Joseph
Like so many places in the world right now, we’re roasting in Mariposa – a town in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Consistent temperatures of 90 to 100 degrees for weeks have kept most people indoors with their air conditioners buzzing, or seeking relief in the Merced River for a cool swim. But with e-bikes, I can go out every day, no matter the temperature; The wind generated by sailing makes me cold. This is my first season of e-bike riding, and like many new riders, I could have been stuck with a bike not running in the high temperatures, or couldn’t climb big hills or Epic roads, and was liable to collapse in the middle of nowhere. Which is why I wanted to share e-bike buying tips with you – because it’s not just about looking great (although we love vintage design تصميم).
After I learned this lesson the hard way and had to return purchases from Amazon, I consulted my local bike shop, which sold me a trusted specialist Como Turbo. It costs twice as much as I’d like and isn’t as fast as many bikes on the market (it’s a Class 1, which means pedal assist only), but this no-frills electronic ride gets me where I want to go home every time. This peace of mind alone made my purchase worth it.
Today, as I ride under the power of electric assist, I suddenly have access to endless fire roads, steep streets, and all the forgotten paths around my house. And I can ride them all without being a super athlete.
“We are learning that people who ride e-bikes ride longer distances and more regularly than they ever thought possible, regardless of their level of experience,” says Ian Kenny, specialist e-bike expert.
“I want to see more people on a bike even if it helps them get around,” adds Rick Garner, 67, owner of Yosemite Bicycle and Sport. Together we rode the 2,000-foot mountain outside his shop. “Riding an e-bike allows the customer to go up hills with ease and go on long rides without worrying about having a heart attack.”
Here are five Garner e-bike buying tips for commuters like you and me, people who don’t know this exciting world of pedal assist but want to make a smart purchase.
Expert tips for first-time commuter e-bike purchase
1. Don’t buy a cheap bike from an airline at night
If you buy online, take your bike to a store, and set it up properly.
Most people don’t take their e-bikes at the bike shop when they order them online, but all kinds of things should be checked before riding. Many brands have generic parts from a generic factory, as there is no phone number to track them down if parts need to be replaced.
With an e-bike, there can be issues with the motors, batteries, switches, and wiring that make it more problematic on the road than a regular bike. You don’t want to get caught pushing your bike. The experience can be so bad that you will never want to ride an e-bike again.
2. Shop from reputable e-bike brands
Specialists have been around for 50 years and have a good warranty. Giant is very good. These two brands are your best bet right now for e-bikes because they have good relationships with bike shops and make quality bikes. You will get service, quality and spare parts years later. In my shop, I have e-bikes that have been in use for five years and are now in service. The parts are also easy to get, as these are brand names.
3. Be wary of e-bike conversion kits
Purchasing a pre-made kit to mount on your bicycle can be a good solution to buying an e-bike if You are the source of legitimate brands. If it contains a file bafang The name on it, yes, it’s a good deal. If it’s from an unknown brand, it will have cheap parts written in languages you don’t understand. Sending parts in for repair is risky. Beware of scams. Bafang is not expensive, but it is well worth it.
4. Understand the expected maintenance
The big thing is the chains. When you put an engine on a bike, you wear things faster than a regular bike. In fact, e-bikes wear them twice as fast. If you ride the chain for too long without replacing it, it will destroy all of your sprockets. Also note that you’ll go through a lot of brake pads on an e-bike because it’s heavier – and you go faster. Another note about speed: You only have a lot of leeway for people to see you because you’re moving faster than drivers expect, especially with throttle bikes.
5. Notable features to look out for – and some final tips
Most people prefer a heavy e-bike that goes farther and faster; They are not worried about weight. Or the aerodynamics thing is that these bikes don’t perform well on technical paddle shifts. The best of the most efficient motors – the mid-drive – that make the bike lighter to handle like a pedal bike. The goal for me is to exercise. I ride e-bikes with minimal assistance which helps me climb long, steep hills comfortably. The problem is that most bike stores do not have stock. The pandemic has caused supply to fall, factories to close, and demand to rise, with people desperately trying to get outdoors. While the world opens up, many major manufacturers are still closed.
Some things that can’t be negotiated to stand by: Read reviews (aka do your homework), test ride a few different bikes, and ask your local store if they can service the bike for you Before I buy. This ensures that you do not make an impulse purchase and have a platform that serves you well.
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