eBikes
The best guide to buying e-bikes for short & petite women
The Most Common Frequently Asked Questions Around E-bikes
E-bikes are gaining a lot of popularity because of their comfort, sustainability, and smooth riding experience. However, many people often get confused while buying an e-bike because there are various brands and models available in the market.
E-bikes are built with various features, so it’s natural to get confused about them.
In this blog, we will cover the most frequently asked questions and doubts that people have regarding e-bikes and their features.
How do e-bikes work?
This is the most basic question that many beginners have about e-bikes. They are different from your usual bicycles in that they have a motor to assist the movement of the pedals.
The entire riding experience is less taxing and smoother. Most people go on long adventure rides with the longest-range e-bike. However, you shouldn’t confuse e-bikes with motorbikes as the electric motor and engine don’t last as long as the gasoline-powered engine.
How fast do e-bikes go?
There are 3 classes of e-bikes and their speed depends on the class.
Class 1
They have a motor that assists till 20 mph and then cuts off
Class 2
They also have a motor that assists till 20 mph and cuts off but they come with a throttle that helps to engage with the motor.
Class 3
The motor only kicks in if you are actively pedaling but that also stops at 28 mph.
On average most e-bikes stop giving electrical assistance after you cross the speeds listed above. But you can easily exceed the speed limits on a steep decline due to inertia.
As far as speed is concerned, the weight of the e-bike as well as the rider also affects how fast the e-bike can go. For instance, it’s easier for the motor to go from 0 to 20 mph if the total weight of the e-bike is 50 kg instead of 80 kg.
How much is an e-bike?
E-bikes are on the higher side but they are the new public favorite. The price depends on what type of bike you are looking to buy. Whether you want an everyday commuter e-bike, a lightweight e-bike, or something high-powered, there is a model for everyone.
The average cost of an e-bike ranges between $2000 to $3000. Although, based on the model prices go as low as $300 or as high as $8000.
High-end e-bikes can go up to $10,000 as they have unique and luxury features that shoot up the cost significantly.
Practically, the performance and utility of a high-end bike is not that different as compared to the affordable alternatives. However, some riders are okay paying 4x the price for gizmos, a slew of bells and whistles.
If a brand new lightweight e-bike is not in your budget, you can also look into the used bike market for a good model that will serve you well.
How long does an e-bike battery last?
It completely depends on the brand of the battery used but on an average, an electric battery can last from 2 to 9 years. The duration also depends on how the battery is used and maintained.
A few factors that can affect the battery are:
Quality
The quality of the battery cells and the materials including the manufacturing process can make a huge impact on the battery’s overall longevity.
Use and Maintenance
The usage and maintenance of the battery can also affect its lifespan. For instance, if you expose the battery to extreme temperatures or overcharge it, the battery’s lifespan will be shortened.
Type of Battery
The type of battery used can greatly affect its lifespan. For example, lithium-ion batteries are more efficient as compared to lead-acid batteries that are gradually phasing out.
If you are someone who would love to go on adventure trails or long expeditions, check the type and brand of the battery.
Manufacturing Defect
If a battery is discharging quickly after a few months or runs a higher risk of stopping working prematurely, it might have a manufacturing defect.
How to prolong the life of your e-bike battery?
Here are some tips for prolonging your e-bike battery:
- Always keep the battery in a cool place. The optimum temperature is below 20°C (68°F)
- When you charge the battery, ensure it’s above freezing
- Don’t leave the battery in direct sunlight or hot sun
- Avoid storing the battery when it is 100% charged because it will reduce the life of the battery
- Never exceed the carrying capacity of your e-bike as it can damage the battery
How to choose the right e-bike rack?
Most people love riding lightweight e-bikes in different terrains, so they prefer to take them along on a trip. If you are also planning to take your e-bike on a trip, it’s essential to know how to safely load it on a rack.
When choosing a rack for your e-bike, you have to pay attention to technical specifications like weight capacity and dimensions.
Weight
Always buy a rack that can support more weight than that of your e-bike so it can account for additional gears like baskets. Also each rack talks about the weight it can carry per bike, so if you want to carry multiple e-bikes, calculate the weight accordingly. High-quality racks can handle 55 to 75 lbs per bike space.
Mount style
Always select a rack that matches the mounting style of your e-bike design and specifications.
The right options include:
- Roof-mounted – As the name suggests, roof-mounted racks are attached to your car’s roof. They are quite easy to handle except you have to lift your e-bike high to your car’s roof.
- Hitch-mounted – It’s a rack that attaches to the hitch receiver of your vehicle. It’s one of the most popular forms of racks as it’s easy to use and offers exceptional stability and movement reduction during transportation. It’s the ideal rack for heavyweight electric bikes.
- Trunk-mounted – They are most easy to install and they use straps and hooks to securely anchor the vehicle but they are only suitable for lightweight electric bikes.
- Ramp options – If you love traveling with your e-bike, investing in a built-in ramp might be the best option for you. Also, solo travelers should consider it as well because ramps make it very easy to roll your e-bike into the rack without lifting, so you have to go through zero physical strain.
How to load an e-bike onto a rack?
Most people find it daunting to load an e-bike but with the right technique, you can ensure that your e-bike is safe and fastened for your entire journey. Just follow these steps:
- Position the rack
Make sure that the rack is properly installed and securely attached to your car.
Align your e-bike
Always position your e-bike parallel to the rack and keep it facing the direction of travel. Initially, you can use leveling indicators and ensure optimal ground clearance so you can prevent contact with obstacles or road debris.
- Lift and load
Always lift the e-bike by its frame and focus on the downtube or seat tube for a balanced grip. Don’t hold its battery or other accessories.
Also, use the proper lifting technique where you bend from your knees instead of the waist while lifting your e-bike. This will ensure that you are balanced and it will reduce strain on your body.
- Secure with straps
Don’t use any random straps. Always use industrial-grade straps that have ratcheting mechanisms to secure your e-bike as they have precise tension control.
Anchor straps to the designated points on the e-bike frame so it can avoid contact with brake lines or electronic components.
You will have to follow all the above steps in reverse to unload as this will ensure that you lift the e-bike carefully and store it safely once removed.
What are the important safety checks while loading the e-bike to the rack?
Prioritize the safety protocols to ensure that your e-bike is firmly attached to the rack so that an accident doesn’t happen on the way.
- Have a tail light relay
Install a relay system that synchronizes with your car’s tail lights with the lights on your bike rack. You need to ensure that they work together when you brake or give direction signals.
Always use high visibility LED lights for the rack to follow compliance and local traffic regulations and improve your safety.
- Check along the journey
Always have periodic stops along the journey to check the rack and straps. If the bolts are loose, you can always tighten them to avoid mishaps.
These are some of the most common questions people have about e-bikes. These are not typical buying guide questions about the frame, motor, or the brand of the e-bike but these are common questions around battery life, racks, loading the e-bike, and more.
But they will give you an understanding of the key aspects of maintaining e-bikes. Whether you are looking for a daily commuter or planning an adventure trip, there’s an e-bike suited to your needs. Just remember to prioritize proper maintenance and safety practices to enjoy a long-lasting and enjoyable e-biking experience.
How to Choose the Best Electric Bike for Teens: A Complete Guide for Parents?
Many people love riding electric bikes for commuting to the office, exploring the neighborhood, and going to adventure trails. They have become so popular that many parents are considering them as a viable option for their teenagers.
E-bikes are a great way for teenagers to practice riding on their own while going to school or meeting their friends. Electric bike for teens is an eco-friendly solution that merges traditional cycling with an added boost.
If you are looking for discounted electric bikes for your teen, here are some crucial tips that you should consider.
Check if your teen is ready for an e-bike
You might want to buy the best electric balance bike for your child but sometimes they aren’t ready for one. This is because people aren’t driving carefully so before giving an electric bike to your teen, check if they are alert and responsible.
See if they can make important decisions like where to ride, how fast to ride, and how to ride with friends. If they have never taken driver’s education or drove on the road, consider enrolling them in some type of course so that they learn the rules of the road efficiently.
Also, if they are just starting out consider making routes or common areas where the roads are safe and have bike lanes for journeys. Tell your teen to stick to those routes only at the beginning.
Additionally, ensure that your teenager is responsible for correctly locking their e-bike each time they park so that their bike is safe from thefts. It’s a very common thing but if not reminded, kids tend to forget.
Safety is everything
Once you have decided to buy an electric bike for teens, check for safety first. You will have to look for an e-bike that has robust features.
Certain discounted electric bikes don’t have parts like lighting and quality brakes. Always look for models that have bright LED lights and good reflective materials. For example, a lot of tires now have reflective sidewalls so riders can be immediately seen when a car’s headlight approaches from the side.
Remember that the e-bikes your order online won’t have reflectors as they might break in shipping. So, either buy the electric bike for teens from your local store or add the reflectors separately if you are ordering online.
Mostly the reflectors come in the box with the e-bike but most people forget to install them. Don’t make this mistake as e-bikes need to have reflectors by the law but sometimes they don’t necessarily come installed.
Also, check the brakes and the quality of the entire system. The best electric bike for teens will have hydraulic disc brakes as they require lower maintenance and have high stopper power compared to mechanical disc brakes.
If you were looking for an electric bike for adults, then even a bike with mechanical disc brakes would have been fine but not for teens. Rim brakes are also installed but they are usually seen in discounted electric bikes. It’s best to avoid e-bikes with rim brakes, no matter how cheap you are getting.
Also, another important thing that you have to tell your teenager is to wear a helmet at all times when riding. It should be a non-negotiable accessory for them.
Which style of e-bike is right for your teenager?
There are hundreds of e-bike models available. Each has its unique features and styles. So, consider what your teenager needs the most.
If you are buying the e-bike for them to commute to school and ride on roads and bike lanes then tires that are 2-3” wide with a basic triangle or step-through frame are perfect.
Although, if you are going to allow them off-roading adventures then consider fat tires and a solid suspension system.
Also, if you are planning to carry the e-bike on family trips or want to pick up your teen from school once in a while, consider buying a folding e-bike as it can be tossed in the trunk of your car easily.
Don’t go for electric cargo bikes. They are great for carrying stuff around but they aren’t ideal for teenagers due to their larger size as you have to be more calculated and careful while riding it. Also, avoid electric bikes with passenger seats. They are extremely useful but in the beginning, keep one teenager per bike to reduce distractions.
Battery and Range is not your concern
Comparing ranges should be your concern when looking for the best electric bike for adults. When looking for an electric bike for teens, you should rather look for an average e-bike that has a decent range.
If you really want to check how long the e-bike will go, check the battery capacity in watt-hours (Wh) instead of the brand-claimed ranges as that will give you a better idea.
On average, you must remember that the best electric bikes are the ones that have between 450 to 700 Wh of battery capacity and that will result in somewhere around 20-30 miles range per charge. This is completely sufficient for your teenager.
So, don’t get bogged down by range comparisons, just focus on buying an electric bike for teens that roughly has a battery of 500Wh. It will be sufficient for your teen to get around the town.
Also, tell your teen that if they are ever running low on battery, drive slow or just pedal and you will reach your desired location.
E-bike classifications – Which one is the best?
Most states in the US have divided e-bikes into three classes.
- Class 1 – These class e-bikes can go up to 20 mph and the electric motor engages when the pedal starts turning.
- Class 2 – They are the same as Class 1 except they have a throttle like a motorbike that can activate the motor without pedaling.
- Class 3 – These e-bikes don’t have a throttle but have a speed limit of up to 28 mph.
All three classes have a limit of 750W for motor power. It’s essential to note that sometimes a few models blur the lines between Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes as they both have throttles but the throttle cuts at 20 mph which means that the rider has to pedal to push it till 28 mph.
It’s best to avoid buying such electric bikes for teens. Ideally, Class 1 or Class 2 e-bikes are the best for teens.
However, if your teen is keen on going off-roading or on adventure trails, then you will have to buy them a Class 2 e-bike as throttles are great for getting rolling at the bottom of the hill or it will also help them while they are returning home after a tiring day at school as it will require minimal effort to ride from their side.
Having said that, Class 1 is the best electric bike for teens as it will require some effort and will stop them from treating their e-bike as a mini motorcycle. It will also keep them healthy as they will have to pedal.
Test ride it before you buy
Don’t just compare the features and make a purchase. Test drive the e-bike first to make sure it feels right. Put your teenager on the e-bike to see if he or she is comfortable riding it and most importantly can handle the weight easily.
This used to be difficult previously as e-bikes were available online only but now many manufacturers have dealers with brick-and-mortar stores. So, a test drive is possible.
If the model you want to buy isn’t available offline, you can try and see if your child’s friend has it. Take a mini test drive on that model because it’s always better to make a thoroughly informed choice when it comes to teens.
Consider a reasonable budget
When buying an electric bike for teens, don’t overdo it. Have a reasonable budget because they might go off to college in a year or two and not use the e-bike.
They might also treat it a bit rougher as compared to you and they will also park it all around town, increasing the chances of theft.
So, your teenager’s first e-bike, or even second for that matter shouldn’t be ultra-premium. Just stick to the average range of finding the best e-bikes under $1500. The max you can do is go up to $2000. Anything more than that is not worth it.
At the same time, avoid e-bikes in the range of $500 – $600 as they might have low-quality parts, cheap batteries, and a weak frame.
Conclusion
Buying an electric bike for teens can be a great decision as you are empowering them to learn independence and environmental responsibility. It’s a great opportunity to teach them personal responsibility, accountability, and punctuality.
However, do thorough research and consider the factors mentioned in this blog before buying an electric bike for teens. Don’t forget to check out the reviews as well because they might help you to shortlist a few models. Also, following these tips will ensure that you make a great investment while keeping your teenager safe at the same time.