Ebikes – what you need to know
What is all the fuss about Ebikes – read on for what you need to know. The phenomenon of ebikes has exploded over the past five years. 2020 was off the scale with people wishing to keep their distance but still getting exercise. Ebike sales have increased exponentially, and most shops ran out of stock completely. Which pushed up 2nd hand ebike prices as people rushed to get their hands on a new means of transport.
I have ridden an ebike for a decade, and people ask me if I am cheating. My reply is always the same, ebikes make cycling more accessible. I still have to pedal the bike; it doesn’t move on its own! I control the effort. If I am feeling strong, I opt for a lower power level and use my heart rate monitor to ensure I am getting a workout. I use a higher power level when I feel tired or my arthritis bothers me. I get exercise and fresh air both ways, which always makes me feel better. With the advent of ebikes, people use ebikes more than before because it makes cycling more accessible and more enjoyable. Join the phenomenon.
What you need to know – What is an ebike?
They are a bicycle that has an electric motor fitted to the crank (the bit where the pedals are). A battery powers the motor, located on the down tube or carrier at the back of the bike. The battery power will vary, but they are generally between 400w – 750w. They are fitted with a limiter, so the motor will not provide any more assistance once your reach 25 km in Europe.
On my 1st ebike, notice the size of the battery.
2nd ebike, the technology moved on dramatically from my 1st to my 2nd
And this is my current ebike. The battery is integrated into the downtube. It is a 625w battery, so I can go much further on one charge.
What you need to know – How do they work?
The motor boosts the power that you put through by turning the pedals. You control the various power levels from a computer on your handlebars. I have a Bosch motor on my ebike, and my specific model has four levels. Eco is the lowest and gives me 55% more power, so my 100% turns into 155%. If I need help on a steep section, the top level, Turbo, gives me 340% more power. A common assumption is that you do not have to pedal, but this is not the case. You choose how much “assistance” you need.
Ebikes are fitted with a speed minimiser, so once I reach 25 km, the motor will no longer assist me. If I’m going downhill, I will go faster, but for cycling on the flat, 25 km is plenty. I am not in a race, after all.
Ebikes use different types of batteries depending on the manufacturer and type of ebike. Therefore the distance you will get from one charge will vary a lot. It will depend on several variables:
- Your weight
- The terrain
- Level of power you use
- How much uphill you will be doing
- The wattage of the battery
All of these points will affect the battery power and, therefore, the range of your bike. The more you use your ebike, the more you will understand how far you can go. You must also consider your height gain if you live in a mountainous area like me. E.g. my current bike, I can ride in the mountains with 1000m of height gain and around 80km distance. However, this is with a 625-watt battery.
What you need to know – Charging the battery
Batteries are charged using an external charger that you plug into a standard socket. You can either remove and take the battery to your room or charge it in a cafe. Or, charge the battery on the bike when you are close to a socket.
A lot of places now have specific ebike charging points in Europe. This makes it as easier for people to get a ‘top up’ during the day. Businesses realise the benefit and increase in trade with ebikes; therefore, many of them ensure they have bike stands, charging points and a place to fill up your water bottles.
Anyone who rides a bike will probably tell you that coffee stops are part of the cycling experience. These stops will also give you time to charge your battery should you need to.
Charging time varies again depending on your battery make etc. Generally, a full-power charge takes around 4 hours, but as mentioned, it will depend on your battery.
I wouldn’t recommend running out of battery as they are heavier than a conventional bike. Mine weighs 27kgs, so it takes a lot of effort if you need to ride the bike without the motor’s assistance. Even on the flat, it can still take a lot of energy to move an ebike without any power.
Can they replace a car?
The only thing stopping me from selling our car is that we have snow in winter, and riding a bike to work would be impossible. As soon as the snow melts, then both my husband and I ride our bikes everywhere.
For anyone living in a town, commuting to work would be much easier, cheaper, and better for your health. It is just a matter of making sure you have the right clothing. The money you save by not having a car means you could invest in the right bike & clothing for you. As an added bonus, you will get fitter as well!
What you need to know – Benefits
There are so many that I could write a separate article on them. However, to keep it simple, cycling is shown to reduce stress and improve your mood. Imagine arriving at work every day refreshed and ready to face the day with a big smile on your face.
The physical benefits are huge, but there are also financial benefits. People ride ebikes for both pleasure and practical reasons. More and more are moving away from cars in the towns and cities, making ebikes the obvious choice.
Environmental Issues
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that 50% of all car journeys are 5 miles or less. A car’s emission is around 50% higher than an ebike, so the benefits to our environment are clear.
The environmental topic is on everyone’s mind now, and how, as an individual, we can do our part. During the lockdown in Europe, our skies cleared considerably, and the levels of carbon emissions were reduced dramatically. People with health issues have seen the difference it has made to their breathing; however, we are now back to pre-covid air traffic. So, what can we do? Considering changing your car to an ebike would be a start.
Lithium Battery
You need to know that all ebike batteries contain lithium, and a big topic of conversation is how to dispose of the lithium battery. The battery manufacturers have many forums and discussions, but the current problem is the cost related to lithium disposal. Makers of ebike batteries such as Bosch, Panasonic and Yamaha are reviewing ways for disposal or repurposing as a priority. The pressure is on them to develop a suitable solution, and I will follow their progress carefully.
Types of bikes
There are City, Mountain, Road, Folding & Hybrid ebikes. If you are considering buying an ebike, do your homework to get the most suitable bike for your needs.
I would advise you :
- Write down a list of what you use your car for now
- What type of cycling do you like to do for pleasure
- What do you like to do on holiday
If you can cover these 3 areas with a city or mountain ebike – then that’s the one for you!
Advice
Go to your local bike shop and ask for their advice too, do research online and join an ebike Facebook community to get other people’s perspectives. An ebike is a big purchase, so research before buying. After all, you wouldn’t buy a car without taking advice or researching it.
This is one bandwagon you want to get on. Go and try an ebike for yourself, and you will see the benefits immediately.
One last point – I will accept the responsibility for the smile on your face! You will never regret an ebike ride.