E-Bikes & Bikes Customised to You
Whether you're the big man or woman on campus or about to venture away from home to start your freshman year at university, one of the essentials to college life is none other than the bicycle. They're easy to maneuver and park, and they don't require the maintenance or storage requirements that a vehicle does - perfect for campus life. And a bike style that's becoming more and more popular on college campuses is the electric bike.
E-bikes are quickly on their way to becoming the new cycling norm. The market is currently valued at around $27 billion and is expected to climb to $55 billion by 2027, with a compound annual growth rate of about 12.26 percent. In The Netherlands, e-bike sales have even surpassed conventional bike sales.
In this post, we'll get into some of the reasons why riders love electric bikes, what features college students should look for in a model and some of the top e-bikes on the market for students today.
Here's a look at what you need to know about electric bikes:
Why an Electric Bike?
Electric bikes are ideal for college students because they still allow riders to get great exercise while offering features to complement their pedaling.
E-bikes typically feature two electric modes: pedal assist and full electric. Pedal assist is exactly what it sounds like - it's a mode that complements conventional pedaling to give the bike a little bit more oomph. It's an ideal mode if you want to gain speed and take some of the strain off yourself.
Full electric mode doesn't require you to pedal at all - the electric drivetrain completely takes over and does it all for you. It's an ideal riding mode if you just need a break or if you're going uphill. However, full electric mode will tend to drain the battery faster than pedal assist mode. Depending on the length of your ride or the size of your college's campus, you'll likely need to use full electric mode a bit more strategically.
But perhaps the biggest reason to purchase an electric bike is that they're fun! Studies show that riders are more apt to get out and ride and stay active with an electric bike compared to a conventional bike. On a college campus, riding might be more out of necessity, but it doesn't hurt to have some fun and enjoy yourself while you're doing it
Key Considerations When Shopping for an Electric Bike for College
College students are likely to have different needs and budgetary requirements than other types of e-bike riders. On this note, here's a look at some of the considerations they should be on the lookout for when it comes to selecting the ideal electric bike to tool around campus on:
Battery Range
In order to properly gauge how much battery range you need on an e-bike, you need to assess several factors.
For instance, how big is the campus? If it's small, you don't need as much juice to get to and from your classes compared to if it's a sprawling campus.
Additionally, what's the terrain of campus like? If it's full of hills and uneven terrain, you'll likely be using the electric function a bit more often to either complement or fully take over your pedaling.
And finally, what is your class schedule like? In other words, are you going to be riding the bike all day before you have the opportunity to charge the battery? Or do you have gaps in between your classes where you can recharge it?
All of these aforementioned questions are good to ask yourself when it comes to gauging how much battery you'll need and what type of range you can get in both pedal-assist and full electric mode. If it's a big campus and you'll likely be riding all day between recharges, it makes sense to purchase a model with more battery range. Some models can get up to 100 miles on a single battery charge, while other e-bike models may only get a few dozen. Additionally, some e-bikes have the option to purchase another battery that can be easily connected to the drivetrain if the main battery were to deplete.
Weight Capacity
The weight of a bike is one thing - and certainly if you have to lug it up flights of stairs on a daily basis to a dorm room or apartment, it's a factor that you're going to want to pay attention to. But its cargo capacity is another number you're going to want to pay attention to. As a college student, you're likely not going to be riding your bike without a backpack full of books. You'll likely be using your bicycle as your primary form of transportation, so you may be riding it to and from the store and anywhere else you go around or outside of campus. Make sure your bike can do more than just support you, but any books or items that you're likely to be lugging along with you for the ride.
Price
College students aren't exactly drowning in cash. We've all heard the jokes about how they're on a steady diet of ramen noodles and cheap beer. And while electric bikes are a bit more expensive than conventional ones, there are more affordable options to choose from so students aren't breaking the bank on a set of wheels. Some electric bikes, for example, range in the $500 to $800 range. And just because they're more affordable doesn't mean that they're lacking in quality. Price should be a factor in every purchasing decision you make, but it's perhaps even more important for college students who are pinched a bit more.
Some e-bikes can cost up to $10,000, which is likely out of range for college students. But it's very possible to get a quality model for less than $1,500 - a much more manageable price point to allocate some of that high school graduation money toward.
Storage Considerations
If you went to college, you probably shudder at just the thought of living in a college dorm again. Dorm rooms were, and are, like glorified closets. In other words, there's not a whole lot of space to be had. With that being said, you need a place to store your bike - and you're probably not going to want to leave your electric model outside on the common racks of your dorm or living space. That's where a foldable electric bike can really come in handy. So when you're not zipping around campus to get to class or for study time at the library, you can simply fold the bike and take it with you up the stairs or in the elevator up to your dorm room or apartment. Most foldable e-bikes can easily slide under beds or tuck into closets so they're out of the way and not taking up functional living space. Again, living space tends to come at a premium in college. A foldable bike can offer new levels of flexibility and portability.
Proper Fit
Many people think that bikes are one-size-fits-all, and that's not necessarily true. In other words, you can't just adjust the bike seat to get a proper fit. It's why we always recommend that riders - regardless of what type of bike they're interested in - always get professionally fit tested before making a purchase. Getting fit tested is easy and convenient to do. You can either pop in to your nearest bike shop to have it done or you can enter some key metrics about yourself and have it done online. Getting fit tested and then buying a bike that is right for your size and body will ensure that you have an ergonomic ride. Don't skip this important step.
Top E-Bikes for College Kids
Now that we've gone over some of the key features college kids should be on the lookout for, let's take a closer look at some of the best e-bike models on the market for college students today:
RadExpand Electric Folding Fat Bike
We mentioned that a folding e-bike can be an enticing get for college students based on the fact that it can easily be folded and stored when it's not in use. One of the best folding e-bikes on the market is the RadExpand Electric Folding Fat Bike from Rad Power. Suitable for riders as small as 4-foot, 10-inches, it's very versatile. Powered by a 750-watt drivetrain that can get up to 45 miles on a single charge, this model is ideal for any college campus - no matter how big or how small.
Aventon Pace 350
Reliable, durable and consistent is the name of the game with the Aventon Pace 350. A commuter bike, its 350-watt drivetrain can go up to 20 miles per hour on pedal assist mode and also comes with five adjustable levels of speed. Altogether, the bike can get up to 40 miles on a single charge. Stylish and affordable, this bike won't stand out from the other bikes parked around campus.
Electric Bike Company Model X
If you're a student who has a commute to campus in addition to the regular riding around campus, then you're likely going to want a bike with a bit more battery life. That's where the Electric Bike Company Model X comes in. With a battery range of up to 160 miles, students won't have to worry about running out of juice halfway through their day. Another nice feature of this bike is that it also includes a built-in alarm system, so you won't have to worry about anyone getting a little too cozy around your ride.
The Top Electric Bike for College Students: EVRYjourney 250W
When it comes to affordability, dependability and style, nothing beats the EVRYjourney 250W from SixThreeZero. With a focus on comfortability and a large payload, it's the perfect bike for tooling around campus - and tooling around everything that you need for class as well.
Contact SixThreeZero Today
For more information on electric bikes and what makes for the ideal electric bike for college students, contact SixThreeZero today. We firmly believe that there's a bike for everyone, and we have plenty of electric models for riders to select from based on their riding preferences and circumstantial needs. Contact us today for more information and to get started with a new e-bike today.
