by Electric bike guru on December 21, 2011
Here's another electric bicycle for the city
I recently had the opportunity to ride my first electric bike, an eZee Sprint. Because you can zip around more quickly than usual, I found riding this bike to be really fun. When you ride without the electric assistance, it just feels like a normal bicycle.
After you turn the keys and get on the bike, you can activate the electric assist whenever you’re pedaling. The extra speed feels great. I rode around looking for hills to test it out, and found one with a mild but appreciable grade. The electric assist easily took me right up it while I was pedaling only casually, still in one of the higher gears from an earlier flat stretch. Up the hill there was no real effort on my part, and I was flying. Uphill, but with no effort.
A Comfortable Electric Bike
In addition its boosted speed, the eZee Sprint is also a very comfortable electric bicycle. I didn’t think about comfort while riding, which is probably the best endorsement of a bike’s comfort one can give.
Though I am 6’1, I was easily able to obtain the upright riding position I prefer for city riding. This electric bicycle also has a number of other comfort enhancing features.
First, it has front suspension. Second, the eZee Sprint fits and comes equipped with wide hybrid tires with only a little tread, which are idea for city and all-occasion riding. The particular model I rode had Schwalbe Marathon Pros (my favorite tires) in 26 x 1.75. The wide tires in conjunction with the front suspension make for a very comfortable ride, even on New York’s especially rough streets. If it’s comfortable here, it’ll do well on any street anywhere. Finally, the saddle is very plush, and this electric bicycle has an aluminum low top tube frame so you can easily get on and off.
A Practical City Bike
The eZee Sprint has an internally geared, 7-speed Shimano Nexus hub with a quite powerful internal roller brake. Shifting is done with thumb shifters, much like a mountain bike.
Technical Features of the eZee Sprint
Also in the cockpit is the control for the Brushless Servo 350 watt electric motor, which is housed in the front hub. The motor can do bursts of up to 700 watts. The throttle for the motor is located in the right grip and functions much like a dirt bike or motorcycle. There is no front derailleur, so all speed modulation is done with your right hand.
Overall, the eZee Sprint is a very practical electric bike as it has all the essentials for commuting and city riding. It has an aluminum alloy rear rack that can accept panniers, and front and rear lights powered by the rechargeable lithium-ion battery. There’s also a convenient battery life indicator on the handlebars, next to the computer, which can tells you how fast you’re going. Though I haven’t ridden it at night yet, the lights seem quite bright. It also has a 2-pronged kickstand. With these accessories, its comfort, and the electric assist, the eZee Sprint makes a very fun and practical commuter and city electric bicycle.
http://www.nycewheels.com/ezee-sprint-electric-bike.html
Tagged as:
eBike,
Electric bike,
electric bikes
by David-B on January 11, 2011
Stay warm on an electric bike during the winter
So far, the winter of 2010-2011 has been unusually cold and snowy. If you own an electric bike, like a BionX Electric Bike Conversion, you may be asking yourself if it is possible to continue to use your bike as the winter of 2010-2011 rages on. The good news is that the answer is a resounding “Yes!” Here are some of the reasons why.
First of all, with colder temperatures, tires lose some air pressure and the rubber becomes a little harder, making tire rolling resistance increase about 10% or more. And cold air and cold lungs do not work as efficiently as warm ones. So your winter ride may need a little boost, and a BionX Electric Bike Conversion is just the thing to add the needed zip. Using the electric assist to maintain a comfortable speed will prevent you from becoming bored and will insure that the excitement does not go out of your winter cycling.
Your battery will require a little extra care and feeding during the winter. Store you battery indoors if possible to prevent exposure to extreme temperatures. These can damage the chemical electrolytes inside the battery that are responsible for producing the electro-chemical reaction which is released as electricity. And whether you store your battery inside or outside, keep it fully charged when not in use. This will insure optimum performance and also make it less susceptible to damage from the cold.
Winter temperatures in the Northeast can plunge into the single digits, but there are many days when the temperature is in the upper thirties or low forties, or higher, especially if the skies are sunny. The key to staying warm is to dress in layers and stay dry. Moisture-wicking nylon clothing is best. Pay close attention to protecting extremities, your hands and feet, which are most susceptible to cold. Gloves made from Thinsulate and special insulated boot covers are available from your local bike shop to insure that your hands and feet stay warm and dry.
Be careful with snow accumulations. It is not recommended that you try riding your electric bike when there is snow on the pavement. Even better, you will do better to wait a day or two after a storm, until the streets have been cleared of snow. You do not want accumulations of uncleared snow pushing you out into traffic where you stand a chance of being struck by a passing motorist.
So what are the benefits of winter cycling with your eBike? Well, you already know that cycling in any weather provides a major cardio-vascular benefit. But did you know that we all require Vitamin D year-round, and that sunlight is the major source of Vitamin D? Inadequate levels of Vitamin D have been associated with reduced immune function as well as depression. In fact, there is even a medical name for this condition, SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). So by pedaling your BionX electric bike, preferably on sunny days, you are gathering a valuable resource, Vitamin D, which maintains your physical and emotional well-being.
Well, now you have the inside story on winter cycling with an electric bike. Make sure you have the right clothes, stay inside when the snow comes, and go out and ride your when it’s gone!
Tagged as:
bionx electric bike conversion,
eBike,
electric bicycle conversion kit,
Electric bike
