Today, living sustainably is absolutely imperative, whether it's through the food we choose to eat, the clothes we choose to wear or the vehicles we choose to drive.
With this in mind, and coupled with the rise of technology in recent years, electric bicycles have seen a huge surge in popularity, providing consumers with a sustainable, low-emission alternative to other gas-guzzling forms of transportation.
But, if you're thinking about buying an electric bike, it can be a bit confusing to familiarize yourself with all the terminology involved and ultimately decide if investing in one is right for you.
So we thought we'd give you a hand. In this article, we'll guide you through everything you need to know when it comes to buying an electric bike, highlighting some of the main things you'll need to keep in mind.
Understanding the jargon
As you may have guessed, e-bikes don't work in the same way as traditional bikes.
For starters, they have a motor and a battery which, as a result, create some jargon-based terms that you'll need to know when buying. These primarily include:
Power: Provided by the motor, an electric bike's power is currently limited to 250 watts of "continuous support" (i.e., easier pedaling). This is also known as pedal assist, and brands often list it as a percentage or total power in watts.
Torque: Torque is a rotational force around an axis that generates the acceleration you feel when pedaling. On electric bikes, in particular, torque is used to support the rider at the rear wheel.
Watt-hour: A term used to describe the capacity of an electric bicycle's battery. If, for example, a specific model has a 150Wh battery, it will run for one hour when the motor is used at 150W.
Types of bicycles
Like traditional bicycles, e-bikes come in a variety of forms, depending on their intended use.
Whether it's an electric road bike, hybrid electric bike, pedal electric bike, electric mountain bike or folding electric bike, each type of electric bike has its own advantages and disadvantages.
For example, hybrid electric and mountain electric bikes typically use systems with higher torque than road electric bikes, allowing users to travel farther with less effort.
What to consider?
Okay, now that you know the terminology related to buying an electric bike Chennai and you know what type of bike you're going to choose, it's time to go shopping. However, before you dive right in, there are a few things to think about beforehand.
For example, the location of the bike's motor, with two main types to choose from: hub drive and center drive.
Hub drive. In this case, the motor is located on the rear hub and the battery on the down tube. In general, this makes the bike look more "normal" and is usually better on electric road bikes than on other models.
Mid-Drive. A bulkier-looking but more popular option, mid-drive motors are placed around the bottom bracket to help improve stability and handling.
Aside from motor location, torque is another key factor to consider when purchasing an electric bike, as it greatly influences the overall riding feel of the bike.
Since torque is related to the acceleration of the e-bike, the higher it is, the less normal it will feel compared to a traditional bike. This is why many brands offer lower torque figures on their models, in an attempt to better replicate the riding feel of a normal bike.
In addition, the capacity of the bike's battery must also be taken into account; after all, the larger the battery, the more support it will provide during your commute.
That said, however, the larger the battery, the heavier the bike will weigh, which means it may not necessarily be an advantage if you're unlikely to need much pedaling assistance while you're out and about.
Final thoughts
Ultimately, deciding which e-bike is right for you really depends on your individual circumstances.
If you're looking for an economical option for getting around town, an electric road bike with a mid-drive, smaller battery and lower torque may be a good option.
However, if you're looking for a more robust bike that can tackle all types of terrain, a hub-drive hybrid electric bike with higher torque and a larger capacity battery might be a better bet.
As with anything, the more you know beforehand, the better prepared you'll be to make the right decision when the time comes, so make sure you do your homework. That way, you can be much more at ease with the model of electric bike you choose.
About Us
SAMS E-BIKES is an authorized dealer of Hero Electric with only 1 outlet in Chennai. The outlet in Kundrathur is the largest EV outlet in Chennai having all the models of Hero Electric on display. SAMS e Bikes is very passionate about delivering quality products and good service support. Since 2019 we are on a mission to introduce EV mobility solutions that can drive our present towards a sustainable future.
Website - https://www.samsebikes.com/
