Join the electric bike revolution today!

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The advantages of riding an electric bike:

* Get the experience of riding a bicycle without the sweat.

* Use an e-bike for local errands. Why drive a 6,000 lb S.U.V. - 2 miles to the corner store or post office; when an electric bicycle will get you there in the same amount of time - without the wear and tear on your car, and without polluting our atmosphere?

* Use an electric bike to commute to work. If your one-way commute is 10 miles or less; why not ride an e-bike instead of driving? If you take surface streets; you'll probably arrive at work in the same amount of time it would've taken you to drive, perhaps even less if you must fight morning and afternoon traffic, since a bicycle is much more maneuverable.

* Get a little exercise. Even though your bike is electric; you can still pedal along with it as much as you care to.

Laws governing electric bicycles:
There are new federal guidelines concerning electric bicycles, and each state/municipality will have codes of their own. Suffice it to say: electric bicycles powered under 750 watts - that do not exceed 20 mph - are generally still classified as a "bicycle", and will not have restricted use.

A brief overview of electric bikes and conversion kits currently on the market:
There are basically three types of electric bicycle motor systems currently available:
1. Hub Motor Systems. 2. Chain/Gear Driven Systems, and 3. Friction Drive Systems,

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1. Hub Motor Systems consist of a motor built into the actual bicycle wheel: the motor spins around the center bearing of the wheel itself. This is by far the most efficient system available, since there no gears or shafts to waste energy or wear out. Hub motors are also sealed, so they can handle the elements of rain, mud or sand, much better than friction drive or gear driven systems...

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2. A Chain/Gear Driven System consists of a motor connected to planetary gears and a belt or chain that drives the rear wheel gear set. CURRIE systems fall under this catagory. This type of system has very good low-end accelleration (torque), and will reach good cruising speeds. But it shares the same relative drawback as the friction drive systems: you loose a good portion of your energy through the use of gears and belts. These systems also tend to create noise: a high pitched whining sound created by the planetary gear set and chain combination. Also, this kit must be installed on the rear wheel of your bike, connecting its adapter to each and every one of the 36 spokes - a very time consuming and sometimes difficult task.
3. A Friction Drive System usually consists of a motor with a splined shaft that rides upon the tire of your bicycle wheel causing it to spin and propel the bike. ZAP kits and bikes fall under this catagory. While this system is inexpensive, it is not very power efficient since you are loosing a good portion of your energy through friction on the bicycle tire. It is not capable of reaching high cruising speeds, and tends to wear out tires quickly...

Should I buy a complete electric bicycle, or get an electric conversion kit for a bike I already own?
That depends on if you like the style of e-bikes available now, or you'd rather customize your own bicycle. It also depends on if feel mechanically inclined enough to install a kit yourself. But even most complete e-bikes will require you to do some assembly, so if you already have a bicycle, you should consider saving the money and getting a conversion kit. The various kits available today will range from extremely difficult, to extremely easy to install.


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