eBikeClubUSA.com

  What’s the difference between a regular bicycle and an eBike you may ask?  An ebike is powered by a strong battery that’s usually attached to the center sloped downtube on a bicycle to provide power to an ebike motor.  E-Bike motors differ by Hub Motors & Mid-Drive Motors.  In short, hub motorsthat are located inside the front or back wheel (<--- seen above left) are a little more difficult when changing flat tires if its on the "rear" wheel, but they are very quiet, fast and best for mainly flatter terrain areas alongside streets, parks and trails, but not so good for areas consisting of mainly steep hills. Mid-drive motors (seen above right --->) are located by the bikes bottom mechanical pedal housing area and the front and back wheels are like normal bikes making it easier and faster to fix flats, and they are more power efficient for hilly areas. Both motors are great, but it's up to the rider to decide which is best for their geographic riding area.

Both E-Bike Hub-Motors and Direct-Drive Motors offer Pedal assist system (PAS) and Throttle (T) modes that give a rider options as to how they want the E-Bike’s battery power used to aid in their pedaling.   In PAS modes (usually 1-5) the higher the number selected on the E-Bike’s Digital Display Screen the more pedal assistance the battery will provide to the rider making it easier to pedal but it will use more battery consumption and when using lower settings the bike can often provide pedal assistance for a greater range even up to 50 miles or more; depending on E-bike brand & model.   When the E-Bike rider selects the Throttle (T) mode in the Digital Display Screen the bike then provides the rider with an option to propel the bike forward without having to pedal. Most E-Bikes have a twist-throttle in the handle bar like a motorcycle or a thumb-throttle device attached to the handle bar and both perform the same functions where most will automatically disengage power at 20mph (most States have a speed limit without a license of 20mph, explained further at the bottom of this page) and the power is also disengaged when the rider pulls on either of the brakes – this is for stopping and safety reasons. Most mountain bike E-Bikes have PAS only systems as most of those riders pedal almost constantly so the battery will take them further with less direct power consumption and they have more manual control of direct power with PAS than when using a throttle for E-Bike racing events.

Most everyday riders will opt to purchase an E-Bike with both PAS and Throttle systems. This is preferred because a throttle gives riders an option to take a rest for a time from pedaling where a 36/48 volt battery can drive the bike anywhere from 15/25+ miles without having to pedal at all making riding a bicycle not so labor intensive and a real pleasure for all ages. It’s worthy to note that some throttle systems also have a “cruise control” option where this can be engaged and disengaged by the rider when required on non-stop streets or trails to provide rest to the hand or thumb using the throttle.   Lastly, the Digital Display Screen provides important information about the PAS, Throttle, battery power and consumption levels, bike speed, distance traveled, and most have automatic back lighting for the digital display when going through tunnels or at night to provide the rider with clear and easy to read information. Most E-Bike battery chargers use a 110volt home/office electrical outlet to fully charge the battery in 2/3 hours depending on the battery and E-Bike model. The cost of an E-Bike with both PAS & Throttle options may cost a little more but well worth it, and of course; this all depends on the rider's planned use of the E-Bike as a commuter, casual rider or sportsperson.