eBike: Like a normal bike, but WAY cooler!

What is an eBike?

E-Bikes look and feel just like traditional bicycles, with a key difference - they include an electric motor and battery for an extra boost. The motor can help you conquer hills, keep up with traffic, or even pull a trailer. eBikes with pedal assist (PAS) turn on the motor when the rider pedals. eBikes with throttles can turn on the motor to propel the bike even when the rider does not pedal. Our eBikes offer both PAS and throttles. It really is the best of both worlds.

Whether your goal is exploring, getting fit, commuting to work, or running errands, an eBike can help you go faster and further:

• Electric motors - Our ebikes use powerful hub motors.

• High-performance battery - Allows longer range and power during pedaling. Our lithium-ion cells recharge from any standard wall outlet.

• Handlebar controls - Turn your bike on and off, choose level of pedal assist; plus throttle.

Reasons for riding an eBike

There are lots of reasons why eBikes are so popular and fulfilling.

• Recreation - eBikes are fun! The minute you step over the bike and twist the throttle, you will have a smile on your face. Bicycling has always been a favorite past-time. It brings couples, families and friends together. It is the perfect vacation activity. Here at Snow Canyon eBike Rentals, we rent eBikes to many people that are on vacation and looking to recreate in sunny Southern Utah.

• Exercise - eBikes allow riders to go further and ride longer. It also allows riders to work out together. When one rider has a physical limitation, they can still exercise together with the added capability of the eBike.

• Hauling passengers / kids - By adding a child seat to an eBike, the rider can bring along children. The gentle power of the eBike allows parents to go further and with less stress. Children can enjoy the fun together with adult riders.

• Commuting - You can finally ditch the car and get to work without needing to bring a change of clothes. You won’t show up to work in your sweaty biking clothes. With an eBike, you can leverage the extra battery power to get you up hills and through traffic quicker and easier.

• Delivery / work - eBikes are quickly becoming the preferred vehicle to make urban food and parts delivery. They are also finding their ways into factories and larger work environments where workers need to get around a worksite quickly and efficiently. There are even 3 wheeled cargo eBikes that can handle heavy loads with ease.

• Hunting - Believe or not, hunters are adopting the eBike as part of their preferred vehicle to get into hunting areas quietly and quickly. Hunters can get out further into the wild and still maintain their stealth approach, and carry more gear, and more meat back out. If this interests you, check out these Hunting eBikes.

eBikes are for everyone (almost)

Almost anyone can ride an eBike. If you can ride a bicycle, you can ride an eBike. If you can ride a scooter, you can ride an eBike. If you can’t ride either, then you it may take a little bit of learning, but you can do it.

We rent eBikes to people of all ages, sizes and capabilities. We often get customers that say they haven’t ridden a bicycle in 25 years. But guess what, we give them a little instruction, take it slowly, and it all comes back to them. They get out on the eBike and come back with a huge smile. It reminds them of being a kid and having the wind in their hair and the freedom to roam.

One nice feature of many of our eBikes is the low step-over height. This allows the rider to feel more comfortable and stable. If the rider needs to put their feet down or step off, it is very easy. Also many eBikes have wider tires. This provides the added stability and comfort.

The kids 12+ that we rent to are able to jump right on and go. No problems at all.

The controller and throttle can look intimidating, but with just a few words of instruction, it becomes easy and intuitive. It’s not something to be afraid of.

What does pedal assist feel like?

When a PAS level is selected, you will feel a boost of power from the motor in the rear wheel when you start pedaling. It will be easier to get the bike moving and it will take less effort to keep riding. As you increase the PAS level, you will find it is even easier to ride.

At PAS level 0, the PAS is not active and your pedal stroke will require a normal amount of effort. If you want or need a boost of power from the motor, simply twist the throttle or bump up the PAS level.

At PAS level 1 to 3, you will feel like it is easier to pedal the bike forward, but you will still need to put some effort into every pedal stroke. 

At PAS level 4 to 5, you will be using the full power of the PAS and it will require much less effort to pedal forward. Riding in the top level of PAS basically feels like having bionic legs!

If one or both brake levers are squeezed while riding, the brake will signal the motor to cut off power and the bike will slow down. Once the brake lever is released, the PAS will still be available and will provide pedal assistance if the rider resumes pedaling. If the bike is turned off, the PAS will reset to PAS level 1 on the display.

Note: The PAS is only active while you are pedaling. To move the bike forward without pedaling, you should use the throttle. The throttle is available to provide a boost of power assistance from the motor (up to 20 mph) no matter what level of PAS is selected and even when you are not pedaling.

Driving Range

The range of the eBike is the distance the eBike will travel on a single full charge of the onboard battery. The range values in this manual are estimates based on expected usage characteristics of bikes by Rad Power Bikes. Some of the factors which effect range include changes in elevation, speed, payload, acceleration, number of starts and stops, and ambient air temperatures. Tire pressure and terrain are also important variables to consider.

We suggest that you select a lower assistance level when you first try your rented eBike. Once you become familiar with the range requirements of your travel routes and the capabilities of your eBike from Snow Canyon eBikes, you can then adjust your riding characteristics if you so desire.

The following table provides general estimates and outlines various factors effecting range and their combined estimated effects on range. This table is meant to help renters understand the factors that can contribute to decreased range, but Snow Canyon eBikes makes no definitive claims to the range that individual users might experience in a particular use case, conditions, or riding characteristics.

eBike Top Speed

Our eBikes have a top speed of 20 mph (32 km/h) without pedaling, which is the legal limit for street legal ebikes in most areas and in accordance with nationwide ebike laws.*

There is nothing that will physically prevent you from exceeding 20 mph when pedaling, but you will not receive any motor assistance once you exceed 20 mph, which is the legal limit in most locations for use on road.

eBike Classifications

Our eBikes are Class 2 since they use a 48V battery and a motor capable of up to 750W* of output, allowing the bike to travel at high speeds (up to 20 mph) with or without pedaling.

In the US, ebikes typically fall into one of three classes: Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3.

Best Practices for Extending Range and Battery Life

• Whenever possible, avoid applying full throttle when the bike has slowed to very low speeds, has stalled, or stopped.

• Pedal to assist the motor when climbing hills and accelerating from a stop.

• Reduce your power consumption whenever possible.

• Do not climb hills steeper than 15% in grade.

• Avoid sudden starts and stops.

• Accelerate slowly.

Throttle

The throttle is located on the right side of the handlebar. The rider can use it, with a twist of the throttle grip, to propel the bike forward without pedaling.

To engage the throttle while riding, carefully rotate it toward yourself. The more you twist, the more powerfully the throttle will propel the bike forward. Once you release the throttle or apply the brakes, the power assistance will cut off, and the throttle will no longer propel the bike forward. Always keep one hand on the brake lever and be prepared to squeeze the lever to disengage the throttle if needed, or turn off the bike to prevent accidentally engaging the throttle.

Throttle Twist …… Nachooooo!