Electric Bikes Archives
Electric Bikes
Electric bicycles have advanced significantly over the last century from the first models of motorized bicycles that were cumbersome and not terribly economical or efficient. Today's electric bikes are very efficient and economical taking advantage of new new circuitry, electric motor and transmission technologies.
Researching electric bicycles before buying one is a great idea, but not as easy as it may seem. There are growing number of websites offering information on electric bicycles, but digesting and synthesizing this information can be as difficult in light of the variety of models and power assist combinations available now.
Electric bicycles come in basically two-main configurations. One is the power-on-demand electric bicycle, and the other is the power-assist electric bicycle.
"Electric bikes are taking off," by Carolyn Whelan, The International Herald Tribune, March 14, 2007
E-bikes - These have a separate throttle on the handlebars, either a switch or a twist-grip like on a motorbike. You decide how much help you get from the motor.
Pedelecs - These have a sensor on the pedals, and a little electronic brain measures how much effort you are putting in and decides how much extra help to give you.
All About the Electric Bicycle
More
- Electric-Bikes.com
- Electric bicycle laws - from Wikipedia
- Motorized bicycle - from Wikipedia
- A to B magazine (UK)
- WhyCycle - UK
- The Electric Vehicle Association of Greater Washington DC
Froogle searches
Models
- Stokemonkey Human Electric Hybrid Drive
- Sport Utility Bicycles - from Xtracycle
- Charger, from Electroportal
- Schwinn electric bikes
- Optibike
- Giant electric bikes (Giant Suede and Giant Lite) are available in the Washington DC area from Revolution Cycles
- The eZee electric bike line is available from NYCEwheels - the eZee Forte has the Shimano Nexus internal hub 8-speed
Dealers
- Largo Scooters
- NYCeWheels - largest electric bike store in the US
- The Electric Bike Network
- Revolution Cycles - DC area
- Papillon Cycles - Arlington, VA
- Bob's Bikes - Poolesville, MD
- PowaBykes - PowaGlydaUSA
September 9, 2007 10:17 AM Caught Our Eye