6 Ebike Questions & Misconceptions Answered

It is pretty common for people to be skeptical when they are first introduced to ebikes. Some of the first things that come to mind are common misconceptions about ebikes, such as their inability to get wet or lack of exercise. Here are the top 6 misconceptions people have regarding ebikes:

1. Misconception: "You Can’t Ride an Ebike in the Rain"

Most ebikes out in today's market are water-resistant and therefore are more than capable of handling wet conditions. Wet roads with puddles are not an issue as they are designed to protect the electrical components from water splashing from any direction. This also means that you can ride your ebike in the rain. However, that doesn’t mean that you should submerge nor pressure wash the ebike as this can lead to permanent damage.

Aventon ebikes are precision-made to adhere to the IPX4 water-resistant standard, protecting the bike from water splashes coming from any direction. Our bikes give you the freedom to ride or park your ebike in the rain without worrying about damaging the battery or motor. IPX4 water resistance means the ebike won’t be harmed by spray caused by riding on wet roads nor from rain. Check out this article on best practices of riding in the rain.

2. Misconception: "Ebikes Require Lots of Extra Maintenance"

It’s important to remember that at their core, ebikes are still regular bikes. Ebikes use the same chains, gears, and brakes that standard bikes do. So at a base level, ebikes require about the same amount of maintenance as regular bikes.

Much like traditional bikes, the level of maintenance needed on an ebike is heavily dependent on the level of usage. For example, a daily rider’s bike will need more regular maintenance than those who ride recreationally on the weekends.

The vast majority of ebike maintenance tasks are exactly the same as a traditional bike. You can take a look at our recommended maintenance article to truly understand the similarities. The only real difference from a traditional bike revolves around the ebike battery - It needs to be charged and there are some best practices to ensure it continues running properly and maintains longevity.

The batteries in Aventon bikes are made using high-quality that are proven to last. Cheaper brands may ship their bikes with lesser-known brand batteries. The downside to unproven brands of batteries for electric bikes is that they often can’t withstand as many charge-cycles.

While high-quality batteries for ebikes do last a long time, their performance is still subject to degradation. When performance starts to "degrade," that simply means you’ll still be able to use the battery––it just won’t provide the same consistent range as before. A few factors that can influence that are the frequency and type of ebike usage (are you regularly climbing hills at maximum assistance with the maximum capacity met?) and whether you properly charge your battery (are you abiding by the manufacturers suggested charging times?). Furthermore, like any other lithium-ion battery, performance can be impacted in extreme temperatures. In cold weather, the range and performance of any brand of ebike battery can be dramatically reduced.

Here are some additional tips for preserving ebike battery life and performance:

• • If you won't be riding your bike for a while, charge the battery and store it somewhere indoors where the temperature is well-regulated.
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  • Always store and charge your battery in a dry location. Long-term exposure to water, humidity, and damp conditions are harmful to ebike batteries.
  • Inspect and maintain the electrical contacts between the battery and the connection point on the bike regularly.
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  • Ensure the prongs aren't bent, and if the connection point ever becomes contaminated with grit, mud, or snow, clean it before connecting your battery.
  • Never leave your bike in the trunk of a hot car with the battery attached. Remove the battery and take it with you instead.
  • It is okay to charge the battery between rides, even if you only drained very little battery energy.

3. Misconception: "Ebikes Take Away the Exercise Benefit"

Ebikes are just like traditional bikes in the sense that you can still pedal whenever you want, and however hard you want. Ebikes simply provide a boost to your effort. You could still choose to ride up a steep hill without assistance, and the extra weight of the battery would add to your workout effort!

While you do have a full-assist available on an ebike, it’s not required to be used. For example, Aventon ebikes provide five settings for assistance level, offering you the ability to fine-tune the amount of exercise effort on your ride. You can even turn the assist function completely off!

It’s also worth noting that ebikes can extend the range a rider could normally ride without assistance, making it possible to exercise for a more extended overall period of time than if they weren’t riding an ebike. Studies show ebikes offer the same level of exercise as a traditional bike, as they still enable riders to elevate their heart rate as traditional bikes do. For more details on the exercise benefit and studies check out this article.

4. Misconception: "Ebikes are Cheating"

To reiterate from what we’ve covered so far, an electric bike is still just a regular bike––with the addition of an electrical drive system. And at the end of the day, you are still going outside and being active. So what if you want a little extra help, or would like to go faster. Ebikes give even avid cyclists the chance to ride to work or school without arriving tired, winded and sweaty. Ebikes make cycling more inclusive to everyone and people choose them for a variety of reasons.

Let’s get brutally honest for a second here - Many who have this “cheating” sentiment come from elitist cyclists who carry resentment when an ebike passes them going uphill with ease. In some ways you can understand as they will train very hard to shave off a few seconds to their time. However, that shouldn’t be a reason to dismiss them as “real” cyclists. It is just a different form of riding.

5. Misconception: "Ebikes are Limited on Distance"

Yes, ebikes use a battery and that battery doesn’t last forever. However the ebike can still be riden like a normal bike once the battery has been depleted. Aventon’s long range ebikes provide up to 60 miles of riding with assistance, but the amount of miles you continue to ride unassisted is totally up to you. The only limiter to distance than an ebike can travel is your sense of adventure (and energy level).

6. Misconception: "Ebikes Are for Lazy People"

It’s definitely true that ebikes are more compelling to ride for those some may call “lazy.” But isn’t getting outside and onto a bike better than sitting inside on the couch? We think so!

The reality is, ebikes mainly assist in pedaling. While some do provide throttle-only riding, the bikes go even faster if the rider pedals, so a lot of folks find that going faster is so much fun that it’s worth putting some work into the ride––even people who are typically less into doing “work!”

There are also studies indicating that people with ebikes are more likely to take longer and more frequent trips than those on traditional bikes.