Below are common questions about electric bikes – including how they work, and what it’s like to ride and own one.
As a very rough guide, most people can expect to ride somewhere between 25 and 65 miles on their electric bike. The exact range varies greatly depending on a number of factors:
• How large the battery is
• Whether you are using the bike on a low, medium or high assistance mode
• Whether you are riding on tarmac or off-road surfaces
• Whether you are riding up lots of steep hills
• How heavy you are
Electric bikes tend to be a good chunk heavier than an equivalent non-electric bike. However, they disguise their weight very well and don’t feel heavy or cumbersome at all when riding.
Very! The gears and brakes work in exactly the same way as a non-electric bike and they ride just like a ‘normal’ bike – just with the added benefit of a bit of extra power! The controls for the motor and battery systems are easy to use and integrate subtly into the standards controls on the bikes, like gears and brakes.
No. E-bikes that are legal to use on UK roads and paths use a ‘pedal assist’ system where the motor kicks in seamlessly as soon as you start pedalling and cuts out again as soon as you stop turning your legs.
The cost of an electric bike varies significantly, but you can expect to pay between £2000 – £4000 for high quality bikes. As with anything, you get what you pay for!
Electric bikes come in all different shapes and sizes. The most common types are:
• Hybrids – flat-handlebars for a comfortable riding position. Hybrids are great for urban/paved environments and canal towpaths. Some hybrids have a front fork with a little suspension to cope with rougher surfaces.
• Cruisers / Dutch style – upright riding position and super comfy saddles designed for riding shorter distances around town.
• Mountain bikes – chunky tyres and long travel front suspension makes these bikes more suited to riding on unpaved surfaces: canal towpaths, bridleways, tracks and trails.
• Road bikes (drop handlebars, narrower tyres and a lighter weight design) make these bikes ideal for those looking to cover more miles on the roads.
There are a few different motor and battery manufacturers, but one of the main ones, Bosch, say that their motor and battery system should last for about 8-9 years and about 1,000 full charge cycles.
Yes, all Trek bikes, including their electric models come with a lifetime warranty on the frame. The warranty on the motor and battery system is normally two years and the rest of the components (wheels and gears) usually have a warranty of 1-2 years.
How often any bike, electric or otherwise, needs to be serviced depends on how much it gets ridden and in what conditions. As a general rule, we recommend that you service your bike at least once a year, or twice a year if you ride it regularly in all weather conditions, all year round.
We are able to complete all servicing and repairs on site at Red Kite Cycles, and for the rare occasion where there is a warranty issue, we are always on hand to help.
All of the electric bikes that we sell come with a UK 3-pin charger which plugs directly in to the bike, so there’s no need to remove the battery.
You can store them like any other bike in a garage or shed, but we always recommend that you use a secure lock as well for additional security.
It’s also worth removing the battery from the bike if you are going to be storing it for a significant amount of time in cold weather, during winter for example. This is due to the fact that the batteries perform better if they are not left in the cold for weeks/months on end.
Yes, most cycle rack manufacturers have models in their range that will allow you to safely transport an electric bike. It’s worth double checking first though, as the weight limit on some bicycle racks may be too low to safely carry an electric bike.
Absolutely! Feel free to pop in at any time or use the contact form on our website if you want to book a slot or request some more information.
Test rides are always welcome at our Solihull showroom and there’s no pressure to buy – you are more than welcome to come and have a go and experience the magic of modern electric bicycles!