ANATOMY OF AN E-BIKE
Put some pep in your pedal as you hit the road with an electric-assist bike.
Winning the Tour de France may not be in your future, but getting from the garage to the grocery store in record time with an electric-assist bicycle (aka the e-bike) may be the next best thing.
Equipped with a motor powered by a rechargeable battery, an e-bike provides extra pep in your pedal.
These days, you have a lot of choice. Range, speed and capabilities vary by manufacturer, but there are some key commonalities, including that a more powerful motor (which can help you keep step with traffic and haul cargo) means more battery burn and a shorter range.
Equipped with a motor powered by a rechargeable battery, the e-bike provides extra pep in your pedal.
Like conventional bicycles, e-bikes are categorized as mountain or road, urban or cargo. Expect to pay around $2,000 (to start) and be sure to ask how many pedal-assisted kilometres the e-bike will deliver (generally between 30 and 120); the number of watt-hours (Wh) the battery carries before needing a charge; and the size of the motor.
But most of all, choose something that will take you from A to B (and any other letter) in comfort—a fit and feel that’s right for you will make all the difference.
Help for two wheels.
It’s roadside assistance, for bikes. Your CAA membership includes Bike Assist, which gets you and your bike a ride in the event of a breakdown.
