Best buys are selected because they work well, come from solid
companies and get high marks from users.
* Bikes and kits with an asterisk offer through-the-gearing power assist - i.e. the force of the motor goes through the bike's gearing system - which
provides both better hill-climbing and top-end speed than direct drive systems using the same size motor.
OTHERS
(other electric bike and kit manufacturers)
So many other electric bikes and kits appear and disappear in the
marketplace, maintaining a list of them has become impractical. To
find others not listed on this site, we suggest you use Google
with keywords appropriate to your search.
For each bike or kit listed on this site, we offer a way to purchase;
just follow the link(s) at the end of the description. The dealers we list are
trustworthy and provide good customer service. If you find that's not the case,
please contact us so we can make appropriate adjustments.
"Bargain Buys"
Most electric bikes priced less than $500 at big
box retailers and on-line are aimed at the kid/teen/toy market. They generally
lack the performance and durability that people want and expect. Also, parts
and service can be problematic with both big box retailers and on-line vendors. We
urge you to invest in an e-bike that will serve you (and others) for many years. If
you choose to buy one anyway, read our quality control and
final adjustment guidelines. Remember, if it's poorly constructed
and you can't get repair parts, it will likely become land-fill material.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Industry consultant Ed
Benjamin offers in-depth information. CycleElectric International
Consulting Group, www.cycleelectric.com.
For example, check his exhaustive URL list of electric bike web pages in the files area at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/power-assist/files/
Find reviews of electric bikes at A2B magazine: http://www.atob.org.uk/
Looking for technical answers? Chech out Professor Pivot answers your Technical Questions on ELECTRIC bikes.
International
Bicycle Fund's highly praised web site contains information on:
bikes, non-motorized transport, urban planning, economic development,
alternative cycle technology, environment, cross-cultural
understanding, safety, travel and touring, Africa, Asia and the
Americas, bike-based cultural programs in Cuba and Africa, and much
more. International Bicycle Fund ~ Promoting bicycle transport worldwide.
http://www.ibike.org