Want to go further without getting tired? Opting for an electric bicycle offers many advantages! How do these models work and what should you know before trying them out?
SM Sport gives you expert advice and tells you more about electric bicycles to help you make the right choice.
How does an electric bicycle work?
Most of the models we name “electric bicycles” are really power assist electric bicycles. This category offers two different types of motor engagement: pedal assist and throttle.
An electric bicycle thus includes a battery and a motor, which can be located in the front or rear wheel, or on the bottom bracket between the cranks. The battery powers the motor to provide it with more or less power, depending on its capacity and your needs.
The motor starts thanks to the captors that are located inside the pedals. Riding won’t be much different for you than for a mechanical model. However, it is possible to adjust the electric assistance settings to the desired level thanks to the controller, which is situated at the front and offers different setting levels.
These levels vary from one model to the next. Some will offer three driving modes, others five, and some even more. These settings will allow you to choose your level of sportiness, speed or even the energy efficiency you are striving for.
Generally speaking, the pedaling mechanism will provide you with light assistance, allowing you to pedal more easily. It will also help you ride faster, although the feeling will remain quite close to a regular bicycle.
Models with a motor in the wheel will provide you with more significant assistance and can even have you riding without pedaling. You will feel the propulsion the motor provides you with more easily.
Finally, there are also 100 % electric bicycles, without any pedals, like the GasGas EDrive, KTM and Stacyc models. They are closer to a motorcycle in how they function, while offering you a size and a driving experience that is more similar to a regular bicycle.
The technical features will, obviously, impact the bicycle’s capacities. A more powerful motor will require more energy and a higher battery capacity will provide you with greater autonomy.
What kind of electric range can you expect on an electric bicycle?
As mentioned above, the electric range will vary greatly depending on the battery and the power offered by the motor. The more powerful the engine, the less energy efficient it will be.
Battery capacity is measured in watt-hours (Wh). A high number signifies that a greater quantity of energy is stocked during charging. When it comes to motor power, it is expressed in watts (W).
Moreover, how you use it also has a big part to play. Are you using your electric motor to full-capacity? Or do you use it only for an extra boost or light assistance? Do you pedal at high speeds or do you like to take your time and look at the landscape? Flat surfaces will also require less energy than mountains.
In average, electric range can play between thirty kilometers or so to up to over one hundred. Some very performant models can even offer you more, like up to 160 km.
The Sur Ron Light Bee or the QuietKat Jeep are part of the off-road models that will offer up to one hundred kilometers or so, as both are equipped with 1,000 W motors. Just to give you an idea, with the same motor and a 614 Wh battery, the QuietKat Ranger models provide you with an electric range between 30 to 61 km.
It should come as no surprise that the greater the electric range, the more expensive the bicycle. You should also note that unless you opt for a model without pedals, it is always possible to keep on riding even when the battery is empty. However, the weight is more important than for a mechanical bicycle, which means it might require extra effort.
Our expert advice on how to choose your electric bicycle
How to select the perfect model? Several factors must be considered. Here is our expert advice on electric bicycles so as to help you make the right decision for you.
Choosing the right bicycle type
All electric bicycles are not the same! The same way you would make a decision between a mountain bike and a city bike, these same categories also apply to electric bicycles.
What type of terrain will you be riding on? What kind of performance are you looking for? At SM Sport, we have as many electric mountain bicycles as we do performance or Enduro models!
Choose a battery that is well adapted to your needs
As mentioned above, the electric bicycle’s battery capacity will have a significant influence on electric range and performance. However, it also has an impact on the price of the bicycle! This means that it isn’t advantageous to purchase a bicycle that will provide you with over 100 km of electric range if you only need it for shorter daily commutes.
Inversely, if you would like to ride over long distances or love mountain riding for hours on end, then a small battery might not fulfill your needs. This is why it is crucial that you know what you will be using your electric bicycle for before you make your final selection. There are models available for all tastes and budgets!
Another factor to consider in regards to the battery should be the possibility to remove it or not. Most models offer a removable battery so as to facilitate charging. This will also allow you a lighter bicycle if you need to bring it up and down the stairs, for example.
Feeling at ease with the controls
If you opt for a power assist electric bicycle, it is an excellent idea to try out the controls before making a final decision. The controls may be quite different from what you are used to. Moreover, the amount of controls vary from one bicycle to another, so make sure you get your hands on something that meets your expectations!
Generally speaking, models are designed to be intuitive and user friendly. You still want to make sure that you are able to modify the settings without having to take your eyes off the road or your hands off the handlebar. The control screen must also be very easy for you to read.
FAQ for electric bicycles
Even less common than mechanical models, electric bicycles bring up several concerns for those who want to give it a try. We will answer the most common questions.
How far can I ride with an electric bicycle?
The distance will depend on the electric range the bicycle offers. You will find this information in the specs sheet, for the models that pique your interest. Depending on battery capacity and how you use it, electric range can go anywhere from 30 to 160 km!
However, it is possible to keep riding as long as you want even when the battery is empty, although it is important that you take into account the added effort this might require.
How long does it take to charge an electric bicycle fully?
Once again, this will vary from one model to the next. In average, the total charging time is usually between 3.5 to 6 hours. However, some batteries can reach up to 90 % charge in only 2.5 hours, or even less! Moreover, you do not have to wait for your battery to reach full charge to get back on your bike.
How fast can an electric bicycle go?
Speed is adjustable on an electric bicycle. You can also choose a top or maximum speed not to go over. No matter how fast you want to go, you must take into account speed limits.
In Quebec for example, the speed limit is set at 32 km/hr, which means that electric bicycles are programmed not to go over this set speed. Be careful: when you leave the province, these speed limits can change. You should check your speed limits before you leave on your trip.
Why use an electric bicycle as opposed to a regular bicycle?
Several advantages encourage cyclists to turn to electric bicycles!
Thanks to the assistance provided by the motor, pedaling is so much easier. This means that, on the one hand, you will reach your destination faster and, on the other hand, you will do so without getting tired. Going up hills will also be so much easier on your legs, without forgetting how gentle it will be on your joints!
Sweating on your way to work or to a gathering with friends is often what causes people to reach for their car keys instead of a greener alternative. The electric bicycle is the perfect remedy to this: you will be fresh out of excuses!
Also, the stop-start at every intersection is so much easier with the electric assistance, and it is also much safer.
For those who love mountain biking or off-road riding, an electric bicycle is not a lazy option, quite the contrary! It will allow you to ride over much longer distances, which means you will take full advantage of your outings while still pushing yourself physically beyond your limits.
In Quebec, is a license necessary to drive an electric bicycle?
If you are an adult, you do not need a license. An electric bicycle is legal for all people 18 years of age or older.
However, youth from 14 to 17 years of age can drive an electric bicycle, but they must hold a class 6 D licence first.
Where can I drive with my electric bicycle?
Just like with mechanical bicycles, electric models can also be ridden on bike paths. In fact, they fall under the same laws of the Highway Safety Code as regular bikes.
Outside city limits, you can drive your electric bicycle on hiking trails for bikes, but also on trails that are designed for motorized vehicles too.
In short, choosing the right electric bicycle depends on several factors! The electric range you need, how/where you are planning on using it, your comfort, etc. The best way to select the perfect model for you is to come out and give them a try in store, and ask an expert for advice.
At SM Sport, you have several electric bicycle models for every taste and we can help you select the perfect one for you. Take a look at our full inventory online or come and visit us in person in Quebec!
