Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Top of the line electric bike by OHM in Canada

Although many models of electric bikes that we carry at NYCeWheels are designed for commuters, we talk to the occasional mountain biker that needs to add some electric power to their rough trail ride. They need a bike with full suspension, good brakes, and a lot of gears. Luckily, the bikes made by OHM Cycles are designed specifically for that purpose.


The two models to choose from, the OHM Urban and the OHM Sport, both have really great components, right down to the pedals, and can take rough riding better than any other electric bike. They also utilize the amazing BionX electric motor kit. Read a bit more about the Tough OHM Electric Bikes and get yourself one of the toughest electric bikes around.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

The IF Reach DC is the best electric bike

A "light-weight" electric bike is almost unheard of - most of these motorized bikes weigh about fifty pounds! Wouldn't it be nice if the powerful electric motor could be combined with a compact, lightweight frame like a folding bike? Surely, there has got to be an electric folding bike that has good battery range as well as a compact folded size.

The IF Reach DC electric folding bike is one of the newest creations by the designers at Pacific Cycles. Not only is this the lightest electric bike around (42 lbs), it happens to fold down to the same size as any other folding commuter bike. On top of that, its Lithium battery will last up to 25 miles on a single charge. Many would say it's the best electric folding bike money can buy! Read more and see for yourself.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Kick scooter are also mobility scooters - sort of..

The invasion is upon us. Hoards of them zip around the city streets. They're in parks, on the subways, and in trains. They can move three times faster than a human, and are so small that they often go unnoticed. That's right, they can even be in your office, your classroom, or your own backyard!


What am I referring to? The explosion of kick scooters in New York City! Kids and parents alike are now riding the two-wheeled vehicles, and you'll spot them everywhere from Central Park down to Brooklyn. It seems like everyone is using a kick scooter to get around rather than walking. I've even talked to a few older people that are using kick scooters as mobility aids! Their doctors recommended it! I guess it's time to check out some kick scooters and see what the craze is about.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Chinese Electric bike for food delivery

There's not a single Chinese food delivery guy in New York that isn't riding an electric bike. It's practically a given that these bikes are battery-powered, and they're also covered in spray paint, cardboard, and electrical tape. What makes this electric bike different from other electric bikes sold in retail stores? And why do they look like they've been through a war zone?


We stripped away some of the cardboard to take a closer look at the Chinese delivery electric bike. It turns out that, under all the decor, these bikes are not so different after all. In fact, in order to survive on the streets of Manhattan every day, they have to be built like tanks. Read this article and see what some of the toughest delivery guys in New York are riding.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

NY Century, 100 miles on a Brompton folding bike

The 2010 NYC Century Bike Tour was an amazing event. It was my first organized group ride and man was it a blast. I have never felt so comfortable riding in New York City as I did this past Sunday. I rode my Brompton M6L folding bike all 100 miles around the 5 boroughs.

Here is the entire story, riding the Century on a Brompton folding bike 

More Pictures of the Century bike ride

Electric mountain bikes

The ups and downs of a bumpy mountain bike trail can get exhausting, especially as you get older. The stamina and endurance required to finish many mountain bike trails can only be achieved by someone in the prime of their life. This can be discouraging for an older individual who is passionate about the sport.


Add some electric motor power, and now the hills and trails are no longer an issue. Set the assistance level on the handlebars and the motor will help you pedal along. Electric mountain bikes are available as fully-loaded complete bikes, or you can add an electric conversion kit to a pre-existing bike to give it an electric boost.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Ecobike Vatavio, folding electric bicycle

There's some stiff competition in the electric bike market these days. Department stores are carrying bikes that cost less than $500, and electric bikes can be purchased over the internet. It's tough for a small shop to compete with all of these big retail chains. At NYCeWheels, the stock has been narrowed down to Lithium-based bikes only - the best that's out there. These bikes go for 15-20 miles before they need to be recharged, and are much lighter than their cheap counterparts. The downside? Price tag. They're much more expensive.


So out of the Lithium-based bikes, what is the most affordable? One great choice for commuters is the versatile Ecobike Vatavio folding electric bike. It's lighter than most other electric bikes, and can be folded up and carried in a bag for train rides. It's a pretty great deal for the price, and you won't find many other electric bikes out there that have this kind of performance. Read about the Affordable, Portable Ecobike Vatavio.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Bags for folding bikes

Many places are still not okay with folding bikes. They're just not acceptable in fancy restaurants, hospitals, or museums. Maybe that's why many manufacturers have come out with a line of covers and bags to conceal their bikes, so you can still take the bike anywhere you want without any trouble.


Dahon folding bikes, in particular, have a plethora of different bags and covers that all serve a specific purpose. There are thin covers that can fit into small saddle bags, and tough airline cases that can really take a beating. We outlined all of the different Dahon folding bike bags, and a few unique uses for each one. Check them out and pick the best one for your bike!

Monday, September 13, 2010

Why should I get a bike with motor?

With the improvements in Lithium battery technology, a bike with an electric motor is now a perfectly viable form of everyday transportation. The average battery will last over twenty miles on a single charge, and many people are switching over to electric bikes as a replacement for a car.

With better technology comes more manufacturers, and with more manufacturers comes a bigger selection of bicycles with electric motors. Many of them are still heavy-duty powerhouse ebikes, where the rider just pulls a throttle and takes off, like a motorcycle. Others are now utilizing super-lightweight pedal-assist motors, where the rider gets proportional power, depending on how hard they pedal. Some people may prefer one over the other, and it can be difficult to choose without some background knowledge. To help, we've outlined some key features in three diverse bikes with motors. Read about them and decide for yourself!

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Folding Bikes On The Long And Winding Rd

I love going for long bike rides up north of the city and my Brompton folding bike really enables be to do that whenever I want. It's as easy as buying the ticket, folding the bike, and placing it in the overhead luggage rack.

Taking a folding bicycle on a train is the best way to travel because you can ride to and from the station independent of a car. Want to escape the city? Read about my trip on the long and winding road.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Are electric bikes safe?

Wondering about the safety of an electric bike? Are you intimidated by its speed or massive weight? As a bike shop in Manhattan, we get asked these kinds of questions often. Luckily, many electric bikes have built-in features that actually make them safer than standard bicycles.


Read about some of the safety features of electric bikes and you might change your mind about these unique vehicles. They are some of the most stable commuter bikes out there!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Burley travoy bike cargo trailer

Okay, so you've given up your car for a bicycle. Commuting to work is a blast, you don't pay for parking, and you feel better about getting a bit greener. Life is peachy, until your friend asks you if you can bring a few cases of beer, or your guitar amplifier, or camping gear, over to his place. Not exactly the easiest things to transport via bicycle.


Burley knows how compact city life is, and they developed the Travoy folding bicycle trailer for this exact purpose. This low-profile trailer weighs less than ten pounds, and folds down to the size of a suitcase. Now you can carry all of that unruly cargo with ease. Read about the Joys of a Burley Travoy!

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Fine folding bikes and fine art

Is it really any wonder that Brompton folding bikes look so good next to great art? I mean, with such a beautiful design and such wild color selection to choose from it's no surprise that Bromptons are so artsy. I learned how great a Brompton looks in front of some good artwork last friday on 86th Street.

Xootr kick scooter, best adult scooter

Out of all the kick scooters that are on the market as commuter scooters, there is really nothing that can stand up to the Xootr kick scooter in terms of durability and quality. The polyurethane wheels and tough decks make these reliable scooters for kids and adults alike. With five different models to choose from, which Xootr Scooter is the most durable, heavy-duty kick scooter?


A CNC-machined aluminum deck is the base of the Xootr Street kick scooter. Some even claim it's bulletproof. It's the best option for someone concerned with weight, longevity, and durability of their kick scooter. Need something that can withstand a heavy beating? Check out the Xootr Street.


A Xootr kick scooter for Fathers day

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Motorized bikes and obesity

Obesity is one of the biggest problems facing Americans today. Literally. Making new laws against fast food and saturated fats just aren't going to change people's habits. There needs to be a shift in the American mindset in regard to exercise. One way to solve this chronic problem is a motorized bicycle. I know, it sounds counter-productive, but think about the overweight people in our country. The prospect of riding a bicycle to work is not an option. It's difficult, sweaty, and takes a lot of energy. Essentially, it's not a fun activity.


Now, substitute a motorized bike for a car. It increases heart rate, speeds up your metabolism, and leaves a person feeling invigorated. It's a daily dose of exercise without the sweat and strain of a regular bicycle. Read about how motorized bicycles help to fight obesity and you'll be surprised to learn that electric bicycles are not made for lazy people.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

IF Reach DC, the best electric folding bike

Do you ever wish your electric bike could fit in the trunk of a car? You ever have a longing that your folding bike could give you a bit of motor assistance on hills? It's tough to make an electric folding bike that is both lightweight and powerful. However, the IF Reach DC has the best of both worlds.


At 42 lbs, this is the lightest electric bike around. With the same folded dimensions as other 20" folding bikes, it's small enough to fit into closets or in the trunk of a car. It can also travel up to 25 miles before it needs to be recharged. Many would call it the best electric folding bike money can buy. See for yourself!

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Tandem bike, powered by electric motor

The two-person tandem bike has almost become a novelty vehicle. With four pedals, two seats, and a long frame, these bikes are almost exclusively seen on beachside boardwalks. They're a lot of fun for a long stretch of flat riding, but try to take this up a hill and you're in for some frustration. It's just not that great on hills with an extra rider.

This is where an electric bike conversion kit comes in. The BionX electric bike kit is actually a perfect fit for an electric tandem bikes, with extension cables, various battery mounts, and different speed options. The smooth pedal-assist motor is much safer for two riders than the jolt of a throttle. Read a bit more about electric tandem bikes and see if this unique set up would work for you!

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Electric bike vs electric car

Electric power is getting pretty popular these days. What separates something like a high-powered cutting-edge electric car from the new electric bikes that are populating the streets?


We compared the two types of vehicles in our Electric Bike vs. Electric Car article. If you want to electrify your next vehicle, see if the advantages outweigh the costs before you make your decision.


Also see the article the history of the electric bike