Is a E-Bike for Me?
Whether you’re aiming to take on a faster, longer daily commute to work, tackle steeper hills and tougher terrain with ease, or even keep pace with a faster group of road cyclists on longer rides, e-bikes are a great option to give you the extra boost you need to achieve all your cycling goals with ease.
If you’re looking to get to work as quickly as possible without breaking a sweat, a hybrid e-bike is a great choice for your daily commute. You can get across town more efficiently with plenty of power left to get groceries on the way home. Not to mention, you’ll save time by avoiding traffic jams during rush hour.
An electric mountain bike could allow you to ride the local singletrack for hours on end without tiring out. The extra power from a pedal-assisted motor helps you climb up hills and ride through tough terrain with ease, leaving you with more energy to enjoy your ride.
Electric road bikes are a great option for road cyclists who are looking to keep up with a faster group. You’ll get a great workout whilst still being able to keep pace with your faster friends. Plus, the extra power will allow you to take longer, harder routes that you’ve never explored before.
Hybrid e-bikes start at just over $2,000CAD for entry-level models, and reach prices of over $5,500CAD, for high-end models. Electric mountain bikes start at just under $4,000CAD, but can reach prices of over $17,000 for premium, customizable bike models. Electric road bikes start at around $6000CAD and reach prices up to $17,000CAD, for the top-tier options.
Pedal assist e-bikes use an electric motor and battery to help you power your bike. The assist only kicks in when you pedal, which allows you to easily control the amount of power that the drive system provides. The motor amplifies the power behind each of your pedal strokes, which allows you to ride faster and further, yet still gives you a natural and intuitive riding experience.
There are two types of pedal-assist motors: mid-drive motors, located by your pedals, which provide a stable centre of gravity, are easy to shift on hills, and feel natural when pedaling; and rear hub motors, encased in the hub of your rear wheel, which are generally more affordable.
The battery is the biggest factor in determining how far your e-bike can go. A larger battery capacity, which is measured in watt hours (Wh), allows you to go further and faster before you need to recharge it. The level of motor assist you choose also directly affects your ebike’s range. For example, eco mode provides the least amount of assist, draws the least amount of power from the battery, and gives you the longest range. Turbo mode provides the most assist, draws the most power from your battery, and will drain your battery the quickest. Other factors that can affect your ebike’s range are the efficiency of your motor, how much weight you’re carrying, the weather, and terrain can also have an effect on your range.