Tuesday, March 21, 2017

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












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