Your Guide to Buying an E-Bike
The electric bicycle, also known as an “e-bike,” has become extremely popular in recent years, and for good reason. These practical bicycles make it much easier to ride over long distances without overstraining yourself or breaking a sweat, which makes them ideal for people on work commutes, people with mobility limits, and anyone who wants to enjoy a bike ride without being exhausted by the end of it. Here’s what to know about purchasing your own e-bike.
Pedal Assist
E-bikes help the rider with a “pedal assist” system that supplies some of the energy required to move the bike forward. The bike’s motor powers the system that adds extra “oomph” to the effort put in by the rider, which in turn increases the bike’s speed without an appreciable increase in effort for the rider.
Some pedal assist systems activate at a set speed, allowing you to pedal the bike yourself at lower speeds, while assisting you when you want to go faster. Other e-bikes allow you to set the power level, so that you can put in as much or as little effort as you’d like, and a torque sensor will determine how much power the e-bike offers you.
Motors
E-bike motors can be either friction-drive, hub, or mid-drive. Friction-drive motors were initially the most common type, but they aren’t as efficient and can wear down the rear tire more quickly. Hub motors are affordable and low-maintenance, and they mount to either the front or rear wheel to provide assistance, but they can be heavy. Mid-drive motors are more expensive, but lighter in weight and they can help with going up inclines.
Categories
You can choose e-bikes from a range of categories that are similar to those for standard bicycles, including performance road, road, commuter, and mountain bikes. Think about the type of riding you wish to do so that you can select a model that can meet those needs.
Visit our location in Kamloops, BC, to check out our wide range of new and used e-bikes for sale. You can also talk about your financing options with one of our sales team members. Jubilee R.V. Centre serves our British Columbia customers in greater Vancouver and Prince George.