E-Performance: E-bikes are poison for athletes, the technology is still immature and does it make you lazy? That's not true! Velomotion clears up the ten most popular misconceptions about e-bikes.
1. E-bikes are only for the unsportsmanlike and seniors?
Absolutely not: Of course seniors and people who are not so fit have a lot of fun with it. They start moving again and expand their radius of action. But also for those who want to compensate for a performance difference to their partner, for all commuters who no longer want to arrive at work sweaty and simply for everyone who wants to have more fun cycling. Even for athletes, commuters and bike enthusiasts.
2. Will I never have to pedal again?
Wrong: The e-bike is a hybrid vehicle - it only moves forward if the rider pedals himself. The harder you pedal, the more the motor contributes. Different support levels can be selected. The level of assistance varies depending on the speed, cadence and force with which the rider pedals.
3. Do you need a driving license for e-bikes?
No, with classic pedelecs, the drive slows down at around 25 kilometers per hour. Muscle power is the only way to go faster. A driving license is only required for S-Pedelecs (support up to 45 km/h). A "moped license" or a normal driver's license are sufficient.
4. E-bikes are complicated to use, aren't they?
But on the contrary. Anyone who can handle a bicycle can also ride a pedelec. Switch it on and off you go. The battery is just as easy to charge as a mobile phone battery: connect a suitable charging cable, the battery goes into charge maintenance mode when it is full. Choosing the right support level is not difficult either, you quickly develop a feel for it. The rest is like a conventional bike.
5. Aren't e-bikes extremely expensive?
Of course, they cost significantly more than bicycles because of the electronic equipment and the motor. You have to reckon with €2.000. However, e-bikes are usually equipped with higher quality than normal bikes - but riding fun, a long service life and the desire to move are priceless. So you get a lot more driving pleasure for your money.
6. Is e-bike technology mature yet?
Electric motors have been around for almost two hundred years! Modern mid-engine types are direct developments from drives that have been used in the power steering of cars for decades. The control elements have long been tried and tested in the industry. The battery manufacturers also have a lot of experience with the topic. E-bikes have gotten better and better in recent years and the systems are now mature. Anyone who chooses a quality product from a specialist retailer can rest assured.
7. Isn't riding an e-bike unsportsmanlike?
Anyone who thinks that should watch e-mountain bikers as they climb extreme incline passages that would never be ridable with an MTB without support. Or ask them about the fun of riding on trails with a bumpy elevation profile. Completely new challenges can be mastered. Some athletes even train with e-bikes because the different levels of support make it possible to optimally maintain a desired heart rate. Experience shows that you ride an e-bike more often and spend more time in the saddle. Inferring unsportsmanlike behavior from an e-bike is a superficial approach.
8. Are e-bike batteries dangerous?
For several years, e-bikes have practically only used high-performance batteries with lithium-ion technology, like those found in laptops. When handled correctly, accidents are practically impossible. You should only pay attention to a few basic things, such as avoiding overheating or damage caused by falls. This is also known from other devices such as mobile phones or notebooks. so no reason to panic.
9. Isn't the range of e-bikes very small?
Ranges of up to 150 kilometers are not a marketing gimmick, they are possible (on flat roads in the most economical mode). That should be enough for day trips and commuters. You can also double the range with a second battery. It is also possible to carry a charger with you, these are compact and relatively light. This means that multi-day tours are also possible. Even on a long drive, you have to plan the fuel stop, and it is easier to find a socket than a gas station.
10. Are helmets compulsory for e-bikes?
You only have to wear a helmet if you use an S-Pedelec or e-bike that supports speeds of up to 45 km/h. This obligation does not exist for the classic 25er pedelec. Just because it's not mandatory doesn't mean we don't recommend it. Our appeal: Please ride with a helmet, whether e-bike or bicycle. Anyone with brains wears a helmet!