles per charge.
The main disadvantage is the high price and heavy weight.
We hope that this article will help you make the right choice in our e-bike shop.
Pros of ebikesJohn Clark/Velosped.co.uk
Electric bicycles, popularly known as e-bikes, have become the talk of the town. Why is it all over the news? Is it worth the hype? Research says electric bike sales surged by 240% in 2021 in the United States. Industry experts are now predicting a revolution with sales in 2022. The whopping numbers can pleasantly shock you.
We are living in the future, and e-bikes have a big role to play in the approaching times. Although the market is still in the infancy stage in India, experts foresee a boom hereafter. The electric space is projected at a compound annual growth rate of 12.69% from 2022 to 2027.
As per our analysis, a major population is yet naive towards the approach of electric vehicles. So, here’s everything you are curious to know about the features, working, advantages and disadvantages of electric bicycles.
Have you ever seen a solid looking cycle zipping down your street and wondered what it is? You have all the answers down right here.
First thing first, an electric bicycle is completely different from a regular cycle and a motorcycle. It is a motorised bicycle with an electric motor that assists and gives the rider ample power while pedalling. The motor delivers power depending upon the speed of the pedaller. E-bikes are battery-operated, and that’s the base of the motor’s working. The rechargeable batteries allow the rider to travel typically upto 30 km/h (17 to 20 mph).
Not just one, but these bicycles are designed to provide a variety of modes to choose from. Each mode permits pedalling at a different range and speed.
The best part about the push-bike is that they give you the required assistance and foster great cardiovascular health by allowing you to use your power. The working of the electric bike depends upon three major components – motor, battery and sensor.
The basic use of the motor is providing torque while pedalling. It can easily amplify the rider’s ability by putting in less effort. Advanced electric bicycles come with an upgraded motor which can provide exceptional force. This means the motor abets in getting to the destination quickly, even if that means climbing up a hill. The idea of the motor is not completely to take over but to provide consistent power and make the experience simpler.
Without a battery, the motor cannot function. The capability of the motor to operate depends upon the battery wattage, type and model. The choice of the battery may seem crucial because it directly impacts the range of the bike. Gladly, the size of the batteries has shrunk, but the competency to provide power has increased. Just like any other battery, this requires recharge as well. The time frame may vary but will range anywhere between four-six hours.
The placement of the battery will depend upon the type and size. Some of them can be removed and recharged, while some are required to be on the bike while recharging it.
Sensor plays a mammoth role in the working of an e-bike. The component keeps track of the speed and how hard the rider pedals. With this data, the sensor makes the motor alert on the power and speed; and the motor acts upon accordingly with the right assistance. For instance, the torque sensor quickly notes the force put in by the rider, engages the motor and then responds with a small amount of torque. And then comes the speed sensor that keeps a check on how fast the rider pedals. The bike leverages this sensor to watch the speed to prevent the bicycle from going too fast. So, the sensor is pretty utilitarian in the dynamics of an electric cycle.
If you are an eager beaver, that’s a positive sign. Knowledge growth can do only one thing for you – benefit you. Here’s an easy manual on how to make electric cycle. Building a bicycle by yourself may seem immensely intimidating at first. But if you are a keen learner, nothing is impossible.
Before you begin, get all the tools in place.
Step 1: Start with selecting the battery. You will find options of various battery types with different voltages and amp-hour. Choose one with a 36-28 volt and capacity of 10Ah-20Ah. A battery with a higher voltage will make your bike more powerful.
Step 2: Remove the rear tire and attach the hub motor to the bike. Reinstall the brake cables using the lever. For disc brakes, secure the pads using springs and clips. Ensure to adjust the brakes as needed.
Step 3: Draw out the wheels for replacement with a one-inch socket. Once done, the old freewheel can be used for the new wheel.
Step 4: Reusing the existing tire and tube is a great idea, and it will save you a good amount of money.
Step 5: Remove the tires with the help of the bike tools kit.
Step 6: Affix the old tubes and tire to the new wheel. Add a washer to the freewheel and add that as well.
Step 7: Go ahead and attach the new wheel to the bike.
Step 8: Cautiously install all the bike components. Attach all the bolts on each side and secure a torque arm
Step 9: Tighten all the wires with the zip-ties. Do not cut the battery wires and don’t touch them together. Plug the connector on the speed controller into the connector on the battery.
Step 10: Unfasten the handlebar. Detach the shifters and the brake. Now, attach the LCD display (centrally) and the control switch (right side) to the handlebar.
Step 11: Mount the battery.
Step 12: Secure all the grips, cables and wires. You are done!
Step 13: Get ready to ride your e-bike.
Step 14: Don’t forget to charge the battery when required.
An e-bike scores an edge over a regular bicycle and a motorcycle for many reasons. Here’s a list of the pros and cons. Let’s begin with goodness.
First and foremost, an eclectic bicycle is eco-friendly. Unlike conventional transportation, the running of an e-bike is not harmful to our environment. There is no usage of petrol, gas or diesel, and therefore, there is zero emission of toxic and greenhouse gases. Electric cycles also don’t let out any sound, so there is no scope for noise pollution. Unquestionably, e-bikes are a safe option for the environment.
With a little effort, you can be rest assured of getting the extra oomph to cover miles of distance. Quicker than a regular bicycle, motorcycle or even a car, for that matter. Turn on the motor assistance mode and get a speed of 15 miles per hour. Some bikes can go at a higher speed as well, depending upon the motor’s efficiency.
Riding is one way to stay healthy, and it’s as amazing as riding a regular bike. Even though an e-bike is pedal-assisted, it still requires your legs, arms, and shoulders to be activated. You also have the option to choose a fitness-oriented e-bike.
Have no qualms about calling an e-bike a smart bike. You can connect the bike wirelessly to your smartphone and keep track of your fitness goals and maps. The bike has configured some clever integrations and eliminated the usage of phones when cycling. Enjoy the luxury of looking up for directions on the LCD display of the bike. You will be surprised to know how you can send and receive calls through the bike display. That’s the power of wireless communication. To know more on that front, drop by the blog – What is Wireless Communication? ThinkBig!
And that’s the biggest disadvantage of electric bikes. It’s a given that e-bikes are more pricey than ordinary bikes or a motorcycle. The sole reason behind that is the undeniable technology it brings to the table. Everything good comes at a cost. In the case of an electronic cycle, you are paying for the experience, convenience and smart integration.
There can be times your pocket may feel the burden of the repair and maintenance. In case of a breakdown in any of the components, it is sure to disrupt the performance of the e-bike. Malfunction in the motor, sensor, display, battery or any other techy component requires an immediate repair, which is priced heavily.
There are two crucial aspects to factor in here. First, batteries come with a lifespan. They need a replacement once damaged, and that is an additional cost. Second, the battery will need about 4-6 hours to recharge completely. This could be infuriating if you love the last-minute thrills.
The conceptualisation of e-bikes is still being established in India. Therefore, there is still a lack of infrastructure. Whereas developed countries have a charging station every few kilometres, we are yet not there. So, planning a long ride with your friends may seem like a far-fetched dream. Hang in there; India has big plans for a better future.
Even though the disadvantages of electric bicycles may seem weighty, the advantages are certain to exceed them. What do you think?
And that’s a wrap to everything about this ingenious invention. In a nutshell, you are well aware of all the electric bikes info, which we can proudly call the future transport of India. For the long and short, it would be wise enough to explore our blog on – Future of Electric Vehicles in India!
While watching a sci-fi movie, what is the one thing that holds your massive attention? A sleek and newfangled vehicle with zero-emission. The electric bike is on its way to being the sustained future, especially in congested cities. They are clean and green. Thanks to the cutting-edge electric bike features, you ought to save money in the long run.
In addition, for a comprehensive Mobility program at Atria University, you can choose from three specialisations in this exciting domain. Set your foot in to explore the great times ahead.
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