WHY WHEELWORKS?
At Wheelworks, our sales floor boasts 50-plus electric bikes built and ready for you to test ride. You could call our in-stock inventory “well-rounded” but that really wouldn’t do it justice. When you visit us, you can test ride different sizes, styles, and brands - all in the same place. Don’t know if you are medium or large? No problem. Do you want to try out the differences between Specialized, Gazelle, and Stromer? Come on in. Debating whether an electric cargo bike is the way to go? Let’s chat. Our staff lives and breathes the ebike life both personally and professionally, and we’re ready to share our knowledge and expert advice with you.
Hybrid
Are you a casual rider who wants to keep up with a more avid rider? Want to add a few more miles onto your normal ride? Ebikes are a great option for the casual rider wanting a little more out of each ride. Many of these bikes come with racks and built in lights making them perfect for commuting too!
Road
Eat up mile after mile of pavement on your electric road bike. You can power up every hill at top speed, and keep cruising as long as you wish.
Mountain
An electric mountain bike is a powerful, all-terrain vehicle that can expand your riding range considerably, and help you get more riding done if you're pushed for time. Only have a couple of hours to ride? An electric mountain bike will let you speed up the climbs, so you can enjoy more of the downs.
Cargo
Welcome to endless possibilities. Cargo ebikes allow you to enjoy your daily commute, tackle your grocery shopping, and transport your kiddos around town with ease. Haul it all, life is easier on a cargo ebike.
Things To Consider
Battery Placement
The best solution for battery placement is when the battery is mounted inside the frame. This gives you the best protection and balance - as well as more resemblance to a conventional bicycle. Some bikes have batteries placed high and to the rear, which make balance more unstable.
Motor Placement
Wheel motors tend to be quieter but heavier than mid-drive motors and have a more normal shifting feel. In mid-drive bikes, the crank pulls the chain across the cogs, which creates less smooth shifting and more drivetrain wear, but the motor is more centered on the bike and lower, which provides better handling feel.
Power
Watt hours (Wh) are a measure of electrical energy equivalent to power consumption of one watt for one hour. 400 Whs equals 400 watts delivered for one hour, for example. The more Whs, the more powerful the battery, and the longer it will deliver at the assistance level of its class.
TEST RIDE ALL OF YOUR OPTIONS TODAY
With one of the largest selections of ebikes in New England, we have plenty of bikes built up and ready for you to test ride at all times! Just like people, ebikes come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so we encourage you to try out multiple options to find what suits you best.
Frequently Asked Questions About Electric Bikes
How far can I go?
Specific mileage may vary, as there are so many variables including wind, terrain, rider weight, and speed. Most of our bikes fall between 40-60 miles of typical riding, plus or minus. Option exist for longer with a range extender or a second battery in some models. Other newer models can go as far as 100 miles on a single charge.
How fast can I go?
With Class 1 bikes, you must pedal in order to propel with assistance up to 20mph. With Class 3 bikes, same as Class 1 but up to 28mph.
What is the general weight of an electric bike?
Weights can vary a considerable amount depending on model and battery capacity. Most electric bikes are around 45 Ibs but they can vary in weight from 30 Ibs to more than 60 Ibs.
Does an ebike integrate with a smartphone?
Many models do but not all. Those that do pair with a smartphone offer a lot of detailed options that will let you adjust the motor and battery output based on how far or how long you want to ride.
Is it cheating?
There is nothing about a motor that keeps you from working as hard as you want, unless you want to work less. If you put the same effort riding a non-assist bike at 8-12mph into a pedal-assist bike - your speed will increase to 15-18mph. You’re getting the same workout, you’re just going faster. But if you want to put in less effort, you can go the same speed on a pedal-assist bike as you would have on a non-assist bike, but you can soft-pedal and sweat less.
What are some benefits?
With an ebike, you can get places more easily, without being as tired or getting as sweaty. You can get out of the car, the bus, and the train, avoiding single-use automobiles or public transportation. Studies have shown people who have ebikes at their disposal tend to ride them more, therefore getting more exercise. Plus, it’s fun!
What are some downsides?
Ebikes are still heavier than traditional bikes, some more than others. You might not want an ebike if you regularly have to carry it up many flights of stairs (though the lightest weight models might be tolerable). Maintenance can be more complicated, but Wheelworks has technicians on staff certified in all the technology on all the bikes that we sell. And batteries can be expensive to replace. But the pros can outweigh the cons.