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An electric bike is for all intents and purposes a normal everyday
bicycle that has been equipped with an electric motor to assist in its
propulsion. These motors are, limited by Federal Law, to 750 watts of power and
20 miles per hour top speed. For more information on Gulf Shores Electric Bike Rental,
visit our website today.
Most electric bikes are built to meet that specification but some
do exceed them. Electric bicycles can be built from kits for around $500 to
$800 dollars or purchased new for between $400 to $3500 dollars. As with any
product and especially a vehicle, you usually get what you pay for. Electric
bicycles are powered by a rechargeable battery(s), and the average range is
around 20 miles. The range can vary greatly depending on the weight of the bike
and rider, wheel size, style of riding and terrain. They come in a wide variety
of styles and sizes from small electric folding bikes with 16 and 20-inch
wheels for commuters and apartment dwellers to 28 inch and 700c sizes. Electric
bicycles require no licenses or insurance to operate but many states do have
age limitations.
The most common type of motor used in electric bikes is a hub
motor. These can be used on either the front or rear wheels and do not require
chains, belts or gears. Essentially the motor is the hub of the wheel and
contains two concentric rings of opposing electromagnets. When power from the
battery is applied to the motor the opposing magnetic force causes the wheel to
spin. This type of motor is almost completely silent and requires no
maintenance. The higher the wattage of the motor, the more power it provides.
One caveat however. There is no standard for measuring wattage. Many marketers
of these products use their peak output numbers as opposed to the operating
output numbers. A motor rated at 1000 watts peak may be a 500-watt motor in its
standard operating output. Be sure to find out which. Only standard operating
output is truly comparable.
Batteries are also very important in regards to these products.
The most common battery sealed lead acid (SLA) is the least expensive and
provides the highest amp hours (ah). However, SLA batteries weigh three times
what a lithium battery does and last less than a third as long. A Lithium
LiFePO4 battery is the most expensive battery and has low ah, but is by far the
lightest weight and longest lasting. You would have to purchase, install, and
dispose of 12 12volt SLA batteries before you come close to the life span of
one 48 volt LiFePO4 battery. Nickel cadmium and other batteries fall somewhere
in between. A lightweight lithium battery usually slides out of the battery
rack for easy recharge indoors rather than having to locate an outlet in which
to plug the whole bike. Lithium batteries are by far the most ecologically
friendly of all the batteries available.
The electric bikes built from kits are quite often your best bet
in terms of price and performance. Most of the bicycles that people already own
are superior machines to many of those that have been designed as electric
bikes. If you choose your kit carefully you will get a more powerful motor, better
battery, and many other features that you cannot find on a factory built bike
and your converted bike will often weigh less. A good kit should have the motor
pre built into a wheel (a front wheel kit is much easier to install), dual
brake motor cutoff, a twist or thumb throttle, a motor controller, wiring
harness, and a battery mounting rack with a lock mechanism.
A really good kit will also have wiring diagrams, mounting
hardware, wire ties and complete instructions. Very expensive factory built
electric bicycles tend to look more like motorcycles, are very heavy and hard
to pedal but go no faster or farther than an inexpensive bike or kit built
bike. They do look cool though! Also, you will want to purchase your kit from
someone who will be able to help you through the installation process in the
remote case that you have a question or problem. If you are going to convert
your existing bicycle, be sure that it is good operating condition and if you
are going to build a bike from a kit of 500 watts or more, use a bike with a
steel front fork. Very powerful front wheel motors can pull free from or damage
aluminum and suspension forks. You do not require a lot of gearing in an
electric bicycle unless you are going to use it as a mountain bike. For street
bikes, six or seven gears are more than sufficient. If you choose to buy a
factory built bike, find one you able to completely control, feel comfortable
riding and that has all of the options you are looking for.
With an electric bike you can pedal independently of the motor,
pedal with the motor for extended range and exercise or use power alone. They
are almost silent, require no fuel and tune ups, give off no emissions and can
very often be ridden where other motorized vehicles are prohibited. You can take
an electric bike anywhere a regular bike is allowed including on many subway
and bus systems, bike trails, and bicycle lanes. Electric bicycles can be
stored indoors, something that cannot be done with liquid fueled vehicles.
Anyone that can ride a bicycle can ride an electric bike and
anyone with basic tool skills can install an electric bike conversion kit. For
those who have difficulties with two wheeled bicycles, there are adult electric
tricycles and conversion kits for adult tricycles as well. These operate the
same way and can help provide excellent transportation options for the elderly
and handicapped. Want to know more about Gulf Shores eBike Rental? Visit
our website for more information.
Electric bicycles are genuine green transportation. They can
provide very real alternatives to the automobile for short range use and help
relieve traffic congestion, air pollution, dependence on imported fossil fuels
and give you a little exercise while going about your daily life. It won't
solve all of our problems but it's a good start.