I'm noticing in the threads that many riders are going straight for the 48v bikes. It drives me crazy. Obviously, there's nothing wrong with choosing a 48v bike, but you're doing yourself a disservice by not considering a 36v.
Granted, I'm a little biased on this one. I was a bicycle commuter for 6 years before I got my ebike. I had a 10 mile round trip through the streets of China to get to my workplace. It was a 20-30 mile round trip if I felt like taking the scenic routes along a coastal road. The scenic route was one of the most beautiful rides I've ever seen (see attached picture to get an idea). Don't get me wrong. I'm not a hardcore cyclist. You wouldn't want to see me in lycra. Let's leave it at that. Moving to a different country made me a cyclist out of necessity and that necessity quickly became a passion. Bicycle commuting contributed my physical health, mental health, my sense of exploration and my sense of community.
China's infrastructure made cycling easy. Cycling lanes were commonplace and the drivers were more aware of bikes on the road. Ebikes were everywhere (30 million sold a year). They were ugly and they were cheap, but they were a perfect vehicle for low or middle-class workers to get to work. They quickly became pace-setters for my rides. Everywhere I went, I felt like I was racing a mid-forties Chinese woman on the hot pink, plastic, lead acid ebike. I usually won, unless they pedaled with assistance. Then those ladies could give Armstrong a run for his money. I rarely saw that though. Most ebike commuters in China turn the throttle and take it easy. They purchased ebikes for their utility and efficiency. Not for the joy of riding them.
When I moved back, I tried to continue commuting via bicycle and ran into some problems. Our cycling infrastructure and culture isn't as good as I was used to. American drivers lacked an awareness of cyclists and there weren't any bicycle lanes. Commuting by bicycle, my favorite thing in the world, had become stressful. I knew upgrading to an ebike would remedy my immediate problems. If I could hit a higher speed off the line, drivers would be more aware of me and less frustrated. A good battery would assist in the longer commutes typical to America. However, my time in China made me wary of ebikes. I didn’t want to become the “ebike drone” that I had seen on every block of every city of China. I’m a cyclist, damn it. I love my bike.
Still, I bit the bullet and bought an ebike.
This is the difference between a Chinese ebike and an American ebike: ours are built for the joy of riding. Well, ours are also about a thousand dollars more expensive, but that’s beside the point. All of the things that I loved about my daily commute in China, I’ve rediscovered with my electric bike in America. I’m exploring my community, meeting people, staying in shape and getting the additional rush of riding faster and farther than ever.
Having gotten back into my groove, I’ve decided I like a 36v ride more than a 48v ride. Barring torque sensors or 48v configurations that are intended to increase range (like Bionx kits), I feel like 48v ebikes accelerate too quickly to retain the qualities of a bicycle. I’m not saying they aren’t fun. They’re great fun. I’m simply saying they quickly take the rider out of the equation. The intrinsic joy that I get from riding a bicycle doesn’t commute these bad boys.
I want my pedaling to contribute to my cycling experience. I want to get a work out. I want to sweat a little (but not a lot). While hitting warp speed at the twist of the throttle is great fun, it’s not really like riding a bicycle. The discrepancy between pedaling and throttling is too large. I would eventually rely too much on the throttle and become a “drone”. With a 36v ebike, I can find that nice balance between motor and muscle. No distance is too far. No hill is too steep, but I’m still finding that joy of riding a bike.
It’s like comparing a stick shift to an automatic. One’s about getting to a destination, while the other is about enjoying the drive there. Actually, I think this analogy draws a larger correlation between European and American mindsets with ebikes. While a 25 km/hr limit is silly, I find the nuance in European design far more attractive than what we’re getting here. They’re building ebikes for a bicycle culture. We’re building ebikes for a fast food culture. Just because we can build a 48v 750w monster on two wheels with a throttle, does it mean we have the better bicycle? I’m all for American muscle, but most European motorists can look at a 67’ Ford Mustang and call it a driver’s car. Would a 48v throttle bike garner the same respect in European bicycle culture?
There are other advantages to buying 36v. For most brands you’re saving $400 by going 36v. Or you could spend $200 less and get a 15 amp hr battery and have better range. While 48v bikes do pull the hardest, 36v configurations can still offer lots of power. Trying a BH NEO or an E3 Zuma will quickly attest to that. But once you’ve set aside concerns about power, you’ll discover some true gems that offer great value and engaging rides, like the little known e-Joe Anggun.
In a year of working with ebikes, I’ve discovered that everyone has a different opinion no matter how obvious a choice may seem to me. Any bike that gets someone out of a car is a good thing. Every ebike offers a fun experience to its owner. It’s simply up to you to decide what kind of experience you want. Before settling on the biggest, baddest option available, give the little guy a try. He might just impress you.
As for my next purchase, it’s going to a 48v cargo bike for my wife. She needs something to get her from point A to point B.
-Chandlee
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lol you don't have to answer that but I think that a 36v battery makes more sense for a 170lb person vs a 240lb person. 
