Answer
Apr 26, 2021 - 02:10 PM
If you are in the market for something completely new, you have lots of options.
The big differentiator among your options is motor location: The motor might be built into the front wheel, the rear wheel, or built directly into the bottom bracket/pedals. Most major manufacturers, Giant, Trek, Gazelle, Fuji, etc., have models. Most of these are mid-drive powered, i.e. at the pedals, which is a more natural feel when under assist. That said, repair and maintenance of mid-drive powered e-bikes are annoying as the motor is literally built into the frame. Thankfully, build quality has gone up and for the most part maintenance of this part is now minimal.
The next question to consider, and perhaps the most basic, is: What do you want to use the bike for? There are e-bike versions for road bikes, commuters, cargo, mountain, fat tire, folding. There are lots of options.
Price is the next question. Just like with an EV automobile, you don't want an e-bike with a 90 mile range if you just want to commute 6 miles into Boston. For a commute of this length, you will typically be looking for something in the $1600+ range. Fat tire, cargo, or road bike versions will be more expensive. However, beware that there are lots of cheap knock-offs with substandard quality.
While a newly built e-bike is likely the more typical option, if you love your current bike you always have the option of retrofitting. A retrofit is cheaper than buying a new e-bike, often costing under $1000. However, quality retrofits are becoming harder to find. One example is the Copenhagen Wheel, an MIT spinoff product that is still supported but no longer directly available, although you might find one on e-Bay or the like. (Be aware there are tons of cheap knock offs.) Retrofits are usually rear wheel powered, but may be front wheel powered. If you have questions on e-bike retrofits, contact Newton’s Energy Coach to put you in touch with somebody who can work with you to research this further.
At this time there are no e-bike rebates at the state or federal levels, though there is legislation moving forward on both levels that would create a subsidy. If you work for a University, your school may have continued the Bike Benefit program that was removed at the federal level three years ago now. Harvard, for example, provides this benefit, which could provide up to $360 toward bike-related expenses.
The big differentiator among your options is motor location: The motor might be built into the front wheel, the rear wheel, or built directly into the bottom bracket/pedals. Most major manufacturers, Giant, Trek, Gazelle, Fuji, etc., have models. Most of these are mid-drive powered, i.e. at the pedals, which is a more natural feel when under assist. That said, repair and maintenance of mid-drive powered e-bikes are annoying as the motor is literally built into the frame. Thankfully, build quality has gone up and for the most part maintenance of this part is now minimal.
The next question to consider, and perhaps the most basic, is: What do you want to use the bike for? There are e-bike versions for road bikes, commuters, cargo, mountain, fat tire, folding. There are lots of options.
Price is the next question. Just like with an EV automobile, you don't want an e-bike with a 90 mile range if you just want to commute 6 miles into Boston. For a commute of this length, you will typically be looking for something in the $1600+ range. Fat tire, cargo, or road bike versions will be more expensive. However, beware that there are lots of cheap knock-offs with substandard quality.
While a newly built e-bike is likely the more typical option, if you love your current bike you always have the option of retrofitting. A retrofit is cheaper than buying a new e-bike, often costing under $1000. However, quality retrofits are becoming harder to find. One example is the Copenhagen Wheel, an MIT spinoff product that is still supported but no longer directly available, although you might find one on e-Bay or the like. (Be aware there are tons of cheap knock offs.) Retrofits are usually rear wheel powered, but may be front wheel powered. If you have questions on e-bike retrofits, contact Newton’s Energy Coach to put you in touch with somebody who can work with you to research this further.
At this time there are no e-bike rebates at the state or federal levels, though there is legislation moving forward on both levels that would create a subsidy. If you work for a University, your school may have continued the Bike Benefit program that was removed at the federal level three years ago now. Harvard, for example, provides this benefit, which could provide up to $360 toward bike-related expenses.
