The Disadvantages Of Owning An E-bike
Expensive Up-front InvestmentOn average, e-bikes are more expensive than common road bikes and can range in price between $1,000 to $10,000 or more. Most people who are interested in purchasing an electric bike for the first time are often surprised at the significant up-front investment required. The good news is that the cost of e-bikes is slowly becoming more affordable and new systems such as the Alizeti 300C is making it easy to convert an existing bike to electric at a fraction of the cost of other e-bikes available today.
Heavier Than Conventional BikesEven with ongoing improvements in e-bike technology and lighter components, most e-bikes are still noticeably heavier than conventional bicycles. This is something to consider as it can sometimes be a disadvantage when transporting the e-bike on a car rack, carrying the e-bike upstairs, or when the battery runs out of power during a long commute.
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Specialized, More Complex PartsWhen electrical components are used for any outdoor product water resistance is very important. Alizeti designs its products and components to work reliably in both dry and wet weather conditions.
New E-bike LegislationBecause electric bikes are still relatively new to the U.S. and Canada, there can still be some confusion with new e-bike laws. Commonly, e-bikes with a top speed of 20 Mph or 32 Km/h and motors rated at less than 500 watts are subject to the same laws as any normal bicycle. This means they can be ridden on bike paths and in bike lanes and don’t require any special licensing or registration. However, some cities may have different rules that may limit the way you’re allowed to use an e-bike. Checking the rules in your specific city or state before riding an e-bike is always a good idea.
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