Regular Bicycles vs Electric Bikes – Know the Differences
People always have too many questions about e-bikes, and a common question among them is how electric bikes are different from normal bicycles? This post aims to answer that.
Look and Mechanics
Many people think that electric bikes look like scooters which is nothing but a myth. Electric bikes look like normal bicycles, but they come with added electric motors. Their body geometry, handlebars, and wheels are similar to regular cycles. In fact, the mechanical elements in electric bicycles like pedals and brakes also work in the same ways as in regular bicycles. It is hard to distinguish any difference between electric and normal bicycles at a quick glimpse. However, if you look carefully, you will notice electrical drive systems like an electric motor, display screen, controller, and battery in Sydney electric bikes. The battery runs the motor that assists as you pedal.
Riding Experience
Cycling on an e-bike is a lot like riding a regular bicycle. You get on your e-bike, start pedalling, and then the electric motor kicks in. This transition takes place smoothly, so you may not notice any difference. Always remember that electric bikes don’t change the act of cycling – it only makes cycling much easier to do. With an electric bike, you can even handle strong headwinds with ease and glide up hills without getting out of breath.
E-bike riders can also step up or down the pedal assistance provided by the motor to change how the electric bicycle feels to ride. For example, if you reduce pedal-assistance, your legs have to do most of the work. On the other hand, you can also use minimum muscle power but still move quickly and easily if you set the motor to its maximum power.
Speed
In Australia, you can ride an electric bike on roads or bike paths with a stated power output of more than:
- 200w without a pedal-assist system
- or 250w with a pedal-assist system
The pedal-assist system of the e-bike has to be limited to do 6 km/h through a throttle or cruise control mechanism. The law regarding electric bikes in Australia is in line with European standards. It means your e-bike motor will help you to ride your cycle at 25 km/h. The motor will cut out if you want to go faster than this. So, you will need pure pedal power from your legs to ride your bike faster than 25 km/h.
E-bikes are built to make cycling easier, not to break speed records. Even the cheap electric bikes in Australia make pedalling feel effortless, and therefore you will not get tired as quickly. Overall, it is fair to conclude that electric bikes are comparatively faster than regular bicycles, but they are not built to chase speed.
We hope that the major differences between regular and electric bikes are now clear to you. Finally, we will conclude that you can consider investing in an e-bike if you want to make your ride comfortable. RILU Trading Pty Ltd is one of the most renowned electric bike companies committed to designing and manufacturing the best electric bikes for Australia. You can buy a RILU e-bike to experience how it is different from regular cycles.