Decisions that need to be made before you buy your electric bike.

[aaannndddyyy]

After buying a few Electric bikes now, these are some of the decisions that need to be thought about before parting with your money.

Price
Warranties, guarantees (you will also have to consider postage cost and time if you don’t buy locally)
Replacement parts (Battery cost being a main one)
Quality (Steel rusts, cheap paint flakes, ect)
Style (There is a large choice to chose from and it mainly comes down to the individuals own preferences)
Comfort
Size
Weight (from around 20kg upto the UK max legal of 38kg)
Range (Distance from around 10 miles up to about 30 miles on one battery)
Don`t be mislead by quoted range, there’s a lot of info about this on the forum and around the web.
Toque (Pulling power)
Acceleration (How fast and smooth)
Power delivery (throttle, pedalec)
Top speed (legal 15.5mph in uk)
Reliability (After reading Johns tread on the Tongxin (Reliability added))
Motor placement (Front wheel, Back wheel, though the gears, bolt on)
Motor type (hub Panasonic, bolt on)
Motor size (wattage range from about 180watts upto 1000+ (250Watts max uk legal))
Also the physical size of the motor needs consideration normally (small Light, Big Heavy)
Battery Tec (lead acid, NiCad, NiMH, Limn, lipol, ect)
Voltage (24v 36v, 48v)
Amps (typically ranging from 5A upto 20A)
Accessories (Lights, speedo, mud guards, ect)
Modability (upgrades, controllers, batteries)
Can anyone think of anything else to help make a more informed choice?

 

[john]

Hill climbing ability
Noise (motor)

 

[aaannndddyyy]

Hill climbing ability

Living in the flat land (Norfolk I keep forgetting that one).
and It`s probable the main reason most people buy an electric bike.

 

[Wallie]

On a more practical point:

Can you store it securely (at work and at home)?
Will you actually use it?

Given the cost, these were my considerations (albeit nothing to do with the actual bike).

 

[aaannndddyyy]

On a more practical point:

Will you actually use it?

.

My electric bikes have totally replaced the car and motorbike, they have become an essential part of my every day life, and to think less than a year ago I didn’t even no they existed.

 

[Wallie]

Although I've only had the bike for less than a week, I can see that my use of the car will become less and less - probably used at night and for 'big shopping trips'. I feel totally addicted to my Aggatu - already!

 

[Beeping-Sleauty]

After buying a few Electric bikes now, these are some of the decisions that need to be thought about before parting with your money.

Price
Warranties, guarantees (you will also have to consider postage cost and time if you don’t buy locally)
Replacement parts (Battery cost being a main one)
Quality (Steel rusts, cheap paint flakes, ect)
Style (There is a large choice to chose from and it mainly comes down to the individuals own preferences)
Comfort
Size
Weight
Range
Toque (Pulling power)
Acceleration (How fast and smooth)
Power delivery (throttle, pedalec)
Top speed (legal 15.5mph in uk)
Reliability (After reading Johns tread on the Tongxin (Reliability added))
Motor placement (Front wheel, Back wheel, though the gears, bolt on)
Motor type (hub Panasonic, bolt on)
Motor size (wattage range from about 180watts upto 1000+ (250Watts max uk legal))
Also the physical size of the motor needs consideration normally (small Light, Big Heavy)
Battery Tec (lead acid, NiCad, NiMH, Limn, lipol, ect)
Voltage (24v 36v, 48v)
Amps (typically ranging from 5A upto 20A)
Accessories (Lights, speedo, mud guards, ect)
Modability (upgrades, controllers, batteries)
Can anyone think of anything else to help make a more informed choice?

Gearing,
toolpack,
locks,
mirror,
wet weather kit,
panniers or bags.

 

[Mandy]

Gearing,
toolpack,
locks,
mirror,
wet weather kit,
panniers or bags.

I agree with the above but the gearing would be the only one in relation to purchasing a bike, the others are added but mostly needed essential's but do add to the original outlay of costs
Mandy