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Electric Bike FAQ - All your eBike questions answered!

Electric bikes have seen a surge in popularity lately, and it’s for good reason. Not only are eBikes a fun way to get around, they are also eco-friendly and definitely still count as exercise! They are also the perfect option for those of us that live in the city, as they are compact and easy to store, and have far less running costs that a car.

If you are completely new to the world of electric bikes, then this blog post will explain how they work and why we love them so much here at Bike Otago!

What exactly is an eBike?

An eBike or electric bike looks much like your regular bike except that it is equipped with a battery. This allows the bike to be propelled both by pedal power and battery power, making going up hills much easier! You can choose how much battery assist you would like to benefit from as you ride.

How fast can they go?

Depending on the brand and model of eBike, some can reach speeds of 35km per hour.  Generally a bike with a 300kw motor, like the eCity 300, will go between 25-30kph.

How long does the battery last and how long does it take to charge?

This does depend on varying brands and models, as well as factors like the weight of the rider and the amount of assist given. Typically a bike can go anywhere from 50 to 200kms before it needs to be recharged. Your average battery charge will take between 3-6 hours, depending on the bike.

If the battery runs out, what happens?

Never fear, if the battery runs out while you are out riding, you won’t have to push your bike! Your bike will still function like a normal pedal power bike. 

Are the bikes waterproof? Can I ride them in the rain?

Electric bikes can definitely be ridden in the rain and are deemed to be splash proof. While you won’t have any issues riding in the rain, we wouldn’t recommend riding your eBike through any significant amount of water like a river etc, as they are not completely waterproof.

Do I need a motorbike or car license to ride one?

No, as long as the bike is under 300 watts, you do not need a license. Anything over 300 watts is required to be registered as a moped here in NZ.

What brands are available?

At Bike Otago we stock Smartmotion, Lapierre, and Giant and Liv brands. Come in store and check out our range and we can find the perfect eBike for you. We also offer a free demo on some models, so you can ride the bike home and try it out before you buy!

If you have any other questions about eBikes, feel free to get in touch with our team here at Bike Otago. We are Dunedin’s electric bike experts!

Bike Otago Garage Sale

With the new workshop set-up and running at full pace we need to clear out some old stock to make some space before summer hits!

Come and check out the new workshop, meet the team, talk bikes and grab yourself some bargins.

10 - 80% off everything instore

If you're short a few parts for that winter project or just like ogling at bike parts, chances are we've got what you NEED.

Smart Motion Electric Bikes - Video

Smart Motion NZ have just released this nice video showcasing their fantastic range of electric bike. 

We stock all three models here at Bike Otago, so you are very welcome to come in to see one for yourself and also to test ride (we currently have the eCity and e20 available to demo)

For more information, check out the electric bikes page here.

Electric Conversion Kits from Lekkie!

A lot of people have been asking us whether we supply electric conversion kits. For ages the answer was no, but then we got in touch with Kiwi company Lekkie. We fitted one of their kits a few months ago and were seriously impressed, so we've decided to become a dealer - so now the answer is YES!

Lekkie supply two electric conversion kits - but how do you choose between them? If your main use will be commuting or relatively gentle paths/trails, we'd recommend the Explorer. It's a simple bolt-on conversion that replaces your rear wheel, and in our eyes it looks a little neater too. If you're more interested in speed and performance, or if you've got a bike with particularly big/small/fancy wheels, or if you've got an unconventional frame (like a full-suspension bike, a cargo bike, or a recumbent), then the Summit is for you. Neither kit is "better" than the other, just different, and the price is the same - starting at $1,690 plus $180(ish) for installation. If you're unsure, talk to us about it, or bring your bike in.

Enough words, take a look at these awesome conversions from the Lekkie website:

   

   

   

Pedego Cruiser

We've just sold this Pedego Cruiser and we're very sad to see it go. Electric bikes never looked so good, or rode so well!



Check out our electric bike range here.

Silk Body models Pedego

Our friends from Silk Body  recently borrowed one of our Pedego electric bikes for a photo shoot. The result was quite stunning!

 

Summer Gift Ideas

Loads of great gift ideas here - from service parts to clothing to proper bike bling!