E-Bikes and Pedelecs – the electric bike

Electric bikes – support for perfect riding fun:

riding a two-wheeler brings with it a true sense of freedom. But for older people, or those who are overweight, cycling is often not possible. The solution is an electric bicycle, with engine assistance, making it ideally suited for everyone.

The electric bike – how does it work?
Electric bikes are available in a number of different variations. The common feature is the supporting motor. An electric motor is used, which supports the driver while pedalling. The motor for this can either be connected to the cranks, or mounted on the rear of the bike. The power always comes from a battery. This is sometimes mounted on the luggage rack, but may also be integrated into the frame, inside the seat tube. This battery provides enough power to cover distances of up to 300 kilometres.
The difference between the different models is not the motor, but rather how this unit is controlled. The most common model is known as the pedelec. In this kind of electric bicycle, the engine power is automatically adjusted to the current pedalling force. This enables the riding experience to be particularly comfortable, as the user does not have to make any adjustments. An e-bike functions differently. In this case the motor power can be switched on by the user. This is usually controlled by a turning knob, but sometimes by a push switch on the handlebars. The advantage of these pure e-bikes is, among other things, that the wheels can also be operated solely by the motor. This means that the e-bike can also be moved without pedalling. However, this variant is rarely found on the bicycle market.

Why use an electric bike?
A bicycle with electric assistance is particularly beneficial for people with limited mobility. Thanks to these two-wheelers, even older people can travel longer distances by bicycle. They are also fantastic for people who love cycling, but have a lower level of fitness or are very overweight.
But an electric bike can also be a sensible purchase for users with no mobility restrictions. These bikes make it possible to travel much larger distances, even without intensive training preparation. If the batteries are fully charged, the rider can be supported for up to 300 kilometres. This makes it relatively effortless to ride to the shops, family visits, or even go for a ride in the countryside.
Another advantage of electric bikes is on steep, mountainous terrain. In the past, it was necessary to get off the bike before a steep climb and push the bike up the mountain. But a bike with engine assistance makes even trans-Alpine tours easy, so you do not need to be in exceptionally good condition to tackle steep hills.

The bottom line
The electric bike is a practical and useful invention. The powerful engine makes cycling so easy. This can be useful for everyone, not only for older people or overweight individuals. The customer has the choice between a pedelec and an e-bike, and both models have their own advantages.

An article about some of our AsVIVA test winners in the electric bikes category:
Electric Bike Test 2016 – AsVIVA
http://elektrofahrrad-tests.com/asviva/
eBike-Forum.eu – AsVIVA B7 Power Pedelec 20 inch folding electric bike
http://ebike-forum.eu/test/asviva-b7-elektro-klapprad-power-pedelec-20-zoll/
eBike-Forum.eu – AsVIVA B12 Power Pedelec 20 inch folding electric bike
http://ebike-forum.eu/test/asviva-b12-elektro-klapprad-power-pedelec-20-zoll/
pedelec-test.org – AsVIVA B11 electric bike
http://www.pedelec-test.org/asviva-elektrofahrrad/
Rideside – The 27 Best Electric Vehicles for the City
https://rideside.at/blog/2016/die-besten-elektrofahrzeuge-fur-die-stadt/