We sell and service Human Power Augmented a.k.a. Electric bikes and ride them enthusiastically ourselves. See also our folding bikes at Folding Bikes West.
To order phone 800/940-6548 (not operable from all U.S. locations) or 206/547-4621 or visit one of our stores:
Please note that on February 1, 2008 we moved within Seattle to:
Electric Bikes Northwest
4810 17th Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107 - Map
ph: 206/547-4621
ph: 800/940-6548
fx: 206/547-4841
Email form
Spring Hours
Monday through Friday: 11–6
Saturday: 11–5
Electric & Folding Bikes California
(store established 2006)
220 Wisconsin Ave
Oceanside, CA 92054 - Map
(30 miles north of San Diego)
ph: 760/757-3440
ph: 800/940-6548
Email form
Hours
Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays: 11-3
Saturdays: 10-4
Are there good reasons for riding an electric bike in areas devoid of hills? Certainly, and quite a few at that. However, an often cited reason for wanting an electric bike is to be able to ride comfortably up hills.
How well then does an electric bike crest hills? Which hill is considered "steep" rather than merely "fairly steep" or "moderate" is, of course, subjective. But expressed in numbers a 10% (or 6 degree) hill would perhaps be considered moderate or moderately steep by many a serious cyclist. Riding a regular pedal-only bike some of us would spin slowly up such a hill in a low gear, while some might push the bike. Most of our electric bike customers can handle such a hill (and even a long one at that) with agreeable, concurrent pedalling. See how our different bike models are rated.
Motor power as expressed in Watts matters of course while nominal W of the motor does not always give a fair indication of the actual net power (through the controller) available at the driving wheel. Electric bikes are not as powerful as Lance Armstrong, who can put out 430 W for one hour (and of course higher in a sprint). But if you can pedal 350 W for hours and days you can ride the Tour de France. 250 W bikes are as powerful as a local level racer and up to several times as strong as many of our electric bike customers.
How fast will an electric bike take us up a hill? Allowing again for individual variations in rider weight and pedalling output most of us find that our electric bikes glide up modest to moderate hills with remarkable ease and speed. See how our different bike models are rated.
Copyright © 2006 Folding Bikes West
Eric Sundin, a senior citizen of no particularly athletic ability or determination, routinely rides his electric bike on the many hills of Seattle.