Electric Bikes

Let's Go Hybrid: the Izip and Other Electric Bicycles

noreply@blogger.com (Heri) — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 18:33:00 +0000

Because of the energy crisis, hybrid is the buzzword of the day. With respect to cars, hybrid usually refers to engines that use electricity and gasoline. The combination of both gets you more gas mileage. For example the 2008 Toyota Prius, a well-known hybrid car, gets 48 miles per gallon as oppose to a comparable 4-cylinder non-hybrid car, say a Honda Civic, that gets 36 miles per gallon. By the way, Honda also has a hybrid version of the Civic and it gets 45 miles per gallon. The point is hybrid technology allows you to cover more grounds for a given set of resources, gasoline in this case.

In the cycling world, the term hybrid refers to bicycles with electric motors. Yep, that's traditional push pedaling made easy with electricity. Instead of higher gas mileage, you get more miles pedaling and best yet, you don't have to buy gas (because it's a bicycle).

THE FRUGAL AND HEALTHY CONSUMER

But you're asking why mention gas with bicycles? In the past, at least in the United States, gas prices were never a concern. Up until 2006 or so, Americans were able to buy gas for under $2.00 per gallon. That's practically nothing! And times have changed since then.

In other parts of the world, however, they haven't been so lucky. Europeans have been experiencing gas prices between $5-$8 per gallon for years. But they still get around. Common among their usual transport is a bicycle. You've seen many pictures of common folks getting around town bicycling. Kinda like what we did when we were kids. To get more "mileage", a lot of Asians and Europeans use hybrid electric motor bikes.

Many smart and frugal Americans are discovering electric bicycles for short distance commuting to save money. They don't have to pay for gas!

There is another advantage. Since you're pedaling, you're exercising. Makes you healthy. Of course, not everyone is in superb physical shape to be pedaling from one side of the city to the other. But remember, it's a hybrid bike. The electric motor helps you pedal. Therefore you can get in shape slowly, but at the same time do so enjoying the outside.

The price of a hybrid bike may set you back from $500 to $1000 USD. But that should pay for itself within a year if you can save on $50-$70 a month on gas and/or $20-$30 on gym membership.

THE ECO-FRIENDLY CONSUMER

Just as important as saving money, there is a global trend, or at least in the US, to be more eco-friendly. Among others, gasoline is a concern. As you know, burning gasoline emits pollutants that are harmful to both the environment and our health. Transportation that uses less gas (hybrid cars) and no gas (electric car, hybrid bikes, electric scooters) are getting a lot of attention among consumers.

THE CHOICES OF HYBRID ELECTRIC BICYCLES

Though there are quite a few manufacturers of electric bicycles in existence, none of them are quite household names yet. But below are just a handful electric motor bike readily found on Amazon, eBay, Shop.com and other online retailers:

iZIP Enlightened Hybrid Electric Street Bicycles
From Currie Technologies, the iZIP is one of the more popular electric hybrid bikes. In one battery charge, it can travel up to 23-30 miles depending on the cycler's weight. Top speed on this 8-gear street bike can be up to 18 mph. As you can see from the pictures, the motor and battery pack are cleverly integrated within the bike's frame. So unlike most electric bicycles, these components are not visually obtusive. The geared hub motor is a brushless DC type encased in an alloy shell. The battery pack is made of NiMH EV Rated Batteries Down Tube Concealed 24 V / 9 AH Pack (20) 1.2 V Rechargeable Cells. There are men's and women's versions of the iZIP bike.

The Euro Electric Bicycle
Designed for urban commuting, the Euro gives you the impression you're gliding to your destination. The rear storage rack makes it easy to run errands such as groceries. The Euro is powered by a 24V 10Ah Li-ion battery with 6 speed Shimano derailleur and a high speed 350W motor. Since the battery is Lithium-ion, it can be recharged over 1,000 times, making it more durable than a typical NiMH battery and SLA (sealed lead acid) battery. Another plus is that Li-ion batteries are recyclable making this electric bike a truly eco-friendly.

Electrec Electric Bicycle
From Ideation Taiwan, the Electrec electric bicycle allows for non-pedal cruising for an 8-12 mile ride using only the motor. Of course, the actual range depends on the terrain and weight of the cycler. This seven speed electric bike comes with a 600-watt high-torque brushless motor powered by a 24-volt, 12 amp-hour battery pack.

by J J Jameson

Electric Bikes: Why They Are Great For Our Environment!

noreply@blogger.com (Heri) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 21:41:00 +0000

The electric car is fast gaining ground and for good reason. Not only does this car look trendy but it also contributes in its own small way to save our environment. However, if you thought the buck stops there think again. The electric bike is even more eco friendly and here are some reasons why!

Great efficiency
The battery of an electric bike has a shelf life spanning one or two years. With 300 charging sessions the battery can run across 15000 kilometers. The bike's blade provides horsepower. This is as powerful as the power produced by a regular 250 4-stroke motor. The blade continues to run silently while delivering exceptional performance. Depending on the type of ride the blade controls can be adjusted. The weight of an electric bike is also much lesser as compared to a regular bike. This again works to the user's advantage.

Big dividends
Many people refrain from purchasing an electric motorcycle because they are daunted by the high costs. However, this is just an initial setback. When considered over a long term perspective electric motorcycles work out far cheaper than their gasoline counterparts. When your bike runs on electricity the fuel costs are just 1/10th of what it would be on a gasoline bike!

Zero emissions
The primary advantage of an electric motorcycle is the fact that there are virtually no gaseous emissions. Besides, these bikes operate on silent mode which means you are in a way helping to reduce noise pollution! The advantage with an electric motorcycle is that you can afford to do away with gas stations altogether. All that is needed is a couple of hours of charging everyday and your bike's batteries are good to go!

Low maintenance
If you love a bike that provides high service without you having to spend too much time on maintenance then the electric bike is your answer. You do not need to keep changing the oil as you would in case of a gasoline run bike. Plus since your bike runs on electricity instead of oil there is less residue build up on the bike. That means a lesser need for regular washing and cleaning.

Fun and different!
The beauty of electric bikes is that they offer the consumer a very different riding experience. We all have ridden a gasoline bike at some point of our lives. However, an electric run bike is a different story altogether. The thrill of seeing your bike run for hours without the need for any fuel is a powerful impetus to get an electric bike! Plus you obviously end up saving a lot since you will not be spending precious money on fuel. This is a win-win situation and you will also be doing your own bit to conserve our environment.

So if you are looking for a bike that is high on efficiency, low on costs and helps save the environment the electric bike is the only answer!

by Scott Miscall

Your First Electric Bike - Tips for Buying Kits, Batteries, and Fully Assembled Electric Bicycles

noreply@blogger.com (Heri) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 21:33:00 +0000

As gas prices rise across the globe, so does the interest in electric bicycles and other Light Electric Vehicles (LEVs). These LEVs are perfect for those who are tired of sitting in traffic or being cramped into crowded public transportation. But like any major purchase, it's worth doing right. Here are three things you should keep in mind before making your purchase.

Bike or Motor Kit?
One of the first questions you'll face when upgrading to an electric bicycle is whether to buy a separate bicycle or upgrade your current one. To upgrade your current bicycle, you can purchase a motor kit designed for this purpose. This might seem intimidating - but don't let it be. All the best electric bicycle motor kits come with easy-to-follow installation instructions. Installation is quick, too. You could get your kit and be riding your new bike in the same day. For those who prefer to be hands off, there are plenty of options for buying ready-to-go bicycles. Both of these options function just like a normal bicycle except with some extra battery assistance. You won't be getting the same speed and power as you would from a motorcycle.

Know Your State's Law

If you're planning to purchase an electric bicycle to use in the United States, you need to be aware of your own state's laws. Most states hold up the national policy that electric bikes must operate under 20 mph and have a limit of 750 watts. However, the companies who produce these bicycles are not regulated. This means they could produce a bicycle or motor kit that could be illegal. Also, most states don't require you to get special insurance for your electric bicycle. But you'll want to check the Internet for any changes in policy that might occur. Since electric bicycles are relatively new, the laws and regulations around them could change very quickly.

Choosing a Battery

When purchasing an electric bicycle or a motor kit, you'll come across various options for the battery power. More than anything, the choice of battery depends on how you will be using your bicycle. Riding in hilly areas or adding additional weight by pulling a trailer will drain battery power faster. Your best selection would be a Lithium Ion (Li Ion) battery as it surpasses all other battery types in the number of recharge cycles it can go through. Basically this means that you can go longer without having to purchase a new battery. Also, just like all other batteries, these batteries come in different voltages. Though the higher voltages will cost you more money, they will last longer and perform better.

Purchasing an electric bicycle for the first time can be a confusing experience. However, deciding whether you want a new bike or a motor kit, knowing your local laws, and choosing the best battery for your needs will help you make the best purchasing decision possible.

by Jacob Mathews

Why to Use an Electric Bike?

noreply@blogger.com (Heri) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 21:28:00 +0000

This is the best option for motor bikes especially for those who are not fast riders and also for the children and aged people. The family with one car which is being used by the husband to go to the work, the housewife of such families now need not have to spend on the taxi or wait for the bus carrying the grocery shopping bags. The electric bikes are of great importance to such housewives. They can now drop their child to school, go to the post-office, bank and complete other domestic works by electric bikes. The best part is there is no need of going to the driving school to get the training as in case of motor bikes and cars. It is as easy as riding the conventional bicycle. Moreover, no licence or registration is needed for electric bicycles. This is the best weapon to defend the high rising price of petrol.

People who own conventional bicycles and commute daily by such bicycles have now replaced them with electric bikes. Even in the country like India, which has been ranked as highest motor bike manufacturing and selling country of world, the motor bike owners who could no longer afford the consistently rising petrol prices have either replaced their motor bikes with electric bikes or at least buy one as a stand-by vehicle for local errands. Since the electric bikes run on a battery, there is no maintenance cost except the very low electricity consumption cost to charge the battery. The battery can be quickly recharged almost anywhere, or can be exchanged instantly with charged batteries from the authorized dealer. Some electric bikes come with pedals, and are so light weight that even if the battery runs down the rider can use the pedals to move the bike.

The electric bike is a great gift to the workers like couriers, newspaper distributors, postmen etc who have to stop frequently and move in to the narrow lanes and in the traffic and has made these workers more productive. Electric bicycles are the best options for your car, bus or train ride for all those shorter distance commutes. Normally an electric bicycles travel at around 25-30 kmph which is much better than walking and traveling by car in bumper to bumper moving traffic.

by Dennis

Electric Bike, a New Revolution

noreply@blogger.com (Heri) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 21:23:00 +0000

As man gained some knowledge by applying his brain, he attached a cart to be pulled by tamed animals and used to travel with their whole family. Then in 1790, a Frenchmen made the first bicycle from wood which did not have pedals, so had to be pushed with feet. It also did not have handle, so it could only go straight. Still man was not satisfied and he wanted to make traveling more easily, so in 1839, the first bicycle made of metal and with handle and pedals was invented. During 1800 century, the bicycles with movable handle and high wheel in front and a small wheel at the back became popular. The pedals were attached to the front high wheel.

Man is never satisfied with what he possesses. He always wants to have more and more. He keeps on applying brain to invent something new to get more facility and make life smooth, so he went on making changes in the bicycle up to an extend that to-day the bicycle is made to run with electric as a fuel, which has been given the name of ELECTRIC BIKE. This new mode of transport has now become popular whole over the world. This is basically a bicycle which is a bit heavier than a common bicycle which moves forward by acceleration. The best part is this bike does not require petrol or any other fuel to run just as the other motorbikes do. It runs on a chargeable battery, so if the battery runs down, you can paddle the bike to reach your destination. The other advantage is no RTA registration or licence is required to own and ride this bike, so even your 10-12 year child can also ride this bike if provided proper training. In fact this is the vehicle made for teenagers. The only drawback is you can't speed-ride this bike. The maximum speed you can ride per hour is 30 kms. But the manufacturers and the dealers advise to ride at the maximum speed of 20 kmph for better result.

You would hardly find a country were the electric bike is not produced. However, you may find a country where the electric bike is not manufactured but you may still find the bikes being sold by the dealers of that country who import such bikes from the manufacturers of other countries. The manufacturers of US are much advance in making electric bikes. You can find numerous dealers for electric bikes across US.

by Dennis