Electric bikes are one of the best ways to go electric. Here’s everything you need to know before buying a new e-bike
The electric motor is not only changing the automotive industry, but also the bicycle and personal mobility industry. There are more and more models of electric bicycles or pedal assisted bicycles that we see every day on the streets of our city. This is a sector in great growth and that could have positive effects on the environment, with a lowering of the emission of pollutants.
We talk a lot about electric bikes, but few people know the characteristics and the differences with normal bikes. In addition, many people use the terms “electric bike”, “pedal assisted bicycle” or “e-bike” indifferently. But in reality you make a big mistake: these are means with different characteristics that you need to know, to properly assess what to buy according to their needs. Another feature that must be carefully evaluated is the battery and the estimated autonomy of the medium. Here’s everything you need to know about electric bikes, pedal-assisted bicycles, e-bikes and folding electric bicycles.
What are electric bikes
An electric bike is a vehicle for personal mobility that does not require the effort of the person, but that works thanks to a motor assisted by a battery. Basically it is a “normal” bicycle, with the addition of a battery that allows you to move.
At the regulatory level there are two different types of electric bicycles, called L1eA and L1eB respectively. L1eA electric bikes have an electric motor with a power of less than 1000W and do not exceed 25km/h, the limit allowed by law to not pass in the moped range. The electric bikes L1eB, however, can have a motor with a power up to 4000W and are able to express a maximum speed of 45km / h. In this case, however, the electric bike is equated to a moped and it is necessary to use a helmet (mandatory even with less powerful electric bikes), you must have a certain age, a license plate and insurance
What are pedal assisted bikes
Pedal assisted bikes are also known as e-bikes. They are bikes with an electric motor, a lithium battery and a series of sensors to calculate the force impressed on the pedals by the person. The electric motor, in fact, comes into operation only when you start pedaling and the power output varies depending on the force impressed on the pedals. In addition, the power of the motor can also be set manually via a small computer usually mounted on the handlebars.
The peculiarity of electric bikes with pedal assistance is that they can be of all types: walking, racing and even mountain bikes.
Another type of e-bike very much in vogue in the last period are the folding electric bikes. These are bicycles that can fold up on themselves and take up very little space. They are particularly suitable for those who need to make short trips to work.
The speed limit of pedal-assisted bicycles is 25 km / h: once this speed is reached, the engine “turns off” and stops delivering power.
The difference between electric bikes and pedal-assisted bicycles
After the previous two paragraphs you will understand what is the main difference between electric bicycles and pedal-assisted bicycles. In the former, you don’t have to pedal to move, but the electric motor provides the necessary power and it is practically useless to put your feet on the pedals (for this reason they are similar to mopeds). In the pedal assisted bikes, as you can guess from the name, they help to pedal, but the effort of the person is necessary to move forward.
What features should have an electric bike
A good electric bike should have the same features as a normal bike. But with an extra focus on the electrical system and the battery. In fact, as happens with smartphones, even the batteries of electric bikes after many charging cycles begin to lose effectiveness and the autonomy begins to decline. For this reason, in addition to a reliable frame, it is necessary to buy an electric bike with a good battery.
Before choosing the electric bike or pedal assisted bike to buy, it is necessary to be clear about the different types of bikes on the market. The main difference concerns the position of the motor. There are mainly three major families, which in turn differ in small details. The motor can be positioned in an intermediate position, in the center of the bike (the most frequent solution), or on the rear or front wheel. Depending on where it is positioned there are advantages or disadvantages (imbalance in the load of weights, with difficulties in driving) that you need to know to understand which is the model that best suits your needs.
How many kilometers you can do with an electric bike
Hundred kilometers. Two hundred kilometers. Thirty kilometers. Eighty kilometers. When it comes to how many miles you can ride an electric bike, everyone gives a different theory. Who’s right? Everyone and no one. Why is that? Very simple: an (almost) precise estimate can only be had for electric bikes and not for e-bikes. And even for electric bikes, the autonomy estimated by the manufacturer does not take into account the distance covered and other external phenomena that can vary the duration.
In pedal-assisted bikes, the autonomy of the battery varies depending on the force the person exerts on the pedals. The greater the force, the lower the battery consumption. And the opposite is also true.
Another factor to consider is the power of the batteries, which cannot be too large in order not to weigh down the bike. Usually they are from about 350-400 watt hours and ensure an autonomy that varies between 40 and 60 kilometers. But you will have understood that the values are estimated and you need to take into account all the things mentioned above.
How much does an electric bike cost
As with any product, the price of electric bikes varies depending on the model chosen and the quality of the materials. We must start from a precise point: the price of a normal bike. Usually for a good non-electric bike you have to spend at least between 400 and 500 euros. So the price of an electric bike or a pedal assisted bike of good quality can not go down are 700-800 euros. Logically, the price increases due to the presence of the battery and the motor.