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.
You may phone or visit our store to place an order. No on line purchasing is offered. Pick up in store or shipped.
Electric Bikes Northwest
4810 17th Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107 - Map
ph: 206/547-4621
Email form
Winter Hours:
Monday: 11–4
Tuesday thru Friday 11–6
Saturday: 11–4
Sunday: closed
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.
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