Electric Bike FAQs

We understand that sometimes there is a lot to take in. That’s why we’ve put together some Frequently Asked Questions to help with some of the common enquiries we get. Why not give us a call on 020 7378 4728 we’re always happy to answer any questions you may have.

 

Frequently asked:

 

Yes!

If you can ride a conventional push bike you can ride an electric bike!
The Volt range of electric bikes have been designed to be as easy as possible to ride.
They incorporate the latest technology but ensure that all the functions are kept nice and simple to ensure easy operation.
The first time that you ride a Volt electric bike we guarantee you’ll be surprised at just how easy they are to ride!

The Volt range of electric bikes are designed in the UK ensuring quality, reliability, style and durability.

No.

Under European and British law you don’t need a licence to ride an electric bike, however, you must be a minimum of 14 years of age.

Yes as long as they are a minimum of 14 years of age.

Anyone over the age of 14!

They are great for commuters who would prefer to cycle rather than drive or use public transport but don’t want to arrive at work all hot and sweaty or perhaps feel the distance they have to cycle is just too far on a conventional push bike. Also commuters can rapidly save money on commuting costs. For example, in London an annual zone 1-2 Travelcard costs £1,104. In just over twelve months you could have paid for a new Volt electric bike (less if you purchase your electric bike through the Cycle to Work Scheme) and your commuting after this costs next to nothing whilst at the same time keeping you fitter and helping the environment.
Also, those of us who are possibly not quite as fit as we’d like to be but who still love the freedom and the greenness of cycling can benefit massively from an electric bike.
Suddenly hills are easy to go up again and those distances that seemed daunting before are now nothing to fear whilst at the same time helping you get fit again!
Electric bikes can also allow the whole family to go cycling together again with the older or slightly less fit family members using electric bikes to keep up with the rest of the family.

Electric bikes can also be a useful part of cardiac rehabilitation programmes. Health care professionals will often recommend a stationary bike be used in the early stages of a cardiac rehabilitation programme as this can reduce deaths in people with coronary heart disease by around 27%. Cardiac patients may subsequently feel safer progressing from stationary bikes to electric bikes rather than to conventional push bikes as they require less cardiac exertion for those who have experienced heart problems.

Anyone who is environmentally aware and wants to improve their green credentials but doesn’t feel fit enough or want to use a conventional push bike will love an electric bike.
Electric bikes use very little energy (only 3p per full charge) and give off zero emissions making them exceptionally environmentally friendly.

Studies have also shown that people who have an electric bike will use it far more often than a conventional push bike and will also travel further on it.
Essentially electric bikes are for everyone and once you’ve been on one you’ll wonder why you didn’t get one years ago. Just to put things in perspective in 2010 in Holland (the bike capital of the world) the Dutch spent more on electric bikes than they did on conventional push bikes and in China there were estimated to be 120 million electric bikes on the road in 2010! Electric bikes are the future and once you’ve been on one you’ll understand why!

Yes

The Electric Bike Store are happy to let anyone who wants to test ride any of our electric bikes to do so. All you need to do is bring some photo ID (such as a drivers licence) and a bank or credit card for security.

Book an Electric Bike Test Ride

Yes

Electric bikes are just as safe as conventional push bikes and arguably are even safer! As they assist you with pedalling this can mean that you are less tired and thus more alert to what is going on around you. You can also power away at junctions and keep up with the flow of traffic easier. Going up hills requires a fraction of the effort and therefore you’re not so out of breath! On top of this the Volt range of electric bikes have very bright LED lights fitted as standard which are powered directly from the battery ensuring that you are always seen by other road users.

No!

The Volt range of electric bikes are just as easy as conventional push bikes to look after and service as most of the parts are the same.

Tyres, chains and gears will require attention from time to time as they would with any conventional push bike. The 250W electric motors that the Volt bikes use are designed to be maintenance-free as are the batteries. This means that any standard bike shop should be able to service and maintain your electric bike for you.

Initial bedding in service: after 1 month of ownership or 100 miles riding (this must be completed within 2 months of purchase)

Low Use Riders (riding a couple of days a week throughout the year, generally dry days. Typical distance 5-20 miles per week): Quarterly Service with the change of seasons including 1 major service every 12 months

Medium to high use riders: (Regular riding/commuting throughout the year, all weather conditions. Typical distance 20-100 miles per week): Quarterly Service with the change of seasons and a minimum of 1 major service every 1000 miles

Never clean the bike with a power hose, use a damp cloth and dry down after cleaning.

Before cleaning your e-bike it’s good practice to remove your battery. The cleaning process is just like cleaning a regular pushbike. It’s best to use a bike cleaner like PRO-GREENMX or just a warm damp cloth.

Be careful to avoid the electrics & battery terminals. Never use a high-pressure cleaner to wash your electric bike, it could damage the electronics. Never fully submerge your electric bicycle in water.

Approximately 40-50 miles.

The batteries that are used on the Volt range of bikes are the latest Lithium Polymer batteries available thus ensuring you get the maximum range possible. The bikes, however, will be used in different ways, by different riders and on different terrain and thus the range of the battery will vary accordingly.

Generally speaking, using the motor in assisted pedalling mode on a medium setting (the most used setting) should allow you to travel about 40-50 miles. You’ll be able to go even further if you use a lower setting. If you use only the throttle and don’t pedal at all the range will be less at around 20 miles.

Other factors such as the hilliness of the terrain that you are on as well as the weight of the rider will also affect the distance that you can travel.

If you are using your electric bike without using the motor then the only limiting factor will be your legs!

A full charge should take about 4-6 hours.

Volt bikes use the latest Lithium Polymer batteries which help ensure the fastest charge times. Lead Acid, Ni-Cad and NiMh batteries will take significantly longer to charge.

Approximately 3p for a full charge!

Lithium-Ion batteries have a life expectancy between 2-4 years. Your battery should be replaced after 4 years of use and disposed of responsibly in accordance with the latest UK government guidelines.

Over time a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery will gradually lose its capacity to charge and such losses in capacity are irreversible. The expected distance range of an e-bike will reduce as the battery capacity reduces. When your bike starts to achieve less than 80% of its expected distance you should buy a new battery.

The Lithium Polymer batteries used in the Volt range of electric bikes do not have a problem with memory effect.

‘Memory effect’ or ‘floating voltage’ are the common terms used for voltage depression which is usually associated with Ni-Cad and NiMH batteries. The effect is that the battery fails to deliver its original full capacity, seemingly to have ‘remembered’ previous part charge levels.

The Lithium Polymer batteries used on the Volt range of electric bikes are very safe.

Lithium Polymer batteries are the safest batteries that you can get for electric bikes and are acknowledged as being safer than Lead Acid, Ni-Cad, NiMh or Lithium-Ion batteries.

The Lithium Polymer batteries used on the Volt range of electric bikes cause minimal environmental damage possible for electric bike batteries. Lead Acid, Ni-Cad and NiMh batteries cause greater environmental impact.

Yes is the simple answer!

The motor can be turned off and you can use your electric bike like any conventional pushbike which is great if you only want to use the motor for assistance at certain times such as when you have a steep hill to go up.

The Volt range of bikes also allows you to do totally the opposite and use the motor to do all the work. This is done by using a simple throttle to control your speed (up to 15.5mph) and is very simple to use.

The main way the motor will most likely be used, however, is to provide assisted pedalling. The Volt range of bikes are manufactured using the latest assisted pedalling technology. Our simple to use digital controllers are mounted on your handlebars and allow you to decide how much assistance you would like as you pedal. There are six different settings ranging from low to high and you can alter these at any time depending on the terrain, the speed you wish to travel at or your own fitness level.

For current pricing on electric bike batteries please see the electric bike batteries section of our online shop.

On average our bikes weigh around 20kg’s which is only about 5kg’s heavier than a conventional push bike equivalent.

Electric bikes are, however, generally speaking, heavier than their conventional push bike equivalents due to the fact that they have an electric motor and a battery. In order to help minimise the weight of the bike, all Volt bikes are manufactured using premium parts and encompass the latest technologies.

Our Lithium Polymer batteries are the lightest you can get for the power they provide and clearly, any weight saved helps when the bike is being used without powered assistance or for helping maximise the distance you can go using powered assistance.

The Electric Bike Store believes in charging a fair price for the Volt range of bikes and the accessories that we sell. We are aware that we could charge more for our bikes as other manufacturers do for bikes of similar specifications, however, we have made a business decision to price our bikes below our competitors’ bikes and we will not be beaten on price.

Yes!

If you can find any product that we sell in the Electric Bike Store cheaper in the UK we will not only match the price but beat it. We believe in giving our customers the best prices possible.

Yes!

The Electric Bike Store are able to offer a range of different finance packages from 0% over 12 months to 19.5% over 48 months. Customers are required to put down a 10% deposit and then pay off the remaining sum over the agreed credit period. In order to qualify, you must meet a number of criteria as specified in our Finance Section.
The minimum total spend on products to qualify for finance is £250.

Yes!

The Cycle to Work Scheme treats electric bikes in exactly the same way as conventional push bikes.

No

There is no need to wear a helmet although as with riding any bike we would recommend that you do.

We are very confident in the quality of the Volt range of electric bikes and our warranties reflect this. We offer a standard two-year warranty on our bike frames, batteries and mechanical parts. Extended warranties are available to purchase.

The law is very simple in respect to electric bikes and treats them in exactly the same way as conventional push bikes so long as the following are adhered to:

  • The electric bike cannot exceed 15.5mph in power assisted mode.
  • The motor must be a maximum size of 250 Watts.
  • Power is immediately cut when the brakes are applied.
  • The minimum age for riding an electric bike is 14 years of age.
  • An electric bike must weight a maximum of 40kgs.

Yes.

We can deliver your Volt electric bike for free of charge anywhere in the UK. If you live outside the UK we have agreed excellent rates with our shipping company so you can also benefit.