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
We frequently encounter misunderstandings regarding how pedal-activation works and about its exceptional merit. This stands to reason as throttle control is easily comprehended (i.e. "twist here for power and twist harder for more power"), while pedal-activation intuitively activates the motor.
On occasion prospective customers assume that throttle control is "better", while our actual experience has shown that when the pedal-activated system is actually experienced it is often favored by cyclists.
Will Rogers remarked: "It is not what he doesn't know that bothers me. It is what he knows for absolutely sure… that just ain't so!" Here's our response to six sometimes held assumptions "that just ain't so":
The power depends on the system's Watt (746 W = 1 HP) and torque rating, not on the mode of power or speed control.
A spurious argument. Cyclists who are able to test ride both modes often prefer pedal-activation due to its intuitive control and unique riding enjoyment.
True but only provided on level and moderate grade. All electric bikes need to be pedaled concurrently with the motor on steep hills.
Leaving aside whether the objective of not moving one's legs at all may be a curious one for the cyclist, on a pedal-activated bike you need only to move your legs lightly only for the power to stay on. On the eZee Sprint-7 slope and eZee Forte-8 VPA, which sense pedalling rotation (as different from the discontinued Giant Sport, Lite, SuedeE and Merida PowerCycle which sense pressure on the pedal) you need only (except briefly at take-off) to 'pretend' to pedal for the power to stay on even on hills.
A throttled bike absolutely needs as well to be pedaled concurrently with the motor on moderate and steep hills.
On the contrary. Certainly not complicated to learn and to ride. No throttle to twist or to keep twisted while at the same time trying to brake and shift gears. Just turn the handle bar switch to 'on' and power is seamlessly added as you pedal.
The term "power on demand" is sometimes used (arguably disingenuously) for a throttled bike. We do not use the term because a rider has just as much "power on demand" with a pedal-activated as with a throttle-controlled system. We use the term "pedal-activated" instead of "pedal-assisted" to better describe that the power actually comes on as you lightly step on the pedal. "Assisted" may further imply something auxiliary, while the electric motor of a pedal-activated bike is up to several times stronger than the average rider.
"Electric-assisted bicycle" legislation in the U.S. does not currently differentiate between throttled-control and pedal-activation. (In Europe, Japan et al the pedal-activated electric bike is legally a bicycle while throttle control makes it a motor vehicle—but what do they know?).
Copyright © 2007 EbikesNW
Eric Sundin contends that our society does not need yet another vehicle that replaces human power. The electric-assisted bicycle uniquely augments, rather than replaces human power. Since 1996 Eric has logged thousands of miles on numerous makes and models of electric-assisted bicycles.