The BFF Guide to Ebikes
Ebikes are not the future of cycling, they’re the present. Here’s what you need to know:
There’s a lot of information out there about ebikes and it can all be hard to parse, that’s why your BFFs have put together this guide to help you stay informed. Keep reading for a primer on what you need to know when shopping for an ebike.
What to consider:
When breaking into the world of ebikes, there’s a lot you have to keep in mind. The main thing that differentiates ebikes from their analog counterparts is that they have a motor & a battery. Different classes of ebikes are defined by how powerful they are; here’s a quick breakdown before I dive into the specifics –
Class 1
pedal assist only
max motor-assisted speed: 20mph
Can ride in bike lanes & trails*
Class 2
pedal assist & throttle
max motor-assisted speed: 20mph
Can ride in bike lanes & trails*
Class 3
pedal assist only
max motor-assisted speed: 28mph
Can NOT ride in bike lanes & trails*
*In Chicago. Different states & municipalities have different regulations, check your local laws to see where you can ride.
Throttle vs. Pedal Assist
Ebikes combine everything you love about traditional bicycles with an integrated motor and battery to help you get where you’re going without having to work as hard. These bikes provide that extra boost in two different ways: with pedal assist or a throttle. The ebikes we carry are all pedal assist, which means the motor provides power into your pedal stroke so it will only activate while pedaling. Ebikes with a throttle can accelerate without the rider providing any input at all. Only class 2 ebikes will have a throttle.
Motors: Watts & Newton Meters
When comparing motors between ebikes, you’ll be looking at the number of Watts (W) and Newton meters (Nm). Simply put, watts measure how much power a motor has, kinda like horsepower for a car; more watts mean that your ebike can accelerate more quickly, carry weight more easily, and handle going uphill better. Ebikes, regardless of class, are required to have a 750W motor or less. Newton meters, on the other hand, measure the amount of rotational force (or torque) the motor can apply, so the more torque in an ebike applies, the less hard the rider will have to work to pedal.
Ebikes that have a Smart Assist motor (like any Liv, Giant or Momentum ebike) use that technology to seamlessly provide the optimal amount of assistance in any riding situation. This means that the bike will use power only when you need it and conserve energy when you don’t, ensuring an incredibly smooth, powerful, reliable riding experience. The ebike manages this by taking inputs from its different sensors to know the exact right time to give you an extra boost. While you can still adjust the level of assistance provided by the e-bike, those equipped with a Smart Assist motor deliver a smoother and more intuitive riding experience by optimizing energy efficiency for both the rider and the battery.
Learn more about Smart Assist technology below:
Battery Life & Safety
Just like how cars have gas tanks that need to be filled up to drive, ebikes have batteries that need to be charged to ride. Batteries are where the energy is stored to make ebikes go, but when shopping for an ebike, there are a couple things to look out for to make sure your battery will last a long time and be safe to use.
Because lithium-ion batteries are efficient, compact, and reliable, that’s what you find in most ebike batteries. However, there’s surprisingly little legislation mandating safety testing standards for these batteries. The Consumer Product Safety Commission are currently reviewing the safety standards in light of deaths occurred as a result of ebike battery fires. The batteries causing fires have typically been tampered with or don’t comply with any standards. This is why we recommend staying away from cheaper internet brands and why we opt to only carry bikes that are certified. Certification requires that an e-bike's electric drive train system, battery, and charger have been thoroughly evaluated to determine their electrical and fire risks to consumers. Lastly these batteries must be disposed of in the most environmentally friendly manner. Talk to us about our Call to Recycle program.
You can read more about the measures they’ve taken to go above and beyond to make sure their ebike battery systems are safe here:
The best thing to do to decide which bike is right for you is to come into your favorite local bike shop and test ride a couple! That way, you can see for yourself exactly what the difference between different models feels like. At BFF, we’re always happy to answer any questions you may have about ebikes (analog bikes too!) and guide you through the process of getting one of your very own!