Ebike Buyer's Guide | Everything You Need to Know About Electric Bikes | Cycling Weekly
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- čas přidán 31. 05. 2024
- Interested in buying an electric bike but don't know your torque from your power or your hub drive motor from you mid-drive? Fear not! Our ebike buyer's guide will tell you everything you need to know about buying an electric bike.
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After a crash I got an E-bike as a recovery tool. Now it's a mode of transportation, getting me to work or meeting friends for a night on the town without as much sweat so I can ride back and get my workout on my way home. I also selected more of a cargo bike option when I bought it, ironically my car needed an expensive repair and it worked out where I didn't need to do that repair for a few months because I could get everything I needed without it.
We all love bikes, we think they are fun as a recreation or a type2 type of fun as a fitness machine. Before all of that, bikes were transportation, an alternative to larger more unwieldy options like horse and carriage or automobiles. I think people lose sight of that when they get up in arms about the ideas of e-bikes. It's ok to have a very small, personal vehicle that enables you to get around without much fuss, in fact if more people had that there would be less problems for many folk out there.
I know they have a stigma as being for seniors but if you want cargo space consider getting an E-trike. They always come with baskets and usually those are larger than the ones you have to buy seperately for E-bikes.
Upon discovering that a brand new 125cc motorbike was cheaper than the majority of e-bikes, I just had to investigate… This is what I discovered... 1. Nearly all e-bikes and components are built cheaply in China. 2. Unscrupulous companies import these, stick a brand name on it, and then sell it to you at astronomical profit margins. 3. Very few of these brand names have any after-sales support, especially after a few years, when spares are almost impossible to attain. 4. E-bikes in inexperienced hands can be very dangerous, with injuries more akin to those from motorcycles than from push bikes. Conclusion, in the ‘world of wheels’ e-bikes seem to be the new gold rush, through ruthlessly exploiting middle class conscience.
Well said Daniel, agree with everything you say. I've seen e-bikes advertised between 3 and 10k- are they having a laugh- and I've yet to hear one reviewer say the slightest negative thing about that, everything is "amazing" !!
All true I guess, but... E-bike = no petrol station, no insurance, no license, and easy maintenance. Plus you can convert a regular bike for under a grand.
Good comment 👍
That's cap, I converted my standard Halfords mountain bike to a 30mph ebike for like £800. Total cost with the bike about £1200.
Actually Bosch makes a high torque specific motor in the Performance branded line. The CX will do 85Nm
First thing I would like to advice people who enjoy cycling ride their normal bikes as long as they can, in life there is one fact which is the same for all of us we are getting older and our health and ability gets less. I am 57 year old with a heart condition and I used to love cycling but on a normal cycle I am just not able. I haven't cycled for 3 years because I did give it ago for about 3 months on a normal cycle and I just wasn't able, it was 12 years before then since I cycled as I passed my car test but by I missed cycling and hated driving as before then until I was 36 started cycling when I was 12 it was my main transport.
People have just said why don't you get yourself a electric bike, I said because cycling is using peddles and they told me about the peddle assist. Well a few months ago I broke the bank and got one and this is about half a dozen times I used it and what a difference its sparked my interest up. I went out this morning cycling up a long hill not steep but long with head wind and took over a young cyclist, he was off his seat peddling like mad bless him and I just sailed by him.
Don't get me wrong it was not me as if I had of been on a normal cycle I probably be pushing it up, but it as put a new meaning on cycling because I still had to do some off the work. I am weighty to I weigh 20 stone which I hope that will soon change now and lower my weight. I walk dog for an hour each day so now adding cycling is great, I just say to the young man I took over he was doing real good and I would trather of been doing what he was doing with a normal cycle but there is a time when one can't and need help, It my time for help and his time to keep going as long as he can, so yes e bikes have a place and make us less reliable on our cars. Mike
Folding Recumbent Tadpole trikes are a strong possibility for you. Which model depends on your weight. Check out the HP Velotechnik Scorpion fs or the Catrike Dumont. Both fold up for transport. Other models like ICE, TRIOT, and AZUB are great. For heavy riders the Greenspeed Magnum XL is appropriate.
The first thing you should look for is the weight of the bike. You want to be able to pedal uphill if the battery dies or just to conserve the battery.
I made the mistake of buying a bike that cant be reasonably ridden without battery power due to the bike being so heavy.
Agreed.. You can also buy a spare/backup battery just incase this happens..
@@painexotic3757 yes but it adds even more weight, and they are expensive. $350.
@@williampennjr.4448 $350 for twice the range is worth it, especially if you're a daily commuter like I am. I bike everywhere since I don't own a car so a $350 will last me years and is still cheaper than any car. Heck, insurance alone on a car can run you $350 a month lol.
@@painexotic3757 It wouldn't be twice the range since the added weight slows it down exponentially. A top speed of 25 mph is hardly comparable to a car.
@@williampennjr.4448 Added weight? Lmfao most batteries don't weight more than 7 lbs, which is nothing.. you're making it seem like it'll be an extra 40 lbs or something
Can I ask about motors please? Which is better - mounted in the rear wheel hub, or at the pedals?
Ebikes rule!!
Excellent! Thank you.
How do you find out what rider wieght an ebike is warranted to take. This is essential information which can be hard to find because some of us are not built like a columbian climber.
it should be in the bike specification, usually it's around 120kg+ I think, but can vary in different brands,
4 figure priced ebike or higher it doesn't really matter unless you're super fat. I see 300 pound guys shred it on e-MTBs all the time. The only thing it really affects is your range. Just go for one with as high a capacity battery as you're willing to bear the weight of.
This is a great video on how to buy an ebike that was designed to be sold rather than ridden presented by people who profit from the sale. Don't buy a production ebike. Find the perfect bike, hand a BaFang mid-drive, and buy the largest battery the frame will hold... its easy.
Great video!
I think the best strategy is: 1. buy a cheap 2nd-hand e-clunker. 2 Ride it around town for 6 months to get a feel for it. 3 Sell it 4 Buy a cheap 2nd-hand e-road bike. Repeat steps 1-3 ...
except MTB cuz roadies suck.
Good bike, great service.
Silicon nanowire batteries have biggest capacity, but not yet used in eBikes. Graphene motor would be also lighter/more efficient, Front hub motor advantagious?
Have same question...
Cost a major factor I would imagine
Very nice video iam impressed
Effective
I've worn out enough rims, especially the rear ones, to think a rear-hub motor is a really bad idea for all except fat-tire bikes with disc brakes.
I bought the e-moped instead (Vespa looking type) no registration in Canada at 500w (Disconnect the limiter) now its like a 750w.
They have lock steering with alarm ,weight 200 lbs and hard to steal so you do not have to lock it to a post ever single stop, plus it can carry a lot of stuff without a wearing backpack all the time.
And the wide soft seat does not try to impregnate you.
Mind does 50 km range on a charge and it goes as fast as a young person on a 10 speed petaling his guts out.
I did buy the optional $700 20ah LifepO4 battery 5 years ago . Im buying the 30ah next time then im good for 70km.
I love mine.
Do you own your own ebike shop by any chance ?
Canada here.How long does a battery go before its time to replace?
Usually around 1000 charge cycles
Don't buy bikes with proprietary batteries.
3500 £ for a bike without mudguards ???
A Bristish bike made in Taiwan???? How does that work then????
& no mudguards
Are mountain evokes more fun to ride
I have watched your video with interest but the law on ebikes that are to be ridden on a UK road is 15.5 mph and the total wattage of the motor is 250 watts ,if the wattage is above this then it must be registered as a motor cycle to run it on a UK ROAD please take note of this , this is UK LAW and THIS WILL UPSET A LOT OF FOLK so be warned
😊
Being British it is way over priced, would rather get the equivalent Orbea Gain.
a lot of e-bikes in general are overpriced.
All very well, but the price of eBikes staggers me! Look what's in them and compare that with a motorbike or scooter for the same money, or another electric device. And I just wouldn't leave one outside a supermarket.
Very true. Its good for a investment though.
You are not alone. UK e-bike suppliers are taking the piss. They are outrageously over-priced. A frame, hub motor, battery and 2 wheels cannot possibly be worth more than a few hundred quid, tops.
I need a Andy Kirby, "Phantom " bike, tho can't assemble myself, as suffering C.O.P.D & P.T.S.D. Anyone out there can possible Help, as soon as possibly,. I honestly am In need of speed !DUNCAN.
OK.
The thing that worries me the most being a motorcyclist for some fifty years, is the lack
of insurance required to ride on a public thoroughfare!!
Well that certainly is worrying, but more for us than for you!
The thought of you "a motorcyclist of more than 50 years" riding around all this time without insurance is terrifying.
I can confirm you certainly DO require insurance to ride on a public thoroughfare ...so be a good chap and get it sorted before you go riding your motorcycle again! 🤭
Kinesis = parts made in China and other foreign countries e.g. @01:35 Made in Taiwan, assembled in UK, sold as made in UK. Companies can't make these kinds of bikes in UK because it's too expensive!!! So one isn't buying British!! The UK ebikes are all limited to 250 watts - should be at least 500watts.
Remove battery
It's 11 minutes of completely useless information, I need to know all the types of e bikes and how does it work, THAT'S ALL
£3500 for a plain, standard, ordinary looking e-bike is completely nuts. Are you mad? For £3500 you can buy a decent second hand WHOLE CAR in good condition. Why would anyone with any intelligence pay £3500 for essentially a cheap frame, a modest battery and two wheels and a saddle. The first bike you showed could not possibly have cost the maker more than a few hundred pounds to produce.
seems europeans are getting ripped off, esp british people lol. I've noticed that the prices of ebikes in british vids are drastically higher than american ones.
@@painexotic3757 Hmmmmmm yeah it's known as RIPOFF Britain
LoL they are $6000 here in my USA state it's stupid l just buy online & your right a vehicle is move valuable in the snow than a bike. I'm not an environmentalist 😂
Why would your wasn't too waste more money on maintaining a car?
@@j1nchuikacan you say that again? But slower
No views? I beg to differ.
The first thing to know about an "e-bike" is that it's not a bike. It is a moped.
What this is doing on a cycling channel is a mystery.
Get a real bike and do yourself a favor and get some exercise.
A bike is a bicycle, meaning two wheels. An e-bike is a "real" bike and a valid choice for many people for many valid reasons, including exercise. They have much in common with any other bicycle so are also relevant on a cycling channel. Try to understand that not everyone wants the same thing and be glad that there's diversity in the cycling community.
True, the feeling of actual independence and reliability is nice. Not to mention you will be able to go way further in the long run and spend money on a better bicycle and actually develop muscles. I can ride my touring bike all day and never have to worry.
Lmao imagine clicking on this video just to write this dumbass comment, ebikes are by definition bikes and in no world could you even consider them mopeds.
It depends on where you are, but my State (Oregon) has very clear legal lines on what is a Moped and what is an Ebike.
Ebike:
-Can only go 20mph under power.
-Has less than 750-1000watt motor (Federal regulation says 750 max, State says 1000).
-Has functioning pedals.
-Motor must be Electric.
-No License or registration needed.
-Helmet not required unless on highway.
-Allowed anywhere Bikes are asside from sidewalks.
Moped:
-Can go up to 30mph.
-No regulation on motor wattage if Electric.
-Doesn't require pedals.
-Motor can be electric or powered by an ICE (as long as it's under 50cc).
-Drivers license and registration required. Doesn't require Motorcycle license though.
-Helmet required.
-Can only go on streets where speed limit is 30mph or less. If it has pedals it can travel on bike lanes if it's under human power.
yah no bud. When you have to travel 9+ miles each way to work, then tell me what I should ride lmfao. Love how people try to make blanket statements as if we're all in the same situation.. Alot of people are like me and need something to commute to work and around the city. I got tired of arriving to work sweaty so I got an ebike..
How to buy a e bike? Don't. Buy a regular bike
Nobody listen to this numpty.
Nice trolling.
Let's pretend Maarten is being genuine:
E bikes and regular bikes have very different use cases. Where I live, having a cargo bike would be meaningless, but I'm really drooling for an electric version.
How do you know if e bikes can carry a big person. 150 kgs. Are these bikes able to take a big person to help them get about.
Sorry is their a bike company that make these bikes for to help get people fit. E bike seems right but will they go far on a charge with heavy person