Are you dreaming of independent travel, leaving the car behind, but the thoughts of battling Chicago distances, not to mention headwinds, or sweating through our sweltering summers, have you thinking twice about getting on your bike?
ENTER the E-Bike!
This is the vehicle that will get you across town quicker than a car, and still let you enjoy movement and exercise. A vehicle that operates on mere 10 cents per hour, is both agile and capable of hauling your stuff, and won’t get stuck in traffic. How’s that for independent travel?
What’s Pedal-Assist?
Electric bicycles available through our store don’t replace pedaling, they enhance it. They mitigate the some negative aspects of riding (eg. wind or hills), and therefore you can cover more distance with more ease and enjoyment. If some more punishing aspects of biking a traditional bike have prevented you from riding regularly, an e-bike might encourage you to ride more, and actually delight in the movement and exercise.
E-assist bikes come equipped with either a hub motor, usually in the rear hub, or a mid-drive motor build into the crank area of the bike. Generally, bikes equipped with mid-drive motors tend to be more expensive, while hub-motors are most often found on bikes retailing for less than $2000. However, there are definitely exceptions, such as premium front-hub driven folding bikes from Brompton and Gocycle.
While earlier e-bikes relied on a simple throttle mechanism that would make the bike go with a twist of the lever, today’s e-bikes utilize much more sophisticated torque sensors that monitor how much force you are applying to the pedals, and supply e-assist in response. Most quality e-assist bikes on the market today operate with with a torque sensor which detects the force you apply to the pedals with each stroke, and a mode selector that lets you choose the level of assist from “light” to “turbo”. As you ride, the motor will give you an appropriate power boost in response to your pedaling based on the power level you select on the controller. When torque sensor is combined with speed and cadence sensors, the e-assist responds to the changing conditions of your ride by giving the optimal level of assist exactly when needed. The system detects not just how much extra power is required, but also the rate at which the power level should increase, which makes for a smooth, natural feeling ride without jerks or obvious jumps in speed.
Class 3 hub-drive e-bikes may have a throttle, which is designed to give the rider an occasional additional boost (such as starting from a dead stop, or powering up a hill), but is not meant to be deployed continuously. Mid-drive equipped bikes generally do not have a throttle.
How Much Will It Cost?
Not all e-bikes are created equal, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that if you spend more money you’ll end up with a better bike. Just like any other bicycle, an e-assist bike purchase should be evaluated for your particular purpose. However, it is almost universally true that outfits selling extremely inexpensive e-bikes online don’t care about your purpose, and therefore are best to be avoided no matter how attractive their price or their claims.
Dependable, high-quality electric bicycles bought through authorized resellers are generally priced in the range of just under $2000 to over $6000. Do you get a better bike for $6000? It will likely have more sophisticated and higher grade components than the less expensive alternative, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s more appropriate for you. If you are a casual, recreational rider and wish to enjoy your bike for pleasure and some light errands during the summer months, a good quality $2000 e-bike with a hub motor might be perfect for you. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a car-replacement for daily commuting, errands and perhaps carrying a small passenger, you will definitely want to investigate a bike that is built around components designed for heavy-duty, utilitarian applications, and that may cost quite a bit more.
Objection!
Some people point out that e-bikes are not 100% “green”, since —after all— they run on electric power that has to come from somewhere. This is undeniable, but needs to be put in the context of our current over-reliance on the automobile, even on ridiculously short trips. As noted, a typical e-bike operates for $.10 per hour. For the cost of a medium latte, you could ride your e-bike for 37 hours, which at the average speed of 15 mph would cover 555 miles.
People also point out that e-bikes are heavy, and this is also true. With the exception of electric Brompton (34lbs) and Gocycle (36lbs), most e-bikes weigh in at over 45lbs, and some cargo bikes exceed 80lbs. So if you need a bike to carry up to the third floor apartment, anything other than the first two choices is probably not for you. But if you compare an e-bike to a car, particularly a car with only one occupant in it, it’s clear that in the context of urban transportation, an e-bike is a compact, agile and lightweight choice.
Some people say it’s cheating. We say, cheating-schmeating. Some people are never happy. See more on “cheating” below.
Where you buy matters as much as what you buy
We believe that all bikes should be sold in a face-to-face transaction with a competent consultant and service expert, and this is even more true of e-bikes. At Cosmic Bikes we specialize in helping you identify the perfect bike for your needs. We take the time to research and partner with highly reputable companies, who have a track record of delivering quality products, excellent technical support, and —when needed— solid warranty service. Our service commitment includes the initial consultation and test ride, thorough, meticulous assembly of your new bike, and follow-up service for up to 18 months. While the bikes we carry may appear to be more expensive than some pictured online, you can be assured that you are getting a quality product that meets rigorous safety standards, and that you will not end up with an expensive doorstop because replacement parts are unavailable. When you purchase a quality e-bike, it’s important to take into account not only the initial ticket price, but the expertise of the shop,the support of the manufacturer, and the pre- and post-purchase service, all of which result in your peace of mind and getting more enjoyment from your investment.
Tips for choosing your e-bike
The variety of electric bike brands on the market is staggering. We've taken some of the guesswork out of the process, and selected reliable, high-quality products from extremely reputable vendors. Here are some things to keep in mind when considering an e-bike purchase:
Regardless of where the bike is manufactured, it should be sold by a US company, or well-established US distributor, who will stand behind the product for replacement parts, diagnostics and technical support and warranty issues.
It should be equipped with quality electronics from reputable manufacturers, that are designed to be serviceable and won’t become obsolete after a season of use.
An e-bike should be constructed with safety features, including components (brakes, rims, spokes, etc) that can handle the additional weight, forces and speed generated by the electric motor.
It should have a thoughtful, functional design and aesthetics.
It should not exceed prudent cycling speed or offer a level of power inappropriate for a bicycle.
We do not recommend buying an e-bike online, or assembling it yourself. Regardless of what the manufacturers may tell you, bikes are not shipped 100% (or even 80%) assembled. All our e-bikes undergo a thorough assembly, set-up and testing by a professional mechanic, and come with follow-up service provided locally by our store.
Electric bikes we carry are available for test rides. Model availability can vary. Please contact us for availability.
We offer free delivery in the Chicagoland area with your electric bike purchase.
Do you need an e-bike?
It’s not for us to decide who e-bikes are for. E-bikes can be used for commuting, shuttling kids, shlepping groceries and household goods, business deliveries, carrying dogs, adventures, recreation, overcoming physical limitations, extending your range, keeping up with a faster-riding partner —you name it. Cheating, schmeating. If it gets you moving, helps you break your car-dependence, and if you love it, it’s great in our book.
Having said this, if you are on a tight budget, able-bodied and reasonably fit, don’t buy a cheap e-bike online because you’ve been persuaded you “need” one. You will likely get much more enjoyment and value for your investment from a good quality, affordable non-electric bike.
It’s true that well-made, quality electric bicycles appear expensive at first, especially when you only consider the price tag in the context of cheaper —and visually similar— alternatives. But when you really “look under the hood”, and evaluate the purchase in light of your expectations to have a dependable and versatile electric bicycle, manufactured with excellent materials to exacting standards, and backed by solid professional service, investing in high-quality in undoubtedly the wisest choice.