Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I ride an electric bike?
Treat an electric bike just the same as a normal bike. You can ride an electric assisted bike anywhere you can ride your regular bike. Be it on the road commuting to work or at your local trail center, electric bikes & regular bikes are governed the same.
Do I need a license to ride an electric bike on the road?
No not at all, again treat it the same as a regular bike. You will only ever need a license if you exceed the specified specification of EU law. All of our electric bikes can be used anywhere without the need for a license.
Does the electric bike recharge whilst I am pedaling?
No it does not. Some manufacturers do advertise that the bikes regenerate whilst braking or going down hill. To be honest this is mainly marketing talk, we looked into this a while back, you generally have to add resistance to generate extra energy, you also have to add weight to the bike for the regenerative components. The gains are minimal and not worth the extra cost / weight / resistance.
How long does it take to recharge the battery?
All our electric bikes use lithium ion battery packs. These packs recharge very quickly compared to others on the market. In general a 400Wh pack will take about 3.5 hours to recharge 100% from flat. Interestingly the battery will actually charge approx 80% in about 1.5 hours, but the last 20% is set on a slower charge rate.
How should I look after my battery?
Generally speaking as long as you don't leave your battery for long periods of time completely empty and you top the battery up after each ride, this is all you need to do.
Should I completely drain the battery before charging?
On some cheaper bikes with different style cells, this is necessary. However all of our electric bikes feature high tech batteries, so this is not required. It is in fact, best to always top up our batteries, even if you have only travelled 10 miles, just top it up.
Where are your electric bikes made?
We have a strict policy, we only sell European bikes. All of our bikes are hand assembled within Europe. You can see where each individual bike is made on the FAQ tab of each bike.
I have seen cheaper electric bikes, what's the difference?
Its the same old saying - You pay for what you get. At Peak Electric Bike Store we have chosen to not deal with cheaper, more 'rattly' models. In fact, we only deal with quality machines that are built to perform the task in hand. Buy cheap, buy twice is our policy.
What's the difference between Bosch & Yamaha systems?
Both systems work in similar ways, they both are 250w crank drive's and both use Lithium-Ion battery packs. You can read more in depth articles on our blog pages.
Will your bikes move without pedalling, or have a throttle?
None of our bikes are fitted with a throttle. If this is what you are after, we suggest to look at a cheaper Chinese model eBike or alternatively a moped. All of our electric bikes feature crank drive motors except the Gocycle which has a proprietary front hub motor. A throttle cannot be added on to any of our bikes. You may wish to try a crank drive bike as you'd be surprised how easy you can move in a high assistance mode with very little effort.
How fast will electric bikes go?
All electric bikes are governed by law to an assisted speed of 15mph. You, can of course, pedal the bike faster, however you will be using your own pedal power as the assistance will drop off at 15mph.
Which electric bike is best for me?
We offer a variety of electric bikes for different uses, our wide range ensures there is always a perfect model for each individual riders needs. You may already have some idea of what bike will suit you best. Better still is to arrange an appointment where we can talk you through the range in person. You can contact us here.
Why should I ride electric bikes?
Electric bikes are many things to many people, some use them as a vital tool for commuting, saving fuel, cutting transport costs and time. Whilst some people enjoy recreational rides, where you can go out traveling all day without the aggravation of steep hills. On the other extreme we have hardcore mountain bikers using an electric bike to beat up lifts. Of course whatever you ride up you get to hurtle back down. Generally you can get a lot more use in a day and cover more ground on an electric bike. Remember with an eBike you get to do everything you are doing already but - Longer, harder & faster.
How should I clean my electric bike?
Clean your eBike like you would clean your regular bike. Use a hose, sponge and preferably a decent cleaner like - Muc Off. If you can, then clean it after every ride to keep it in tip top condition. Also remember after cleaning to re apply lubrication to the chain with a decent dry lube. Please resist from using pressure washers on your bike. Not because of the electrics, but high pressure water can push factory grease from the internal bearings leaving them dry for the next ride.
Does it matter if the electronics get wet?
Generally speaking the electronic items on all of our electric bikes are sealed units, from the motor to battery to head unit. They are all weatherproof and have been designed for all purpose use i.e mountain biking, where occasionally there are deep puddles. Your eBike is expected to be able to handle this without any issues. If possible, try not to completely submerge your eBike. If you fall into a lake for example, make sure the bike is recovered quickly, along with yourself. Allow the bike to dry off before turning back on and returning to the trail.
Can I retrofit the Bosch or Yamaha system?
No, neither the Yamaha or Bosch systems can be retro fitted to other bikes. All of our bikes are specifically engineered out of the factory to allow the correct mountings / stress of running the electric motor. You can purchase spares if you already own one of our bikes. But you cannot purchase the integral part of each system (the drive unit) on its own.
Can I put one of your eBikes on a car rack?
All of our eBikes fit onto cycle racks. Our electric bikes are particularly light compared to others. You need to check the cycle racks maximum weight capacity. Most of our eBikes are around the 20kg mark. Clip on car racks normally hold around 45kg's so is enough for 2 of our electric bikes. A better fitting tow ball rack is the best. You can also have roof bar racks, although you will need to lift the bike up onto the top of the car.
What are the running costs of owning an electric bike?
The running costs of owning an electric bike are very low compared to other modes of transport. Generally good quality electric bikes use better components that last longer compared to cheap bikes. Its the same old saying again - You pay for what you get.
What's the difference between 250w and 350w motors?
Bosch offer a 250w & 350w motor, both motors are the same although one is pre-programmed to hit a faster assisted speed. Remember a 250w Bosch motor with a tuning kit will go faster than a 350w motor as standard.
