Electric Bike Comparison
When compared to an electric bicycle or an ebike conversion kit, the Ridekick™ power trailer has some outstanding advantages. Instead of trying to figure out how to work around the same problems that other ebikes struggle with, Ridekick decided to take a completely different approach and put the power in a trailer. Here is a brief comparison between the Ridekick PT, ebikes and conversion kits.
Links:
This is a good site to compare different Electric Bikes: http://www.electric-bikes.com/
The Wikipedia page also has some good general info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EBike
Also compare the Ridekick with Currie Ebikes, Pedigo Ebikes and Amego Ebikes
Comparison:
| Ridekick PT | Ebike | Conversion Kits | |
| Ease Of Installation | 20 Minutes
The average user takes 20 minutes for the initial installation of the Ridekick PT on the bike. After the first installation, the Ridekick PT comes on and off your bike in seconds.
|
N/A | 1 hr+
Most conversion kits require a significant modification to the bike and take 1-2 hours to install, such as the BioniX System or others on e-bikekit.com
|
| Initial Ease Of Use | Easy
Everything about the Ridekick PT is designed to be intuitive and easy to use.
|
Moderate
Ebikes are much heavier than normal bikes and require practice to ride comfortably.
|
Moderate
Conversion kits can be tricky to use because they make changes to the existing bike, so getting the right fit takes adjustment.
|
| Natural Ride | Because the Ridekick PT pushes on the rear axle, power is applied to the bike in exactly the same way as pedaling. The battery weight in the trailer helps provide traction in the Ridekick PT and keeps the trailer stable. | Ebikes require the heavy battery to be on the bike frame, and the motor is on the wheel, causing the whole bike configuration it to be heavier and the distribution of the weight to be unfamiliar at first. | Conversion kits have the same battery weight problem as ebikes, but they also commonly have shifting issues with motors that attach to the chain and handling issues for front mounted hub motors. |
| Cost of Ownership | Less than 2 cents per charge and low maintenance costs. | Less than 2 cents per charge and low maintenance costs. | Less than 2 cents per charge and low maintenance costs. |
| Maintenance | Easy
Because the Ridekick PT is not a full bike, it is far less complex to maintain than an ebike. Ridekick provides any special tools the user needs.
|
Moderate
Maintaining an ebike requires special tools and electronics knowledge.
|
Moderate
Conversion kits can cause extra strain on the frame and fork of the converted bike. They also require tools and electronics knowledge to maintain.
|
| Removable | Easy
Simply unhitch the Ridekick PT in seconds and your bike is back to its classic pedal-powered self.
|
Impossible
Maybe you could take the battery out, if you wanted to make it lighter.
|
Generally Permanent
Some kits are removable but they usually require bolts and tools to remove. Usually takes 1-2 hours. They are generally intended to be a permanent conversion.
|
| Cargo Capacity | 75 lbs (34 kg)
What can you carry with 41.8 liters of weather-tight space? Beer anyone?
|
Backpack?
The weight of an ebike can make carrying anything else a balancing act.
|
Fanny pack?
Carrying your cargo on a seat rack and in saddle bags is a possibility, or you can always use your fanny pack!
|
| Complexity | Simple
1. Turn on
2. Press throttle 3. GO! |
Moderate
There are varying options on ebikes. Some are throttle control only, some are designed for only providing power as you pedal, and others give you a choice. The user learns which way is best for any given riding situation.
|
Moderate
Conversion kits can be complex depending on how they attach to the bike.
|
| Serviceability | Easy
Built-in diagnostics in the controller make problem-solving as easy as a look at the display.
|
Moderate
Ebikes may be difficult to service because they require electronics knowledge to determine the problem.
|
Moderate
Conversion kits can be challenging to service because there is a unique installation for each bike and require electronics knowledge to diagnose the problem.
|
| Cost | $699.00 | $400 – $3500 | $400-$2000 |
13 Comments
BionX is not hard to use nor awkward to ride. You are exaggerating alleged flaws in the competitive products.
Hi Richard,
Thank you for your input and feedback on our electric bike comparisons. We will take a look at this page and reconsider our word choice.
All bicycle companies are on the same team in regards to getting more people on bikes and leaving the car in the garage – and BionX has an innovative product that does so. Ridekick is excited to become a part of this movement, and we appreciate your insight on the ebike market.
-Chelsey from Ridekick
Congratulations on what looks like a great product and a neat company. Are you looking at extending the range of your product through adding a generator to make power from the turning wheels, or would that add too much weight? I remember my first “English bike” (late 1950s) which had a generator/hub on the front wheel that powered the front and rear lights.
That is a great concept! We currently do not have a model that regenerates power on the market, but it is something to look in to! Thank you for your insight and interest in Ridekick!
If you still want exercise can you pedal the bike and extend the range to 45 miles? Will the battery peter out and then it will be like pulling 75 lbs of dead weight?
Hi Chester – if the Ridekick power trailer is turned on but you are not using the power and just pulling it like a normal trailer, the battery level will not diminish. So, if you want to use the Ridekick trailer’s boost on uphills and pull it on flats or downhills, you may be able to get 45 miles out of it, depending on how much of your trip is uphill.
You can also use the power just a little bit (pushing you 12 mph instead of 19 mph) and extend your range, as well.
If you do run out of juice and have to pull the trailer, you will be towing 45 pounds if the trailer is empty. It is heavy, but doable, depending on the terrain of your ride.
I hope this helped answered some of your questions, Chester!
What is the price w/ lithium ion batteries and or w/ no batteries.+_ what is the minimum order of units to becoming a dealer? Thanx Mikial owner of travel light cycles
Hey man!! My well used 77 year old legs praise you everytime I come to a hill. I have the ideal set-up–RideKick attached to a TT Rover 8. AND cargo space to boot. What a great concept. THANKS!!`
Cee Fry, San Felipe, Baja Norte, Mexico
Love the Ridekick!! Got mine 2 days ago and have used it for pleasure and work rides and am very impressed with quality, ease of use and durability. Had it on street, gravel and grassy field and it handled all with ease. Former owner of an e-bike which was heavy and clunky to ride the Ridekick works great on flat’s and did turns on the street at full speed without any bouncing or chirping also had several people on bike path comment “cool trailer”. Perfect for this 58 y/o with a heart condition.
I’ve had my Ridekick since July last year and never ride without it. I used to plan my ride to avoid hills and busy intersections but now I boost up the hills and through those intersections without trouble. It is truly an equalizer when it comes to gravity and traffic. I also don’t have to search for parking when I go to the store because I can ride right up to the front of the store and lock it up there. I’ve fit $60 worth of groceries (4 full plastic bags) and once a case of beer which fit quite snugly. Don’t worry I earned that beer on the way home. In the time I’ve owned my trailer I’ve only had one flat tire and the chain came loose which I tightened and went right on riding. All in all a good dependable and cool product. I like all the work you guys have done on your site it is a big improvement over a year ago.
Here are some thoughts I’ve had while I was riding.:
1. When do you think that we’ll see those taller lids that you’ve been talking about?
2. Also how about some knobby tires for those not so wild dirt trails. Its boring to stay on the road all the time.
3. Also I live in Arizona where the temp gets into triple digits, how about adding some vents or a heatsink for the controller because I’ve had to stop more than once to reboot because of overheating.
Thanks for a great product.
Robert Green
Hi Robert – Thanks for all your great feedback on the Ridekick power trailer!
To answer your questions…
1. The taller should should be coming out by the end of the year. We are working on it.
2. The knobby tires are an interesting concept – We’ll send that idea over to the engineering team.
3. Great idea about the vents – We’ll send that to the engineering team, as well. Hope you are staying cool down there!
Cool product… Have you thought about a MTB version? I currently run a 1000w kit on a full suspension bike carrying 10 to 30ah worth of batteries @ 48v (depending on where I am going how much Amp hour I carry)… I have been thinking to take my adventure to the next level is going to be to incorporate a trailer to really get out on the trails I am not allowed to ride my dirtbike on. I can get pretty far out now; but for a true expedition I am going to need a trailer anyway just for gear.
Ok, to the point I think just having a beefy looking e-trailer with knobbie tires may sell good just cuz it looks cool.
….Should work just as good on pavement… Hum, may have to put a warning on it like in most SUVs: Does not handle turns like your standard e-powered stealth blow past road biker’s trailer. Cheers.
Ares,
Great ideas – I’ll send this on to the engineering team. Thank you!