Electric Bikes -N- Scooters Blog

I may have mentioned on this blog several times that just about the entire planet is moving towards the use of electric bicycles as part of their transportation infrastructure. For

Picture Courtesy of NYCE Wheels

instance, all across Asia, electric bicycles are now replacing regular bicycles as the preferred method of pedaling transportation and the trend has been tremendous. Actually, if estimates are correct approximately 120,000,000 electric bikes are now on the roads today.

Due to the fact that America has a much different infrastructure the many of these countries, because people drive long distances to get to work, electric bikes have not caught on quite as much as other electric vehicles such as electric cars and electric motorcycles. However, with the rise of gas prices in all sorts of environmental concerns, electric bicycles are being viewed by Americans in a much more serious matter than ever before.

Ed Benjamin, who is the founder of the Light Electric Vehicle Association, says, “electric bikes are very energy efficient and the idea that the best way to get around it sit in your automobile. However there are an awful lot of places where that just doesn’t work.”

There are basically two types of electric bikes that are on the road today, pedal assisted and full electric power. The difference between the two is quite simple, with full electric power all you have to do is twist the throttle if you so desire, while pedal assisted electric bicycles are the type wherein you need to pedal it in order for the electric motor to kick in and assist you.

While the thought of purchasing an electric bicycle may be very attractive to some people, there are a few considerations that must be taken. For example, you need to consider how far you’re willing to ride electric bicycle to where you need to go. If you’re living in a major city or metropolitan area elected bikes are a viable way of getting through traffic and around a lot of the problems that traffic causes. However, you are sacrificing facing the elements as well as the protection that an automobile to give you. However, as I stated before, electric bicycles are not a viable method of transportation when you have to drive almost an hour to work as most Americans do. They are usually more practical when you have to go just several mouse to work and because the electric motor is there to assist you, you probably won’t wind up showing up at work all sweaty and out of breath.

Also, another consideration is the price of these vehicles. You can pick up electric bicycle from a vendor such as Walmart, Best Buy, or quite a few online vendors that sell and ship electric bicycles, but in the $400-$1000 range these electric bicycles are not of the highest quality and you will sacrifice some performance and maintenance issues if you purchase one of these. Not only that, but the full power e–bikes are quite a bit more expensive than the pedal assisted and you will have to pay anywhere from 2000 $4000 to get one.

However, with the employment of Americans waning right now as well as gas prices that are beginning to rise every day, electric bicycles may be a future alternative to people who cannot afford to drive long-distance is anymore. However, having said that, it will only be a matter of time before we find out whether or not America will embrace electric bicycles as the transportation of choice.

We’d like to thank NYCE Wheels Electric Bikes for the opportunity of using their photograph.

If you are a person that has purchase one of the outstanding Optibike electric bicycles, then you may have noticed a troublesome issue.  That issue would be that because Optibikes are such high quality electric bicycles, and that they  have such a sleek, mountain bike design, there is a problem; the batteries are hidden in the frame of the e-bike.

Because the electric batteries have been hidden in the frame of these great electric bicycles, it is a bit of a problem trying to replace them.  So, after reading several posts from frustrated individuals and Optibike electric bicycle riders,   we have decided to post our own page on how to replace the batteries on one of these units.  Please bear in mind, it was no easy task trying to find information on how to do this.  as a matter of fact, we had to piece information together from various blog posts, forum posts and other sundry information sources that touched on this.

After we assembled this information, we took the batteries out of an Optibike to see just how accurate the information was.  the result was a good informative page on how an Optibike owner would be able to take out and put batteries into.

As with all projects, it would be wise to consider the task at hand before starting it.  You need to consider that you will need a certain amount of time to replace these batteries and that means dissembling the back of the  frame of the e-bike itself.  This may require that you give yourself a lot of extra time  in the process.  You will also need all of the proper tools to carry out the project as well, so make sure that you have everything you need.

We believe that we have given you the best possible instructions on how to replace these batteries, the only thing you will  need to do is read it thoroughly and foll the directions as best as possible.

To get started on replacing the Optibike batteries, click here: http://www.electricbikesnscooters.com/optibike_battery_replacement.html

One of the best ways to get an electric bicycle is to build it yourself.  There are many reasons for this, predominantly most of the cheaper, low-end electric bikes on the market are not very high in quality and these are the electric bikes most people will buy when purchasing an electric bicycle for the first time.  Usually, the motors are weak and the components are made in foreign lands and are shipped to you as well as the fact that the batteries may not be top quality as well.

So, if you are new to the slam-bang, live on the razors edge, laugh in the face of death world of electric bicycling, then  building your own electric bicycle may be for you.  Now, if you have never built an electric bicycle before, don’t worry, we have that covered. Er…Well, we know someone that has it covered.  Say hello to Mr. Greg Davey.  Greg has written a rather extensive e-book on how to build an electric bicycle that is better than your average e-bike that you would purchase, minus the usual high cost associated with a good, high quality unit.

It appears that Mr. Davey has done extensive research as to a cogent method of building an electric bike step by step and it has taken him the better part of two years to put the manual together.  It would also seem that Mr. Davey has perused the “For Dummies” books because he has written and detailed how to build an ebike in the simplest of terms so that people that don’t know much about mechanical objects, like electric bicycles, will be able to build their own relatively easy.

Not only has he written a highly detailed and efficient document that explains everything in a step-by-step manner, but he also takes the time to show you how to save money and purchase the right components so that you don’t waste precious dollars on the entire project.

People that have already used the e-book on building an electric bicycle, seem to have very positive and up-beat reviews on the work and Mr. Davey is so positive that that you will like and use his book, he is giving a part of it away for free.  If you are interested in taking a gander at this electric bicycle building book entitled, “How to build a 50 mph Electric Bike,” go to this website: http://www.fastelectricbike.com/

Electric bike owners in other cities might want to take note about recent developments in Colorado. This year at the International Bicycle Exposition (Interbike) that took place in Las Vegas, Nevada, the City of Ft. Collins was recognized with an award.  The city was selected as the most “bicycle friendly” city in the U.S.  The League of American Bicyclists awarded the city the accolade because the city of Ft. Collins has taken great measures to create bicycle friendly areas within the community.

Apparently, Ft. Collins has tried to integrate bicycling into its infrastructure with bike – to – work days and more convenient bicycle parking its more prominent areas of town.  Much of the award was based on these upgrades and changes that affected the residents of Ft. Collins in terms of health, civic responsibility and even economic growth.

It would be interesting to see how far the city could take this idea and run with it, perhaps much like Europe that has bicycle paths running everywhere in most countries.    In many places in Colorado, where people are very physical, and do a lot of hiking and cycling, there are bicycle paths that lead throughout the country side.  Places like Vail, Breckenridge and other areas of recreation already have massive biking integration built into their infrastructure.

As an electric bike enthusiast, would be nice to see if cities like Ft. Collins could try to integrate electric bike facilities and charging stations as well, which would also reach out to another subculture of partially green society: electric bicyclists.

However, as you well know, introducing anything new into a society requires money, and with the current state of affairs of most American communities and local governments, these are difficult times.  So, it may be awhile before we will see a lot of progress in integrating electric bikes and scooters into a bicycle friendly community like Ft. Collins.  Only time will tell.

Photograph Courtesy of NYCE Wheels

The Electric Bicycle Has Evolved

In the last 20 years there have been radical changes in the electric bicycle. There are now more electric bicycles produced around the world than there ever has been in history,  and there has been almost a 60% increase in electric bike manufacturing plants worldwide. So, it should come as no surprise that the electric bike has evolved to a higher level, and that evidence comes in the form of a great new electric bike called the eZee Torq II. With a speed range of up to about 20 miles per hour and a distance range of approximately 30 miles, this electric bike will probably replace your car on shorter errands and commutes.
The eZee Torq II A Comfortable Ride yet Able to Handle Rough Roads
One of the best benefits of the eZee Torq II is the fact that it is such a comfortable ride.  Consumers have praised its comfort on rough roads where there are potholes and cracks. This electric bike has even been used by delivery people who work on the road almost 8 hours a day! Not only is it a comfortable ride on regular roads, but it is also a great off road electric bike as well.  Fashioned after European-style electric bicycles, this e-bike has an alloy frame which keeps it light and efficient at around 60 to 62 pounds with the battery on board. So, its performance and comfort are very competitive in the electric bicycle market.
Getting an Aerobic Workout without Killing Yourself
As with most electric bikes this is what is known as a pedal – assisted electric motor, which means that the motor will kick in when you need it at higher speeds and going up inclines. The 700 peak watt motor can run on 350 Watts continuously while smoothly accelerating to higher speeds, and as a matter of fact, owners of the eZee Torq II have praised its quick acceleration while maintaining a smooth ride.  Another one of the reasons this is such a popular commuter bike is the fact that you won’t wind up getting to work all sweaty and out of breath.  However, it can also be a great workout bike because you can really push yourself with it while still getting a great aerobic workout.
Consider the Benefits of the EZee Torq II and Decide
When  you consider the benefits of riding the eZee Torq II electric bicycle, you will see that even though it has tons of features as well as the benefits and advantages it will give you and your lifestyle, it will change the way you view transportation. You will swear that you can do without your car or, at least you will use your car a lot less while saving money and creating a healthier lifestyle for yourself.

Most Important Features at a Glance
Battery: 36V 10 Ah lithium ion with electronic battery management
Charger:     Automatic Smart charger, maximum charge time 5.5 hours
Brakes:  Shimano Nexave with a disk brake in the front and a roller rink in the rear
Speed: 20 mi./h
Range: 30 miles approximately
Weight:    59.5 or 62 lbs including battery
Frame:    Road bike with a Al alloy 6061
Motor    Brushless Servo motor, 700 watt peak / continuous 350 watt

Where to Purchase an eZee Torq II Electric Bike and Get More Information: NYCE Wheels

In my opinion, it is always a cool thing when a celebrity gets involved in the electric bike or scooter industry. In this case, we are talking about electric motorcycles and the celebrity that is getting involved in them is Jackie Chan. Brammo, an electric cycle company based in Ashland, Oregon is planning on selling its electric motorcycles in Hong Kong and Singapore. Brammo has been making state-of-the-art in high-tech electric motorcycles for quite some time. Two of the more popular models are the Brammo Empulse and the Enertia.  Apparently, in the case of the Empulse, it was the winner of the 2010 Electric Motor Cycle of the Year Award.

In order for Brammo to make a major splash in its Asian markets, the company is teaming up with the famous actor, stuntman, martial artist, and quasi – comedian Jackie Chan to help promote these products. However, it is not like the company had To really court, Mr. Chan because he is already a big fan of electric vehicles.  If you live in Asia for any period of time, you will probably notice that most people are already writing plenty of electric scooters and electric bikes and the trend has been moving in the direction toward electrical vehicles more and more every day.  This is because, of course, gas prices are rising but also many of the governments in countries where the infrastructure is much more dense and the population is higher that these places must consider alternative energy vehicles in order to accomplish what they need to have done for their people.

So, Jackie Chan is writing an electric motorcycle and he plans on helping the Oregon-based company promote their vehicles across Asia. Once again, East meets West in a way that is mutually profitable and we hope, will help technology advance in the next several years.

If you want to see the news video about Jackie Chan promoting the great Brammo electric motorcycle, you can click on the picture above, or click on this link: Jackie Chan rides a Brammo!

I just wanted to take this opportunity to say happy Fourth of July to all of us that are living in the United States of America as we celebrate the birth of our country. I  just want to say that we appreciate all of the men and women who are working and serving our country abroad in our armed services as well as other capacities. We really do appreciate your service to our country and we understand the great sacrifice that you make by being away from your families and defending our freedoms with your lives. We really do appreciate you and will be praying for you during this holiday season and continue to pray for you during the rest of the year. We are thinking about you and you are important to us.

I just wanted to take this opportunity to say how fortunate I feel to be living in a country that has had probably more freedoms than any other country in the history of mankind. If you look through world history you will see that the United States of America is a rare occurrence. There is no other time in world history wherein people were empowered to run their country and their elected officials were not monarchs, dictators or despots but public servants. Yes, we have public servants in America.

When George Washington took office as the first president of the United States he made sure that he was wearing plain clothes of a common working man and not a general’s uniform. He also took measures to ensure that the title of the presidency was to be just that, the presidency. Not exalted ruler, not lord or emperor, but just president. When Harry Truman left office as president of the United States he said, “today I feel very fortunate because I am now going to get a promotion.  I am no longer going to be a public servant but I am going to be one of you.”

This type of ideal along with our freedom of enterprise, as well as our constitutional rights is what makes America such a great place to live.  If we want to start a business, we can. If we want to learn how to fly a plane, we can. If we want to design a better electric bicycle, we can. America was built on freedom of enterprise and the innovation of great men and women and those people who came here with a dream and build a future for themselves.

It is my prayer that we always keep these values and our country intact.  We will always have to be vigilant and keep our eye on our freedoms and those that would try to take them away from us, because if you understand world history and all you will know the democratic republics do not last very long and there have been so very few of them like the United States of America.

Finally, to sum up the way I feel about this issue, here are the words of Benjamin Franklin;

Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security, will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.

God bless, and have a great fourth of July.

Mark “Elmo” Ellis
Electric Bikes-N-Scooters

ElectricRider's site is easy to navigate

When you are looking for different types of electric bike parts it is always a good idea to bookmark on your web browser different types of electric bike and scooter parts stores. If you are located in the United States then you will probably want to bookmark this particular site because it has a lot of different electric bike parts that you can order to have sent you pretty quick. One of the great things about the Internet is the fact that you can find all sorts of information very quickly on just about any subject that you care to look up. For example, yesterday I wanted to learn how to fix a dishwasher in my home, and within minutes I found an excellent video that showed me how to do that.

You can do the same thing with electric bicycles. If you have an electric bicycle you really should learn how to do your own maintenance on it because parts and maintenance can be very expensive if you don’t know what you are doing, so it would be a good idea to learn how to do many of these maintenance and repairs on your own. Not only do you need to know how to fix different things on your electric bike or scooter but you will also need to know where you can get the parts from should the need arise.

The website ElectricRider.com ( http://www.electricrider.com/parts) is just loaded with all types of different electric bicycle parts from different companies that deal with electric bikes. When I was on their site earlier today, I noticed that they had every type of part imaginable ranging from batteries, battery chargers to sprockets, gears, headlights, and even drive belts for the different types of electric bike motors. Of course, they were dealing with companies like Crystalyte, Currie, Schwinn,Vega and a host of other outstanding electric bike companies. So, this is a really good reference for anybody that would like to buy or need to take your electric bicycle part.

One of the things I like about the website is the fact that it is so easy to navigate and to find exactly what you are looking for rather quickly. The company didn’t waste a lot of money hiring a website programmer to put flash pictures and other items on there that would take a while for the website to open up. So, if you are operating on a DSL or regular cable Internet connection, this website will open up immediately and you will be treated to a menu of things that you can click on automatically. One of the things I just hate about going to certain websites is the fact that they are designed in such a way that they want to look real advanced, while sacrificing functionality. This is one of the reasons why Amazon.com beat the tar out of everybody in sales. It is so easy to navigate and find exactly what you’re looking for.  The same thing can be said about  ElectricRider.com is a great site, the load is quick and gives you fast navigation so you know exactly what you are looking for.  Not only that, but they are dealing with high-quality parts and things that you would need if you get in a pinch for a particular part on your electric bicycle or scooter.

So, take a look at their website, I do not think you will be disappointed in what you see and you will definitely want to reference this in your bookmarks.

ElectricRider.com – http://www.electricrider.com

You know, I’m not an environmentalist, but I think that when you consider all of the risks involved with using fossil fuels all of the time and being totally dependent on them it is just too great a cost on so many different levels. Just consider the number of times we’ve heard news reports from the Exxon all these all the way to the recent BP oil debacle that the environment took a beating on, not to mention the economic impact those situations had on people that lived in the area in which these events occurred.

I was recently on the Alex Jones website which is known as “info wars” and I was reading some of the material on their concerning BPs dumping of 5 million barrels of crude oil into the gulf of Mexico, close enough to do massive amounts of damage to the environment and to coastal businesses. I’m sure you all are very familiar with the situation, but in my opinion this is just another reason why we should get further away from fossil fuels to look towards alternative energy technology. Trust me, I have a car and I love it and I drive it all the time, but I also love going into nature and enjoying its beauty. I really get mad when I go to a state park and I see garbage all over the place because I like to kayak on my days off and I really enjoy seeing nature, but people are like pigs and they throw their garbage all over the place.

so, in my opinion and also being an electric bicycle enthusiast, I think that the movement away from fossil fuels will be a much more cleaner alternative in the future. The fact of the matter is, there’s only so much oil in the ground and sooner or later there will be much around (That’s a line from a tower of power song. Sorry, I couldn’t resist) however, that statement is very true. There really is only so much oil and sooner or later we are going to have to find an alternative anyway. With the world population going up every day and more more people becoming reliant on the black goo that comes out of the ground, unless we can find a vast amount of it and learn to burn it in a different way, then we are going be faced with some serious challenges as a human race.

Anyway, you might want to take a look at the Alex Jones website at www. infowars.com and check out this article on the oil spill caused by the British Petroleum company.

One of the things that will come up sooner or later with electric bicycle owners is the fact that you will probably need to have a part replaced on your electric bike.  Fortunately, there are plenty of parts available for electric bikes as well as electric scooters; you just have to know where to look for them.  The problem is that there are so many aggregate data based websites that are kind of like Shopzilla that you could spend endless hours trying to find an online resource that is specifically developed for electric bike parts.

Two of the places I have found to be great for finding electric bicycles are Electric Rider Bike Parts  Link: Electric Bike Parts (http://www.electricrider.com/parts/) and Electric Cyclery Link: Electric Bicycle Parts (http://www.greenspeed.us/).    Both of these dealers have a considerable amount of merchandise on the websites and it is all categorized inj a fashion that makes it very easy to find what you need.

Other Resources

Another website that is dedicated to electric scooters but may also have electric bike parts is:  Electric Scooter Parts . Com  and you can find the link here: (http://www.electricscooterparts.com/index.html) or here:  Electric Scooter parts.  This site primarily focuses on electric scooter parts and it has them all neatly categorized in  a manner that will allow you to find the e-scooter and the e-bike parts relatively easily.  If you can’t find the parts there, you can always go on Amazon or eBay to look for dealers in electric scooter and bike parts however; you will probably have to look around quite a bit.  As you probably already know, those sites already have extensive databases of products and if you already know what it is you need exactly, it will make your search a lot easier.