If you're starting out with a pedal-assisted electric bicycle, you might need a little time to adjust to the way the motorized assistance kicks on and off. In many cases, riders feel it has a natural, smooth rhythm to it. Even so, the fact that you will be accelerating faster than your pedaling indicates can take some getting used to. There's also the matter of learning when the bike will begin providing that assistance, how to stop it if you want to pedal without it, and what it means if it kicks back off while you are cruising.
Speed Limits and Engine Classes
Your new electric fat tire beach cruiser has a maximum speed rating for the engine, and in many jurisdictions it is illegal to use an electric bicycle capable of assisting the rider past that speed limit. That does not mean the rider can't go faster, though. It just means speeds in excess of that rating have to be achieved with unassisted human power. If you buy a bike that is speed limited to meet regulatory demands, it's rare for the engine alone to be able to take you to maximum speed if you're only pedaling casually. If it does, though, you'll feel the motor stop assisting you and the ride will take as much effort as riding any other bike with the same weight.
Additional Weight Considerations
Depending on the size of the motor, electric bikes add between 20 and 40 lbs to the weight of a bike. Most people don't notice it during operation because of the assistance with the effort of pedaling and the balance of the bike, but it can affect handling at high speeds. More importantly, it affects how heavy the bike is if you need to pick it up and carry it. For big and tall electric bikes with sturdy frames, this additional weight may not be noticeable once you add a large rider. On the other hand, for small riders and lightweight bike frames, it will be quite apparent.
How Much Assistance Do You Get?
When you pedal an electric bike, typically you get the full push its engine can give you once you clear the threshold for it to kick in. That means you'll be pedaling for a little while before you feel the boost, and then you'll most often feel the same amount of boost until you reach top speed. You need to keep pedaling to keep the assistance active, so if you stop to glide, the motor stops to let you glide. In most cases, light pedaling with the motor active is not going to take you to the maximum speed of the bike without a downhill coast to help. You can, however, put the extra effort into pedaling up to the maximum before the motor will shut off. Keep this in mind when browsing electric bicycles for sale, because it might affect the size of the motor you want when you make your purchase. Riders looking to minimize effort so they can arrive unruffled may want a larger motor than those who are just looking for a little extra help on an uphill ride.
