We sell and service Human Power Augmented a.k.a. Electric bikes and ride them enthusiastically ourselves. See also our folding bikes at Folding Bikes West.
We invite you to visit our store, phone or email us. We are one of the last Internet shopping cart-free sanctuaries.
Electric Bikes Northwest
4810 17th Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107 - Map
ph: 206/547-4621
Email form
Summer Hours:
Monday thru Friday: 11–6
Saturday: 11–4
It may be helpful when assessing electric bikes to consider the design approach taken.
One category consists of 'adaptable power systems' or 'power kits', which can be retrofitted (with varying levels of compatibility) on regular bicycles.
The other category consists of electric bikes designed, from the first pencil stroke on the drawing board, to be complete and integrated electric bikes.
One way of differentiating electric bikes is by how the power is applied and controlled by the rider, viz:
On the 'throttle activated' bike the rider applies power with a throttle (twist grip or thumb operated). There is no interaction between pedaling and the electric drive system.
On the 'pedal activated' bike the rider engages the motor when pedaling:
Rotation Sensing: This design senses rotation of the pedaling motion. The motor kicks in after one or a few pedal strokes. The power level does not respond to whether you pedal hard or hardly. The power simply stays on, and winds up, as long as you move your legs and for a few seconds longer after you cease pedaling. The rotation sensing system does thus not offer any help at all to the rider when he or she may need power the most, e.g. when needing to quickly cross a busy intersection or restarting on a hill.
Torque Sensing: This design senses torque, i.e. pedal pressure, be it ever so light. The motor responds instantaneously and proportionally when you step on the pedal: The power you need, the instant you need it, without having to give it a thought. On take off and under way the motor's power level remains interactive with your pedaling effort. The power ceases the instant you let up on the pedal. Its just like riding a pedal-only bicycle, except the average rider intuitively becomes up to a few times stronger.
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