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.
Our Seattle store sells assembled bikes for pick up in the store. Come in and place your order, phone or email us.
Electric Bikes Northwest
4810 17th Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107 - Map
ph: 206/547-4621
Email form
February Hours:
Mondays thru Fridays Noon–5
Saturday Noon–4
It is usually not obvious to the prospective customer how pedal-activation works and about its exceptional merit. While on the other hand a twist grip throttle (like on a motorcycle) is easily comprehended (i.e. 'twist here for power and twist harder for more power')—on a pedal-activated bike it is the rider's pedaling that instantly activates the motor and intuitively controls power: The power you need, the instant you need it. Without having to give it a thought (or mess with any controls).
On occasion prospective customers assume that throttle control is 'better' or 'easier', while our experience shows that when the pedal-activated system is actually experienced it is often favored.
Will Rogers remarked: "It is not what he doesn't know that bothers me. It is what he knows for absolutely sure… that just ain't so!" Here's our response to six assumptions "that just ain't so":
On the contrary. Our actual experience indicates that the torque and speed sensing pedal-activated bike delivers far more power 'where the rubber meets the road' per nominal Watt.
Cyclists who are able to test ride both modes often prefer pedal-activation due to its intuitive control and no 'messing' with a twist grip.
Only when riding on level and modest grade. Throttled bikes need to be pedaled concurrently with the motor on hills. If you wish your batteries to last as long as possible it is also advisable to pedal on takeoff.
True but only perfunctorily for the power to stay on.
There are two designs of pedal-activation:
One design senses motion (speed) only. The motor kicks in after a few pedal strokes, i.e. the rider is on his/her own pedaling at takeoff. Once under way the motor does not respond to how hard you pedal. The power simply stays on with any rate of pedaling, and for a few seconds longer after you cease pedaling unless a brake is applied. Examples: Schwinn (all models), eZee (optional on some models) and Currie EcoRide.
Another design senses torque (pedal pressure, be it ever so light) as well as motion (speed): The motor thus responds instantaneously and proportionally when you step on a pedal. Under way the power level remains interactive with your pedaling effort. The power ceases the instant you let up on the pedal. Examples: Giant (all models) and Panasonic.
A throttled electric-assisted bicycle absolutely needs to be pedaled concurrently with the motor on moderate-to-steep hills, in case the rider aspires to crest the hill. It is also recommended that the rider pedals on takeoff on level ground, in case the rider aspires to maximize range and battery longevity.
On the contrary. Certainly not complicated to learn and to ride. Just turn the handle bar switch to 'on' and power is seamlessly added as you pedal, and only as long as you pedal. No throttle to keep twisted while at the same time trying to brake and shift gears. For some riders the pedal activated electric bike is safer to ride. The pedal activated models we sell are also exceptionally reliable and use energy most efficiently, which translates into longer range and longer battery life.
What is meant by "Power on demand" and "Pedal-Assisted"?
The term "power on demand" is sometimes used (arguably disingenuously) for a throttled bike. We do not use the term because a rider has just as much 'power on demand' with a pedal-activated as with a throttle-controlled system. We further use the term 'pedal-activated' instead of 'pedal-assisted' to better describe that the power actually comes on as you lightly step on the pedal. 'Assisted' may further imply something auxiliary, while the electric motors of our pedal-activated bikes are up to several times stronger than the average rider can pedal.
'Electric-assisted bicycle' legislation in the U.S. does not currently differentiate between throttled-control and pedal-activation. (In Europe, Japan et al the pedal-activated electric bike is legally a 'bicycle' while throttle control makes it a 'motor vehicle').
Copyright © 2010 EbikesNW
The throttled system and each of the two different pedal-activated systems provide thoroughly differentiated riding experiences. We keep selling all three with the mix varying with store location of our cooperating dealers. Find out the differences for yourself: Come in, test ride and compare!