No more excuses.
Too many hills, too long a ride, tough pedaling – all those excuses, familiar to so many cycling enthusiasts, vanish when you hop on an electric bicycle, or e-bike.
“E-bikes eliminate all the things that keep people from getting out and enjoying a ride,” says Tony Gaffney, owner of Pedego Twin Cities. The Mendota Heights and Eden Prairie dealerships carry the full line of e-bikes by Pedego, one of America’s leading brands. “Hills disappear and miles traveled aren’t a problem anymore. People say, ‘Where else can we go today?’ They’re proud of being able to take longer trips than they ever could before.”
At first glance, an e-bike looks like a slightly chunkier version of a conventional bicycle – pedals, chain, handlebar – they’re all there. The big difference is that there is a compact battery, mounted either on the frame or behind the seat, and a small motor mounted at the hub of the rear wheel. (Many European e-bikes and some mountain bikes mount the motor midway, between the pedals’ crank arms; all Pedego models have hub-mounted motors.)
On an e-bike, the battery-powered motor shares the work with the rider – and the rider decides just how much sharing is involved. “All of our models are equipped with an independent throttle,” says Tony. “The rider uses the throttle with as much or as little pedal assist as desired. To get across an intersection quickly, you can use the throttle for a fast start without any pedal assist at all.” The throttle alone can get the bike up to 20 mph, the motor’s governed top speed.
It’s possible to stay with the throttle and not pedal at all, although that will drain the battery more quickly. Ideally, a rider finds the right match between motor power and pedal assist. As on a conventional bike, pedaling effort is also regulated by shifting gears. “Most of our bikes have eight gears,” Tony explains, “and there are 10 on the higher-end Platinum models. You shift the same way you would on a regular bike – all the controls, including the throttle, are on the handlebar.”
How far can you ride on a battery charge? “It depends a lot on how much you pedal,” says Tony, “and on how flat the terrain is. Pedego bikes use Samsung lithium-ion batteries, in ranges from 36 volt/10.5 amp up to our biggest battery, 52 volt/17.5 amp.” For the smallest batteries, figure on a 15-to-30-mile range, with a reasonable amount of pedal assist. Bigger batteries can keep an e-bike going upwards of 60 miles, again depending on rider effort. “And watch your tire pressure,” Tony advises. “Check before taking your ride. Underinflated tires make more work for you and the motor.”
Depending on size, an e-bike battery will charge in two to six hours. “If you’re in a hurry, though, you can partially charge,” Tony advises. “It’s a good idea to unplug when you reach full charge, although it’s OK to leave it on the charger overnight. Just don’t leave it on all weekend.”
How long will a battery last? “It depends on how many miles you travel a year, and how many charge cycles the battery runs through per year. Seven to ten years is average,” according to Tony.
E-bike prices at Pedego Twin Cities range from around $2,000, for an entry-level Comfort Cruiser, to the $4,500 range for one of the Platinum models. Those are equipped with front suspension forks, seat posts with suspension, and torque sensors that match motor input to pedaling effort. The dealer’s currently most popular bikes are two “step-through” models, the Interceptor and Boomerang, priced at around $3,000, with an additional $1,000 for the Platinum upgrade. “Step-through” refers to the frame style that once characterized what were called “girls” bikes, a concept that’s nowadays been put to rest. “Both men and women like step-throughs,” says Tony, “especially if they plan on keeping their bikes for a long time. They’re easier to get on and off.”
Tony reports that the biggest e-bike market is the over-55 set, including “anyone who wants to keep up with a partner who rides a regular bike. We’ve even retaught people how to ride a bike.” Pedego Twin Cities is also starting to see interest among younger buyers, as cargo and child-carrying accessories are available. Some enthusiasts use their e-bikes to commute, including hardy types who ride in snow. Winter riders usually use wider tires – and, Tony adds, “you can even get studs.”
Want to try before you buy? Pedego Twin Cities offers rentals, hourly and up. The dealer also runs guided tours and group rides. They’re mainly for folks who already have an e-bike, but rentals are available for friends and spouses who want to join in. “There are lots of trails in our area,” says Tony, “especially in Dakota County.” And they’re all accessible to e-bikes.
Pedego Twin Cities’ Mendota Heights location is located at 1355 Mendota Heights Road, Suite 180; their Eden Prairie store is located at 9719 Valley View Road. You can learn more about all they have to offer by calling (612) 827-5000 or visiting pedegoelectricbikes.com.
