COSMIC BIKES ONLINE CATALOG
ELECTRIC BIKES
Summary
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Electric assist motors on bicycles are devices that respond to the way you pedal by giving you additional power when needed, based on pre-programmed settings.
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The most common, street-legal e-bike motors are Class 1 (20mph max, no throttle, and Class 3 (28mph max, wit or without throttle).
Hub motors are built into the wheel ,most commonly the rear, but a number of folding bike feature front wheel motors.
Mid-drive motors are built into the crank area of the bike.
There re also retro-fit kits that ca be added to existing bikes. -
Reputable hub-drive bikes start at just under $2000.
Mid drive bikes start at around $3000 -
Longer and more demanding commutes, cargo bikes, riding partners o unequal ability, special needs, recreation.
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In-stock Items available immediately. Most Special Order items arrive within 5-10 days.
Are you dreaming of independent travel, leaving the car behind, but the thoughts of battling Chicago distances, not to mention headwinds, or sweating through our sweltering summers, have you thinking twice about getting on your bike?
Enter the Electric Bike!
An electric bike lets you go further, longer and faster, making your life a little bit easier. If you commute by bike, the electric pedal assist system will transform your commute into the highlight of your day—and let you leave the change of clothes at home. If you cycle for recreation, you can expand your range with confidence. If you would like to bike with a much faster riding partner -- now you can! Headwinds, climbs or heavy loads will no longer be obstacles to your enjoyment of cycling.
This is the vehicle that will get you across town quicker than a car, and still let you enjoy movement and exercise. A vehicle that operates on mere 10 cents per hour, is both agile and capable of hauling your stuff, and won’t get stuck in traffic. How’s that for independent travel?
E-Bike Classification
Keep in mind that the restrictions below apply to Chicago, and may differ by municipality. Please consult your local guidelines and regulations.
Class 1
Pedal-assist only (no trottle)
Max speed with e-assist 20 mph
May travel in bike paths, bike trails and bike lanes
Class 2
Pedal-assist with throttle
Max speed with e-assist 20 mph
May travel in bike paths, bike trails and bike lanes
Class 3
Pedal-assist with or w/o throttle
Max speed with e-assist 28 mph, usually with lower max throttle speed.
Not permitted in bike paths, bike trails and bike lanes
What’s Pedal-Assist?
Electric bicycles available through our store don’t replace pedaling, they enhance it. If some more punishing aspects of biking have prevented you from riding regularly, a pedal-assist bike might encourage you to ride more.
Pedal-assist bikes (also called “electric-assist” or “e-assist”) come equipped with either a hub motor, usually in the rear hub, or a mid-drive motor build into the crank area of the bike.
You must pedal to activate the electric-assist motor on a bike. Modern e-bikes utilize refined electronic systems to determine how much assist to supply in response to how you ride. Most quality e-assist bikes on the market today operate with with either a cadence or a torque sensor, which detects the force you apply to the pedals with each stroke, and a mode selector that lets you choose the level of assist from “light” to “turbo”. As you ride, the motor will give you an appropriate power boost in response to your pedaling based on the power level you select on the controller.
Throttle
Class 2 bikes and some Class 3 hub-drive e-bikes are equipped with a throttle, which is designed to give the rider an occasional additional boost without pedaling (such as starting from a dead stop, or powering up a hill), but is not meant to be deployed continuously. Mid-drive motor bikes generally do not have a throttle, thought there are exceptions. Throttle max speed may be set lower than max e-assist speed.
How Much Power?
When it comes to the number of Watts on a bike, more isn’t necessarily better, nor is that the only measure one should look at. While 750 Watts is the limit of a Class 3 bike in the US, some online resellers are hawking motor systems with 1000, or even 1500 Watts. Meanwhile, Bosch, the premier manufacturer of e-bike motor systems, does not offer any products above 250 Watts, and that includes motors that are widely used on full-size cargo bikes rated to carry loads over 400 lbs.
Bosch motors are designed as complete systems, including not only the drive unit, but also the battery and the controller. Carefully engineered for their application on e-bikes, these systems put out significantly higher torgue (expressed in Nm) for their wattage than many others, with excellent power to weight ratios. They climb well without burning out, they accelerate well, and make it easy to sustain speeds from 20 mph (Class 1) to 28 mph (Class 3). While 250 Watts may not sound as impressive as 1000, there’s a reason that these motors are spec’ed on some of the best e-bikes in the world: Bosch (and other quality e-bike motors) offer excellent range, durability, reliability, a natural ride feel, and complete warranty support.
In contrast, most of the high-wattage motors sold online, have mixed (at best) results with regards to technical support, performance, durability and serviceability.
Objections to E-Bikes
Some people point out that e-bikes are not 100% “green”, since —after all— they run on electric power that has to come from somewhere. This is undeniable, but needs to be put in the context of our current over-reliance on the automobile, even on ridiculously short trips. A typical e-bike operates for $.10 per hour. For the cost of a medium latte, you could ride your e-bike for 37 hours, which at the average speed of 15 mph would cover 555 miles.
Some point out that e-bikes are heavy, and this is true. With the exception of electric Brompton (34lbs) and Gocycle (36lbs), most e-bikes weigh in at over 45lbs, and some cargo bikes exceed 80lbs. So if you need a bike to carry up to the third floor apartment, anything other than the first two choices is probably not for you. But if you compare an e-bike to a car, particularly a car with only one occupant in it, it’s clear that in the context of urban transportation, an e-bike is a compact, agile and lightweight choice.
Battery disposal is a serious concern. However, if properly cared for, e-bike betteries do not require frequent replacement. In addition, as e-bike battery recycling programs sprout all over the country, concerns about battery disposal will be mitigated.
Some people say riding an e-bike is cheating. Some people are never happy. E-bikes can be used for commuting, shuttling kids, shlepping groceries and household goods, business deliveries, carrying dogs, adventures, recreation, overcoming physical limitations, extending your range, keeping up with a faster-riding partner —you name it. If it gets you moving, helps you break your car-dependence, and if you love it, it’s great in our book.
Where you buy matters as much as what you buy
We believe that all bikes should be sold in a face-to-face transaction with a competent consultant and service expert, and this is even more true of e-bikes.
At Cosmic Bikes, we take the time to research and partner with highly reputable companies, who have a track record of delivering quality products, excellent technical support, and —when needed— solid warranty service.
Our commitment to you includes the initial consultation and test ride, thorough, meticulous assembly of your new bike, and follow-up service for up to 18 months. While the bikes we carry may appear to be more expensive than some pictured online, you can be assured that you are getting a quality product that meets rigorous safety standards, and that you will not end up with an expensive doorstop because replacement parts are unavailable.
How Much Will It Cost?
Not all e-bikes are created equal, and spending more money doesn’t guarantee you’ll end up with a better bike. Just like any other bicycle, an e-assist bike purchase should be evaluated for your particular purpose. However, it is almost universally true that outfits selling extremely inexpensive e-bikes online don’t care about your purpose, and therefore are best to be avoided no matter how attractive their price or their claims.
Dependable, high-quality electric bicycles bought through authorized resellers are generally priced in the range of just under $2000 to over $6000.
Do you get a better bike for $6000? It will likely have more sophisticated and higher grade components than the less expensive alternative, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s more appropriate for you.
If you are a casual, recreational rider and wish to enjoy your bike for pleasure and some light errands during the summer months, a good quality $2000 e-bike with a hub motor might be perfect for you.
If, on the other hand, you are looking for a car-replacement for daily commuting, errands and perhaps carrying a small passenger or two, you will definitely want to investigate a bike that is built around components designed for heavy-duty, utilitarian applications, and that may cost quite a bit more.
Tips for choosing your e-bike
In the last few years we’ve seen a dramatic surge in the demand for e-bikes. The addition of a tiny motor that mitigates some of the more punishing aspects of riding a bike suddenly makes everyone feel like that can have that care-free delight they remember from being a kid, regardless of their age or physical limitations.
E-bikes make biking farther and longer possible for those who are older, less physically agile, or live in areas where topography or distances make biking too much of a chore. But it is also true that there is a certain amount of hype around e-bikes, which can drive people to make poor choices, and spend money on low quality e-bikes that do not deliver good performance, longevity or satisfaction.
A quality e-bike that will give you many seasons of riding enjoyment requires careful consideration, a relatively high investment, and a willingness to work with a shop that will provide you with ongoing service before and after the sale. As a shop committed to selling high-quality, durable e-bikes, we’ve taken some of the guesswork out of the process, and selected reliable products from extremely reputable vendors. Here are some general criteria we use:
Regardless of where the bike is manufactured, it should be sold by a US company, or well-established US distributor, who will stand behind the product for replacement parts, diagnostics and technical support and warranty issues.
It should be equipped with quality electronics from reputable manufacturers, that are designed to be serviceable and won’t become obsolete after a season of use.
An e-bike should be constructed with safety features, including components that can handle the additional weight, forces and speed generated by the electric motor (frame construction, brakes, rims, spokes, etc).
It should have a thoughtful, functional design and aesthetics.
It should not exceed prudent cycling speed or offer a level of power inappropriate for a bicycle.
In addition, here are some tips to help you make the right choice:
Consider your needs
Electric bikes encompass many different categories, including commuting bikes, cargo, folding, recumbent, adventure and more.
Before shopping for an e-bike, spend some time thinking about how it will be used, and what’s most important to you. Here are some common concerns:
If you plan to carry a passenger on the rear rack, a step-through frame will make it easier to get on and off.
If storage or portability are important, investigate electric folding bikes (beware: most are shockingly heavy, the two exceptions being Brompton and Gocycle).
If the bike will be shared between two individuals of different heights, make sure there’s enough adjustability for both of you.
Or, if you want to dial in a very precise fit, look for models that offer more than just one or two sizes.
Working with the right sales consultant will also lead you to ponder some questions that you may not have considered.
Choose the right shop
We believe that a successful bicycle purchase is not the end, but the beginning of a relationship. After all, the bike you buy will need follow up service, additional accessories to round out your riding experience, and maybe even some modifications as your needs change with time.
Therefore, finding a local bike shop you like, trust and can work with is actually the first step to a successful new bicycle purchase. This is especially true if you are buying an electric bike. A shop that is committed to selling and servicing e-bikes will have done their training and their research in selecting vendor partners they can rely on to deliver well-designed, well-made quality products, backed with complete technical support to the dealer.
The shop should also have genuine enthusiasm for electric bikes, and —specifically— helping you find the right one. It can be difficult to put yourself in the hands of an expert. But when you find the right shop, you can relax, because what it really comes down to is a person with some expertise and an open mind guiding you toward making your own informed decision.
We do not recommend buying an e-bike online, or assembling it yourself. Regardless of what the manufacturers may tell you, bikes are not shipped 100% (or even 80%) assembled. All our e-bikes undergo a thorough assembly, set-up and testing by a professional mechanic, and come with follow-up service provided locally by our store.
Test ride bikes
You can’t test ride pixels on a computer screen. Online reviews, or even your friend’s testimony, don’t tell you how a bike will feel to you, whether the fit is comfortable, the pedaling natural, and the electric assist adequate without being overwhelming.
There’s no substitute for an in-person test ride.
So, should you buy an e-bike?
Having said all of the above, if you are able-bodied and reasonably fit and active (you can walk a couple of miles without difficulty), but you are unable or unwilling to budget more than a few hundred dollars for a bike, don’t buy a cheap e-bike online because you’ve been persuaded you “need” one. You will likely get much more enjoyment and value for your investment from a good quality, affordable non-electric bike.
If you do, expect it to be life-changing
It took us a while to come to this realization, but electric bikes have the capacity to change the way we move around the city.
Quality electric bikes are are reliable, powerful, fun, functional, and they make biking practical for almost anyone. They may change not only your life, but the life of everyone around you. Imagine the infrastructure improvements that could happen if the majority of urban residents take to biking, because it is economical, healthy, sustainable, and now, finally doable.