Although nobody seems to be keeping an exact count, electric bicycles, also called e-bikes, are enjoying explosive popularity all over the world. It's thought that there are more electric bikes in China, for example, than there are iPhones on the entire planet. In Holland, about 1 bike in every 8 is an electric model. In the UK, more and more people are discovering the many benefits of riding bicycles with eco-friendly electric motors, and dealers are springing up everywhere, especially on the Internet. If you're concerned about the high costs of fuel and maintenance for gasoline- or diesel-powered vehicles, perhaps you should consider an electric bike. Typically, it costs just a few pence per day to run, and you can expect an e-bike to pay for itself in one year or less. Here's some information about a popular electric bike model: the Sparta Ion GL Blackline.
Electric Bicycles: Key Features of the Sparta Ion GL Blackline
The Sparta Ion is a well designed, precision engineered e-bike that's also incredibly quiet and comfortable to ride. It weighs just under 25kg, and has a range of 35 to 50km, depending on how much the rider supplements the power by pedalling. For safety reasons, if the bike's pedal assisted speed is higher than the legal limit, the motor simply cuts off. The bike has electronic circuitry that includes a power sensor in the rear wheel hub. Depending what level of pedal assistance the rider selects, the bike's intelligent system will supply just the right amount of power needed to keep it moving along. The removable operating display allows the rider to choose one of 3 pedal assist modes: eco, normal, or power. The display also controls the bike's lights, keeps track of distance travelled, and shows how much charge remains in the battery.
Electric Bicycles: More About the Sparta Ion
The battery pack on the Sparta Ion consists of long-life NiMH (nickel-metal hydride) cells. The battery pack provides continuous 24-volt output, and recharges on mains power. It's not necessary for the battery to be completely depleted before charging it. As mentioned above, there are 3 user-selectable levels of pedal assistance. In eco mode, a moderate amount of power supplements pedalling for leisurely rides or short commutes. Normal pedal assist mode provides extra power when starting out, and then a constant rate when pedalling. In power mode, extra assistance is provided for climbing hills or riding into the wind.
Electric Bicycles: Final Thoughts on the Sparta Ion GL Blackline
Unlike some electric bicycles, the motor on the Sparta Ion is compact, yet powerful. It's so small, you might forget it's there! The motor is fitted to the axle of the rear wheel, which means maximum efficiency. The motor utilises magnetic rather than mechanical resistance, so there's no noise at all. Finally, the bike is quite easy to pedal, even with the motor switched off.
Electric bicycles like the Sparta Ion GL Blackline are a great way to get around in an environmentally friendly, yet efficient way.