Zoom, zoom!
folks’ bicycles.
Demand was so good that Mullett, owner of E-Bikes of Holmes County, in Millersburg, expanded his business to carry a showroom full of pre-built electric bikes.
“There are a lot of advantages to buying a complete e-bike with the battery kit and motor pre-installed,” Mullett said. “They are better balanced and have a nicer ride. Compared to the price of buying the conversion kit for a traditional bicycle, the pre-made e-bikes give you a better bang for
your buck.”
Mullett’s showroom now features about 30 e-bikes on display, from leading manufacturers like Magnum, Smart Motion, I-Zip, Easy Motion
and Stromer.
“We have a wide variety for people to come in and try out before buying,” he said. “Test rides are a very important part of the process of buying an e-bike. Each bike has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages, and everybody has his or her own style of riding, so the best way is to try some out and see which one matches
your needs.”
In contrast to a gas-powered moped, Mullett said, an e-bike doesn’t require a special license, permit or insurance to ride. As long as they have a 750 watt motor or less and speed limitation, legally, they are treated like traditional bicycles.
Although they are now growing in popularity, e-bikes actually have been around since the 1890s, when Ogden Bolton Jr., of Canton, was awarded the first U.S. patent for an electrical
bicycle design.
“Just about anybody can ride an e-bike,” Mullett said. “A lot of people are riding them to commute to and from work or for making short runs to the store. It’s easier to ride an e-bike than a traditional bike, which makes it perfect for older people or people with physical limits who still like to be active but can’t handle the extra strain of riding a traditional bike. An e-bike extends the time that you can ride.”
An e-bike, he added, can reduce a rider’s commute time.
“If you’re riding six miles to work, you can get there in half the time,” he said. “By cutting the time it takes to ride home, you have more time to spend with your family
at night.”
Battery powered motors on e-bikes are activated two ways:
-Power by demand, by which the motor is activated by a throttle on the handlebar;
-Pedal-based cadence or
torque sensor.
“You get the best efficiency when you start to pedal,” Mullett said. “The torque sensor activates the motor to assist you according to the assistance level you have selected. It’s like having someone run behind your bicycle while giving you a little push.”
Batteries vary from bike to bike, but on average a battery takes four to six hours to charge and can last anywhere from 15 to 100 miles or more depending on battery size, terrain and
ride style.
While each rider may like a different make or model of e-bike, Mullett said Magnum offers a good value.
“It’s a good, quality brand with excellent distance per charge at a good price starting at $1,599 for a complete bike, ready to ride, with a carrier, fenders and lights — everything you need,” he said.
On Saturday, February 25, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Mullett will hold an E-bike Demo Day at the Heritage Community Center on US 62. Food and refreshments will
be available.
“This will be a good opportunity to try out our 2017 models on a test track,” Mullett said. “If you purchase a bike at the event, I’ll deliver it free of charge and give you a free lock. Everybody who buys an e-bike this year will get a
free helmet.”
Mullett also will be at the Amish Home and Garden Show, in Mount Hope, Thursday through Saturday, March 2-4, 2017.
E-Bikes of Holmes County is located at 3370 CR 160, in Millersburg. Hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.; and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Or call David Mullett at 330-275- 5011 to make an appointment.