Why should I ride an electric bicycle?

Electric bicycles are the most efficient form of transportation on the road today.  Even more efficient than human powered vehicles (imagine the energy cost to transport food and you'll understand why).

How fast does the electric bicycle go?

On level terrain the top speed is 20mph without pedaling (the legal limit in California).  Of course you can go faster and further if you pedal.

How far does it go?

Range depends on terrain and the amount of pedaling, but can be anywhere from 20 miles to 8 miles.  Typical commuting in hilly San Diego can easily achieve a 15 mile range with pedaling.

What if my commute is longer than 15 miles?
Other than pedaling more, the easiest option is to bring a second battery - that's what we do so we don't have to worry about running out of power along the way.

Should I install the kit on my old bike or should I purchase a new bicycle?
You will likely be riding your electric bicycle far more than your old bike. It's worth investing in a high quality bicycle to avoid component failures.
We recommend that all bikes meet the fitting criteria.

What is better - front or rear motor?
It depends on your requirements. Here are the pros and cons of both:

Front
Pro: Better weight distribution and easier installation	Con: On very steep hills can skip (does not cause any handling issues)
Rear
Pro:Better hands free stability	Con: More weight over rear tire can be excessive when using heavily loaded panniers.

Are there limitations for the handle bars?
The throttle needs to fit on the handle bars and curved handle bars can make this difficult. Also, integrated shifter/brakes may require a brake sensor instead of the kits included brakes (contact us for more information).

How long does the battery last?

The battery life per charge is dependant on the type of usage, but usually runs for over an hour.  Battery cycle life is dependant on usage, but will typically last between 300 and 500 cycles. 

How heavy is the battery?
The standard 36V NiMH battery weighs 14lbs and the 48V NiMH battery weighs 24lbs. The Li-Ion battery only weighs 8.4lbs.

Will the battery fit my bike?
Take a look at the fitting guide page with tips on fitting the batteries. If the NiMH is too big, the smaller and lighter Li-Ion battery might still work for you.

Does it recharge the battery when I pedal or brake?
We found it much easier and cost effective to bring a second battery along or take a break to recharge the battery. Systems that offer recharging or regenerative breaking are quite inefficient for bicycles and reduce the fun (ease of riding an electric bike) plus they are more expensive due to the added complexitiy of the controller.

Why don't you offer regenerative braking?
Check out our blog entry on regenerative braking for bicycles.

How do I know when the battery charge gets low?
The throttle includes 3 LEDs that display Power (red), High (green), and Low (yellow). The low light indicates when the battery charge is getting low. At this point, you need to stop and charge the battery to avoid damaging it.

No lights on throttle indicate the system is off.	Red light: System is on Green light: Battery has sufficient power.	Red, green and yellow: Battery is low and must be charged immediately.	Red and yellow: Stop and immediately charge the battery. Damage likely.

How do I charge the battery correctly to avoid damaging it?
The battery must be fully charged before first use. It should always be charged immediately after each use. The charger displays an indicator light which will turn green as soon as the battery is fully charged. If you are unsure how to use and charge the battery correctly, Contact Us before use.

Charger is off.	Charger is on but not connected to the battery.	Charger is charging (yellow light).	Charger indicates battery fully charged (green light).

Should I charge the battery after every use or when the LED turns yellow?
To keep the battery in good condition, always charge immediately after use, even if your ride was only a couple of miles.

How long does it take to charge the battery?

Battery charging takes anywhere from 2.5 to 7 hours depending on the depth of discharge and type of battery.  A typical commute of 7 miles over hilly terrain with pedaling averages around 2.5 hours of charge time.

How do I know when the battery is fully charged?
The smart charger will change the light from orange to green. Do not use the battery before the light is green. Using a battery that is not fully charged can damage the battery. Damaged batteries cannot be returned.

Why is my battery not charging?
After high-use, the battery can get warm. The chargers are designed to let the battery cool off (this is signaled by a blinking yellow LED for the 36V NiMH charger) before charging again. It is a safety mechanism to prevent damage to the batteries from excessive heat.

Do I have to pedal?

In short no; pedaling is optional for all but the steepest hills.  However, light pedaling easily extends the bike's range many times with little effort. 

Can I ride when it rains?

The system is perfectly capable of running in rain, most components (such as the motor) are sealed and will not be affected by water.  However, depending on the type of tires installed, riding in the rain may be dangerous because of slippery conditions, much like it is with a motorcycle.

What wheel sizes do you support? What is the width of the rim?
Depending on our current stock, we typically offer kits that fit 26" and 700c front and rear motors as well 20" and 24" front motors. The rims are 0.85 inches wide.

Will my existing tube and tire fit?
Your existing tire will fit the electric motor wheel rim. However, we recommend puncture resistant tires to avoid flats. Your tire has detailed information on the size of the tube you need.
The V-rims require a tube with a long presta valve (we recommend at least 48mm valve length). This ensures the valve is long enough to extend through the V-rim.

What happens when I have a flat tire?
A flat tire can be easily fixed. The nuts that hold the wheel on the bike are 19mm and require a wrench, once loosened and electrical cables disconnected, the wheel can be repaired like any ordinary bicycle tire.

Is there a disk brake option?
We currently do not offer this option.

What type of freewheel does the rear conversion kit include?
7 gear Shimano.

How much weight does the whole kit add to my bike?
The 36V NiMH kit will add approximately 33lbs to the weight of your bike.
The 36V NiMH battery weighs 14lbs, the 48V NiMH battery weighs 24lbs, and the Li-Ion battery weighs 8.4lbs.

What are your shipment options?
We currently ship via UPS ground for all large packages (e.g. kits) and USPS for small packages (e.g. FlashFlags).

Do you offer warranty?

We offer a 45 day return policy on defective products. Damaged parts and used batteries cannot be returned. Warranty on any retro-fitted bicycle is not offered due to the modifications that must be done during installation. Please review our return policy for more information.

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For further questions, please contact us via email.