We sell and service Human Power Augmented a.k.a. Electric bikes and ride them enthusiastically ourselves.
You may phone or visit our store to place an order for store pickup or shipping.
Electric & Folding Bikes Northwest
4810 17th Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107 / Map
206/547-4621 / Contact
Hours:
Monday thru Saturday: 11–6
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The law regards the 'electric bicycle' just about as a bicycle, i.e. it requires no registration or driver's license and may be ridden also where only 'non-motorized vehicles' are allowed. In return for this privilege the electric bike must incorporate operable pedals, its top speed be capped at 20 mph and power at 750 Watt (about one horse power, albeit of the 'instant' torque variety).
Read The Law and Electric Bicycles.
Range, i.e. how far the electric bike can travel on a fully charged battery, depends of course on numerous factors. There can be no useful average. However, a 'magnitude' number for many riders—depending on his or her weight and willingness to intermittently pedal concurrently with the motor, on 'moderate' terrain and in 'fair' stop and go traffic—is around 25 miles on one 9-10 Ah Li-Ion battery. (Or unsurprisingly around 50 miles with a second battery added). While most riders find that they need to charge only at home or at work the range can be extended 'as you go' by 'opportunity' charging the quick-release battery, i.e. obtaining a partial charge where ever there is a standard wall socket (provided the rider brings along the small, one lb charger the bike comes with).
While a full charge (of a low battery) may take 3 to 5 hours an 'opportunity' charge (while visiting clients or friends, at a coffee shop etc) for even as short as, say, 30 minutes adds significantly to the battery's state of charge. And how much would you owe? Half an hour of charging appears as about half a penny on a Northwest utility bill.
Read How Far On a Battery Charge?
Only 80 Watt of pedaling is required to maintain (i.e. 'maintain', not 'accelerate to') 14 mph on level ground. Even a 250 Watt drive system (250 W being the global, outside the U.S., standard) is thus up to several times stronger, on a 'continuous' basis, than many a recreational rider. The power requirement is exponential to the increase in speed or the steepness of a hill (but we all knew that, of course). To maintain 20 mph on level ground 170 Watt is required. 170 W will also pull an average weight rider up a 'moderately steep' hill of 7% grade (although he or she shall crest at only 5 mph).
While the world's bike racing elite can amazingly pedal around 400 W for an hour or two most of us can't even keep that up round the block (if even momentarily). We offer electric bikes of 250, 350, 500 and 600 Watt of power. All of our electric bikes are thus stronger than most riders. And some are stronger (basis continuous output) than a Lance Armstrong in peak form.
Read Motor Wattage and Performance.
Are you looking:
(a)
To retain the feel and handling of a bicycle but with augmented (as in
'rider and motor together') power, i.e. you enjoy pedaling but just wish
to be a bit stronger or have better endurance? Be it for hills, picking
up groceries, hauling a child, keep up with a stronger bike rider,
arrive to your destination crisp and presentable, commuting home after a
long day at work, sparing that recalcitrant knee, driving less or
seeking exercise while not risk overdoing it. Or for what our customers
tell us above all, viz. the uniquely smooth, quiet, surging, no
emissions riding experience of a quality electric bike.
or
(b)
For a bike you don't have to pedal at all, even up serious hills? Such
an electric bike will be less bicycle akin in feel and handling but
still no 'clunky' moped—and far more stylish.
or
(c)
Perhaps for a design on a continuum in between? We offer several.
Read Electric Bikes and Kits, an Overview.
Were you aware that the electric bike offers a choice for how the rider applies power? While motorcycles, boats, planes and cars incorporate nothing beyond a throttle or gas pedal the electric bike uniquely offers interactive pedal activation, i.e. the motor responds to your pedaling. This provides a highly intuitive ride and many riders find they are in even firmer control than when operating a throttle. Most of our bikes incorporate both pedal activation (of varying designs) and a throttle, and are referred to as 'dual mode'.
Read How Power is Applied and Augmenting—Not Replacing Human Power.
Today most consumer products (be it cars, TVs etc) may offer more or less comparable quality, value, reliability, durability, product support and service between established brands. Not so electric bikes—yet. Its a new industry. There are only a few well established brands. While perhaps not a nice thing to say, it might nevertheless be correct and fair to suggest that you can buy a small number of electric bike brands which are 'outstanding', some which are 'good' or at least 'passable'—and some which have 'a way to go'.
Unless the customer is quite handy and enjoys repairing his or her bike finding competent service can be also be a problem, particularly if the bike is bought from an Internet vendor who is not also a dedicated electric bike store.
Modesty (albeit false) prevents us from suggesting where you'll find those outstanding, great value brands with strong support.
We currently offer bikes with Li-Ion batteries from $1,200 to $3,950. While of course style is subjective a prospective customer shall do well comparing bicycle and drive system components specifications and cost of replacement batteries to determine value.
Read Electric Bikes and Kits, an Overview.
Copyright © 2013 EbikesNW
If you are a cyclist by inclination, who prefers an electric bike that closely handles and rides like a superb regular bicycle then here's the rarest of brief opportunities. The Giant Twist is the fourth generation ebike model developed for the U.S. market by top global bicycle manufacturer Giant Bicycle Company. Since 2008 no model on the U.S. market may have garnished higher customer satisfaction. Smooth, comfortable, quiet and strong on hills. Intuitive torque sensing control, i.e. the motor response is instantaneous and proportional to your pedaling. Available in 18 and 21" size slope (=men's) frames only At $1,700 it comes with a 250W Sanyo front hub motor, front and seat post suspension, 8-speed internal Shimano Nexus hub, rear rack with light, fenders and dual panniers.
And it is the only ebike on the U.S. market that comes standard with dual batteries (for the same measly price!), which also makes the Twist the undisputed 'Range Queen'. Our customers routinely ride 50+ real life, real traffic miles and Popular Mechanics tested it as 70 miles.
Giant Twist Freedom DX
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