This is like explaining it to my soon-to-be five-year-old. Ive seen a few videos on YouTube about electric bikes but since I share a car with her I never even considered having one. Unfortunately there are times when she has to go out on the weekends and I might just want to go to the gym go out or just socialize. So my question is do I need to charge the battery to actually use the bike Or is it possible to ride it without the motor assistance since I want to use it for fitness If you have any recommendations for electric bikes Id be happy to share them with you
This is my first e-bike this year. Ive only ridden it for a short time so Im looking for something different from my previous purchases. Alternative: I chose thicker tires because they look cool and can be ridden in the winter. I never ride in the winter so Ill go with mountain bike-width tires. My bike weighs 75-80 pounds. It feels more like a mini-bike than a motorcycle. Im looking for a lighter bike. Alternative: Step-through. 500-watt motor. Effortlessly climbs hills. 48V 720-watt battery. Range is your friend. Disc brakes. Especially considering the bikes weight theyre essential for stopping power. Rear rack. Youll want to carry luggage. Recommendation: Go to your local e-bike shop and test ride as many styles weights and power levels as possible. This is the best way to find the right one for your riding style. Dont buy an e-bike from five years ago. Technology is advancing rapidly. Anything from a year ago is outdated. Dont buy the cheapest bike just because its cheap. If its not fun to ride its just sitting there in the garage. Have fun
If youre riding a lightweight bike you can row without a motor but if you start riding a heavy fat-tire folding bike paddling becomes incredibly difficult so charging is essential. If you want to enjoy both a mountain bike with pedal assistance is recommended.
Equipped with a motor these bicycles come in three drive modes: front mid and rear. While pedaling is essentially the same as on a regular bicycle the addition of electric power makes them e-bikes.
It may vary depending on your bike but pedaling without motor assist is a huge resistance on my bike.
Unfortunately she sometimes goes out on weekends but I like to go to the gym go out for a bit and socialize. Theft is a big problem. Consider that before buying a bike. I wouldnt leave my bike unattended 
Most bikes allow you to pedal and row with low assist.
The handlebars feature upper and lower buttons that allow you to adjust the pedaling power. Level 1 counterbalances the bikes weight giving you a pedaling sensation similar to a regular bike. Level 5 helps you climb steep hills.
Its probably not advisable to ride it without charging as its heavy and difficult to pedal with the motor.
In almost all e-bikes the battery is fixed to the bike and can be removed and brought indoors for charging. Many e-bikes offer selectable pedal assist levels allowing you to adjust how much power the motor provides relative to your leg strength. Low assist allows you to get a sufficient workout without feeling the motors assistance. Medium assist allows you to climb hills without tiring and maximum assist allows you to ride like a motorcycle with little effort. In fact some e-bikes are equipped with a throttle allowing you to control the motors speed without pedaling.
There are four main components: the motor the battery the controller and the input sensor. The controller is battery-powered. It determines the motors rotation speed based on sensors. These sensors are either throttle or pedal sensors torque sensors mounted on the handlebars. Batteries these days are very durable. You dont need to constantly charge and plug them in. You can check the battery level before a ride. If the battery runs out you can pedal freely without resistance. Of course this depends on the model. Some models have high resistance and can be a very good training method. LOL
Just a quick question do I need to charge the battery before I can actually use the bike Its the same as a cell phone. Both use lithium-ion batteries. The battery needs to be charged to power the motor. Or since Im also thinking of using it for fitness is it possible to ride the bike without the motors assistance It depends greatly on the bike. The heavier the e-bike the harder it is to ride uphill without assistance. Generally its best to set the assist level so that the battery doesnt completely run out before the end of the ride. — Since you mentioned that youre aiming for fitness Im also a fan of the Vado SL. Heres a comparison of the Turbo Vado
Ive had an e-bike for over two years and love it. I bought a Trek Allant 8s. The s stands for Class 3. Class 1 and 2 bikes have assist up to 20 mph while Class 2 bikes have a throttle so you dont have to pedal. Class 3 bikes have pedal assist up to 28 mph. My bike weighs 54 pounds and even at 65 I can ride it without assist. My bike has a mid-drive motor. This is correct. Motorcycles with rear hub motors have resistance when pedaling without assist. My bike has 10 speeds so it rides like a regular motorcycle and it has four assist levels: Eco Tour Sport and Turbo. Other manufacturers may have different configurations. When I first bought it it had the Turbo but since I dont need the Turbo for my riding I usually use Eco and Tour or ride under my own power. Before I bought the e-bike I had a road bike that Id been riding for several years and it was time to replace it. When it came time to replace my bike I was tired of the narrow tires on my road bike and wanted wider tires with pedal assist. The 2.5-inch tires absorb vibration and provide a comfortable ride. But that was my requirement. However this electric bike comes in a variety of styles catering to any need. However its expensive and prone to theft. I use it for light riding with a lock but Id rather avoid leaving it unattended for long periods of time.