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Frequently Asked Questions
How do electric assisted bikes work?
There are several different ways in which an electric assisted bike can work, this depends on the design of the bike and these are:-
Only provide electric assistance when pedalling (pedalecs)
A switch or motor bike style, throttle. This can be twisted to accelerate.
Electric assistance which will only cut in after you have reached 2-3mph
How do I choose the right bike
There are many different styles of electric bikes to choose from. When choosing a bike, consider the following information to help you make the decision - style of bike, cost, type of terrain and do you need gears, range required and does the bike conform to the regulations?
What about gears?
Some electrically assisted bikes have gears and some do not. Which is right for you depends on the type of cycling you are planning to do.
If you plan to let the electric motor do all the work, gears aren't going to make any difference at all - the gears typically work for the pedal power and not on the motor itself.
Gears work well, however, if you are using the electric assisted bike in a hilly area, want to go faster than the motor will allow (15mph) or if you want to get some exercise when using your electric assisted bike.
What types of batteries are available?
Lead Acid – These are normally fairly heavy, take longer to charge and are fitted to cheaper bikes.
NiMh – Have double the life of lead acid, are half the weight but are more expensive to buy.
Lithium-ion - They are 4 times lighter than Lead Acid, cost about the same as NiMh and takes 4-6 hours to charge.
Lithium Polymer – These are fairly new batteries, but have several advantages including extending the range, much lighter, can be different shapes so it can be fitted better to the bike shape and long battery life.
What mileage range can I expect?
You need to check with the manufacture the range for each bike, but typically you're looking at a range of between 10 and 25 miles.
The range varies depending on the type of battery, the weight of the bike, weight of rider, terrain, temperature, weather conditions and whether you're letting the electric motor do all the work or if you are pedalling alongside using the motor.
How can the batteries be charged up?
The batteries can normally either be removed from the bike or left on to charge; the batteries are normally locked into position with a key.
Should the motor be at the front or rear?
On most of the cheaper bikes the motor is fitted to the front wheel the main disadvantage is lack of traction, this may cause problems in both wet weather and if you are going up hills. If the motor is fitted to the rear wheel it will give you better balance and traction especially in wet weather or going up hills.
How much should I pay?
You can buy a basic electric bike for as little as £200, or for as much as you can afford!
At the lower end of the cost range, you'll be looking at a comparatively heavy bike with budget components and probably only one gear: great if you're planning to use your bike for a few short journeys on fairly flat ground, but if you are looking for a better quality bike for longer distances, you're best spending a little more.
Budget brands include Sakura, Powabyke, Thompson and Powacycle, all of whom offer low cost Chinese built bikes with prices ranging from around £200 to £550. They have a nationwide network of dealers for local support.
Quality brands include Urban Mover and Giant. Prices start at £550 and again, they both have a nationwide network of dealers providing local maintenance and support.
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