Get Moving with Electric Bikes at Abt
An electric bike looks like an everyday bicycle, but with an integrated motor that provides extra push and drive. These bikes share similar technology to electric scooters, all while preserving the manual pedal to maintain a classic feeling for riders. Electric bikes allow you to save money on maintenance, improve your commute, help the environment and most importantly, get more exercise. Combine this machine with a fitness tracker from Abt to monitor your rides and see how your health improves. Choosing the right style for you is dependent on many factors, starting with motors and pedal assist. If the bike's motor has a higher power level, it can pull heavier loads like bike trailers. Electric bikes can be equipped with one of two types of motors: hub-drive or mid-drive. Hub-drive motors can be located near the front or rear wheel, either making the rider feel like they're being pulled or pushed. Hub-drive motors are an ideal choice for those who are not skilled bike riders and need more support. Mid-drive motors, rather, are located in the middle of the bike. This placement makes biking feel more natural as the weight is centered, balancing the rider as well. Pedal assist determines how much power the motor gives your electric bike and there are four different levels: eco, turbo, boost and throttle. While pedal assist does some of the hard work for the rider, it's also quite a benefit for those looking to travel long distances by bike as you can go farther. Eco is the lightest power setting and saves the most battery, while turbo or boost gets you to your destination faster. Throttle is not offered on all models, but allows the motor to move the rider forward by itself, eliminating the need for pedaling.
Types of E-Bikes
There are a large variety of electric bike options including road and mountain for outdoor recreation enthusiasts, commuter if biking is your main form of transportation, cargo, cruisers and more. There are three different classifications of electric bikes as well. Class one is a model with a motor that can only be activated by pedaling, with a speed cap of 20 mph. Class two can also reach up to 20 mph but includes a throttle mode. Classes one and two are perfect for hobbyists who enjoy slower leisure rides. Class three is similar to class one but can acquire up to 28 mph of speed, although local laws may affect this. Class three may draw a rider with a need for speed and a classic adrenaline rush. How far you can travel on electric bikes relies on many things: How much battery life do you have? What kind of terrain are you traveling on? These things and more factor into the length of your outdoor enjoyment and the distance of your ride. Some models say they support a range of 30-50 miles on just one charge, though charging can take anywhere from three to five hours. The best, most high-quality models can even reach 100 miles. The last thing to consider when finding the perfect electric bike model is the way it fits your body. Your bike should feel almost custom-made; if it doesn't match up comfortably to your proportions, you can expect back, knee, and shoulder strain over time. To learn more about the benefits of these machines, check out our electric bikes buying guide. For any questions on the different models Abt has to offer, you can speak to a member of our team at 800-860-3577.
