ELECTRIC BIKES IN SEATTLE | Q&A
+ What makes a great electric bike?
Electric bikes are going through a huge transition. For the last 20 years, electric bikes in the US have been a hobbyists playground. In the last 10 years, electric bikes have become mainstream in Europe and are quickly becoming so in the States. We embrance both the hobbyist mindset, and the needs of the mainstream ebike consumer.
+ Are electric bikes safe & reliable?
As mentioned above, electric bike technology is rapidly becoming commonplace. Big brands like Bosch who have deep experience with motors and batteries are gaining ground. We only work with lithium-ion battery systems which are the safest and most reliable around.
+ Do I really need electric assist?
If you've got a particularly hilly commute, or a long one, an electric family bike may be just the thing to get your riding more. If you feel like you 'should' ride but you're not, you may find that electric assist gives you that needed boost.
+ What kind of electric bike do I need?
Electric bikes come in all shades. We offer electric family bikes, electric commuter bikes (we call these Single Occupancy Vehicles or SOV's), electric folding bikes and electric cargo bikes. An electric bike, by it's utilitarian nature, will open up new uses for bikes for all riders, making cycling more useful and widening your commute distance.
+ How long do ebikes take to charge?
Expect your average ebike to go from zero to full in about 4-5 hours. This varies by ebike assist manufacturer.
+ How far can I go on an ebike?
This varies widely by bike brand. We offer lightweight ebikes that are designed to travel 15-20 miles on a charge, and we offer dual-battery cargo bikes that can cover nearly 100 miles of ground on a charge. Range is impacted by many things including terrain, headwinds, temperature, your weight and the weight of your cargo, how inflated your tires are, etc. We can best help you guage realistic range in person.
+ Does my pedaling charge the bike?
No. A few models of ebikes may capture a small percentage of your momentum when braking and recharge the battery, but an electric bike, like an electric car, is charged when connected to electricity (110v AC) and uses that stored charge to augument your pedaling power.
+ Can I buy a non-electric bike and add assist later?
Yes. With that said, we are moving away from selling and supporting aftermarket assist kits as the entry price of high quality purpose built electric bikes drops. If you're looking for a true transport solution with longevity and low maintenance, a purpose built electric bike is your best option, bar none.
POPULAR ELECTRIC BIKES
Riese & Müller's passenger-ready Multicharger is a performance ebike that will make you the most popular parent, or person on a bike. Speed model available.
Built around 26” wheels - the Multicharger Mixte is the same length as the standard Charger. The Mixte frame makes getting on and off easy, even with a full sized passenger on board.
Get Riese & Müller’s refined design plus the latest and greatest motor technology from Bosch - motors that are lighter, more powerful and quieter than ever.
Riese & Müller transforms their popular Nevo once again with added battery capacity, an adjustable stem, display options, and a new Rohloff drivetrain option with electronic shifting.
The Urban Arrow Family’s natural agility and Bosch electric assist will be enable you to free yourself from parking hassles, traffic jams and costly car repairs.
Urban Arrow’s wide range of accessories will allow you to customize it to meet your family’s needs. Leave the car at home and zip through the city effortlessly with anyone and anything you wish to carry.
A complete redesign of the Packster, including a new insulated cargo box with cover.
The low step-over height Riese & Müller Packster offers front suspension, utilitarian cargo accessories, and the ability to carry multiple kids.
Move over vespas, this stylish commuter has 65 Nm of torque!
Turn heads while turning corners, the Medeo T10 will evolve your commute.
An ideal car replacement for Seattle riders.
Transport two children, a big grocery run, or all kinds of gear safely and effortlessly to your destination with the Multitinker The low center of gravity ensures stability, while the compact overall footprint keeps your capable bike manageable to handle. Thoughtful details, include a range of useful accessories and a bracket for attaching a trailer.
ELECTRIC BIKE CATEGORies
News
The shop will be closed 12/24 through 1/1. See you in 2024!
Come celebrate with us! Saturday November 4th we will be riding down to Gas Works Park for some grilled goods and bubbly beverages. Check out the details here!
Something that comes up a lot in Seattle in particular is about the gearing on the bikes. Will the bike have low enough gears to get you up Queen Anne? Fremont hill? Let’s do another little tech jargon topic related to gearing questions: gear range and gear ratio.
Whether you are a new or experienced home bike mechanic, fixing a flat tire on a Tern GSD S10 is a bit more complicated than many non-electric and non-cargo bikes.
We are so excited to announce our brand new web store: Carsick @ G&O
This is now the exclusive source for the famous Carsick Cargo Slingsets.
Sifting through all of the new jargon and technology while shopping for an e-bike can be daunting. Whether you are already familiar with old steel bike standards or you are entirely new to looking at bike specifications, modern bikes and especially higher-end bikes can bring a dizzying number of new terms. Let’s talk about one: thru-axles.
For years, for so many of us, the flexibility and convenience of the Carsick Designs cargo slingsets have been a key ingredient to the Seattle model of family biking! Carsick and G&O have always worked closely together on design and refinement of the slings, and we are excited for our new role as the sole distributor! Read more!
Coming this Fall, the new generation of the Tern HSD line up is going to be stronger, lighter, and smarter! Four new models will all come equipped with the Bosch Smart System (you can learn more about that here), a 545Wh battery, and a rear rack capable of carrying up to 176 lbs! Each bike clocks in under 60 lbs (without a battery and accessories). We’re also excited about the new colors, the Enviolo equipped S00 model, and the easy-access charge port on the top tube.
Have you heard Bosch has a new system out? It is called “The Smart System” and unlike previous releases of new Bosch products, it is entirely incompatible with the previous components, which will now be referred to as “System 2”. While I’m convalescing from my dislocated shoulder earlier this month, I one-handedly typed out some FAQs on the Smart System for you…
We are stoked to learn about the new e-bike rebates that were included in the newly passed Washington State budget, and what this could mean for making quality e-bikes more accessible to everyone in our state. Rebates of $300 or $1200 will be available to Washington residents 16 and up, depending on household income.
A question we get often is whether we have loaner and rental bikes available. I just wanted to get in writing some answers about the current availability of rental and loaner bikes here.
We are pleased to say we are piloting what many have asked for in the last year: a cancellation list for service appointments. Thank you to everyone who provided the feedback that this was desired and please continue to bear with us as we figure out how to make this process as easy as possible.
Hello to all! My name is Rowan and I’m the newest person in sales at G&O! As we head into the winter gifting season, I wanted to shine a light on three products in the shop that I’m the most excited about.
As soon as I read the announcement about the Tern Quick Haul I knew it would be my first e-bike. After working at G&O for over 4 years I had tested my share of bikes and I had this image in my head of a small, fairly light, sporty cargo bike. Does the Tern Quick Haul live up to my expectations?
At the Family Cyclery, we are committed to selling you a high-quality, well-built bike, one that can become a significant part of your everyday life. Your bike should be reliable and trustworthy, and our effort, knowledge, and care for our customers and their bikes yields better results for us as a shop, as well as for you as the customer.
This July, Davey and I were able to visit Eurobike for the second time. This year the event was hosted in Frankfurt…We saw Riese & Mullers, Urban Arrows, and Terns all over the city, as well as tons of other electric, conventional, and not-so-conventional bikes. Read all about our favorite finds at this year’s Eurobike…
These positions have been filled. We are looking to add two new people to the team – one entry-level sales and one entry-level service. As you have likely heard, we have been struggling to keep up with demand, with very long lead times for both new bikes and getting in for service right now. We are trying to make this better. Come join our team!
Call2Recycle and People4Bikes have organized and launched a new e-bike battery recycling program. This is huge news for the e-bike world because prior to this, recycling e-bike batteries correctly was nearly impossible for small businesses and individuals. This new program allows bike shops to become drop-off centers for e-bike batteries that are at end of life, and ensures those batteries get properly recycled.
A compact and highly adjustable electric bike from Riese & Müller.
Designed for urban commuting, prepare to rocket through traffic with the help of a Bosch mid motor. Need to mix up your commute? This e-bike will fit in a car, a bus, or a train with ease.