If you’re in the market for a new E-bike, or if you’re interested in learning more about what an E-bike can do, our list of frequently asked questions is for you. Adding the electric component to bicycling has made it much more complex, so we’ve designed our FAQ to answer your questions and concerns in detail.

What is an Electric Bike?

E-bikes are just like regular bicycles but with the addition of a pedal-assist motor and battery that give you a power boost when you ride. For every type of bike there is (Mountain, Road, Cruiser, foldable, etc.) there’s most likely an electric version with a built in motor and battery. Think of E-Bikes as a way to supercharge your riding experience.

Why ride an Electric Bike?

E-bikes can help you ride faster and farther with less effort than a regular bike. Whether you want to commute to work, cruise around town, or get in a workout on hilly roads and trails, E-bikes are a total game changer that will make you want to ride more because it takes much less effort.

Why are Electric Bikes so expensive?

Similar to how an electric car is more expensive compared to gas-powered model, the higher price for an E-Bike can be attributed to the batteries and technology used.
E-bikes are powered by rechargeable lithium ion batteries. The minerals used to make batteries, particularly lithium and cobalt are expensive and supply is limited. It’s not just the batteries, you’re also paying for the motor, controller and display hardware. All of these additional components add weight to the bike, which calls for high-end disc brakes to which is also factored into the cost of the E-Bike.

What is the lifespan of an electric bike battery?

Lithium ion batteries can be charged and discharged hundreds of times.  Specifically, Demon Electric’s lithium-ion batteries can by charged over 10,000 cycles. Over a long period of time, an E-Bike battery may lose a bit of capacity, which could reduce your bike’s range, but for many, this won’t make a significant difference.

What is Watts on a motor?

The watt rating on an electric bike motor describes how much energy the motor can handle (or consume) continuously. Think of it as engine size, the higher the watts, the more power your motor will deliver.

What is Volts and Ah on a battery?

In short, voltage represents the power of the battery, Ah or Amp-hours is an indication of the capacity of the battery. Together, the higher the volts and Ah rating, the further your E-bike will go.

How long does it take to charge the battery?

Most electric bike batteries will fully charge from empty in 3 to 6 hours depending on the battery size. A key tip to preserving the longevity of your E-bike battery is to avoid charging the battery overnight (longer than 6 hours), overcharging often can lead to a shorter lifespan for your battery.

How much does it cost to charge the battery?

Typically, it will cost $0.03 to $0.10 to charge an electric bike battery. This will depend on what your local electricity supplier charges.

How fast can I go on an E-Bike?

Most E-bikes will provide you with assist up to 32 km/h. which is also the legal speed limit required by most provincial and state governments.

How far can I go on an E-Bike?

Most E-bikes have a range of 50-60 KM depending on factors such as riding conditions (i.e. hills, headwinds, terrain, etc.), how much pedal power you are providing and how much weight your E-bike is carrying. E-bikes with more range are generally more expensive and weigh more due to a larger battery pack.

Can I charge the battery by pedaling/braking?

Some E-bikes have this feature but it’s not efficient or practical. This requires a substantial amount of pedal power, so expect E-bikes with this feature to be more difficult to ride. Regenerative braking requires a direct drive motor, which are heavier. Direct drive motors don’t offer a freewheeling mechanism that will insulate the rider from the motor, this means that once your battery runs out of charge, not only do you need to move yourself and the bike, but you also need to push against the resistance of the motor.

Although it sounds ideal for your bikes battery to re-charge itself and give you an infinite source of energy, the technology to make this efficient isn’t there just yet, and the effort required isn't worth the small benefit of an extra 5% of battery power.

Do I need a license to drive an E-Bike?

In Canada, electric bikes are classified as bicycles, therefore no license, registration or insurance is required.

Where can I buy an E-Bike?

Your local bike shop is the best place to start, their knowledgable staff will help you find the right E-Bike that's suitable for the particular riding you're looking to do. You can also explore our collection of Demon Electric E-Bikes, we have a large selection of electric bikes for all types of riders from hunting, mountain biking, even foldable e-bikes for RV/Camping trips. 

Whatever type of E-bike you choose to buy, and wherever you choose to buy it from, an E-bike is a great investment. An E-bike is great form of excercise, you'll save cost on fuel since it costs only a few cents to re-charge and you'll be able to enjoy more of what nature has to offer comfortably. 

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