Electric Bike Tektro Twin Piston Hydraulic Brakes

LifeCycle electric bikes have taken a major step forward with the introduction of Tektro twin piston hydraulic brakes front and rear on the LifeCycle Alpine Sport electric bike.

The stopping power of these new brakes is exceptional, whilst at the same time requiring less effort by the rider and being silent – even in the wet!.

The Tektro hydraulic brakes are also self adjusting and require very little maintenance.

You can test ride an Alpine Sport electric bike and experience these incredible brakes at LifeCycle Electric bikes.

Can’t wait, then take a look at another of the LifeCycle electric bikes, the Mountain Sport, as it wins the  Gadget Show 2010 Ben Nevis Challenge

How far can you travel on one charge of an electric bike battery?

A very sensible question to ask, as no one wants to cycle 15 miles out to a local beauty spot only to find they have no power for the return trip.

When a manufacturer states a maximum battery range they are always basing the figure on test results from a testing environment that is an indoor flat rolling road, no stopping and starting, no adverse weather conditions, no hills and an average weight rider.  This of course gives a very optimistic range, which whilst is accurate and achievable,  will quite often prove no to be the case for a given individual.

It is worth considering that when a bike is quoted for example as having a range of 25 miles (under ideal conditions remember), in reality it will only be 20 miles.

Another factor to consider is that batteries do not just go from full power to flat, they get weaker the further you go.  So, for a bike with a manufacturer’s range of 25 miles it is advisable to travel no further than 7.5 miles out, this will easily then leave you with the power to travel back giving you a total range used of 15 miles.

When considering which electric bike to buy it is essential that you choose the bike that has the most powerful and efficient battery, and the best motor.  

You should look at the both the voltage and the power rating Amps (Ah) as both are equally important in terms of performance.  The best performing batteries have both high voltage and high amp ratings.  This of course means that the batteries are more expensive, but the extra you pay initially pays dividends in performance when you are out and about and really require that extra power.

The LifeCycle electric bike range have the best possible batteries available with ranges from 30 miles for the Traveller folding electric bike to an incredible 70 miles for the LifeCycle Alpine Sport and LifeCycle Mountain Sport.

As a final thought - don’t forget though that you can always take you charger with you and recharge your battery for free at many destinations!!

Adjusting Shimano 7 Speed Gears

These excellent gears are smooth and reliable and so easy to use.  Just push the button to change the gear.  So good that you can change from bottom to top in just half a turn of the pedals.  From time to time they will need a little adjustment and that is really easy too.

There are two screws as indicated in the image below that you can use to make fine adjustments as indicated.

Continually test your adjustments by operating the gear lever to change the gears, until you are satisfied with the result.

And that is it...

If you don't feel confident enough to make these adjustments on your electric bike please call us for help on 02380 236 540 or email us at info@lifecycle-electricbikes.co.uk.

Adjusting Caliper Brakes

How to Check and Adjust Electric Bike Caliper Brakes

The latest bicycle brakes are designed to be incredibly powerful and safe. But you still need to take care of them.

Brakes have only two problems:

They can be too tight or too loose.  Brakes that are too tight rub against the wheel and slow you down; brakes that are too loose don't provide enough stopping power.

Keep them properly adjusted, and your riding will be easier and safer. This adjustment applies to bikes that have a frame-mounted brake to grip the sides of the wheel rim.

1. Lift the bicycle off the ground and spin each wheel. If the rubbing is very faint, the problem can be fixed using the brake-alignment screw.
   
   
2. You'll find this small screw on the brake by the wheel rim.  Turn the screw slowly with a small Phillips screwdriver, in either direction, until the brake no longer contacts the rim. Work slowly, and frequently spin the wheel to check for rubbing.  A small adjustment should be sufficient.

Severe rubbing requires an adjustment of the brake cable

1. Using an Allen (hex) wrench, loosen the nut holding the brake cable to the brake itself. Allow the cable to loosen slightly and re-secure the nut. Spin the wheel to test for rubbing. Squeeze the brake lever a few times to be sure the new slack in the cable has reached the brake. Loosen the cable further if necessary.
   
   
2. Immediately in front of the handlebar brake lever is a screw adjuster, through which the brake cable passes. Turn the adjuster ant-clockwise to add tension to the brake cable and thereby increase.
   
   
3. Test the brakes for sufficient tension. If you can pull the brake lever all the way back to the handlebar, continue adding tension.
   
   
4. If the adjuster doesn't add enough tension, the brake cable must be pulled tighter at the brake. Return the adjuster to the middle of its adjustment range by giving it a few clockwise turns.
   
   
5. Follow the brake cable to where it attaches to the brake. Loosen the nut holding the cable to the brake, using an Allen Key.  Using a pair of pliers, pull the cable taut. While holding the cable taut, re-secure the brake cable by tightening the nut with a wrench.

Repeat steps 1 through 5 for the other brake.

Ride the bike to test the brakes. If you have added too much tension and the brakes rub slightly, try turning the screw adjuster clockwise. This will remove a bit of tension from the brake cables.

Cycle Scheme

Get Your Tax Free Electric Bike

Cyclescheme gives you the opportunity to purchase an electric bike tax free through the UK Governments Cycle to Work initiative.

You can normally save between 40 to 50% when purchasing an electric bike through this fantastic scheme and higher rate tax payers could save even more!!

The Cycle to Work schemes are run through employers  and benefit everyone:

• Big savings on the cost of an electric bike for employees
• Healthier workforce for employers
• Reduced congestion and pollution benefits for everyone

In addition to the savings you will make through the scheme you will also continue to make fantastic savings on the cost of fuel and parking.   But not only are electric bikes a real practical alternative way of getting to work, they are great fun.

Todays electric bikes come in many different shapes and sizes such as:

Electric Mountain Bikes
Folding Electric Bikes
Traditional Style Electric Bikes
Step Through Electric Bikes

If you would like to find out more about this brilliant Tax Free Bike Scheme and at the same time try an electric bike for yourself in a safe, traffic free environment, come and visit us at LifeCycle Electric Bikes.

Bikes for the NHS

Tax Free Electric Bikes For All NHS Employees

Part of the Government Cycle to Work Scheme

This is a fantastic Government scheme available to employees in any part of the N.H.S.  The Scheme allows N.H.S employees to make big savings on new electric bikes and benefits the employer by improving the health of their workforce.

You can normally save between 40% and 50%.  The actual amount you pay for your electric bike will depend on your individual circumstances and the way your human resources department runs the scheme.  Higher rate tax payers will make greater savings.

As well as the financial and health benefits of cycling to work, using an electric bike is environmentally friendly enabling you to reduce your carbon footprint.

Bikes For the NHS Scheme Key Features:

• Interest Free Payments over 18 months
• Payment deducted automatically from Salary
• Tax Free
• No Deposit

Email us at info@lifecycle-electricbikes.co.uk or call us on 02380 236 540 to see how you can purchase an electric bike through this brilliant scheme.

Fancy a test drive?  No problem come and visit us and experience just how amazing our electric bikes really are.

For further information about the benefits of owning an electric bike see the following articles:

Beat the Budget –an in Depth Review of the Costs of Owning and Running an Electric bike
Ten Reasons to ditch your car and Invest in an Electric Bike

Beat the Budget

An in Depth Review of the Costs  of Owning and Running an Electric Bicycle

There could not be a better time to make the switch and invest in an electric bike, the following cost analysis clearly highlights the cost benefits of this economical, environmentally friendly and fun form of transport.

15 mile drive to work by car 5 days a week  (150 miles round trip)

• Petrol cost for average size family car £20 per week
• Cost by electric bike per week £0.25 (yes that is correct 25p)
  

*Based on an average battery range of 30 miles (pedal assisted) from one charge (aprox 5p).

As the table above demonstrates that is an annual fuel saving of £948 just for using an electric bike for commuting 30 miles a day (round trip). Not to mention the savings for general wear and tear to a car.

With a number of electric bicycles available from LifeCycle Electric bikes at £999, the return on an investment can easily be achieved within 12 months.  After which you still have the bike and can continue to make great savings, not only in your pocket but in your health as well.

Like any form of motorised transport servicing is important, and I would recommend that an electric bicycle is serviced every 12 months.  For a basic service you should expect to pay no more then £40.

And that is it… there is no need to go any further in depth as there are no other hidden extra costs, such as insurance, parking, tax and MOT.

It is also possible to buy an electric bike tax free through the following Government schemes:

• CycleScheme – Tax Free Employer Bike Scheme
• Bikes for the NHS – NHS Employee Scheme

LifeCycle Electric Bikes are partners in all these schemes, you can call us for advice on 02380 236 540 or email me at stuart@lifecycle-electricbikes.co.uk