Electric Bikes 101: What is an Electric Bike?

About Our Electric Bikes

The electric bikes you'll find on ElectricBikeSuperstore.com are engineered for people who are serious about an alternative mode of transportation. Ours are the bikes that are meeting the changing transportation demands of college students, urban and suburban commuters, and residents of lakeside, seaside, and retirement communities.

Of course, our electric bikes are an eco-friendly alternative to gas-powered vehicles, but they offer other distinct advantages as well:

• Significant savings on parking fees in cities and on college campuses
• No drivers license required (unlike mopeds)
• Avoid traffic jams and congestion
• You choose the level of exertion
• Lightweight, removable batteries can be charged at destination, thereby expanding the bike's range
• Lighter frames and batteries yield safer, more manageable bikes for riders of all ages

Electric bikes from eZee and Liberty, for example, are far superior to the cheaply made alternatives you'll find in department stores. Where less expensive electric bikes tend to have cumbersome frames, low-tech batteries, and entry-level shifters and brakes, eZee and Liberty employ only the latest, safest, and most efficient technologies to engineer the best, longest-lasting electric bikes on the road.

What do you call them?

First of all, there are a lot of names flying about out there that may confuse you. E-bike, pedelec, power bike, assisted bicycle, and of course, electric bicycle, are all referring to the same thing, for the most part. One thing you should know is that electric motorbike is not one of them. This term refers to more powerful electric two-wheelers that can reach speeds of up to 50 miles per hour. With an e-bike, you're probably going to top out at around 15 miles per hour. Prices for the highest quality electric bikes are comparable to top-of-the-line standard bicycles, meaning you can easily get into the four-figure range. However, lower tier models still get good reviews and can be bought for less than 600 dollars. These are typically going to be sealed lead acid battery powered, which are heavier. More advanced batteries will cost you more, but in addition to being lighter and easier to travel on, the lighter weight will give you greater range.

E-Bicycles

Most electric bicycles are modeled entirely after a standard bicycle, then rigged with an electric motor to assist the rider in pedaling. These are referred to as pedelec (for "pedal electric"). The most sophisticated have sensors that detect the force and speed applied to the pedals, then provide assistance according to settings decided by the rider.

But also referred to as electric bicycles are those which deliver "power-on-demand" by activating the motor via a throttle on the handlebars. These have a similar range and power as the pedelec bikes, but they would be favored by those wanting to better control their bike's assistance.

Some other options for electric transportation

One popular option is to purchase an electric bike conversion kit. Manufacturers design models to fit just about any sized bike, making it an affordable weekend project (not to mention fun if you're a little handy).

Then there is the electric folding bicycle, designed for energy and space efficiency. These technological marvels get you from point A to B with electrical assistance and fold up small enough to carry upstairs to the office.

What makes them go?

Batteries these days for electric bikes tend to be NiCd, NiMH, or Li-ion batteries. Previously, lead-acid batteries were widely used but have since been abandoned due to the lighter weights of alternatives. Naturally, human power from pedaling can be transferred back into the motor or battery. Some manufacturers are also employing regenerative braking, whereby the bike's kinetic energy is converted into electricity by the motor rather than being released as heat by the brakes.

Watch out for lofty promises

A final note on the available technologies and options on electric bikes should be mentioned. There is a lot of discrepancy in price in new electric bikes, with some stores and people (selling online) offering impressive promises such as 1000W motors and outrageous claims on the range of a bike. A 1000W motor weighs about 50 pounds, and will not be found on a bike. You are being sold a standard bike motor (about 500W) which is then being over-amped. This isn't smart for the longevity of the motor, nor is it safe. And anyone telling you an electric bike will take you 20 miles without pedaling is assuming you weigh less than 80 pounds. Even then, it's a very unlikely proposition. If you need something that doesn't require pedaling, an electric bike is probably not the product for you.