eBikes
Yes, we sell and service e-bikes. If you're in the mood for a whole ton of our thoughts on them, stop by the shop any time.
If you're shopping for an ebike you already know how great they are - no more worrying about getting up that last hill on your commute and arriving at the office sweaty and gross.
Need an extra kick to get you out the door and get the exercise you need? E-Bikes are great for mental health AND physical health.
Electric bikes are perfect for anyone of all shapes, sizes, abilities, ages, and any other metric you can think of.
We sell ebikes ranging from about $1,800 to $12,000 (not a typo). You can expect to pay about $2,500 for a good quality bike that will last for years. There are less expensive bikes on the market, and most of them will have significant mechanical or electrical issues within the first 12-24 months.
Top 5 things to know when shopping for an ebike
If you're just starting the search for an ebike you might be feeling overwhelmed. Everyone and their brother has launched an ebike company in the last few years, and they all want your money. Let us help you spend that money wisely!
1. There are many types - here are the common differentiating factors.
- Class 1 bikes have throttles, class 3 bikes don't. You probably don't need a throttle. They're fun to test ride, but the reality is that most people don't use them in real life.
- Hub drive ebikes have motors built in to the rear hub. Mid drive ebikes have their motor mounted where the pedals are. Mid drive is better quality, better power, better weight distribution, and costs more.
2. Any mid drive ebike is going to be better than any hub drive ebike, period.
The very highest quality, highest priced hub drive e-bike will still be lower quality, have more mechanical issues, and not last as long as the lowest quality mid-drive ebike.
3. Price -- NOT brand -- is the most important indicator of battery life, range, and quality.
Any $1,000 ebike is going to be mediocre, regardless of what brand or shop is selling it. Any $5,000 e-bike is going to be high quality and awesome, regardless of whether it's a Trek, Giant, Specialized, or other brand.
4. Ebikes with torque sensors will provide a smoother, more predictable ride experience than those without torque sensors.
eBikes that don't have torque sensors rely on cadence sensors to turn on the motor when the bike is being pedaled, and off when you stop pedaling. With cadence sensors there is always a lag, and the motor is either fully on or fully off; the ride is jerky and the motor will keep running for a second after you stop pedaling, which can make the bike difficult to handle.
5. Everyone wants to know how far an ebike can go. Every manufacturer has a different way to estimate range, and they're all different.
All companies want to give the impression that their bike is going to have the best range possible. The reality is that a bike that has a higher voltage, higher wattage, and a larger battery (amp-hours) is going to have a longer range.
If you're riding your bike uphill fully loaded with a headwind in turbo mode, your range isn't going to be as good as if you're riding on flat terrain at a lower power setting without any extra cargo. We do not have any method at the shop to accurately predict how many miles your bike is going to go before its battery dies, but we will do our best to help you make the most educated decision possible.
Brands of ebike we try to keep on hand for demo rides:
Brands of ebike that are available for order through us, but we generally don't have on hand in the shop:
Brands for whom we are fulfillment and/or service partners; you can order through these brands directly and have the bike sent directly to the shop for assembly: