Bicycles are among the nature-friendly and safest means of transportation used by humanity for centuries. In addition, the sportive aspect, which is good for the body and mind, is also very strong. However, after a certain age or a certain distance, its use requires a lot of conditioning and strength. Today, it is much easier to solve this problem thanks to electric bicycle models! In this article, you can find answers to all your questions about the electric bicycle.
For many people, a bicycle is a means of transportation and a sporting device powered by pedals. But today, as in every field, technological developments have started to differentiate bicycles. There are now bicycles that use electric power and allow you to cycle with almost no effort. Now let’s take a closer look at the details about electric bicycles.
What is an Electric Bicycle?
Bicycle models with both a pedal set and an electric motor are generally called electric bicycles. The electric bicycle, which sometimes allows you to travel without even pedaling, is subject to certain limitations, thanks to models with options up to 100 Watt motor power. Electric bicycles are legally permitted up to 250 Watts of power. Models above this power require a driver’s license and special permits. For this reason, you can easily use it wherever you want by choosing 250 W and below models that make cycling easier.
Who can use the electric bicycle and for what purpose?
- Older people who want to use a bicycle can use it almost everywhere for both transportation and sporting activities.
- Uneven terrain, slopes, etc. in the area where he lives. people of all fitness levels with conditions that make cycling challenging,
- Those who want to go far by bicycle than the distances that can be reached by human power as a means of transportation,
- The electric bicycle is a very suitable choice for those who want more than pedaling speed and who want to do sports while going to work or anywhere.
Normal Bicycle vs. Electric bicycle
Bicycle is one of the most efficient vehicles invented by mankind, due to its nature-friendly and cost-effectiveness. But since it moves only with leg strength, it is a vehicle with certain limits in terms of distance. In fact, although these are not an obstacle for those who are cycling enthusiasts, for general users, reasons such as slopes on the road, excessive sweating, and speed can prevent use. In addition, after a certain age, cycling becomes an activity that becomes very difficult.
An electric bicycle is a vehicle that moves by combining the power it receives from the pedal with the engine power. For this reason, the driver can actually both get support and increase his speed as he pedals. Some models have a manual accelerator pedal similar to a motorcycle. So the driver can use the extra power whenever he wants. The extra power offered by the electric motor compared to a normal bicycle helps to eliminate the conditions that make cycling difficult. In addition, the load carrying capacity is quite high compared to normal bicycles. In other words, when you want to shop, you can easily complete your shopping by filling the electric bicycle seat. Electric bicycles are among the best means of transportation of our time, as they are healthy, budget-friendly, practical and fast.
What are the Types of Electric Bicycles?
Pedal assisted electric bicycle (Pedelec): It is the most preferred model, which is the first model that comes to mind when it is called an electric bicycle. In addition to pedal power, it offers an engine power that is activated according to the speed of the bicycle. In fact, we can say that the electric motor offers support when the driver has difficulty. Bicycles of this type can reach speeds of up to 25 kilometers per hour. At higher speeds, the electric motor is deactivated and the pedal continues.
Electric bicycle (Twist-N-Go) that provides power when needed: There is a button on the handlebar of this type of bicycle. As soon as the button is pressed, the electric motor is activated. For this reason, they are likened to scooters. The engine power chosen as speed and power is decisive.
How Many Watts Should an Electric Bicycle Have?
If you have decided to buy an electric bicycle, the engine power of the bicycle you will choose is proportional to the engine power of the bicycle. Therefore, what you will use the bicycle for and how far you will travel is a very important issue. We are sure that it will be more useful to explain this issue with examples:
- If the bicycle you choose has 500 Watt motor power, it will allow you to travel an average of 25 km.
- Models from the end of the 1200-1500 Watt motor fall will offer a range of 40-50 km depending on the road conditions you use.
- Models with an engine power of 2000 Watt and above can reach ranges of 75 km and above.
Based on these numbers, you can make the right choice for you. Apart from the range, how long the battery takes to charge is also important. Lithium-polymer, lithium-iron or lithium-ion batteries in the models preferred recently are easily charged at home. Charging times here take from 30 minutes to 8 hours. Models that offer you extra range with fast charging will be very advantageous even when you do not have any preparation for the journey. The battery life of the batteries is in the range of 800-1000 full charges on average. After this interval, it is quite possible that their performance will decrease. For this reason, it will be useful to pay attention to the service network and spare parts service of the electric bicycle brand you choose. When the battery starts to get weak, you can continue to use it in the same way by replacing it with a new one.
Things to Consider When Buying an Electric Bicycle
Since we talked about engine power and battery features in the title above, we skip those steps. Other issues to consider are:
- First of all, you need to determine where and for what purpose you will use the bicycle. Because if you are going to use it in off-road conditions, models with thick wheels are better. For city use, normal wheels allow you to move more comfortably.
- If there is no space to store the bicycle in your living space, folding bicycle models will offer the ideal solution for you. Folding models also make it easy to take public transport while traveling around the city.
- It is very important to use bicycle accessories such as helmet, gloves and knee pads for a safe ride.
- We recommend that you make sure that the suspension, brake and lighting components of the model you choose are working properly.
- Models where you can put add-ons such as child seats and shopping baskets on the saddle will increase the quality of use.
