I started riding an e-bike a few months ago. I have to admit though before I started riding it I had a few misconceptions about it. So I know if I had them there must have them too. Let’s face it when see new things most times we make assumptions. So I’m going to tell you some of my assumptions and share with you the truth.
1. You are cheating if you get an e-bike. Okay so this is totally wrong if you get an e-bike you are not cheating. It’s battery powered but you still have to pedal to make it go. It isn’t a motorbike at all. Yes there is a throttle on the bike but you are doing more harm than good by using it the whole time you’re on the bike because you will run the battery down quicker. Plus the purpose of the bike is for you to use pedal assist which is handy in riding faster than normal but really helps you when going up hill. Also on an e- bike you have the option of riding like a normal bike like I have done on occasion.
2. You can’t get a good workout on an e- bIke. Actually you can. Although the bike runs on battery and there is pedal assist you actually still get a good workout on the bike. This isn’t true because the ease of riding the bike actually makes you want to ride further than you may want to on a regular bike. However, if you want to ride for workout purposes, you might want to look for road bikes (search for best road bikes made in usa online if interested) that can help you lose more calories while travelling less distance.
3. You can’t ride as far on a e-bike. That’s not true either. The e- Ike depending on your battery power can go strong for 4 hours or more. Again depending on how you use it you can go a long distance. Today for example The Husband and I rode 26 miles. I was switching between levels of 4 & 5 and my bike died on me but I just rode as a normal bike.
4. You won’t be able to keep up with people on regular bikes. Nope this is certainly not true. The e-bike I use can go up to 20 miles. It can go even faster the faster I pedal so I’m not just limited to that speed only. The Husband and I love to ride with our local bike groups and do pretty well with keeping up. Sometimes we are ahead of the group and sometimes we aren’t because those cyclists can ride pretty fast. Plus there are 6 levels on the bike. 1 being the lowest and 6 allowing you to just throttle the whole way.
5. E-bikes are only for old people. No this is far from true. E-bikes are for people of all ages. There is no age limit for it at all.
These are just a few of the things I thought before I read an E-bike. My mind has truly been changed since I started riding one. It has been such a great experience. If you want to try an E-bike or purchase one I say go for it. Many E-bike shops will let you test drive one before purchase to see if it is what you want to ride.
