E-Bike Kit Blog

City or country, it’s just the same!

April 19th, 2011

If you like bikes, then probably you have already heard about hybrid bikes. Probably bike enthusiasts around you keep chattering about stunts they pulled off or terrains they have mastered, on their hybrid bikes, However, you do not need to be a die hard bike fan to enjoy the riding experience. Hybrid bikes provide you with pleasure and release when riding – no matter whether you are on a hiking trip to Yellowstone or you are tackling the traffic jams of downtown New York.

From sturdy frames to thick wheels with high air pressure, hybrid bikes come in all shapes and sizes. But some of the features are standard throughout the prevailing models in the market. For example:

• A stout frame will give you stability on mountain tracks and you will be able to carry more weight; at the same time, the frame in hybrid bikes are made of strong but light weight material, which gives you ease in riding in city conditions.
• The wheels of hybrid bikes are stouter and wider for more traction on off-road tracks, but with the ability to withstand a higher air pressure for city slickers.
• The ergonomics of a hybrid bike allows the rider to sit in an upright position that gives better control while riding and at the same time, reduces the stress on the back and the neck.

There are several other advantages of hybrid bikes such as different gears for different terrains, straight and flat handle bars, and so on. The customization of a hybrid bike, nevertheless, will depend on the person riding the bike and the purpose he/she is using the bike for. A few minor alterations on the user’s end and a few add-ons can change these hybrid bikes from being a city machine to an off-road monster. And that’s just where the fun begins.

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Motor – the heart of your electric bike!

April 13th, 2011

Traffic congestion, a greater sense of responsibility towards Mother Nature, rising oil prices, greater maneuverability, and a host of other reasons are making people turn towards electronic bikes and electronic bicycles from the traditional gas-powered two-wheelers. Few in today’s world would want to get stuck in a miles-long traffic jam with a 300 pound chopper that drinks gallons of gas just to pull itself a few miles. Electric bikes are the future, and awareness is on the rise regarding this new breed of vehicles.

However, the most important component of an electronic vehicle is its motor – and they come in all shapes and sizes. Electric bike motors vary from a mere 200 watts to 1,200 watts and depending on your requirement can be tuned and fine tuned. The power of the motor will also depend on the bike frame and its other components such as shock absorbers, pedals, tires and so on.

Electric bike motors are reliable, silent, and affordable and as mentioned earlier, the torque depends on the power of the motor. It is the heart of the vehicle and as such, should be the most important component to be considered while buying an electronic bike. A number of companies manufacture these motors and one will have a plethora of options while choosing a motor for his/her bike.

Electric bike motors come with easy-to-do and do-it-yourself kits, complete with video demonstrations and diagrams. But since most motors are designed for plug and play, they are fairly easy to assemble and integrate with the bike. Just integrate the motor with the wheels, clamp on the battery pack, place the ignition switch and check the fuse. That’s as simple as it gets. Some do-it-yourself kits even boasts that you can assemble the whole thing is a matter of minutes!

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Electric Bicycles…Greener Than You Think!

April 12th, 2011

E-Bikes are a recent development in the world of motor biking but the concept has been around for over a century. Until recently with inexpensive gas in high supply many people were unaware and unconcerned with the advantages of electric bikes. However, with gas prices rising to record highs all over the world and pollution rising to alarming levels, the importance of electric powered bikes has been gaining momentum. As the name suggests, electric powered bikes run on rechargeable batteries. And you may surprised to know that a battery-powered e-bike is actually even more efficient and less environmentally offensive than conventional human -powered cycling.

Common sense and intuition may lead one to think that conventional bicycles cause zero pollution and consumes very little energy; but this isn’t the case. It’s not that pedal power isn’t insanely better than an automobile when it comes to saving energy and the planet but, believe it or not, electric powered bikes are even better!

Human-powered cycling consumes human energy and we eat food to gain that energy. That said, the energy produced by a human being is just 1/4th times the food consumed. In other words, a person will have to consume four pounds of food(fuel) to produce one pound of energy. On the other hand, electric motors are much more efficient in converting energy than the human body. A motor’s conversion rate, on average is 3/4th of the amount of fuel. In other words, for four pounds of fuel, a motor can produce three pounds of energy. And even when factoring in additional energy spent on manufacturing the motors, electric powered bikes, on average consumes six times less fuel than their conventional counterparts.

Therefore, in terms of environmental savings, there is not a more efficient vehicle than the electric bicycle. E-bikes also cut down on noise pollution levels as they are completely silent. In the future as our cars, SUVs and other gas guzzlers are replaced with electric powered bikes and other electric powered vehicles, the world will benefit and so will you. If you’re commuting by gas power for trips less than 20 miles and you’re concerned about the future of energy consumption and the health of our planet, please consider an electric bike as a viable clean-energy alternative; they’re greener than you think!

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Things you need to know about electric bikes!

April 6th, 2011

If you’re into “save the environment”, you must have heard about electric bikes that are available almost everywhere. An electric bike in simple terms is basically a type of bicycle that comes equipped with an electric motor. The motors range from 200 to 1000 watts of power and about 12-34 miles per hour top speed.

These bikes are powered by rechargeable batteries and their average range is about 20 miles. To meet the growing demand for such bikes, many manufacturers are developing them in different designs and sizes. Interestingly, to ride an electric bike you don’t need a license or insurance in most states. However, you should know that some states follow their own set of rules when it comes to permitting youngsters ride these bikes.

Hub motors are commonly used in these bikes and they can be used either on the rear wheels or in the front. The benefit of installing such motors is that these do not require any maintenance and also produce no sound. So, you get to save a lot of money!

Since these bikes are powered by batteries, the choice of battery plays a very important role. Sealed lead acid (SLA) is the most commonly used battery that powers these bikes. It is a cost effective option that provides high amp hours. But the SLA batteries are quite heavy and do not last as long as the lithium polymer or lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries.

Building an electric bike from a bike kit is the best option because you get to purchase the bike at the right price and also ensure that it delivers best performance. Electric bike kits are the best value if you want an electric bike. A proper kit will offer you various features, a powerful motor, a high-quality battery pack and your choice of controller with different functionality choices . In addition, you will get complete instructions to run and maintain your bike.

Environmental upside, affordability, convenience and common sense are a few of the reasons you need to at least consider leaving your car at home and opting for an electric bike for that next commute or errand run!

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Understanding the electric bike motor!

April 5th, 2011

If you own a bike and keep getting frustrated with the recent hike in gallon rates, you may want to consider converting your bike into an ebike. In countries like China and Thailand where bicycles have traditionally sold in large numbers, the concept of ebikes is fast catching on. In fact, this trend is on the upswing in the U.S.A., Australia, Greece, Holland, Brazil, England and Germany to name a few countries. Of course, this trend could be as a result of the recent hike in gas rates or the facts on how ebikes are fuel efficient and safe to ride does the trick.

There are several electric bike conversion kits readily available in various parts of the United States. These kits are meant to help you convert your bike into ebikes. When you purchase a conversion kit, you get several things along with all the instructions to convert your bike easily. The electric bike motor is the most efficient drive system for your bike. It is located at the center of your bicycle’s wheel and is the cheapest as well as cleanest component. The best thing about the electric bike motor is that it produces no noise, hard to believe, right? So, no one can actually guess that you have converted your bike into an ebike. Furthermore, the conversion process does not change the way you handle your bike. So, you can keep riding the way you like.

Types of motors
There are mainly three kinds of motors that are available in the market – 200 W, 350 W and 500 W. 250 W is the most common electric bike motor which is easiest to handle. It is apt also because conversion in most cities does not require a lot of power.

Handling a kit that provides 500 W or more, requires some extra consideration since they are powerful and have a lot of torque. If you are looking at installing this type of motor, you need to make sure your bike can support the motor, translated that reads steel dropouts (the place on the forks where the axle goes into the forks) for front conversions. Not sure about your forks?  Use a magnet to test your dropouts; if it sticks then your forks are steel! If you want a 500w motor on your bike and you don’t have steel forks consider a rear conversion or maybe changing the fork.

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Interesting facts about motorized bicycle!

April 1st, 2011

A motorized bicycle is a bike that has a motor connected to provide you with more speed. The concept of motorized bicycles dates back to the 1800s when it was felt that the bicycle can be used as a prototype to add engines and increase its speed and efficiency. Naturally, the concept became popular [no surprise there] and inventors tried a lot of things to turn the bicycle into a great way to transport yourself from point A to point B.

Today, motorized bicycles refer to motor vehicles that are powered by small combustion engines. Some of these bikes can be propelled by the engine only when the rider chooses not to pedal it while in the others the motor is run only when the rider starts pedaling.

In the past few years, motorized cycles have become extremely popular largely because these bikes are lighter and have a higher storage battery life.

So, what makes these motorized cycles different from the motorcycles? The difference lies in their capacity to be powered by only pedals when it is necessary. Most of these bicycles with motor designs are designed on the basis of standard bicycle frames.

Markets for motorized bicycles
In the recent times, the US market has seen a sharp increase in the demand for the motorcycles. In countries where bicycles have been selling in millions, market for these motorized bicycles is growing at a swift pace. For instance, in China motorized bikes are selling like hot cakes. Interestingly, the entire Asian market is showing immense potential for these bikes.

Keeping in mind the various factors that may affect riding these bicycles, manufacturers are building strong motorized bicycles that can suit any terrain and climate.

A motorized bike is extremely easy to assemble and maintain. You can easily use it to travel comfortably. Simply invest in the right motorized bike and access convenient transportation.

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Electric dirt bike for youngsters!

April 1st, 2011

Biking is a passion for many, depends on how much you’re into it. It is a great form of relaxation and thrill after a long week at work. Youngsters, in particular, wait for their turn to start riding bikes. But the risks involved in bike riding makes it very difficult for parents to let their kids ride the bikes of their choice. An easy option will be to let them ride electric dirt bikes that have no risks for the young riders. An electric dirt bike is a preferred option for teens for a number of reasons. Some of these are as follows:

No noise

The noise produced by bikes is a major hassle for not just you but also your neighbors. To prevent noise pollution produced by bikes, you need to simply get an electric dirt bike.

Good speed
The electric dirt bikes provide a maximum speed of around 15 to 20 mph which is sturdy when compared to the typical dirt bikes.

Excellent riding experience
The electric dirt bikes have all the common features of any typical dirt bike. The common features in fact, make it difficult to spot any difference between the two. However, despite the apparent similarities, there are a number of features that make the electric dirt bike best for youngsters.

Parking facilities
The lightweight and portable electric dirt bikes require very little space. So kids can park their bikes anywhere easily. They can carry it comfortably as well.

Electric dirt bikes are completely safe for kids. These do not require any licenses, registration or insurance. As a result, you pay very little for these bikes. Moreover, these bikes have additional features such as comfortable seats and handles to provide the best riding experience.

Electrical dirt bikes have become a rage in the Asian countries where bicycle sales have always been very high. These bikes are great for teens who want the safe thrill of riding a bike that’s safe and yet, fast enough.

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Hybrid Electric Bicycles – The most green transportation available!

March 29th, 2011

Hybrid Electric Bicycles – The most green transportation available!

March 29th, 2011

Global warming and ecological problems have made it essential for people to choose better transportation options, other than the usual gas guzzling/carbon-emitting vehicles currently on the market. Think about the havoc the gas guzzlers can create, apart from the whole energy crisis we’re facing today. Naturally it becomes apparent we’ve to go green and opt for energy efficient options. Sure, it may cost more, but given the choice, consider it as an investment for a better tomorrow. One of the best modes of green transportation is perhaps the zero carbon-emissions electric bicycle that provides a convenient and eco-friendly transportation alternative.

A green electric bicycle not only helps you to do your bit to save the world, it also comes with several interesting features you’re not going to find elsewhere. For example, ebikes are available in different sizes and designs. The folding electric bikes for instance, are best suited for riders that have space constraints. These portable bikes require very little space, are easily stored and collapse quickly and conveniently.

In terms of costs, an electric bike is MUCH less expensive than any gas-powered vehicle. Charging a typical ebike battery is less than 20 cents for a range of 12-34 miles! And interestingly, battery costs have been dropping in the recent times due to increased popularity, competition among vendors and the growing demand for these hybrid electric bicycles.

You can buy electric bicycle kits from several online vendors and consult with your local bike shop to be certain that your e-bikekit is installed properly. Ebike kits come with complete information and instructions for DIY (Do-It-Yourself) installation. Some kits come with batteries and there are a multitude of e-bike battery options available on the internet to power these e-bicycles.

Given that you don’t need to get a license or an insurance (in most US states) to drive an electric bike, the advantages with regard to savings and environmental benefit are obvious. Experts also believe that these bikes are the future of green transportation and more commuters will go for them to save costs and prevent pollution. Opt for a green electric bicycle; save money and save the planet.

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Excelling on Your E-bike Safety Tips

March 23rd, 2011

Being excited about your e-bike purchase or about converting your regular bicycle is natural. Of course you want to get right on and ride off, but before you do so, take a little time to make sure you know the do’s and don’ts of E-bike safety. After all, who wants to end up in the ER after only the first ride?

Wearing the right gear and clothing is very important in keeping you safe and adhering to the laws in your area. Safety gear includes:

• Helmet-most states require a helmet to be worn by the rider.
• Elbow and knee pads-not required but highly recommended.
• Sneakers or sports shoes that are in good repair. Make sure they have good tread or they may slip off pedals.
• Reflective patches/light colored clothing when riding at night. Safety vests are specially equipped with reflectors and bright colors.
• Sunglasses designed for motorbike riding to keep the sun and debris away from eyes.
• Gloves

Helmets have saved countless lives and more people could have been saved if they had been wearing one. Don’t buy a helmet just because it’s cheap. You may be sacrificing safety if you do. This holds true for any safety equipment. The best sunglasses are the kind that use polycarbonate lenses because they’re shatter-proof, which will prevent eye injury from a broken lens.

Gloves provide a non-slip grip, giving the rider better control over the E-bike, lessening the likelihood of an accident. They also prevent blisters and protect the hands if there is an accident. Elbow and knee pads are essential for safety. In the event of an accident, they protect you from getting severe brush burns, scrapes, and cuts. They’ll also help prevent joint injuries such as a broken knee cap, torn ACL or meniscus, and various other tendons or ligaments.

Almost everyone who has ever ridden a bike has been warned about taking even more precautions when riding at night. Riding an E-bike is no different and in fact, even more crucial to ensuring your safety but that of drivers, too. This is where reflective patches on clothing or safety vests come into play. Anything that will catch the headlights of oncoming traffic will increase the chances that the driver will see you and be able to avoid you. In addition, bright colored clothing should be worn.

As with any other outdoor sport, the proper footwear is imperative for the rider. Athletic shoes are best since they have the best tread to avoid slippage of the foot off the pedal. Wearing good shoes while riding your E-bike can prevent broken bones and torn ligaments and tendons. Some sneakers are sold with reflective strips, making them great for riding at night.

When we’re young, we think that we are invincible, but we all know that’s not true. It may not be “cool” to wear protective gear when we’re riding an E-bike, but it would be even more un-cool to have an accident and become seriously injured. Remember; safety doesn’t mean keeping just yourself safe, but those around you safe as well.

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The Incredible Folding Electric Bike!

March 22nd, 2011

Zipping around town on your E-bike is a hoot. It saves money on gas and you get some exercise, too. But what about when you want to go on a trip and still intend to ride your bike while you’re away? You may not want to fuss with an unwieldy bike roof rack or maybe you have a small car that wouldn’t safely hold the bike. If you are a frequent traveler, a folding electric bike is for you.

With folding electric bikes costing between $400 and $1500, there are many people who give pause in their consideration of purchasing a bike. Don’t let those prices put you off. When you consider that a bike can save you more than $2500 per year in gas costs, it’s easy to see where an E-bike will more than make up for the purchase price.

Those who enjoy road trips will find that taking along an E-bike will give them greater freedom in towns along the way. They can save even more gas by using their bikes to get around in cities and towns, especially while sightseeing. They’re even cheaper than public transportation. Depending on the hotel, you can just wheel your bike into your hotel room and plug it in to recharge.

Another advantage is that when you’re ready to get on the road again, you just fold it up and hitch it to the back of your car and ride away. If you don’t have a bike hitch, a folding E-bike will fit in a large trunk or the back of an SUV. Talk about convenient!

E-bikes are attractive vehicles and come in a wide variety of colors and styles. Anyway you look at it a folding electric E-bike is a worthwhile purchase and gives the rider greater freedom and terrific savings. Check them out at your local bike shop today.

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