Electric bicycles are gradually entering our lives. It looks like an ordinary bicycle, but a special electric motor is built into it, which helps to pedal. It attracts eyes, raises questions, gives rise to rumors. Let's talk about why an e-bike can be interesting for both cyclists and ordinary people!
E-bikes make it easier to spin
Generally speaking, an electric bike is a normal bike, but with an electric motor that helps with normal pedaling. When you step on the pedals, the small motor kicks in and gives a little acceleration. Especially such help may be needed if you are storming a hill or climb with a full backpack on your back. Unlike an electric scooter, which spins the wheel for you, you spin on your own, but you feel really powerful and pick up speed with ease.
A separate class of e-bicycles is models that have a throttle grip or a special button that spins the wheel, regardless of whether you spin or not.
Fast travel - for the time being
The more actively you spin, the more help you get from the outside, as a result - you drive faster, but up to a certain point. You can maneuver in traffic like a motorcyclist, but you are not really a motorcyclist who can drive from a traffic light at 100 kilometers per hour. The electric bike is designed in such a way that the motor helps when pedaling only up to a certain speed, on average it is 30-35 kilometers per hour. After exceeding this speed, the motor stops working, so on the way to work you will save some time, but you will still have the opportunity to look at the surroundings.
You can also adjust the settings of your electric assistant. Many e-bikes are equipped with a special steering wheel switch that sets the power to the motor: from small, when you need a small increase in power, to large, in case you are going to storm a steep climb.
You will drive more, even if you have driven a lot before.
A poll of 1,800 e-bike owners in North America shows that their number of e-bike rides has increased markedly. Before buying an e-bike, 55% of respondents rode daily or weekly. After buying an e-bike, the number of people using their two-wheeled friend has grown to 91%.
This makes sense: even if you constantly keep yourself in shape, there are times when you simply get tired (from training, racing, or even cycling) and there is not the slightest desire to get on the bike. In the case of an electric bike, you have the opportunity to get a kick out of riding a bike again without putting too much stress on your legs. Moreover, the average speed on a trip increases, which means that you can drive more at a time, and this is good news!
For those who do not ride often, the electric bike is a new world. If someone finds it a burden to drive even 20 kilometers, then with an electric bike, such a mileage will not be a hindrance, moreover, it will increase endurance and confidence while driving.
An electric bike is for everything!
Name any riding style and there will definitely be a profile electric bike for it. If you are not particularly interested in riding an electric bike on a regular road, but at the same time you do not mind storming the hills on a fully loaded touring bike (including you) at a pleasant speed, then believe me - there is a suitable electric bike for you! Fat bike, touring, walking, hardtail and full suspension, road bike - they are all available with an electric motor. Enough for everyone!
They're better than cars for city trips.
There is an opinion that people buy an electric wire to replace a car or public transport. And this is true - 28% of the surveyed owners of e-bikes say that they bought an e-bike specifically to get out from behind the wheel, avoid traffic jams, be able to take away children or some things on a bike, there are also opinions about environmental concerns. Moreover, after riding a regular bike, you often need to change clothes or take a shower, as you have to strain and sweat. There is no such need with an electric bike - just add more power to the motor.
By the way, it is believed that the average trip in a small city usually does not exceed 10 kilometers - quite a feasible task for an electric bike, isn't it? Buy a trunk and trunks for things - and go!
The electric bike is good for your health
Let the electric bike assist you when pedaling, but you still do a certain amount of physical activity. An interesting study was conducted by the University of Colorado - 20 volunteers who did not engage in physical activity were selected, and they were asked to make 40-minute e-bike rides 3 times a week. The results were impressive - in just a month, many of them returned to normal blood sugar levels and showed improvements in the cardiovascular system!
Quite often, people who are not involved in physical education simply do not have a certain physical form that would allow them to make long cycling trips. Give them an electric wire and they will be able to start getting in shape. riding such a bike is an excellent transitional stage between "doing nothing" and regular sports.
E-bike batteries are getting better and better
Let's not beat around the bush: one of the downsides of an e-bike is the need to charge the battery. Yes, Di2 electronic transmission users, you have the same fate! Usually, the battery lasts from 50 to 150 kilometers, how long it will last for you is a matter of the intensity of using the electric assistant. Of course, if you anneal to the fullest, then you will arrive at charging much faster than you would have traveled in an economical and quiet mode. But we, like manufacturers, believe in scientific and technological progress that will save more energy in the most compact portable power sources.
No entry, except for an electric bike!
In mountain bike circles, the rights to use e-bikes in nature are not fully understood. In short, in some places in nature it may be forbidden to drive e-bikes, as e-bikes are equated to motorized vehicles and are subject to nature conservation legislation.
Research shows that e-bikes do no more harm to nature than a regular mountain bike without a motor. Mountain bike trail builders are of the same opinion. The main argument “for” the use of an electric bike on trails is considered to be its use by people of age who, for one reason or another, cannot suddenly jump up a hill or pedal at a high pace for a long time, while young people can do it. It is believed that using an e-bike will keep you active on the bike for at least another 15 years.
Expensive, but still save
Let's face it, it's almost impossible to buy a good yet cheap electric bike. But, like most owners of such bicycles, if you have a car in your garage, then you save on consumables, maintenance and gasoline. We still do not consider an increase in health and potential days without diseases, from which you protect yourself by doing this kind of physical education and strengthening the immune system. Keep in mind that you will have to shell out about $ 1,500 for a good unit, but if you want a quality machine with a good battery and reliable components from Bosch, Yamaha or Shimano, then be prepared to shell out from 2,500 to 5,500 dollars.
Heavier than non-motorized counterpart
The first thing buyers of any bike do is walk up to it, grab the handlebars and saddle, and try to lift them up to gauge the weight. You'd be surprised to do this kind of electric bike trick. The battery, motor, accessories and reinforced frame give a significant increase in weight when compared to a regular bike. Modern developments and revised geometry paired with the motor virtually cover the extra weight problem as soon as you start pedaling. But, if you try to put it on the roof of the car in a special mount or drag it up the stairs to the 5th floor, then you will need additional physical strength.
Behind them is the future
Anyone can guess that both large manufacturers and small firms are constantly in the game - in the game for the buyer, innovation and improving the quality of their products. The auto giants are not far behind, with FORD already offering e-bikes for rent on the coast in San Francisco, just as other companies have been looking at entering the market for a long time. Automakers are realizing that with increasing globalization and urban enlargement, the ability to fully utilize a car in a major city is diminishing. Therefore, cities, countries and all participants in this game are constantly looking for ways to solve transport problems, and the bicycle infrastructure is getting more and more development every year as the most promising.
Let's drive!
In the same Europe, where e-bikes are not a gimmick and have already become a part of local cycling, the European Cycling Union plans to organize the first major competitions in which e-bikes will take part in both mountain biking and highway disciplines. Practice shows that unofficial races on electric bikes are wildly popular, so now the rules and conditions for organizing official starts are being worked out.
Ride high
And it is true! Anyone who has ridden an e-bike at least once will note that it is funnier and more unusual than a regular bike. It’s that extraordinary feeling of extra acceleration when you press the pedal, we bet you will have a lot of positive emotions on the steering wheel of an e-bike!
