ELECTRIC BIKE INFORMATION
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WHY CHOOSE PEDEGO
There are plenty of good reasons to choose Pedego, but the best reason is impossible to put into words… It’s the way you feel when you ride a Pedego.
Once you try one, you’ll know in an instant why those who compare, choose Pedego.
THE BEST: PEDEGO
The list of reasons to choose Pedego could easily be a mile long. We’ve narrowed it down to the top 5 for your convenience:
- Locally-owned stores that treat you like family.
- 5-Year warranty, including anti-theft protection.
- Delighting customers since 2008. We’re here to stay.
- 18 models to choose from. Find a perfect fit.
- The best electric bikes on earth! Try one and see.
THE REST: NO COMPARISON
Comparing Pedego to other electric bikes is like comparing apples to oranges. We’re in a class of our own!
We don’t want to bad-mouth anyone else. However, we do suggest you ask yourself the following two questions before buying any electric bike:
- “Did I try different models and make sure I found a perfect fit for me?”
- “Is there someone local that I can count on to be there for me in the future?”
Locally-Owned Stores
There are over 100 locally owned Pedego stores where you’ll be treated like family.
The Medinas are typical Pedego store owners. They started as customers and opened a Pedego store to share their passion with you. They put their hearts into helping you find the perfect electric bike and get the most out of it for many years to come.
Here’s what they do for you:
- Help you find the perfect electric bike for your needs
- Deliver your Pedego(s) ready to ride with no hassles
- Stand behind the product with parts and service in the future
- Go above and beyond to make sure you’re delighted
But that’s not all! The Medinas also:
- Served our country in the military for over twenty years
- Were born and raised in the community and care about local issues
- Donate to local charities and volunteer for community service projects
- Pay various local taxes and fees to support government services
- Boost the local economy by providing jobs and shopping local
- And so much more that makes up the fabric of a community!
5 Year
Parts Warranty
5 Year
Battery Warranty
5 Year
Anti-Theft Protection
Lifetime
Frame Warranty
HUB MOTORS VS. MID DRIVES
Companies that only sell mid drive bikes want you to believe that they’re always the best option. “If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.”
Pedego offers both options, so we have no ax to grind. Our philosophy is the best electric bike is the one that’s the most fun, for you personally, to ride – regardless of the motor.
HUB MOTORS
A majority of electric bikes in the U.S. have hub motors.
In general, Americans prefer them because they are simple and easy to use. They seamlessly deliver power right where it’s needed, without any extra gear shifting or wear on the drivetrain.
Hub motors also have at least twice the power of a typical mid drive and they deliver full power on demand with a twist-and-go throttle.
MID DRIVES
Mid Drive motors are popular in Europe where strict laws limit the power and forbid throttles.
Most Americans don’t like European style mid drives because they’re underpowered and don’t have a throttle. The Pedego City Commuter: Mid Drive Edition solves these problems, but it’s still not nearly as popular as the hub motor version.
Mid drive motors are notoriously high maintenance. The power of the motor goes through the drivetrain of the bike and causes much more wear and tear than usual. To make matters worse, a bike with a mid drive motor can’t be ridden at all with a broken chain. (A hub motor would at least get you home under the motor’s power.)
Mid drive motors also force you to constantly shift gears while riding, and it’s not as smooth as shifting a regular bike (or one with a hub motor). Many people are intimidated and/or annoyed by all this extra hassle.
On a positive note, mid drives are undoubtedly the best option for extremely steep hills because they can use the gears of the bike to help climb. Although it’s hardly noticeable, the weight of the motor is more balanced on the bike. And the rear tire is slightly easier to change with a mid drive motor.
THROTTLE & PEDAL ASSIST
PEDAL ASSIST
Pedal assist systems sense your pedaling and provide assistance automatically.
They’re most popular among experienced cyclists that want a more natural, “bike-like” riding experience.
Pedal assist is also nice for long rides with few stops. You can just relax and enjoy the ride without holding a throttle in place.
TWIST ASSIST/THROTTLE
In the United States, we have the luxury of using throttles on our electric bikes, which are forbidden in Europe.
Throttles provide full power on demand and Americans love them because they give us complete control.
They’re especially helpful for getting started from a standstill (sometimes it can be awkward to gain momentum), getting a quick burst of power to climb a hill, or safely getting through an intersection.
If you can’t pedal, or you just don’t feel like it, that’s okay too. We’re not judging!
WHY NOT HAVE BOTH?
Most Pedegos have both pedal assist and throttle because that’s what most people want.
The only exceptions are entry-level bikes that don’t include pedal assist, and certain mid drive motors that aren’t available with throttle.
In general, Pedego believes in letting you decide for yourself how you want to ride. Even if you prefer one over the other, why wouldn’t you want the option of using both?
BATTERY PLACEMENT
For everyday riding conditions, the obvious place for the battery is the rear rack.
It’s the most convenient way to carry extra weight on any bike (that’s why most bike commuters carry their stuff on the rear rack). Plus, you have the added benefit of a sturdy rear rack to carry your stuff.
Some avid cyclists prefer to have the weight of the battery more evenly distributed on the bike with a lower center of gravity — especially for off-road riding.
Pedego offers both options, and the difference is hardly noticeable for most people.
For casual riding, or commuting on typical streets and paths, it’s six in one hand, half a dozen in the other.
HOW FAR CAN I GO?
PRO
TIP:
TIP:
When comparing different brands of electric bikes, it's wise to use watt-hours instead of estimated range.
HOW FAR CAN I GO?
The most common question we hear is, “How far can I go?” The short answer is: “Far enough!”
Generally speaking, any Pedego battery should last longer than you want to ride. Your fanny will probably quit long before your battery does!
With that said, this can be a tough question because there isn’t one “standard” way to estimate range. So we’ll go over some simple math that can help you predict the range of any electric bike.
All batteries have both a voltage and amp-hour rating. If you multiply the two together, you get watt-hours. Watt-hours is an objective measurement of the actual amount of energy stored in any battery.
Volts x Amp-Hours = Watt-Hours
Estimating your actual range is a little more tricky because there are so many variables. On average, you can expect to use between 12-24 watt-hours per mile. This number fluctuates so much because of differences in terrain, rider weight, weather, speed, and most importantly how much you pedal.
PRO TIP:
When comparing different brands of electric bikes, it's wise to use watt-hours instead of estimated range.
ESTIMATE RANGE
“NO EXCUSES” CUSTOMER CARE
When you invest in a Pedego Electric Bike, you’ll enjoy the peace of mind of an industry leading two year warranty, including parts and labor. We like to call it our “no excuses” promise to you.
Of course, a warranty is only as good as the company behind it. We’ve seen hundreds of companies selling cheap electric bikes come and go – leaving unhappy customers behind. Pedego, on the other hand, has a rock-solid reputation for world-class customer care.
Even the finest products on Earth (like Pedegos) are bound to have an occasional flaw that needs to be resolved. That’s why our team of experts are just a call or click away. We see every warranty issue, no matter how small, as an opportunity to show you how much we care.
You’ll probably never need our help, but it’s nice to know that Pedego is always here for you.
ANTI-THEFT PROTECTION
Since April 1st, 2018, the Pedego warranty includes a generous anti-theft protection plan. A stolen Pedego will be replaced for free under certain conditions.
Pedego offers a strong folding lock that conveniently attaches to your bike. This solid, hardened-steel lock, with drill protected rivets, is designed to keep your Pedego bike out of the hands of bicycle thieves.
The battery can be locked in place or easily removed and taken with you.
Check with your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if your Pedego is covered. If not, there is supplemental insurance available through third party carriers.
TRAVEL
Just imagine all the fun adventures you can have traveling with your Pedego. It’s the best way to explore a new area!
The Latch is especially good for travel because it easily folds in seconds.
Otherwise, most Pedego models can easily be carried on most standard hitch mounted vehicle racks. Thule is our favorite brand.
The Tandem and Trike are the most challenging models to travel with, but it is possible. Your local Pedego dealer can help you choose a good option.
COMMUNITY
The Pedego Owners Group (POG) is a thriving community of fun lovers just like you. It makes it easy to connect with each other by going on group rides, attending fun events, and sharing stories and advice.
Lifetime membership is free, and you’ll get a fun gift just for registering. You can also request free collectible Mile Marker pins to track your miles.
MAINTENANCE
Aside from keeping your battery charged, maintaining a Pedego Electric Bike is the same as any bicycle. After the bike’s been ridden about 100 miles you’ll need a basic tune-up. This is standard procedure for all new bikes as they’re broken in.
The most important (and simple) thing you can do is check your tire pressure regularly, and keep them inflated as indicated on the tire. If you’re riding in wet conditions, you’ll want to take extra care and make sure you keep your chain (or belt) clean and the chain well-lubricated.
Other than that, you’re likely to need minor adjustments from time to time, and even the best parts do eventually wear out. We suggest that you bring it in for a check-up at least once or twice a year to ensure the most safe and pleasant riding experience.
ELECTRIC BIKE LAWS
Federal law defines an electric bike as a two or three wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals, a top speed when powered solely by the motor under 20 MPH and an electric motor that produces less than 750 watts.
State and local regulations, while seldom enforced, vary greatly. Check with your local authorities to see what the rules are.
JUST LIKE A REGULAR BIKE – ONLY BETTER!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW FAST?
All Pedego Electric Bikes are governed at 15.5 MPH in accordance with federal and state regulations.
HOW FAR?
Range varies between 15-60 mi. Depending on the battery, rider weight, terrain, weather, speed, and level of pedaling.
HOW LONG TO CHARGE?
The battery takes 2-6 hours to charge from a standard wall outlet. Your pedaling conserves the battery, but doesn’t charge it.
WHAT ABOUT EXERCISE?
Pedego owners actually get more exercise because it’s so much fun that they ride more than they ever would on a pedal-only bike.