Real cyclists cannot understand why they should equip their wonderful vehicles with an electric motor, because the two-wheeled vehicle is designed specifically for developing leg muscles, improving heart function, and raising the general tone of the body. But many people who do not have a garage, car and live in a multi-storey building, simply can’t live without such a transport: work, a summer house, a market - all on their own bike.
The focus of this article is the reviews of owners of electric bikes: operating experience, recommendations, comparisons, advantages and disadvantages. Everything that the reader never knew about electric bikes, he will find here.
What are the charms?
If you install an electric motor, controller and battery on a regular bike , the result is an electric bike. Unlike the same scooter or motorcycle, such a miracle transport is not tied to one energy source, and when the battery is discharged, it can become an ordinary bicycle, which is driven by pedaling.
However, reviews of owners of electric bikes assure that the charms do not end there. Indeed, unlike the same mopeds and scooters, such a vehicle does not need rights and a license plate. Light weight, small dimensions, simple maintenance - only advantages.
Price niche in the market of two-wheeled vehicles
For most Russians who are looking for an electric bike as a vehicle, price is a key factor. Therefore, it remains to be understood what devices are on the domestic market and what is their approximate cost.
The initial category (from 20 to 40 thousand rubles) is small-sized bicycles with a wheel diameter of less than 26 inches. At first glance, they are more like children’s, however, looking at the description, the buyer will find that the bicycle can withstand an adult (80-110 kg).
The budget class is rich in classic models that look more like a regular bike: ladies', highways, mountains, cities. Prices range from 40 to 100 thousand rubles, and in most cases the authority of the manufacturer, the weight of the vehicle and the installed components already influence the cost of the electric bike.
Elite bicycles can be selected with a budget of 100 thousand rubles or more. It is clear that in this category the buyer will be able to purchase the best, most technologically advanced device in the world from a very famous and reputable manufacturer.
Simplicity and convenience for the older generation
Oddly enough, but it is the older generation (from 50 and above) who prefers to purchase inexpensive electric bicycles. And, judging by the numerous reviews of the owners, the point here is not at all the price. The main criterion here is the weight of the vehicle. Indeed, for an adult, unlike a teenager, it is very difficult to move heavy objects, and a bicycle, in addition to mass, also has large dimensions.
Most low-cost electric bikes have a folding frame, which greatly facilitates the transport of a vehicle, not to mention the possibility of transporting it in the trunk of a car, bus or subway. The weight of such devices is within twenty kilograms, which is exotic compared to any vehicle with an engine.
Experience operating low-cost devices
The most popular niche of inexpensive electric bikes has a huge number of all kinds of models. Most of them have "Chinese roots", and their name cannot be pronounced on the first try. Many potential buyers are very interested in the feedback from the owners about such electric bikes. Everything is simple here! Chinese devices in the first months of operation are practically no different from their competitors. Problems arise over time, when components begin to fail, and the owner discovers one oddity - it is impossible to enter the necessary part on the Russian market, and foreign auctions cannot offer anything.
If a potential buyer wants to buy an inexpensive device that has a service center in our country and any details for which you can buy without problems, it is recommended to look at brands known around the world. The Wellness, Volteco, Velectric System electric bike will not leave indifferent any customer.
Budget Niche: One Way To Stand Out From The Crowd
This category is practically no different from ordinary bicycles with a mechanical drive from pedaling. The same frames, wheels, all kinds of components from famous brands and a large selection of accessories. Unless the weight of an “adult” electric bike will be more than its opponent due to the presence of a battery and an electric motor.
The characteristics of budget devices are decent, almost all models on the market have similar data and this is what attracts the attention of future owners. The maximum speed from the electric motor is in the range of 25-40 km / h. The mileage on one charge is 35-60 kilometers. The maximum elevation angle is 12 degrees.
The active market for budget devices
The most popular bike on the Russian market is the GIANT Dual Drive 1500W bike. This is one of the few devices that can satisfy the needs of the buyer according to the criterion of "price-quality". The cost of the transport popular on the market ranges from 80-90 thousand rubles, which is quite acceptable for this price niche. But the technical characteristics will not leave indifferent any potential buyer: two horsepower electric motors (after all, the battery power is 1500 watts) can accelerate an electric bike in a straight line up to 50 km / h. The Shimano dual shock absorber, cruise control, disc brakes and many other useful features will surely please the future owner.
Do not forget about the electric Titan Raptor, which in the past few years is considered the best-selling device in the markets of the former Soviet Union. The reason is the low cost - 40-50 thousand rubles. The manufacturer did not chase speed characteristics (maximum speed of only 25 km / h). Attention was paid to the mileage - almost 60 kilometers per charge. This is a very high figure among competitors.
Owner problems and solutions
In the media you can find numerous reviews of electric bike owners about the low service or its complete absence in most cities of Russia for this type of transport. The whole problem is that the market for such devices in our country is too young and many manufacturers are not yet ready to open their representative offices in Russia. Therefore, many experts recommend that all buyers focus not on the price, but on after-sales service, which many people don’t think about until the breakdown.
No need to rush on electric bicycles, which are equipped with a large number of additional elements and accessories (lights, luggage racks, steps, grips, horns, lighting strips and the like). Very often, the seller distracts the buyer from defective goods with these pleasant gifts. During operation, repairing a breakdown of the main mechanism will be much more expensive than all gifts taken together.
Elite class of electric bicycles
If the buyer is interested in an electric bike, the price of which is not the main selection criterion, then professionals recommend starting the review with the most technological device in the world called Grace. First of all, the German manufacturer thought about the owner, making two-wheeled transport the easiest in the world - 23 kilograms. The maximum acceleration speed of all Grace electric bicycles is limited to 50 km / h (apparently, safety is not in last place). The power reserve is 50 kilometers, and the battery charging time is about one and a half hours. And, of course, a service center with a two-year warranty, which is provided by the seller as an official distributor.
The American representative of Electra Townie Balloon, which has a very attractive price and excellent technical characteristics, is also popular in our market. Elite two-wheeled transport is unlikely to be able to accelerate more than 25 kilometers per hour, but it has enough power reserve of 95-105 kilometers per charge (depending on weather conditions).
The fastest bike in the world
In the media, disputes around the fastest, most technologically advanced and most popular two-wheeled vehicle in the world do not subside. The Storm Titanium 9000W electric bicycle is capable of ten seconds at a maximum speed of about 105 km / h. Transport can overcome on one charge about 150 kilometers (although at a cruising speed of 50 km / h). Indeed, a potential buyer, having acquired it, can be convinced from their own experience that the statements of manufacturers are not fiction.
Only there is a flip side to the coin. Firstly, the power that an electric bike has (9000W) is peak, that is, short-term. In fact, the battery power is 3000 watts, which means that the owner will enjoy only a few seconds to enjoy the maximum speed. The price can stop the buyer: half a million rubles is a pretty serious argument.
Great offer from automakers
Reviews of the owners of electric bikes assure that the purchased two-wheeled vehicle must be under a very serious and reputable brand. For example, BMW, Audi, Ford, Mersedes, Ferreri and similar brands of well-known automobile concerns. After all, in the Russian market there are a lot of bicycles and electric bicycles that are sold in automobile centers. Apparently, the manufacturer wants to make money in such a young and interesting niche.
Naturally, a buyer who wants to buy an electric bike of a reputable manufacturer does not need to worry about quality and accessories, because these devices are manually assembled and undergo many types of quality control before entering the market. This is the face of the manufacturer, and if it fails, then the whole business may suffer. Therefore, if a potential buyer is faced with a choice, give him preference for an elite American device with an unknown name or buy an electric bike of the same name in the BMW concern, he will make the choice, definitely right.
Oddities in the repair
According to many owners of luxury two-wheeled vehicles, the repair of electric bikes in this category is not carried out in Russia. That is, broken equipment is removed from the owner and sent directly to the factory where the vehicle was manufactured (according to the seller). Repair is often delayed for 3-6 months, and its cost is very high.
Reputable manufacturers claim that this procedure is described in the documentation that is provided to the owner along with the vehicle at the time of purchase. Moreover, any minor repairs or upgrades should also be carried out only by company specialists. Any intervention by the owner in the operation of the mechanism is unacceptable.
The same documentation provided by the seller governs the following: after the vehicle has been taken from the owner, the seller must provide a replacement for the entire repair period. This means that the seller must issue a working copy to the owner of a broken electric bike. However, many manufacturers (except automobile concerns) are not in a hurry to take such a step.
Finally
The operating experience of many owners of electric bicycles suggests that the purchase of this type of transport is not always correct. In the race for convenience, the buyer forgets that the device must be constantly charged from the outlet (4-8 hours, depending on the battery). Ease of movement around the city and beyond requires the presence of muscles (not everyone can bring 25-40 kilograms into the elevator).
Therefore, in order not to be disappointed in your first purchase, you should pay attention to cheap electric bikes. Only having rolled enough and understanding all the advantages and disadvantages of the device, you can take a step towards buying a decent device of your dreams.