Check These Things About Your Electric Bike's Battery
It can be an exciting experience to shop for an electric bike, especially if you have plans to ride it regularly. While your primary focus might be to assess a few electric bikes to choose one with a frame style and a few features that appeal to you, you should also give some thought to the battery of each model that you look at. This is an important topic to consider, and a salesperson who has a good understanding of different bikes and their batteries can provide you with some useful information as you get closer to deciding which model will be right for you. Here are some things to check about electric bike batteries.
Range
When you evaluate different bikes, ask a salesperson how much range each bike's battery can provide. This is the distance that you can travel on a single charge of the battery. You'll see some discrepancy from model to model, and these numbers are good to think about.
It's useful to think about how you plan to use the bike. If you envision joining other electric bike riders for lengthy weekend excursions, a bike with a battery that offers a long range is a good choice. Conversely, if you expect your bike will primarily be for a short daily commute, a shorter-range battery can be acceptable.
Charging Time
When your electric bike's battery runs low, you'll need to plug it in to charge it. Make a point of learning the charging time for each bike's battery. Some batteries charge quicker than others, and many bike owners appreciate batteries that offer a short charging time. This type of battery means that you can take a morning ride, return home for a period of time to rest, and then head out again in the afternoon.
Weight
The weight of the battery is something that you might not immediately think about, but it's a topic that is worth considering. You'll find that electric bike batteries can vary significantly in weight. A battery that is on the heavier side might not be much of a concern when you're riding, but it may be an issue when you're carrying the bike. If you expect that you'll often carry the bike up a set of steps — perhaps into your home or into your place of work — a battery that is lighter in weight, even by a few pounds, can make this job easier.
Check out local electric bike stores to learn more.