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Electric Bike

How to Choose an Electric Bike: Information and Advice for an Informed Purchase

19 May 2023

Ideal for all your daily travel needs, electric bikes are quiet, pollution-free, and have been getting more and more popular as they should : they offer the pleasure of pedalling, while leaving the option of riding sweat-free when you want it!

Integrating cycling into your daily life is now within everybody’s reach, whatever their fitness level or the distance they ride.

  1. Electric bikes: What are they? Who are they for?
  2. Benefits and technical specifications
  3. Price and usage
Did you know ?

The majority of E-bikes are recharged with a specific charger that uses a wall socket. The use remains simple and easy.

WHO ARE THEY FOR ?

Cyclists can use them in their daily commute to work and avoid traffic, pollution and perspiration. Those who like to take longer rides can go further, faster, and even choose to take on more challenging roads.

If your physical fitness level makes regular riding difficult and tiring, a power-assisted bike can give you a boost and enable you to get around more actively—while respecting your pace.

The pedal-powered motor bike motor bike allows the motor to benefit from the mechanical advantage of the bike's traditional transmission. It offers a more natural feel and is better suited to terrain requiring more torque at the wheel. It's perfect for mountain biking or higher performance bikes.

The wheel-motor bike use quieter, more compact motors. These bikes generally have a throttle on the handlebars so you can use the electric motor without pedalling. Cyclists who use their bikes as a means of active transport or those with physical limitations will appreciate it.

What is the engine torque ?

It is the force of the engine. Measured in Newtons-metre (Nm), the electric bike torque varies between 15 and 85 Nm. The higher the number, the more powerful and efficient the engine will be on long climbs or on trails with a lot of challenges.

THE ELECTRIC BIKE BATTERY

More power or more range? Do you prefer long rides or active outings? To assess whether a battery is suitable for your riding style, it is best to use the following values:

1

Voltage

Measured in Volts (V). The higher the number, the more powerful the battery is on uphill or downhill rides.


2

Capacity

Measured in Ampere hours (Ah). The higher the number, the better the battery's autonomy.


3

Power

Measured in Watt-hours (Wh). The higher the number, the more efficient and expensive the battery. To measure the power (Wh), multiply the voltage (V) by the capacity (Ah). For example, a 36 V, 7 Ah bike has a power of 252 Wh.


The life of a battery is measured in recharge cycles, between 300 and 1,500 cycles depending on the model, and loses capacity as it ages. To preserve your battery, it is recommended to recharge it every month, even if it is not used.

Did you know ?

In Quebec, there are laws governing the use of electric bikes:

  • Limited assistance up to 32 Km/h.
  • Wearing a bike helmet is mandatory.
  • The speed limit on bike paths is 20 to 25 km/h.
  • The maximum power of a battery is 500W.
  • The minimum age to ride an electric bike is 18.

CONTROL COMMANDS

The shifters and the control screen are easily reachable and provide a wealth of useful information.

THE BRAKES

Because they are heavier and ride faster, electric bikes are equipped with disc brakes, either mechanical or hydraulic, to optimize safe stopping.

THE FRAME

Built in aluminum for added strength, the resistance will vary according to the purpose of the bike, for example, if it is a bike for the city or the mountains.

THE ACCESSORIES

Bike racks, kickstands, rear or front lights or fenders are the perfect complement to your bike. Some models are equipped with these accessories, but you can also buy them separately.

The eco-friendly tip

Choosing an electric bike instead of a scooter or a car is also doing something good for the environment by not producing harmful emissions into the atmosphere. It requires very little electricity to be charged. The stereotype of the electric bike as being intended only for less athletic people is far from being true. On the contrary. Particularly popular with active people who are looking for a healthy and environmentally-friendly lifestyle, e-bikes are on a roll.