So you’re looking at a new bike. Maybe you’re looking to hit the open road. Maybe you’re wishing for an easier way to get around town, or maybe you just want to escape for a gravel adventure in the afternoon sun. Whichever it may be, a bicycle is an age-old ticket to motion and freedom. The bicycle has evolved into a variety of different purpose-built machines and choosing the right one for you can be challenging. Fortunately our Skirack team is here to help guide you to your dream ride.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the bike buying process and intimidated by the innumerable options out there, fear not. After reading this short guide you will be able to confidently choose your next ride. We will go over just a few basic steps that will help you narrow down your search as well as some finer points to think about before making your final decision.

Spring is here and it's biking season! Folks are getting their bikes out of winter storage or contemplating a new purchase. A growing number of you are electric bike owners already or prospective buyers. This article is about how to care for your e-bike, answered frequently asked questions and how get the most out of your e-bike purchase.

Whether you are riding around the latest and greatest the bike industry has to offer, an old school relic, or the die-hard four season commuter, admittedly as a cyclist, you care about the bike you are on. Keeping your bicycle running smoothly will only ensure the longevity of the bike, its performance, and the overall enjoyment you will get out of every ride.

While many tunes and services are best left for your friendly local bike shop, the first and foremost is something everyone who rides is capable of maintaining.

The Popularity of Bikes

Are you feeling cooped up and ready to get outside during 2021? You’re not alone! The past year of travel restrictions and unprecedented challenges have changed all of our lives. One silver lining is that more people have taken up new outdoor hobbies as a way to get out of the house, get back into shape, or safely socialize while relaxing and enjoying the outdoors.

Bicycles have always been a great way to get out in the fresh air, and in the summer of 2020, their popularity skyrocketed. Everyone desired the utility, freedom, and ability to explore that a bicycle provides. As a direct result of their newfound popularity, every type of bike, from kids bikes to electric bikes, have been in demand like never before.

What is an electric bike?

As electric motor technology progresses, so does the diversity of how it can be applied in two-wheeled machines. The “electric bike” umbrella encompasses a vast array of battery-powered cycles, but they are certainly not all created equal.

The term e-bike in the cycling world refers to pedal-assist bikes. This type of bike requires you to at least do some of the work. As you pedal, the motor will engage and add power to the rear wheel. The bike can achieve this in a few different ways that I’ll discuss shortly, but more sophisticated systems will actually work in harmony with the rider, basing the amount of power the motor puts out on how hard the rider is pushing the pedals. The way I like to think about a pedal-assist electric bike is that it’s just like I’m riding a regular bicycle, but with the fantastic illusion that I’ve magically gained the superhuman fitness of a Tour De France rider overnight. This feeling can be shared by anyone.

Join us for a quick cruise around Burlington to see how electric bikes (e-bikes) can make your travels simple, fast, affordable, and way more fun than driving a car!

To demo an e-bike, as part of our free e-lending program and to see if it fits into your lifestyle, contact Skirack or Local Motion to learn more.