General E-Bike Questions
What is the point of an E-Bike?
Electric bikes add power to your pedal power ability enabling you to do more with a bicycle and have more fun! You can ride faster when compared to a conventional bike. You will be surprised how quickly you can get around on an e-bike, by avoiding traffic. You will enjoy riding uphill.
You don’t need to break a sweat, unless you want to. Move safely amongst traffic. Save the joints! Leave the car at home. Have more fun and enjoy the ride.
How much is an E-Bike?
Electric bikes can range in price from $800 to well over $7,000. At Dr Stoner Bikes we keep costs down by not having fancy showrooms or commission sales staff to pay. Our quality e-bikes are priced considerably less than comparable bikes and range in price from $1,800 - $4,500. range without compromising quality and performance. The lower
priced range of e-bikes in the market ($800-$1500 range) may or may not have enough power for some hills and have a shorter battery life.
Why would I need an E-Bike when I like riding my conventional bike?
If riding up hills is something you would like to be able to do with
ease, this is one of the main reasons people switch to an e-bike. Many
cyclists find that having pedal assist or a throttle on a bike expands
what you can do, how far you ride and how long you can ride for. E-bikes simply make biking more fun.
Battery & Power
How much power does an e-bike have?
Legally, e-bikes in Canada range in power from 250 watts to 500 watts.
Dr Stoner Bikes bike motors range from 350 watts to 500 watts. Higher
wattage motors are not recommended for use in cities and city pathways.
How long will my e-bike take to charge?
Generally it takes about 3 – 5 hours to charge a battery, depending on
the size. Be sure to buy an e-bike with a removable/lockable battery so when you are not with your bike you can remove the battery for theft
safety and charging.
How far can an e-bike go?
This is the often most asked question. E-bikes have a range of
approximately 50 – 135km, and that depends on the riding conditions;
hills, wind, weight of the rider, and how much of the pedal assist
system you are using, or not using. The size of the battery will also
factor in how far you can go between charges.
Why can't they go faster?
The intent of the e-bike is to be similar to conventional bikes, and
that includes the speed that it can travel. In Canada all provinces
regulate the speed of an e-bike to 30 km/h. Maximum motor size is 500w for the Canadian market.
What is "Pedal Assist"?
There are a number of great benefits of electric bikes with pedal assist (PAS). From serving as an intuitive and responsive feature on the e-bike, to making your ride more enjoyable and smoother, pedal assist is a clear choice for many e-bike riders. PAS is a system where the motor gives you a boost while pedaling that than reduces the amount of energy you need to put into pedaling. All our bikes have several settings for you to control how much pedal assist you get, ranging from none to a lot.
The PAS will save you energy. Whether you are out for a long ride or have a nasty hill along your normal commute, if you have an e-bike with PAS you will finish your ride feeling more energized instead of drained. Going over rough terrain and up hills becomes much easier with the pedal assist feature.
What is a "Torque Sensor"?
The torque sensor is a technology that uses a precision strain gauge. It measures your actual force on the pedal. The torque sensor measures how hard the rider is pedaling to determine how much electric power to push to the e-bike. The harder you pedal, the more power it gives to the motor. This is a real time adjustment.
Which is better, a Torque Sensor or a Cadence Sensor?
Both have their merits, and you can’t simply say one is better than the other. You will have your own preference, and the type of sensor you need depends on what you want and need. Cadence sensors, like the one found on the CMB700 can be perfect for (more elderly) riders who have joint problems and cannot use much pressure while pedaling. Torque sensors are great for anyone wanting an authentic biking experience and still wants the full benefits of exercising. To choose the one your need, it’s best to try both and tune in to how your feel about the ride.
Warranty
What is the warranty?
All our bikes have a one year warranty against manufacturing defects on all components. The warranty includes parts and labour. Abuse, neglect, regular wear and tear or improper care of your bike is not covered under warranty.
Battery warranty
All batteries come with a one year warranty against defects. This does not include damage or wear and tear.
Battery FAQ
Basic Battery Knowledge
Battery life is measured by charge cycles. A charge cycle is how much it will take to discharge the battery, and how long it will take to charge. There is a lot of impressive tech that goes into an e-bike battery. With proper care and maintenance your e-bike average about 1000 charge cycles, or 3 to 5 years of life. With a few simple tips, you and your e-bike battery will spend many hours together.
Storing your e-bike battery
Your e-bike battery should be stored at constant temperatures, not too cold and not too hot, around 20 degrees. Do not expose your battery to direct sunlight, and do not store for long periods of time in temperatures below 10 degrees. If you are going to store your battery for long periods of time, do not store at 100% full, rather bring it down to about 60% that way it will last longer. Do a full charge before you plan to ride again.
Charging your e-bike battery
We recommend removing the battery from you e-bike when charging. We tend to throw our batteries onto a charger and forget about them. We suggest removing the battery off your charger when charged to 80 – 90% capacity. Use a timer if you think you will forget about your battery being on a charger.
Cleaning your e-bike battery
Batteries are housed inside aluminum casings, and covered with a plastic shell. E-bike batteries are waterproof; however do not submerge your battery in water. Wipe down the battery with a damp cloth, occasionally spray the batteries contacts with a contact cleaner, and just wipe away any excess cleaner.
What NOT to do with your e-bike battery
- Do not leave it plugged if for long periods of time
- Storing at extreme temperatures, remember 20 degrees is ideal
- Do not drop your e-bike battery, damaging will occur
- Do not put your e-bike battery on the charger immediately after using it. Allow the battery to rest, or go from a state of discharge to charge. Allow about 30 minutes before putting onto a charger.
- Avoid deep discharges of going from 100 percent charge to 0 percent; doing so will reduce the number of charge cycles of your battery.
How do I dispose of my e-bike battery?
You can dispose of your e-bike battery through Dr. Stoner Bikes and we will arrange for the recycling of the battery. Damaged or dropped batteries can have the potential to leak. Always check with your local waste management authorities about recycling e-bike batteries.
Maintaining battery health
Other FAQ
How do I get my e-bike serviced?
When you purchase your e-bike, and pick it up in Calgary, your e-bike will be fully assembled and inspected. We offer a mobile service in the Calgary area to assist you with any e-bike repairs or adjustments that may need to be done.
Will I get exercise while I ride my e-bike?
You bet! You decide how much exercise you want by adjusting the pedal assist level on your bike. There are studies to show that those that have e-bikes will ride them 4 times longer, and go further.
Can I test-ride your e-bikes?
Yes you can. We have test rides available to book in Calgary. That is one of the main advantages of buying local.
Who can I talk to about follow up questions?
You can always contact us at info@drstonerbikes.com. Yes, we will be happy to give you a good old fashioned phone call to answer any questions you may have, or arrange to meet in person to discuss your e-bike needs. When choosing an e-bike you will need to imagine where you want to ride.
How do I wash my e-bike?
Just like regular bikes, an e-bike likes to be cleaned and maintained.
It is always a good idea to keep your bike free of mud and debris We recommend using a couple of different methods for washing your e-bike.
You can use a simple bucket and sponge or garden hose with spray nozzle methods. Some power washers provide too much pressure to use on your bike
Washing your e-bike. Make sure the power is turned off on your e-bike. Your battery and motor are water resistant.
Start by rinsing your bike with just water removing the mud and debris. It helps to work your way top to bottom on your bike. Then spray your bike with a gentle cleaner, or soapy water.
Do not use dish soap or automotive cleaners as these can be harmful to your e-bike components.
Then using a soft bristle brush clean your bike, getting into all the nooks and crannies to get all the dirt off. Rinse your brush thoroughly, and a few times during this process. Wait a few minutes to let the cleaner do it job, then rinse off your bike with clean water using a garden hose of bucket and sponge.
Drying your e-bike. Once excess water has been removed from your e-bike, you can dry with a clean cloth. E-bikes do not like to be left wet. After every wash it is important to get into the habit to remove the battery, and use a contact cleaner to help disperse the water that may be left behind.