Electric Bikes Open Up a Whole New World of Mountain Biking for Everybody

Note: The Spicy Curry Yuba Cargo Bike Outdid 500 others in the world renowned Eurobike Show, bagging the . Gold Award for "Special Bikes".

By Mona Sabalones Gonzalez

From the start of creation, it’s always been harder going up the mountain than coming down. Electric bikes, or e-bikes are changing that. These bicycles provide the same benefits as your normal bike, and make a healthy habit more doable for more people, younger and older. Because of this, one becomes part of a community of mountain bikers.

The benefits of e-bikes are:

•     They are far less strenuous biking up the mountain.
•     They have wind resistance.
•     They can get you past greater distances.
•     If you have knee pain, or asthma that is induced by               exercise, your e-bike will get you up that mountain anyway.
•     Ask your dad to try your e-bike. He and his senior friends       may decide to form a club of their own.
•     If you bike to work, you will appear fresh and unstressed.
•     If you are doing a startup that includes cargo delivery, an   e-bike is a great way to begin.
•     They are an economical way to bring your children to       school.

If you’re convinced that an e-bike is for you, the next question is, what is the right e-bike to suit your needs? There are so many brands from all over the world, and in Europe alone, each brand probably has a thousand models. This is because each model is designed for different people with different purposes. So the first thing you have to do is ask yourself, where do you plan to ride your bike most frequently? E-bikes are made for special tasks.

Will you use your e-bike for: 

·        Cargo hauling

·        Child transportation

·        Cruising

·        Mountain biking

·        Riding trails

·        Road biking

·        Sand and snow (you will need fat tires)

·        Travelling

·        Urban commuting

Once you decide what type of e-bike best suits your needs, you must decide whether you will ride fast or slow, because there are three types of speeds. They are

• The “pedelec”. This bike monitors your pedaling and depending on your force, rate and speed, will automatically run motor assistance. In most countries the pedelec goes from 250 W to 25 km/h. At its fastest level, the motor switches off automatically.
• Fast riders. Fast riders can get an e-bike with a maximum speed of 45 kph. However, you must get insurance, a special driver’s license, and plates. The regulations change from one country to the next, so get the information you need at the shop.
• Twist-n-Go.  This e-bike has a switch that you can use when you want help from the motor.  

Once you have decided what speed you are going to drive, you will have to choose between two types of motors. They are:

1.     Hub motor assist. This motor is mounted on one of the wheels. It is a very quiet motor, but is not as good at handling hills as a crank assist system.

2.     Crank motor assist. Located at the chainset and pedal area, (at the bottom of the frame), a crank motor has electronic controls (including a sensor) to let you know how hard you’re pedaling. It will then allot the necessary amount of motor assistance you need. Crank assisted bikes do well on steep hills but can be noisy, depending on your brand.

     

     Next, you must consider what battery you want. The quality of the battery degrades over time, and it tends to charge less, with age. Your best bet is to find a battery manufacturer with a good reputation such as Samsung, Panasonic, and Sony. The battery should at least have a two-year warranty. The choices you have are:

•       Lithium-ion batteries. These are most prevalent. The batteries last 800 full charge cycles, or three years of commuting on weekdays. If you can get about 2,000 half-charge cycles it can last longer. A full charge typically takes between two and a half to six hours, depending on the battery capacity, battery chemistry, and battery charger.
•       Higher tech batteries are found in the more expensive bikes. These batteries charge quickly, are lighter, and last longer. 

How far do you want your bike to go? The range (distance capacity) on one battery charge is very important because:

·        If you lose charge half-way, you’re done, especially if you’re going up a mountain.

·        Without power, your e-bike will be very heavy.

Range varies depending on your weight, battery capacity, speed, assistance level chosen, and the percentage of pedal power that you will use. Ideally, you should buy an e-bike with more distance capacity than you need, because the battery range will lessen with age and lose capacity over time.

Now comes the fun part, the test ride. Test it on hills, and look for fit, quality, and functionality. If you are convinced that this bike is the one you love, then buy it. But if you have doubts, try other options.

Do you have the budget for a good e-bike? They are not cheap. In fact, they cost more than good bikes that are not e-bikes. Maybe you   want to try a cheap model first. If so, it will still cost you, because its components, such as the frame, brakes, suspension, et. al., are expensive. 

The Yuba Spicy Curry e-bike

The Yuba Spicy Curry is an award winning e-bike. It has a 500-watt motor that can make the bike go 28 miles per hour. Despite its weight, you can go for up to 55 miles on a single charge. What’s more, it carries up to 300 pounds (rider included), and it almost rides like a car.

The smaller rear wheel lowers the bike's center of gravity, and the rear rack offers space on top and on its sides to evenly distribute weight. And with more than a dozen add-on features, its versatility is enormous. For instance, you can easily seat multiple children on top of the rack, as well, with the addition of bamboo sideboards that serve as foot rests.

Other benefits of the Spicy Curry e-bike:

• It is great for families.
• Easily goes up steep hills.
• A viable, economical alternative to riding the bus or your car.
• Gets you through traffic.
• Enables multitasking -- groceries and picking up the children even if you feel tired after work.
• You enjoy fresh air and exercise.
• Its 20-inch rear wheel lowers the bike’s center of gravity, providing a stable and safe platform for your kids or cargo.
• Great for long-distance rides.
• It’s smart software adapts to your body. By pressing the pedals you whiz ahead easily.  
• The brake easily slow you down in no time.
• It’s low-rider cargo rack can carry a full load and still gives you a solid ride.
• Two Year Warranty.

For more information, go here. 

Stuff Nobody Told You About Folding Bikes and Tern Verge X20

Are folding bikes the right choice for you? They might be, if you lack storage, and need to bring your bike inside the bus or metro. Let’s discuss the topic from different angles, and look at a higher end option, the Tern Verge X20.

The good stuff

With a folding bike, you can:

• Add exercise into your lifestyle
• Save money on gas and parking
• Lessen your carbon footprint. Imagine, a 20 km daily drive to work generates 1.3 tons of yucky gas annually.
• If you blend public transport with biking, a folded bike is easier to manage.
• It is easier to store at home and at work. Just slide it under your office desk.
• You can fit it in your trunk, then drive to a nice area where you would like to    ride your bike.
•  It’s convenient when you are on a travelling vacation, whether by train or plane

That's all very nice, but how do I know a folding bike is right for me?

This is the most important point you must take into consideration. In terms of value, a regular bike will generally give you a better quality bike. However, if a folding bike really suits your lifestyle, then by all means, go for one.

When you buy your folding bike, look for the following: 

1. Make sure that you can fold and unfold the bike quickly and easily. Test it in the shop,and keep at it until you get it right.
2. Check if the bike folds with the chain inside. That will help avoid grease getting on your clothes.
3. Test its lightness and portability by walking and carrying it while it’s folded.
4. See if you can wheel it when it’s folded.
5. Does it lock when folded, or do you need to use a strap?
6. When it’s folded, can it stand up on its own?
7. How does it ride? Check for assembly issues. When you ride it do the wheels wobble?
8. Make sure that all the parts of the bike operate smoothly. If you have troubles, ask the shop to address them.

 Other things to consider when choosing a folding bike:

• Does it have a carry bag? (This will protect your clothes, and other people’s clothes, from the bike).
• How compact is it when it’s folded?
• Does the size meet the train standards of your city? For example, even during peak hours, some city trains allow you to bring your foldable bike inside, so long as it is no bigger than 79 x 59 x 36 cm.
• Foldable bikes have small wheels, making them less comfortable to ride. With a wider tire, you can drop the pressure. This will increase the amount of cushioning you get from the road, without risking a pinch flat.  The smaller wheels of a foldable bike doesn’t offer that convenience.
• Foldable bikes have a high seat saddle, and its frame is less robust.  You will feel the difference when you ride it. You must adjust to it. But if your main objective is to get from one place to another which involves riding your bike and taking public transport in between, then it will serve you well.

Maintaining your foldable bike

The following are things you can expect to look out for in maintaining your foldable bike:

• Punctured tires. This will be the main thing, because you have a smaller sized wheel.    Be prepared. Take extra tubes with you everywhere, because their size makes it harder for them to find. Also, carry a portable inflator.
• Another option when you’ve punctured a tire is to fold the bike up and grab a cab.
• You may want to consider some useful features, such as mudguards (if you ride through all kinds of weather).
• Depending on your lifestyle, you might find luggage racks or a box useful.

An Option for Fast Riders

Whether you buy a foldable or non-foldable bike, the price will always be based on the quality of its parts. For example, wheel size matters. Bigger, 20-inch wheels will provide more stability, but 16-inch wheels are stable and lighter to carry. 

The Tern Verge X20 is the best ritzy and speedy foldable bike. It overcomes many problems of foldable bikes, and provides a lot of extras as well. Its components are exquisite. Some facts about The Tern Verge X20:

     1. Weighs just below 10kg, making it extremely light to carry into the train. (Blame this on the carbon fibre and titanium components).  

     2. Has 20 gears that shift smoothly.

     3. The 20 gears allow you to go very, very fast. The Tern Verge X20 is built for speed.

     4. Is well-built and attractive.

     5. Aero spoke wheels, great for speed.

     6. Folds in 10 seconds.

     7. The frame is strong and durable. It will last you for many years.

     8.  Its Kinetix Pro X Wheels sport a New hub and spoke design built to improve strength and durability

     9. New Hydroformed fork looks amazing and matches frame design. (A bicycle fork holds the front wheel. It consists, typically, of two blades that join at the top by a fork crown. Above the crown, a steerer tube attaches the fork to the bicycle and the handlebars [via a stem]. This allows you steer the bicycle).      

   10. Replaceable front magnet holder.

   11.  An integrated chain retainer, which prevents the chain from popping off.

   12.  Lightweight - just 9.9kg / 21.8lbs

        
    To know more about Tern bikes, go here. here

Custom Design Your Bicycle to suit Your Specific Needs at Roll Bicycle Company

By Mona Sabalones Gonzalez

At Roll Bicycle Company, you can design your own bicycle the way you want and need it, and they will do it for you. Knowing that not everyone is a pro in the basic necessities of a bike, Roll Bicycle gives you great fundamentals. For example, its City Bike is designed for daily use, with a more upright position, which is reliable for greater visibility when riding around your city or neighborhood. Its basic qualities are:

1

•     The saddles are gender specific.
•     The handlebars have 35mm width street tires. In the past, wider tires were deemed low grade. But today, premium tires are built with lighter rubber, making the tires less resistant, with less rolling resistance, and more control over gravel, and other city surfaces overall.
•       On average, a tire width from 28mm to 47mm is good for city riding. So the 35mm. tire width of Roll Bicycle’s City Bike is just fine.  

With that for starters you can now customize your bike. You can:

•       Choose your own frame color for free.
•       Choose components color for free.
• .     Add a rack or bike fenders at a reasonable price.
•       Change your saddle at a fair price.

How do you customize your Roll Bicycle?

Roll Bicycle has a Perfect Fit system that matches your bike size and set up, based on your personal body geometry and riding style. They do this with a list that requires:

• 1  Your height, barefeet.
•     The distance from your belly button to the floor.
•     Arm length from the center of your chest to the center of your fist.

Are you are a serious city biker? Do you ride your bike daily? Then this may be a great investment for you. Go to https://www.rollbicycles.com and check out your options.

Note: all photos are from rollbicycles.com's website.