PEDEGO ELECTRIC BIKES: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Comparing Pedego to other electric bikes is like comparing apples to oranges. If you care about premium quality and local service, then nobody even comes close to Pedego. 

The list of reasons to choose Pedego could easily be a mile long. We’ve narrowed it down to the top 4 for your convenience:

• The best electric bikes on earth! Try one and see.
• Over 180 locally-owned stores that treat you like family.
• 5-Year warranty, including anti-theft protection.
• Delighting customers since 2008. Pedego is here to stay.

Best Electric Bikes on Earth (try one and see)

Pedego Electric Bikes are for people who refuse to settle for less.

The number one reason to choose Pedego is the way you feel when you actually ride one. Once you try a Pedego, everything else is just an ebike.

Over 180 Locally-Owned Stores

Your locally-owned Pedego store will treat you like family. You’ll enjoy a world-class shopping experience and follow-up service with a smile.

There is no substitute for a brick and mortar store in your community. Here’s what they do for you:

• Help you find the perfect electric bike for your needs
• Deliver your Pedego(s) ready to ride with no hassles
• Stand behind the product with parts & service in the future
• Go above and beyond to make sure you’re delighted

Quality That Lasts – Five Year Warranty

It’s easy to talk about quality. Even the cheapest electric bikes claim to have high quality, but most electric bikes only have a 1-year warranty.

Pedego puts our money where our mouth is with an exclusive 5-year warranty. That’s quality that lasts!

Delighting Customers Since 2008

Every Pedego owner deserves to be delighted – even if their bike is over 10 years old! 

That’s why we have replacement parts in stock for every Pedego made since 2008; and there are locally-owned stores all over the country to keep every Pedego running at it’s very best.

There are hundreds of cheap electric bikes for sale online and in big-box stores. They all claim to have the lowest price without sacrificing any quality.

Those of us that have been around awhile know that the world doesn’t work like that.

There’s a reason that cheap electric bikes cost less. It’s because they’re cheap.

High quality electric bikes cost more because they’re worth it. 

It’s really that simple. 

Abraham Lincoln famously asked, “If you call its tail a leg, how many legs does a dog have?” 

The answer is four. Saying that a tail is a leg doesn’t make it a leg.

And no matter what you say about a cheap electric bike, it’s still a cheap electric bike. And there’s only one thing you need to know about cheap electric bikes…

You get what you pay for.

An electric bike has about 50 different parts, and it’s only as good as the weakest one. Small details make a big difference!

Pedego is a fun company, but we’re serious about quality. We pay attention to the details (even those you don’t see), and we never cut corners. 

But don’t just take our word for it! “The proof of the pudding is in the tasting!”

Visit your local Pedego store and see the quality for yourself. When you ride a Pedego, you can tell that we really care.

(Still not convinced? Read about the Pedego that went all the way around the world, or the one with over 40,000 miles.)

There is no substitute for a brick and mortar store in your community. They put their hearts into helping you find the perfect electric bike and get the most out of it for many years to come. 

Here’s what they do for you:

• Help you find the perfect electric bike for your needs
• Deliver your Pedego(s) ready to ride with no hassles
• Stand behind the product with parts & service in the future
• Go above and beyond to make sure you’re delighted

It’s easy to talk about quality. Even the cheapest electric bikes claim to have high quality, but most electric bikes only have a 1-year warranty.

Pedego puts our money where our mouth is with an exclusive 5-year warranty. That’s quality that lasts!

Pedego Care is more than a warranty. It’s our “no excuses” promise to you. 

• 5 year parts warranty (wear and tear not included)
• 5 year battery warranty (3 years 100%, 2 years prorated)
• 5 year anti-theft protection (with qualified lock)
• Lifetime frame warranty 

Read the full limited warranty for details.

Warranty Requirements:

1. Proof of purchase
2. Registration at the time of purchase
3. 100-mile tune up by an authorized Pedego dealer
4. Annual service by an authorized Pedego dealer

This warranty extends from the date of purchase, is offered only to the original retail purchaser, and is not transferable.

The Pedego Care warranty* includes anti-theft protection for 5 years.

If you buy a qualified lock (ex. Pedego Folding Lock or Pedego Chain Lock) within seven days of your bike purchase, and your bike is stolen while properly locked, then Pedego will replace your bike for free. 

A detailed police report and the physical remainder of the broken lock are required. Please read the full warranty for complete anti-theft protection details.

Every Pedego owner deserves to be delighted – even if their bike is 10 years old! And no Pedego owner needs to get their hands dirty if they don’t want to.

That’s why we have replacement parts in stock for every Pedego made since 2008, and locally-owned stores all over the country to keep every Pedego running at it’s very best.

Over the years, we’ve seen hundreds of electric bike companies come and go, leaving nothing but broken promises behind.

We’ve heard countless stories from stranded electric bike owners who can’t get the parts they need and/or find anyone local to fix their bike.

All it takes is one broken part to take all the fun out of an electric bike!

In contrast, Pedego has a complete inventory of repair parts, service centers across the country, and a rock-solid reputation for world-class customer care. We’ve been delighting customers for over a decade, and we’re here to stay.

Companies that only sell mid drive bikes want you to believe that they’re always the best option. “If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.”

Pedego offers both options, so we have no ax to grind. Our philosophy is the best electric bike is the one that’s the most fun, for you personally, to ride – regardless of the motor.

HUB MOTORS

A majority of electric bikes in the U.S. have hub motors.

In general, Americans prefer them because they are simple and easy to use. 

Hub motors seamlessly deliver power right where it’s needed, without any extra gear shifting or wear on the drivetrain.

They also have at least twice the power of a typical mid drive and they deliver full power on demand with a twist-and-go throttle. 

MID DRIVE MOTORS

Mid Drive motors are popular in Europe where strict laws limit the power and forbid throttles.

Most Americans don’t like European style mid drives because they’re underpowered and don’t have a throttle.

Mid drive motors are notoriously high maintenance. The power of the motor goes through the chain and gears of the bike and causes much more wear and tear than usual. 

Mid drive motors also force you to constantly shift gears while riding, and it’s not as smooth as shifting a regular bike. Many people are intimidated and/or annoyed by all this extra hassle. 

On a positive note, mid drives are undoubtedly the best option for extremely steep hills because they can use the gears of the bike to help climb. And although it’s hardly noticeable for most people, the weight of the motor is more balanced on the bike.

It’s technically true that a frame-mounted battery has a lower center of gravity. 

But that doesn’t mean that it’s always the best option. 

For everyday riding conditions, the obvious place for the battery is the rear rack. 

It’s the most convenient way to carry extra weight on any bike. That’s why most bike commuters carry their stuff on the rear rack. Plus, you have the added benefit of a sturdy rear rack to carry your stuff. 

Some avid cyclists prefer to have the weight of the battery more evenly distributed on the bike with a lower center of gravity — especially for off-road riding.

Pedego offers both options, and the difference is hardly noticeable for most people.

For casual riding, or commuting on typical streets and paths, it’s six in one hand, half a dozen in the other.

Throttle

In the United States, we have the luxury of using throttles on our electric bikes, which are forbidden in Europe.

Throttles provide full power on demand and Americans love them because they give us complete control.

They’re especially helpful for getting started from a standstill (sometimes it can be awkward to gain momentum), getting a quick burst of power to climb a hill, or safely getting through an intersection. 

If you can’t pedal, or you just don’t feel like it, that’s okay too. We’re not judging!

Pedal Assist

Pedal assist systems sense your pedaling and provide assistance automatically.

They’re most popular among experienced cyclists that want a more natural, “bike-like” riding experience.

Pedal assist is also nice for long rides with few stops. You can just relax and enjoy the ride without holding a throttle in place.

Why not have both?

Most Pedegos have both pedal assist and throttle because that’s what most people want.

The only exceptions are entry-level bikes that don’t include pedal assist, and certain mid drive motors that aren’t available with throttle. 

In general, Pedego believes in letting you decide for yourself how you want to ride. Even if you prefer one over the other, why wouldn’t you want the option of using both?

The most common question we hear is, “How far can I go?” The short answer is: “Far enough!”

Generally speaking, any Pedego battery should last longer than you want to ride. Your fanny will probably quit long before your battery does!

With that said, this can be a tough question because there isn’t one “standard” way to estimate range. So we’ll go over some simple math that can help you predict the range of any electric bike.

All batteries have both a voltage and amp-hour rating. If you multiply the two together, you get watt-hours. Watt-hours is an objective measurement of the actual amount of energy stored in any battery.

Volts x Amp-Hours = Watt-Hours

Estimating your actual range is a little more tricky because there are so many variables. On average, you can expect to use between 12-24 watt-hours per mile. This number fluctuates so much because of differences in terrain, rider weight, weather, speed, and most importantly how much you pedal.

Pro tip: When comparing different brands of electric bikes, it’s wise to use watt-hours instead of estimated range.

You can expect your battery to last at least 3-5 years.

All Pedego batteries come with a smart charger and advanced battery management software, including an automatic “sleep mode,” that help them live long and happy lives. They are guaranteed by an industry leading 5-year warranty:

Lithium batteries rarely stop working altogether. They gradually lose their capacity over time. Since most Pedego owners have tons of excess capacity, it can be many years before a replacement is needed.

A battery will charge in between 2-6 hours with a standard wall outlet.

There is no memory, so you don’t have to worry about discharging it completely, and it’s best to recharge it after each use.

It uses very little energy – usually about ten cents worth.

Pedego Electric Bikes include a smart charger that will automatically shut off when it’s done.

Pedego batteries are made up of lithium ion cells identical to those found in electric cars.

Pedego only uses premium cells produced by reputable, name brand suppliers such as Panasonic and Samsung.

This guarantees the most advanced battery technology that delivers the very best safety, performance, and longevity possible.

The battery is charged by plugging it into the wall, and the more you pedal the farther you can go. Your pedaling conserves the battery, but it doesn’t actually charge it.

The technology does exist that would allow you to charge your bike by pedaling, but it’s expensive and we’ve found that it just doesn’t make sense in the real world.

The main problem is that it makes it hard to pedal, and that’s not fun! Even under the most ideal conditions, like riding downhill, the amount of energy you would get back is very small.

Pedal assist systems use sensors to measure pedaling and control the assistance that is provided.

Cadence sensors measure whether or not you are pedaling. Torque sensors measure how hard you are pedaling. 

Some Pedegos have only one type of sensor, and others have both. Neither is necessarily better than the other. When you have both, you have the ultimate freedom to choose which works best for you on any given ride. 

Cadence Sensors

Cadence sensors measure whether or not you are pedaling. 

Riding a bike with a cadence sensor based pedal assist feels like using cruise control. The software is programmed to maintain a certain speed for each level of pedal assist regardless of how hard you are pedaling or other factors such as wind and terrain. 

This gives you complete freedom to choose how hard you want to pedal at any given moment without impacting your speed. It’s also great for riding in a pair or larger group and keeping everyone together. 

Torque Sensors

Torque sensors measure how hard you are pedaling. 

Riding a bike with a torque sensor based pedal assist feels like having bionic legs. The software is programmed to deliver proportional assistance based on how hard you are pedaling.

This provides a more natural riding experience that feels more like riding a regular bike. For example, you’ll need to pedal harder to maintain your speed while climbing a hill.

All disk brakes provide plenty of stopping power, usually far more than is necessary to stop an electric bike. 

Mechanical brakes are activated with a braided steel cable, while hydraulic brakes use a sealed fluid system.

Mechanical disk brakes cost less and work perfectly fine, but hydraulic brakes have some important advantages.

The most noticeable difference between the two is that the hydraulic brake levers are easier to squeeze.

Hydraulic brakes also require less maintenance because they automatically self-adjust as the brake pads wear.

Pedego Electric Bikes are designed with a maximum weight capacity of 250 pounds (113 kg) for most models. When bikes are equipped with the Magnesium Wheels upgrade, the weight capacity increases to 350 pounds (158 kg). Exceeding the maximum weight capacity can result in damage of the bike which can lead to serious injury. The Stretch and Tandem have a maximum weight capacity of 400 pounds (181 kg).

In the real world, we’ve seen riders heavier than the technical stated weight limit be able to enjoy riding without serious problems. We can’t recommend it or take legal responsibility, but we can’t stop anyone from riding either. For example, Rhonda Martin weighed 457 pounds when she started riding. She eventually lost over 277 pounds! 

Heavier riders, even within the technical weight limits should be advised that they may require more maintenance and repairs than usual, especially with broken spokes and brake pad adjustments/replacements.

Local and state regulations may vary. In general, electric bikes are regulated like bicycles. The same rules of the road usually apply to both e-bikes and human-powered bicycles. E-bikes are not subject to the registration, licensing, or insurance requirements that apply to motor vehicles. 

Many states designates three classes of e-bikes:

• Class 1: Bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the e-bike reaches 20 mph. 
• Class 2: Bicycle equipped with a throttle-actuated motor, that ceases to provide assistance when the e-bike reaches 20 mph. 
• Class 3: Bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the e-bike reaches 28 mph.

Check with local authorities or visit People for Bikes to learn about the rules and regulations in your area.

Is financing available?

Yes, most locally-owned Pedego stores offer financing, including zero interest and deferred interest options. Please contact your nearest store to learn about your options and apply.

The Interceptor, Boomerang, and City Commuter are all best-selling models that have more similarities than differences. None is necessarily better than any other, it’s a matter of preference.

The primary difference is the frame.

The Interceptor uses a beach cruiser frame that’s designed to be comfortable. It features beach cruiser geometry that promotes a very upright riding position and allows you to put both feet flat on the ground when you stop. 

The Boomerang is the most accessible electric bike on Earth. It features an ultra-low 9” step thru frame. It’s also designed for comfort with an upright riding position somewhere between the Interceptor and City Commuter. 

The City Commuter uses a more traditional frame that’s well balanced for all-around use. It’s a classic style that is quite comfortable with a relatively upright riding posture. 

The next difference is the handlebars, but keep in mind that all three models use standard sized bicycle stems and handlebars that can easily be changed. 

The Interceptor uses wide, swept back bars that really allow you to sit straight up and relax your upper body. Because they are quite wide, they can take a little time to get used to, and it’s common for people to have mixed feelings at first and learn to love them in a very short period of time.

The City Commuter and Boomerang models use traditional city-style handlebars that many people find to be very natural and familiar. The quick release adjustable handlebar stem allows you to easily dial everything in just right for you at any particular moment. This is great for multiple riders sharing a bike or if you plan to change your riding style and position frequently. 

The final difference is the fenders are optional for the Interceptor and Boomerang models, and they are included on the City Commuter.

Pedego offers the Interceptor, Boomerang, and City Commuter models in different versions so you can find the price point and features that are right for you.

• GOOD: from $2,495 including the Comfort Cruiser and City Commuter: Lite Edition models.
• BETTER: from $3,495 including the Interceptor, Boomerang, and City Commuter models.
• BEST: from $3,995 including the Interceptor: Platinum Edition, Boomerang: Platinum Edition,, and City Commuter: Platinum Edition models.

This table summarizes the key differences between models:

These are just basic rules of thumb. People’s proportions, flexibility, and preferences can vary greatly. For shorter riders, a suspension seatpost can sometimes be replaced by a standard seatpost for an extra few inches. Likewise, a longer seatpost can often be used to accommodate taller riders.