Electric bikes are a fantastic form of transport and if you enjoy cycling, you’ll love having an extra boost of pedal power to take you further. Electric bikes, or eBikes are designed to give you a great cycling experience on roads or trails, and they’re a popular way to travel that is great for the environment as well as for your health and fitness.
When considering buying an electric bike, many people ask questions such as how often will I need to charge an eBike? This is an important consideration and it’s good to know as much information as possible so that you can make an informed decision about which electric bike will be the best option for you and your lifestyle. Here at The Edge, we have a great range of electric bikes for you to choose from, and we’ll help you to consider all of the issues before you invest in your new bike.
How often does an Electric Bike need charging?
Electric bikes have motors to assist with your ride whenever they are needed, and your choice of bike will dictate how far you can ride on a single charge. The larger the battery, the further you can go, and you should usually charge your eBike after every ride to ensure it is ready for your next journey.
You will usually be able to travel between 20 and 100 miles on a single charge, so you can plan your charging schedule accordingly. You can leave your electric bike battery to charge overnight, so it may be convenient to charge it in preparation for your next day of riding. Electric bike batteries are designed to avoid being overcharged or drained too low, and quality brands such as Bosch and Shimano include ‘Battery Management Systems’ that take care of this for you and give you peace of mind.
How do I store my electric bike and battery?
If you are not going to use your electric bike for a while, if you will be travelling or will not use it during the winter, for instance, you should leave it with approximately 50-60% charge. Your battery charge indicator should show you how much charge you have. This is a good way to prevent damage to your battery and prolong its life.
How do I clean my electric bike and battery?
Your electric bike can be cleaned with water and cleaning agents that are designed for use on bike paintwork. You should avoid using a high-pressure washer since this can mean that water gets into the more delicate components of the bike, and cleaning is also a great time to check your bike to ensure that there is no damage to it. Do not submerge the battery in water and use a soft cloth to clean the contacts and the bike frame itself. We recommend putting a light coating of grease on the battery contacts to avoid corrosion, especially if you are planning to store your electric bike before its next use.
How can I charge my electric bike?
An electric bike can usually be charged in your home or office or while you are out and about. You can charge it using an inverter in the cigarette lighter or a charging port in your car or van, or you can even purchase a solar charger to give you more freedom and let you explore longer trails on overnight trips or weekend breaks.
Your electric bike battery will usually have a guarantee of around two years, but if you care for your battery well, it may well last longer. Most electric bike batteries should last around 2-4 years or about 500 charging cycles.
Our top Electric Bikes:
The type of bike that suits you best will depend upon your lifestyle and the way you choose to ride your bike. If you enjoy trail riding at the weekends, you may opt for an electric mountain bike, but if you are commuting to work, you may prefer a road bike with a lighter motor that is ideal for urban use.
Here are some of our most popular eBike choices:
- Orbea Gain D50. The Orbea Gain is designed to give you a fantastic road riding experience, with a natural response in pedal assistance and a larger screen for your convenience. The motor is conveniently located on the wheel axle, so you can pedal without resistance when you are not using the power assist, and you can use the sophisticated transmission system to provide a smooth and balanced boost when you need it.
- Bianchi Aria e-Road Ultegra. When you’re cycling on the roads, you want a lightweight bike that moves with you and the Bianchi Aria delivers this and much more. With extra power when you need it, the battery and motor do not interrupt the sleek, stylish profile of this eBike, and you can opt to ride without electrical power assistance if you wish. Perfect for short and long rides, this is a great choice with no compromises to be made.
- Rail 7 Deore. The Rail 7 Deore is a high-powered trail-specific e-mountain bike that will give you a great ride over varied terrains and an extra power boost whenever you need it. With a smooth-shifting drivetrain and powerful brakes, you’ll be able to move around on the trails with ease and make confident descents, and the motor will assist up to 20mph to give you an excellent riding experience.
- Orbea Rise M20. We love the attractive Orbea Rise M20, designed for smooth trail riding that can cope with around 8 hours of riding and over 4,000m of climbing in Eco mode. It’s a lightweight system that gives you exactly what you need, when you need it, featuring one of the lightest and slimmest batteries available on the market today. It’s paired down for simplicity but gives you the best quality in everything you need, so it’s a great choice for keen mountain bikers.
- Bianchi T-Tronik Sport 9.1. The Bianchi T-Tronik features a superb 1×10 Deore Drive train and the groundbreaking Shimano Steps E7000 motor system, so it rides like a regular bike, with excellent handling and comfort, and has the extra power you need to go further and increase your speed and stamina for longer rides.
An eBike is an investment in your health and fitness so it’s important to ensure that you make the right choice, and we are here to help you find the best fit for your lifestyle and your riding habits. We’ll chat with you about when and where you will use your electric bike and we’ll make sure your needs are met by the eBike you choose.
Caring for your electric bike
Your electric bike will give you many hours of happy riding and learning to maintain it properly can give you the best value for your money. Before each ride, you should perform a quick check to ensure your bike is safe and reliable. The following checks are essential:
- Tyre pressure. We advise checking your tyre pressure before you use your eBike, ensuring the tyres are filled to within the minimum and maximum pressure for your model.
- Brakes. Checking your brakes is essential to make sure you will be safe, so ensure that they are working properly and smoothly before you set off.
- Battery. You should check that the battery is secured to the frame of your bike and has enough charge for you to complete your ride.
- Chain. Your chain should be clean and well-oiled at all times, especially if it shows any signs of surface rust.
- Bolts. Ensure that your system is secure by checking the bolts on the handlebars, stem, brakes, pedals, levers, shifters and crank arms, making sure that there are no loose or vibrating bolts.
These checks will become a routine part of your cycling experience and will help you to become more familiar with your bike so that you can rely on it. If you notice any problems with your bike, you should consult with the manufacturer or book it in for a professional service to give you the very best performance going forward.
Electric Bikes from The Edge
Here at The Edge, we have a great range of electric and non-electric bikes in store and we can help you find exactly what you’re looking for. Whether you want a mountain bike, a road bike or a hybrid that moves seamlessly between the two, you will find a range of options to try before you invest.
We are specialists in cycling, running and swimming equipment, as well as triathlon, and we will be delighted to help you to find everything you need for your outdoor adventures. Pop into our store in Cork or visit our website for our full range, safety information and more.
