Electric Bikes
Northwest

Frequently Asked Questions About Electric Bikes

Q: I enjoy pedaling. Is an electric bike for me?
A: Absolutely. Our customers overwhelmingly prefer pedaling—but at their own rate, i.e. on a continuum that suits him or her individually. We offer bikes of different designs and capabilities to match rider levels and most expectations.

Q: I just want to ride a bike without pedaling. Got an alternative to a motor scooter or a small motorcycle?
A: Sure, if you insist. While restricted to a 20 mph top speed the electric bike may (and still be legally a 'bicycle' not a 'motor vehicle') deliver up to 750 Watt—sufficient for quick getaways, and to crest many a hill with little or no pedaling.

Q: But isn't it cheating to ride an electric bike?
A: Indeed it is. By pedaling concurrently with the motor it is deprived of doing all the work.

Q: Why do electric bicycles have to be pedaled at all?
A: Probably because pedaling can be viewed as healthy and enjoyable rather than as a drag and embarrassment. And if a two wheeler does not have pedals by what definition would it be a 'bicycle'?

Q: Why are electric bikes so heavy?
A: Are they? Know of any other vehicle category with motor that weighs less than the electric bike brands we sell? But if you insist—it may be because those laggard manufacturers are yet come up with weightless motors and batteries. Contact us any time if you have. For now a motor weighs from about 7 lb and a Li-Ion Polymer battery pack from about 3 lb.

Q: Are sales fluctuating with gas prices?
A: Yes but are electric bikes not just as uniquely human power augmented, enjoyable to ride, healthy, convenient, economical, cool, kind to the planet and considerate of our children's future regardless of gas prices? Sales are driven not significantly by gas prices but rather by a number of diverse—and far more exiting—factors. We elaborate on these throughout our web site.

Q: Can I ride an electric bike in the rain?
A: Yes but you may still get wet. That said the drive systems of the quality bikes we sell are not affected by the persistent rain we get in Seattle. And you don't need to get soaked: Read more here about how to enjoy riding in the rain.

Q: How far can an electric bike travel on a full charge (i.e. what's the range) on perfectly level ground, at slow speed, with no stop-and-go and no headwind?
A: We don't know. Would one need a bike that is electric for that type of riding—if indeed such conditions were but fleetingly to be found?

Q: OK, but what is the average range with stop-and-go in traffic and on terrain with hills?
A: There is no 'average' range. However if you would share with us what level rider you are and what the terrain of a typical prospective ride may look like we should be able to arrive at a reliable estimate for you. In the meantime a 'magnitude' number would be around 25 real life miles on modest to moderate terrain on our advanced, quality, pedal activated, energy miser bikes with a single 9-10 Ah Li-Ion Polymer battery. If you need to ride upward of 50 miles do purchase a dual battery model or carry a second battery. Read more here.

Q: Why can't batteries be charged as you pedal the bike?
A: They can. Such a feature would be incorporated if manufacturers could be assured that electric bike riders actually prefer to exert far more effort than when pedaling a regular bicycle. If you have doubt as to the major effort required to charge a battery by pedaling then the worldwide scientific community shall hold its collective breath while you refute the Second Law of Thermodynamics.

Q: Why can't batteries be charged in minutes rather than in hours?
A: They can, while with trade offs. One may of course also ask how useful quick charging is when most of our customers charge at home during the night? Even in these troubling times one would hope most of us still get at least a few hours sleep?

Q: What's the life span of batteries?
A: While obviously affected by numerous variables—such as battery specification; the sophistication of the battery management system; and wattage draw, i.e. how the bike is ridden (stop and go), by whom (weight and pedaling), where (hills, headwinds), how far, how often and charging protocol—the NiMH battery of the Giant Lite (2002 to 2007) has proved to last an amazing 6-7 years for most of our customers.

While the Giant Twist was only introduced in 2008 there are strong indications (two and a half year old batteries testing as near-new) that its advanced Li-Ion batteries may eventually last as long. However, in our experience, Giant and Panasonic bikes offer exceptional battery life spans—clearly way beyond U.S. market standards.

Q: In such a new industry should I be concerned about products support & service?
A: Absolutely. Do make sure that your dealer or vendor provides competent and committed local service. Our own full service department was established in 1996. It is staffed to preferentially support the owners of the bikes and kits they bought from us—and to do so expertly, promptly and flexibly.

Q: Which electric bike may be for me?
A: If you care to share with us what level rider you are, what your prospective rides may look like and what your expectations may be we shall be glad to explore whether an electric bike may be for you—and, if so, whether any of the models we offer may work for you.

Q: Which bike is the best?
A: If indeed there exists a bike that is universally 'the best' for every rider, ride and pocket book would we carry any other ones? Or ought we stock a few other makes/models as well for those customers who shall insist on not getting 'the best'?

Be the above as it may, we know of 'none better' than the Giant Twist, which is Giant Bicycle Company's fourth generation electric bike on the U.S. market. However, we are quite enthusiastic about all the makes which we currently offer—or we would not carry them.

Copyright © 2011 EbikesNW

November 2011