FAQ's

Electric bikes offer a number of benefits. Not just a great way to enjoy cycling with reduced physical strain, but e-bikes also offer a method of riding faster around the trails, getting work quickly, helping the environment, riding for longer and more. See our guides for more information

All electric bikes are capped at 25kph. Above this the electric motor will cut out. However the bike is still rideable above this speed.

Electric bikes can be ridden anywhere you would ride a non-electric bike. The only difference is the motor.

No you don't. Electric bikes are limited to 25kph and don't have a throttle. Therefore there are no additional laws – they are seen as ordinary bicycles.

Not at all. Using the electrical assist you can ride harder, faster, further and for longer than you could before – so you get even more out of your riding.

Choosing an electric bike is just like choosing any other bike. The first thing to think about is what you'll be using it for. Think about whether you might want suspension, slick tyres, lots of gears etc. Once you know this information you can think about how far you want to go and how much power you want. Generally speaking the larger the battery the greater the range and the more torque in the motor, the more power you will have available to you. Browse electric bikes

Yamaha and Bosch are widely considered the market leaders in this field, offering a range of motors and components across all cycle disciplines. Great value can also be found from other motor brands, such as TransX and Shimano. Brose motors are also becoming more popular at the higher end of the market.

The length of life that you can get from the batteries will depend on how you ride. If you ride in fair weather using the eco assist and put in more work yourself, then you might find yourself getting hundreds of miles out of a single charge. However, using turbo-mode, using the motor more frequently and riding in headwinds will result in a reduced range. The average range is around 45-60 miles although some more basic batteries may only get 20-30 miles average.

Battery life is measured in mile-hours[mh] the greater the MH, the greater the range.

Underneath the electric motor, you still have a normal bike so even if something does go wrong, you can still ride it home. All parts are removable, repairable and replaceable. This can be done by our trained Bosch certified mechanics either in-store or by collecting the items.

Absolutely. While e-bikes can offer the chance to ride faster when you put them in turbo mode, they can be gentler too. The lower powered eco and sport settings offer a gentle assistance on the climbs and over long distances, without pushing you too fast.

No, electric bike batteries require charging from the mains.

Charging time will vary depending on the size of the battery. Batteries with a higher capacity will take longer. On average e-bike batteries will take 3-4 hours to charge.

E-bike batteries should be looked after as any other. Avoid storing in direct sunlight; ideally in a cool dry place. It is also advisable to take care not to drop or damage the battery. You don't need to completely drain the battery before charging. It

Cheaper e-bikes will tend to have 1 or more of these compromises:

1. Smaller batteries and so a shorter range
2. Less powerful motors and so less power to the pedals
3. Cheaper components on the bike such as gearing, frame, wheels, brakes etc

It is recommended to look at the full specification when comparing electric bikes.

E-bikes offer varied levels of pedal-assist rather than a throttle. This is what differentiates them from motorised bikes which have different laws surrounding them. There are varying levels available though and in ‘turbo mode' you will find the bike gives you a very generous level of assistance.

Electric bikes should be cleaned like any other. Avoid jetwashes and use warm water and proper bike cleaner.

All the electrical components are designed to be water proof, although it’s not recommended to submerge the components for long periods of time. Water proofing details can be found for specific brands. They are therefore suitable for riding in the poor British weather.

There are retro-fit e-bike systems available but not the advanced Bosch or Yamaha systems. These are fully integrated into specifically designed bottom brackets.

The most obvious associated cost of running an e-bike is the electricity used to charge the battery. The cost of which is considerably less than running a car over the same distances. Additionally there are on-going costs as batteries will eventually need replacing. The frequency will depend on use but if you take care of your battery as with any other component then replacements will be required less frequently. Typically every few years.