Tips for choosing the right electric bike

A bike has just blown past you while you are the king of the pedal? At the next traffic light, the mystery is lifted: an electrically assisted bicycle (VAE) left you there! With these increasingly popular machines, no more sluggish climbs, sweaty arrivals at the office or straining into the wind. There are a host of models today, including mountain bikes and racing bikes, with prices ranging from 800 to several thousand dollars. The autonomy of the batteries is largely sufficient for urban journeys. Here are some guidelines to help you find your way around when choosing an E Fat tires electric bike.

Why buy an electric bike

An electrically assisted bicycle (VAE) - or “electric bicycle” - remains a bicycle: you have to pedal to benefit from the help of the motor, powered by the battery. The assistance is cut off when pedaling is stopped, as well as at 25 km / h. But the possibilities are clearly superior to those of a classic bicycle. Here is a list - not exhaustive - of the advantages of the electric bicycle.

You can go long distances without getting tired. The journeys are less strenuous, and it is possible to arrive at work without having sweated. The coasts are crossed effortlessly, the wind is no longer a problem. Transporting a child in the back of the bike, or even several children in a cargo bike becomes possible.

In sporting practice (mountain biking or road cycling), climbs are easy to overcome: it is ideal for cycling enthusiasts who have aged or who suffer from joints, but who want to continue to follow the youngest during the exits.

Finally, and this is not the least of its qualities, the electric bike is ideal for resuming or continuing physical activity when you have a health problem. Whether you are diabetic, cardiac, suffering from cancer, or joint disease, the VAE allows gentle practice on the cardiorespiratory and muscular levels, without joint constraints. When we know the therapeutic importance of the activity, it is a definite advantage.

What about used electric bikes?

While buying a used electric bike may seem like a good idea as the prices in stores are high, it is best to be very careful. The main reason for this resistance: the condition of the battery. If the electric bike has already been used a lot, the performance of the battery will necessarily be reduced. And the cost of a new battery is several hundred dollars.

Try an electric bike

Good bicycle stores allow a free trial of an electric bicycle in the vicinity of the store, provided you leave a deposit or proof of identity at the reception. Do not neglect this step, which allows you to get an idea of ​​the position you have on the bike (rather leaning or upright) and the sensations provided by the engine. Do not hesitate to test all the levels of assistance, to ride without assistance, to change gears, to listen to the noise of the engine, to handle the bike to check that it is not too bulky compared to your template. Start in a tight turn or make U-turns: the triggering of the assistance should not destabilize you.

To judge the efficiency of the bike, it is best to find a hill, if possible quite steep. By climbing it, you will see if the assistance holds the road while lowering it, if the brakes are sufficient. When stationary, pull the battery out of its slot and replace it to make sure it is easy to handle.