Electric Bikes
Your One-Stop E-Bike Shop in Ann Arbor.
Looking to go electric?
E-bikes are the latest movement in the industry and have generated lots of excitement and innovation.
What are they exactly? Simply put, e-bikes are bikes that have electric motors that can propel them forward. While some of these bikes are designed from the ground up to be electric, many are modifications of existing designs.
Not only are electric bikes opening doors to those using bikes for transportation and carrying heavy cargo, they have also offered an opportunity for those with physical limitations to get out and enjoy the sport of cycling.
We have been expanding our offerings in this exciting category and we currently have e-bikes from Cannondale on our salesfloor, including their Treadwell Neo and Adventure Neo lines. Additionally, our other brands including Jamis, Surly and Marin have some new compelling choices that we are looking into.
It is important for us that we can service what we sell and to that end we have been slow to adopt some of the less robust e-bike technologies that have been introduced over the last few years. If you're curious, stop by and try one out. We guarantee you’ll be grinning from ear to ear when you are done.
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Class 1 e-bikes are limited to a top speed of 20 miles per hour, and the electric motor works only when the rider is pedaling (pedal assist). These bikes are mostly allowed on bike paths, parks and bike lanes that are shared with traditional, non-assisted bikes. These bikes often have hub based motors and tend to be lighter than higher classified versions.
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Class 2 e-bikes are also limited to a top speed of 20 miles per hour, but they have throttles that can also work when you're not pedaling. As with Class 1 ebikes, you can generally ride them in the same places as analog bikes.
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Class 3 e-bikes can go up to 28 miles per hour and usually do not have a throttle and only offer pedal assistance. If they do have a throttle, they only offer a boost while the rider is pedaling. While most states let you take a Class 3 ebike into road lanes or a bike-only lane on the shoulder of the road they do not let you take them on bike paths, parks or on multi-use trails shared with pedestrians. These class 3 bikes are mostly mid-drive powered bikes, which means the motor is mounted at the crankset, or in between the pedals.
It’s always been important for us to service what we sell! That’s why we offer robust Electric Bikes with reliable electronics that will stand the test of time – and be repairable when they don’t.
Stop by Sic Transit to learn more or take a test ride!
Cannondale Treadwell NEO 2
Forgive the stock pictures, for now, but we think the Treadwell NEO 2 is an amazing e-bike for the riding so many of us want to do. Lightweight, nothing you don’t need and super fun to ride. Check out all the details over at Cannondale’s Site.
Cannondale Adventure NEO 4
The best lowstep bike on the market gets a boost with the Adventure NEO. With a Bosch mid-drive assist motor and a lightweight alloy frame, it is at home on the path and the commute. Check out all the details over at Cannondale’s Site.
Surly Skid Loader
“The Skid Loader is a compact electric cargo bike wired for large loads, small footprints and everyday deviant behavior.”
If cutting back on car trips, or ditching the car, is your goal, this bike is up for the task thanks to a rear cargo capacity of 100lbs, a 50 mile range on a single charge, and wide tire clearance to take on any challenge.
Check out all the details at Surly’s site, or come down for a test ride and a chat.
Benno eScout
Benno calls this the “Ultimate Commuter Etility Bike”, and they might be right. This road bike inspired urban e-bike is built from a lightweight alloy frame and sports a stout rear rack, full fenders and lights and a top speed of 28 mph.
Check out Benno’s model line up here!
A word about mountain bike trails: For the most part, e-bikes are not allowed on mountain bike or natural surface trails. This being an emerging technology, the bicycle industry, along with land management organizations, are continuing to discuss this topic and laws are evolving every year. Please check with your local trail system for rules governing your trails.