Try our Products at our Electric Bike Shops in Bristol, Cambridge, Oxford or York
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions relating to electric bikes.
1. How fast is an electric bike?
2. Do I need to have a license to ride an electric bike?
3. How heavy is an electric bike?
4. How can I buy an electric bike?
5. Are electric bikes practical?
6. Can you get fit on an e-bike?
1. How fast is an electric bike?
Most electric bicycles are power-assisted, meaning they will only be powered as long as the rider is pedalling. Many eBikes sold throughout Europe are capable of speeds over 30mph.
Under current UK legislation, electric bikes are restricted to 15.5mph (25kph); with the power assistance cutting out at once the 15.5mph limit is reached, it is possible to ride faster than 15.5mph, but you will have to do this under your own steam. In the UK Electric bikes are treated as bicycles, so you do not need any registration or insurance, and you are not required to wear a helmet (although we recommend you wear a helmet).
However, it is possible to fit a small dongle to derestrict your eBike, opening up the motor to its full potential.
See our range of de-restriction dongles, HERE
Please see our blog article for a bit more info on the subject. How to derestrict or tune your Electric Bike to make it go faster.
2. Do I need to have a license to ride an electric bike?
Most electric bikes come under the same classification as ordinary push bikes and do not need to be registered, taxed or insured. You can ride on cycle paths and anywhere else pedal bikes are allowed. You must be 14 years of age or older to ride an eBike
The main regulations on what constitutes an ebike:
– No more than 250watts Continous Motor Output
– Does not propel the ebike when it is travelling more than 15.5mph
– Must be pedal-assisted
As mentioned earlier, it is relatively easy to tune or derestrict your ebike, opening up the motor’s full potential. However, this will bring the ebike into the same category as a motorcycle or moped and will need to be registered and taxed. So if you wish to ride on public roads, you’ll need a driving licence, and you must wear a crash helmet.
3. How heavy is an electric bike?
eBike have a couple of extra components that add weight, i.e. the motor and the battery. Most electric bikes weigh on average around 20-25kg. For some riders, this is worth considering before purchasing an eBike, and if, for example, you have to carry the bike up a long flight of rough stairs, then it’s a bit more of a challenge than a regular bike.
However, for most riders, the advantages of the motor assist when going uphill FAR outweigh the extra weight, and eMTB riders will find the extra few kilos a distinct advantage providing more grip and a more solid ride.
4. How can I buy an electric bike?
Buying an electric bike is very different from buying a normal pushbike, and understanding those differences is key to ensuring you’ll be delighted with your bike. Ordering an eBike from an ordinary cycle store is like buying your latest smartphone from an abacus shop. Yes, you can buy one, but will they be able to help you get the best from it? At Electric Bike Sales we do one thing, but we do it brilliantly, and we’ve been doing it since 2005 when we opened the UK’s first electric bike shop. We have partnered with the very best brands like Raleigh, Riese & Muller, Cube, Lapierre, Gazelle and Babboe to bring you the finest range of eBikes found anywhere.
When new customers email us unsure of which bike is best for them, we usually as them to fill in the questionnaire below:
- Will the primary purpose be fun leisure rides or commuting?
- What is your height and weight? (personal but really good to know if a good recommendation is to be made).
- Your inseam measurement* and foot size.
- Which is more important to you, comfort or sportiness?
- Which is more important to you, low maintenance or lightweight?
- Please describe the hills you’ll be riding on.
- If cycling became the activity you enjoyed the most, what adventures can you imagine? (Most of our customers feel motivated to do more than they initially thought)
- How far do you currently cycle in a day?
- What luggage if any will you carry?
- Do you have any health issues that may affect your cycling, such as arthritis, knees, back, shoulder, neck or wrist or heart problems etc?
- What is your budget
By giving careful thought to the above, you will be able to decide which electric bike is best for you. Our trained technicians are always on hand to offer friendly and helpful advice. Along with our www.electricbikesales.co.uk online shop, we have four stores nationwide in Cambridge, Oxford, Bristol and York. Please see our contact page for more info.
*To accurately measure your inseam: You will need a tape measure, a hardcover book, and a pencil. Then:
- Standing with your back to a wall (with shoes on).
- Next, straddle the book with the spine up.
- Take the pencil and mark where the spine of the book meets the wall.
- Measure from the mark to the floor. This is your inseam measurement.
- Repeat the exercise a few times to make sure it’s correct.
If the bike has a straight top tube, you should have approximately 1-2″ (3-6cm) of clearance between your inseam and the standover height.
5. Are electric bikes practical?
There are loads of practical benefits to riding an eBike – they can make your day to day commute so much easier and even improve the quality of your life!
Here are 8 main reasons why:
1. Health
Our first reason for getting an eBike is an obvious one. Whether with an ordinary or an electric bicycle, cycling is a great way to get fit, tone your muscles and improve stamina. Regular cycling is also proven to improve your mental and emotional well-being and even strengthen your immune system.
2. Ride longer, further and faster :
Gone are the days where 80+mile rides seemed impossible. With the latest 750Wh batteries now been fitted to some of the brand new 2022 eBike models, this is no longer the daunting task that it once was. On a full charge, you could cycle between Oxford and Cambridge.
3. Versatile:
There is a huge variety of electric bikes on the market – mountain, cargo, folding, commuter, among many others. Nipping to the shops to buy groceries on your way back from work or picking up kids from school all becomes much easier with an eBike. Electric cargo bikes allow you to carry larger loads with minimal effort! Touring electric bikes, will not only reduce your travel inner city times between home and work, but also allow you to take long distance tours and camping trips.
4. Avoid traffic:
Tired of being stuck in traffic? With some UK inner-city average speed being as low as ten mph, electric bikes can zip in and out of congested streets, quickly accelerate after a traffic light stop; and a power boost when going uphill or carrying heavy loads. In addition, safe cycle paths span all British cities taking you to parts of the city you can’t access in a car or motorbike, who knows what you’ll discover.
5. Save money:
Cars are expensive. Consider the amount you spend each year on fuel, insurance, congestion charges, parking fees, maintenance and of course, cost of the purchasing a car in the first place; it all soon adds up. The evidence shows that electric bikes are substantially cheaper over a year than cars, with many of our customers seeing a return on their investment in less than two years.
6. Help the environment:
With the average car UK journey being less than 10 miles, and with many commuters spending over 100 hours a year stuck in traffic, how much avoidable carbon dioxide is emitted by your car during the commute to work, popping to the shops or picking the kids up from school? On the other hand, e-bikes are virtually carbon-free, using very little electricity to charge the battery.
7. No more sweaty commutes:
Commuting on an e-bike is akin to more of a a stroll than a sprint, meaning riding to work can be done in a suit rather than spandex. In fact one test found that e-bikers sweat much less (two-thirds less) than regular cyclists. So no need to pack a change of clothing or shower after riding into work.
8. So much fun!
Electric Bikes are just loads of fun! You’ll feel like you have superpowers. You will find yourself smiling all the time while travelling by eBike. Being outdoors, relieving stress, saving money and being more efficient in your travels are all good reasons to smile!
6. Can you get fit on an e-bike?
Yes. Many of our customers find it easier to build up their fitness and stamina levels on an electric bike than on a standard bike. Many rode their push bikes because they had to, but with an eBike, they ride because they want to. Electric bike riders ride because it is fun, faster than a car, and more convenient.
Faster than a car!!?? In the urban jungle, eBike riders never get stuck in traffic, at red lights you zip to the front of the line, and with an inner-city average speeds of 10-15mph, you easily power past cars.
While you will work harder and build muscle riding a regular bike, you will also get to your destination hot, sweaty and in need of a shower. With the e-bike you arrive faster, refreshed from a great ride, calm, cool and not needing a shower. An excellent way to commute to work, need I say anymore?
We know you will love these!!
2021 Haibike HardNine 5 500Wh Electric Hardtail Mountain Bike
The new HardNine 5 is the 29″ hardtail eMTB which allows you to take on longer trails: The SR Suntour suspension fork with 120mm travel and the powerful disc brakes ensure your safety even on rough terrain.
The Bosch Performance Line motor with integrated 500Wh battery and the Shimano gear combination will push you to new eBike adventures.
Features:
- Frame material – Aluminium
- Drive unit – Bosch Performance Line, 65Nm, 25km/h
- Battery – Bosch PowerTube 500Wh
- Fork – SR Suntour XCM32 Boost DS, Travel: 120mm
2021 Cube Export Town Hybrid One 400 Low Step Through Electric Hybrid Bike
The elegant Easy Entry frame, easy-to-use Shimano 7-speed hub gears and smooth, powerful Bosch drive unit will deliver you from A to B almost effortlessly and in complete safety. The cunningly sited battery is tucked out of the way, while a completely enclosed chain and included mudguards help to keep your clothes clean and dry while you ride. The luggage carrier is perfect for bringing your essentials with you, there’s a kickstand for park-anywhere convenience and an included lighting system ensure you can see and be seen at all times of day. We even included a comfortable suspension fork to help smooth out rough road surfaces.
2021 Raleigh Stow-E-Way Low Step Through Electric Bike in Grey
Designed to be packed away at a moment’s notice, the Stow-E-Way has all the power of a classic e-bike in a nifty, foldable model that’ll fit just about anywhere. Powered by a lightweight TransX motor, this folding electric bike takes the sweat out of cycling, making zipping up hills as easy as racing along the flat.
