FAQS
Frequently Ask Questions
1) What are the advantages of electric bicycles?
Electric bicycles have many advantages, such as:
- they can get you to places quicker,
- instead of the car, take your ebike for lottery tickets'
- you can wear whatever you want and without the sweat,
- you can carry more on an e-bike
- you'll have more control and confidence when riding on the road,
2) Why buying new versus build your own?
Besides saving countless hours figuring out and building an electric bike? Absolutely!
One of the key benefits is that ready made electric bikes are designed from the ground up. That means that all the bike components, electric and otherwise, are made to work well together. Everything was tested before it was packed in a box and shipped to your dealer. Even frames are made to carry the wiring inside of the frame tubes, making the bike a lot more waterproof and elegant.
3) Hill climbing/ riding into the wind
That may sound obvious, but it's the primary advantage. A good electric bike effectively flattens hills, riding into the wind is a 'breeze', increasing your average speed and eliminating the 'UGH' factor when a steep hill comes into view. Provided you supply a reasonable amount of effort, you can expect to climb hills on an electric bicycle with ease, and clear a maximum gradient of 30 degrees, or more.
4) Safety
It sounds unlikely, doesn't it? But the math is compelling. Think of a steep and busy road, with cars climbing at 60km/hr. If you previously struggled up the hill at 6km/hr., but can tackle the same gradient at 20km/hr. with an electric bicycle, you will see fewer cars. Whatever the figures, there's no doubt that an electric bicycle helps to keep you out of danger. The same applies to intersections – the faster your acceleration, the sooner you can get out of trouble.
5) Cost
Purchase cost is higher to a conventional bicycle, mechanical wear and tear is unlikely to cost more, and electricity is so cheap as to be largely irrelevant, but there is an extra expense in terms of battery depreciation. Consequently, an electric bicycle costs more to run – typically $0.04-$0.08 per km against $0.03 per km for a conventional bicycle. However, electric bicycle running costs should really be compared with those of a moped, or a car, when the electric bicycle replaces car mileage. With cars costing $0.50-$0.80 per km, an electric bicycle can save a great deal of money.
6) Personal Fitness
Surely a conventional bicycle will keep you fitter? That, of course, this will depend on how much – if at all – you use it. Research has found that 46% of conventional bikes are used only once or twice a week, with a further 30% being used once every two weeks, or even less. By contrast, a recent survey of electric bicycle owners reveals that a third ride their bike at least once a day and 81% use the bike at least once a week. Because riding an electric bicycle is a great deal more enjoyable in hilly country, into strong winds, or when carrying heavy loads, users tend to make better use of them. The motor provides up to half the effort, but more regular use means more exercise for the rider.
7) No Sweat!
Sweat may not be a serious issue when you're out for a leisure ride, but it's more important if you're cycling to work. Although some employers are rather grudgingly providing showers and other facilities for cyclists, the great majority have no intention of doing so. An electric bicycle eliminates the problem at source. In hot weather, it's possible to maintain a normal schedule by transferring a bit more load to the electric motor. In colder weather – just use the pedal assist - or in need of exercise – PEDAL
8) Clean & Green
Electric bicycles obviously consume energy, where a conventional bicycle does not. However, the amount of energy used is very small compared to a moped, motorcycle or car. The only consumables are the batteries, and these have to be recycled when life-expired. As for energy use, electric bicycles typically consume fuel at an average rate of 100 to 150 watts of electrical energy, against 15,000 or so for a car (admittedly travelling much faster). In terms of fuel consumption, an electric bicycle achieves about 290 – 700 kilometre/litre. No other commercially available vehicle can match figures of this kind. If it's hard to place these numbers in your own lifestyle, think of a 100 watt electric light bulb burning unnecessarily for an evening – that's enough energy to propel an electrically-assisted bike for 35-70 km...
9) Faster travel
In theory, a car can average a high speed, but in practice speed often falls below 15km/hr. in cities. The problem is congestion – motorcycles get around this to some extent, but they're still confined to the road network. An electric bicycle can maintain a higher average speed than a bicycle but take advantage of the same network of cycle facilities, giving ready access to areas that cars and motorcycles cannot reach. The result is often a faster door-to-door journey time than any other mode.
10) Why is Electric bike better than traditional modes of transportation?
A lot of people are finding commuting on an electric bike a much more economical way to travel. Some also prefer the ebike experience to that than a car. Sure there will be maintenance on an ebike however it will only be a fraction of the cost associated to a car.
11) How do I maintain my MerryGo
Wear and tear on a MerryGo Electric Bike in comparison to an average bike is much the same. People often think that an electric bike is going to cost an arm and a leg to maintain / service, but this is not the case. Our components are name brand and use regular bike components ie Tektro brake pads, etc.
To reduce the running costs, you simply need to clean it, keep the tires inflated, lubing the chain/cables, charging the battery properly. Doing these few simple items will help to extend your Merry Gold lifespan.
It’s also recommended to service any bike annually to keep it in shape!
That's why we recommend using your local Bike dealer for any work, but more importantly the annual tune-up.
The most expensive part of any ebike is the battery. We at 171 and Merrygold only use Samsung Lithium Ion batteries. The battery MUST be stored inside at room temperature when it is cold outside (freezing) - and charged every 3 months.
12) Do electric bikes break more often than regular bikes?
Electric bikes DO NOT break more often than their traditional counterparts. On a typical electric bike, 80% of all of the components are standard bicycle components anyway – remember it’s still uses bike components.
Most of the components that make up the electric part are fairly maintenance free nowadays. There aren’t a lot of moving parts in an average electric motor. The modern brushless motors can have very few parts that can wear out (such as brushes on the older brushed motors). The batteries from good quality manufacturers such as Samsung, can last for years with just a bit of care.
On a good electric bike(MERRYGOLD), the electric part may just outlast the bike part.
13) OACP - links (Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police)
Transport Canada
The new approach towards e-bicycles by Transport Canada is to first assess its on-road versus off-road design characteristics.
ONTARIO MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION