eBikes versus Standard Bikes - Which Type of Bike Should You Purchase?
Biking, regardless of the type of bike you ride, is an activity filled with benefits. Whether biking is primarily for exercise, eco-friendly commuting, or high adrenaline mountain biking around Lake Tahoe, there is no right or wrong choice for your bike as long as you can get out on the roads or trails safely.
But when you are upgrading to a new bike or purchasing your first bike, a bike that matches the way you plan to ride will make for a more enjoyable experience. In addition to standard decisions like mountain bikes, road bikes, or hybrids, buying a bike today also offers a choice between electric bikes or traditional bikes.
Who Are the Advantages of Electric Bikes
An electric bike has a built in, battery powered motor that helps propel the rider as they pedal. While there are eBikes in which the motor does all the work (called Class 3 bikes), the more popular type is the Class 1 pedal assist eBike. On these eBikes, the motor activates as you pedal, giving you more forward momentum and speed for each pedal rotation.
eBikes come in many of the same forms as standard bikes with options for commuter eBikes, road eBikes, and e-mountain bikes to complement whatever way you ride. eBikes offer all of the same benefits as standard bikes in terms of exercise and ability to travel, but also offer several additional benefits that will make them a first choice for many riders of various ages, experience, and ability levels like:
Going Further and Faster - If you are keeping up with a more experienced rider or just wanting to traverse routes that would otherwise be above your fitness level, an eBike will be a great option since it will make steep hills easier to navigate, let you go long distances without exhausting yourself, and make it possible to reach speeds of up to 20 miles per hour.
Easier Commutes - Biking on an eBike is a great way to get around without arriving at your destination sweaty and exhausted. The pedal assist also offsets the extra weight of items like a laptop bag or groceries that will otherwise make pedaling more difficult.
Safer in Traffic - Because you can maintain a higher speed on an eBike if you are riding around cars, it is easier to go at the speed of traffic and stay safer when biking on the shoulder.
More Fun - Many people find eBikes to be more fun than standard bikes, perhaps due to greater speed and freedom or more time to focus on the journey.
All these advantages do come with a few costs, however, that are good to know when considering an eBike. These include a greater weight due to the presence of the battery and the motor, which can make the bikes more difficult to carry around or load onto a car rack.
You will likely also pay a higher price for an eBike than a comparable standard bike. Finally, you may have to replace the battery after several years since it will eventually wear out, which is another cost to consider.
One other consideration with eBikes, especially for those who do most of their biking off road, is that not every trail allows eBikes. For instance, here in South Lake Tahoe, the the Tahoe Rim Trail and popular Sidewinder-Corral trail do not allow eBikes of any class. But this is also decreasing as the popularity of eBikes increases.
Who Are eBikes Right For?
These features make eBikes a top option for those who are getting into biking for the first time or coming back to it after a long break. They are also ideal for anyone who has recently suffered an injury or is getting older and not able to bike like they used to. But eBikes are also a great option for avid bikers looking for a new experience.
A good way to tell if a bike is indeed the right choice for you is to see them in person and try one out. For locals and visitors in South Lake Tahoe, Pine Nut Cycle Cafe has a range of high performance standard bikes and eBikes for Sale. Our staff are experienced in all kinds of riding and knowledgeable about each of the bikes we sell, enabling us to give you specific recommendations and answer all of your questions.
You can also take advantage of our eBike rentals to try out an eBike on South Lake Tahoe’s many great biking paths and trails. Rent a bike for a day or longer to get a feel for if an eBike is the right choice for you.
Stop by to visit our bike and eBike showroom in South Lake Tahoe or call us to learn more about the bike options we have available.
