The New York Times recently featured an article about people using electric bikes for commuting to work. They recommend spending about $2000 for a good electric bike. You’ll get a range of 20-50 miles with these bikes, and this can obviously be extended with pedal power. Some notable electric bikes shops are Electric Bikes Northwest and NYCEWheels. The bike pictured above is an Optibike — it’s faster than most electric bikes with a top speed over 20 mph, and it has a impressive range of 50 miles — but the price range is also high-end ($5500-$8000). You can see videos of this bike in action here. Via Bike Hugger
Electric bikes are making my commute so much better. No more sweaty back going up hills! I got mine at Nyce Wheels
There are several well designed quality electric bikes now in production but the best brand of the bunch, in my opinion, are the eZee models. Value for price is excellent relative to the other bikes we have seen.
The quality is excellent, they are using the latest technology (e.g. Although “Lithium Ion” batteries are considered to the best power source by most, eZee (which had used Lithium Ion) has now gone to the new “Lithium Polymer” on most if not all of their bikes which delivers better performance, equal battery life, yet weighs approx. 35% less.
My wife and I have just purchased two of them; the “eZee Cadence” for myself and the “eZee Slope Step Thru” model for her. Both are of similar weight and performance. We have put many miles on them and couldn’t be any more pleased with our investment.
The Ezee’s offer the choice of three modes of operation 1. pedal only, 2. throttle controlled electric motor power assist while pedaling, 3. throttle controlled electric motor power only. The top speed is 20 MPH with a range of 20 to 30 miles dependent on rider weight and the terrain.
Many “hardcore” bicyclist like to knock the electric bikes and I understand their philosophy, but for the remaining 95% of us who are out to get exersize while enjoying the benefits of nature and the great outdoors, (while not concerning ourselves with elapsed times) these bikes are ideal. How many of you have ruled out a particular path or road because of an extra steep or long hill. With these bikes you can choose to pedal the hill using just enough power assist to allow you to make it to the top.
We got our bikes at “Electric Bikes LA” in El Segundo, CA. 310-640-2453
electricbikesla.com
For the cost of a $1600 Optibike battery (warranty 3yr, 36,000 miles) I can drive my 80mpg 50cc scooter 45,000 miles — at 40mph.
If optibike takes off, I’d bet that battery prices will come down; but $1600 for a battery seems like a lot to me.