News

Owning an e-bike gives you access to a whole new world of adventure. You can ride faster and go farther than you ever thought possible. But with great fun comes great responsibility. Riding an electric bike is easier than you'd believe. Here are five things you should know before you hop on your Qualisports USA e-bike for your first ride. First, and this may seem obvious, e-bikes accelerate faster than regular bikes. It’s tempting to ramp your e-bike up to the fastest setting right away. We recommend getting used to your bike’s lower settings first. Secondly, you need to start slowing down sooner on an e-bike. E-bikes have slightly heavier frames than regular bikes without subjecting you to velocity lessons. And, as you know, they move faster. More power, more speed, and more weight mean you’ll need more time to react once you get moving. While we’re on the subject of brakes, the third thing you should know is that e-bikes have stronger brakes than you might be used to. E-bikes have disc brakes, which offer more power, control, and precision. Keep this in mind before you grab a handful of that brake lever. Practice lowering your speed gradually and with a lighter hand when you’re riding your new e-bike. Never grab just your front brake lever. Brake with both front and rear evenly. The next thing to remember is that e-bikes look a heck of a lot like regular bikes. This means that when drivers or pedestrians see you, they might not expect you to be cruising along at 20 miles per hour. So, when you’re on your e-bike, it’s even more important to pay attention to your surroundings. You’re going to need more time to react when you’re moving faster, and so will everyone around you. This rule is fundamental when you’re riding on a shared path. Always be mindful of your speed when riding in a busy or crowded area like a bike path. Always slow down and give a verbal cue to indicate your presence when you’re approaching other riders, joggers, and anyone else who might be out enjoying their day. A suitable method is to say, “on your left” and ring your bell as you approach. And lastly— don’t forget that all traditional bike safety rules still apply when you’re riding your Qualisports USA e-bike. Understand and adhere to the traffic laws in your area. Always wear a helmet. Make sure your bike is equipped with daytime running lights. Make sure you've dressed appropriately for riding the e-bike and for whatever weather conditions are in the forecast. With that, you’re almost ready to ride. Make sure to read your owner’s manual before you head out. Get a clamp lock to protect your new investment. And don’t hesitate to reach out to Qualisports USA with any questions. Oh, and there’s one more thing… When you ride your e-bike, it’s mandatory that you have fun.      

One of the best things about electric bikes is that you can choose to get in a workout if you desire, or you can sit back and relax to enjoy the scenery. This option an electric bike gives you is what a regular bicycle lacks. Because electric bikes are equipped with pedal assistance system, they are perfectly designed for those who want the exercise of riding but not the full strain and fatigue that come with pedaling. So what is pedal assistance system? Pedal assistance system is also known as PAS. If you have ever tried pedaling an e-bike with PAS,  you would remember noticing a boost of power coming from one of the wheels. A pedal assist electric bike will use either a torque or cadence sensor to determine pedal assistance while riding. Qualisports folding e-bikes have a cadence sensor. The cadence sensor can tell when the pedals are moving, and based on that, gives a certain level of power output. This may feel like a slight push as you ride. You will notice that each pedal stroke suddenly seems a little easier. It is nice that PAS allow you to control the amount of juice coming from the motor. When you stop pedaling, it stops working, so you’ll never have to worry about losing any control. PAS is different from throttle mode because it requires you to pedal to activate the power from the motor. The throttle mode does not require pedaling and solely uses the motor to make the bike move forward. It can help you go further, faster without any effort. PAS and throttle both have their advantages. And you can have it all! Our Qualibikes do come with a cadence PAS and a thumb throttle override by default. Pedal assist allows riders to ride steep rises, rock crawling, conquer hills, and overcome physical limitations. With a freedom to change the level of pedal assist, riders can decide how much exercise they want, when they want to push themselves, and they will no longer be afraid of steep hills. Interested in trying out a Qualibike for yourself? Book a test ride at your local dealer to see the difference between the throttle and PAS.

Electric bikes are growing its popularity. You may have even seen one of these zipping through your streets. Some people are concerned that they might not get enough exercise with an e-bike. It feels like cheating. However, e-bikes are simply bikes with a motor and some even a throttle, so that you get pedal assist. That means e-bikes don’t just ride by themselves – you still have to pedal and steer! If you are thinking about giving an electric bike a try, there’s no better time than now. Here are 10 reasons to ride an electric bicycle with us. Enjoy cycling faster, further and longer With pedal-assistant technology, e-bikes are easier to ride than regular bikes. This feature helps when you take those day-long trips because you can stay gone as long as you want to with less stress, especially if you pace yourself throughout the day. It’s a great way to burn off calories. E-bikes require no extra effort to ride, but you still have to pedal to increase your speed. And because you’ve got an extra oomph on board, you’ll be able to travel further distances and ride for longer period of time. Health and fitness benefits Despite the added motor assist, you will still be pedaling throughout your ride. Riding an e-bike can work up a sweat just like regular bikes can. And it is as good as regular bikes at improving fitness. It's still an exercise after all. Therefore when you’re pedaling more, it will benefit to your heart, your lungs and your blood pressure. It is also good for mental health. Pedal-assist motor allows people to ride for longer periods of time, relax and control. Fresh air and some exercise, and endorphins released during the ride can instantly improve your mood. It’s a great way to ease feelings of sadness and tension. Start riding today with Qualibikers, enjoy the beauty of nature! Economical in the long run It is true that buying an electric bike is more expensive than a regular bike. Your upkeep costs are roughly the same (for parts like tires, chains and brakes, etc.) While comparing to a car, the costs are minimal. Maintaining a petrol or diesel car is costly. So in the long run riding an e-bike will save you money. As for the cost of charging your bike’s battery, it depends in the level of assistance you use, and only pennies will add to your electricity bill.  Shop our cost-effective e-bikes here, price starting from $999. No more bad traffic Do you remember those moments you stuck in the traffic jam, hoping that not being in your car, on the bus or dealing with train delays? With an e-bike, these depressing moments won’t occur. It is an awesome way to include more exercise into without much sweat. And you’ll arrive at work on time, not worrying about the traffic at all. Ease hill/mountain cycling When it comes to cycling uphill against the wind, e-bikes really come into their own. Just tap into your electric motor and you’ll handle those hills at ease. As a matter of fact, with e-bikes regardless of the type of terrain you can go over the river and through the woods more easily. If you love rides that are challenging, it won’t be too difficult for you. And e-bikes are perfect because you’ll still get a great cardiovascular workout without feeling like quitting. You’ll be more likely to keep up riding habit for many years to come. Reduce Carbon Footprint Needless to say, electric powered e-bikes use zero gas or diesel which made them really eco-friendly. E-bike motors also use up much less energy than a car engine, and there is no smoke or dangerous chemicals emitted into the air. If you are looking for an eco-friendly way to work or to run errands, you simply can’t beat an e-bike. Bear in mind that climate change and global warming are serious issues nowadays, we must take sustainable moves. And we can all contribute to save our earth and save ourselves by making environmental friendly choices. Safer to ride E-bikes are heavier than regular bikes because of the motor and battery. But this extra weight is advantageous because it means you’ll get a sturdy bike that is built to last and can handle minor accidents. Having more acceleration from that little motor will get you out of the danger zone faster. Another safety bonus or an electric bicycle is that having a silent motor means you'll be more aware of your surroundings than you would on a motorbike or scooter. You will also have adequate time to react as you won’t spend as much time with your head down or standing up in an attempt to build up speed. Finally, because you’ll be able to keep up with the flow of traffic more easily, fewer cars, buses and lorries will need to overtake you, which also means safer riding. Carry extra stuff It is exhausting to cycle with a load of heavy stuff. With pannier bags, you can carry extra weight on your way home. As well, using an e-bike means you can use your battery power to help with the weight. Take a look at a few accessories that can make your ride a bit more comfortable and enjoyable. Parking convenience Sometimes, you’re only out running errands or going to work. However, looking for parking lots can be time and energy assuming especially on a busy day. With an e-bike, you will don’t need to worry about where to park. And it takes up much less space than cars do. You’ll also save money on parking fees which aren’t really cheap monthly. Much more fun There are so many benefits to riding an e-bike. Mostly it is really fun to ride an e-bike. With an e-bike getting out of hilly neighborhood is a breeze. No major muscle strain and no sweating are involved! As the technology improves, the joy of riding an e-bike is only going to increase. If you think this article is useful, give me a like! Feel free to share!   Read previous articles How to choose your first e-bike  Understanding different classes of e-bike

EARLIER: NPS Policy Memorandum 19–01 On August 30, 2019, the Deputy Director of the NPS, Exercising the Authority of the Director, issued Policy Memorandum 19–01, Electric Bicycles. This policy satisfies a requirement in the Secretary’s Order that all Department of the Interior agencies adopt policy and provide appropriate public guidance regarding the use of ebikes on public lands that conforms to the policy direction set forth in the Order. The Memorandum defines an e-bike as ”a two- or three-wheeled cycle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts that provides propulsion assistance."     NOW: A Rule by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior The National Park Service promulgates regulations governing the use of electric bicycles, or e-bikes, within the National Park System. This rule defines the term “electric bicycle” and establishes rules for how they may be used. This rule implements Secretary of the Interior Order 3376, ”Increasing Recreational Opportunities through the use of Electric Bikes,“ on lands administered by the National Park Service. This rule is effective on December 2, 2020. Any differences? This rule accomplishes these directives as related to the NPS, and once effective, will supersede and replace Policy Memorandum 19–01. The rule amends 36 CFR 1.4 to add a new definition of “electric bicycle” that is the same as the definition used in the Policy Memorandum, with one minor difference. The definition in the Memorandum refers to the definition of “electric bicycle” in the Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2085), which limits the power of the motor to less than 750 watts. Many manufacturers sell e-bikes with motors having exactly 750 watts. In order to avoid the unintended consequence of excluding many devices from the regulatory definition of an e-bike due to a one-watt difference in power, the definition of e-bikes in this rule includes devices of not more than 750 watts.   What is the latest definition of e-bikes by the federal government? Electric bicycle means a two - or three - wheeled cycle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of not more than 750 watts that meets the requirements of one of the following three classes: (1) ‘‘Class 1 electric bicycle’’ shall mean an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour. (2) ‘‘Class 2 electric bicycle’’ shall mean an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle, and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour. (3) ‘‘Class 3 electric bicycle’’ shall mean an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour.   What about Qualisports ebikes? All of our models in the U.S. are Class 2 ebikes. This means each model of our electric bikes will help you reach a top speed of 20 mph.     Can I ride a Class 2 ebike where I live?  Before 12/2/2020, less than 750 watts. After 12/2/2020, not more than 750 watts. So that ebikes more than 750 watts are NOT electric bicycles but should be considered as motor vehicles. That means, all the Qualisports ebikes are still being recognized as electric bicycles by law. Different States have different requirements for where you can ride what class of electric bike. Before purchasing an ebike, you still need to make sure you check your local laws.   Footnotes For more information about this rule, please visit the government site: Federal Register

Cycling is the new driving. The idea of riding an e-bike instead of driving sounds great for most people. Obviously, since electric cycling doesn’t consume gas, e-bike emits a lot less carbon than a car would. And that can really make a measurable impact on the environment. Besides your e-bike can be a fitness tool if you use the motor just enough to keep going. Cycle until you’re either wiped out or you hit a steep hill, and then rev the engine for that extra oomph.   Now that we know why we should get one, it’s time to choose the right one! Here are some tips to help you make the right decision and start riding.   Consider your purpose Electric bikes are designed for different people and different purposes. It’s up to you to decide what is most important to you, what is not important at all. The most common types of electric bikes are road e-bikes, urban commuting e-bikes, sand and snow (fat tire) e-bikes, mountain climbing e-bikes, cargo hauling e-bikes . The question you need to ask yourself before entering the store is what is your purpose of having an e-bike.   Motor, batteries Generally speaking, e-bikes are bicycles with a battery-powered “assist” that comes when you pedal or, in some cases, use a throttle. Pushing the pedals engages a small motor, which gives you a boost, so you can zip up hills and cruise over rough terrain without breaking a sweat. Twisting a throttle does the same with no pedaling necessary. There are two main motor types: mid-drive motors, with the motor positioned in the middle of the bike, usually between the pedals; and hub-drive motors, which are located in the center of either the front or rear wheel (usually the rear). Lithium-ion batteries are everywhere, so it’s no surprise to find them powering e-bikes. More expensive e-bikes have higher-tech batteries that are lighter, charge quickly, and last longer. Batteries degrade over time, holding less charge as they age. The quality of the battery makes a difference, so look for a reputably named battery manufacturer such as Sony, Samsung or Panasonic, and make sure the warranty covers the battery for at least two years. Lithium-ion batteries are typically said to last 800 full charge cycles. That’s about three years of weekday commuting. They survive longer with careful use, so you should get at least 2,000 half-charge cycles. Those are pessimistic estimates though, in practice, a battery life of several years is quite easily achievable. A full charge typically takes between two and a half to six hours, depending on the manufacturer, battery capacity, and battery chemistry.   Range The distance an e-bike will go on one charge of the battery is called range. It’s probably the most important specification. If your commute involves a big hill, for example, you don’t want to run out of juice halfway up. Without power, an e-bike is just a heavy bike. The range depends of the battery capacity, the speed, your weight, profile of the commuting tour, the assistance level you choose and percentage of given pedaling power. If you’re only going to do ten kilometers of daily commuting, you don’t need a 70 km range. Nevertheless, you should buy a bike with a higher range than you necessarily need because the range will drop as the battery ages and loses capacity.   Warranty Buying an electric bike is a big investment, regardless of whether it is $1500 or $10000. With a warranty, you can rest assured that your investment is worth it. A two year warranty on parts, motor and battery (with no exclusions for normal use) is reasonable to expect from most electric bike manufacturers with product selling for over $2000.   Test Ride Don't try just one – it's a large chunk of change you are parting with, and all bike stores know this. Good bike stores will be fine with you borrowing the bike for a trial ride.    Think About Longevity Being environmentally sustainable is about more than just running on electricity: it’s about the way the bike was built, the quality of its construction, and the after-purchase service to keep it in great condition. You should expect that your bike should last from five to ten years at a minimum with regular service, and that your battery should last from 600 to 800 full charge cycles. Check out the reviews and talk to the dealer. When the battery needs to be replaced, your retailer should be ready to have it rebuilt or recycled, but not thrown in the trash.   Happy Riding! So those are the factors you need to take into consideration before purchasing. Did we miss anything? Comment below! If you want to enquire about our qualisports e-bikes, contact us today!   

On September 21st Stans Bike Shop hosted the LA famed “Dodgertown Bike Ride” which was sponsored by Qualisports USA together with a bounch of other sponsors. It is a mass Bicycle ride into Dodger Stadium and the only one authorized by Major League Baseball in the country.   This event was organized by Carlos Morales who has several dozen group rides in the span of 10 years under his belt. Morales is the owner of Stans Bike Shop located in Azusa CA which carries full line of Qualisports USA folding electric bikes. This was the 5th time he has taken a group of Cyclist up to see the Los Angeles Dodgers play.   Stans Bike Shop sells the Qualisports USA line of E-bikes and thought it was a great idea to partner up with Qualisports USA for this event, as a promotional launch of the newly redesigned more powerful 20” Fat Tire “Beluga” and the introduction of the “Dolphin”. The Beluga, Dolphin and Volador were utilized to marshal the ride.     They were decorated with a custom LA Dodger Wheel Disc, Silkscreened baseball shirts were printed with the Dodgertown Bike Ride Logo and they also produced limited edition Pins for this iconic event which were all a hit with the 75 participants who came to experience this bike ride. Morales stated, “I was very curious to see if the Beluga was capable of assisting me climb the hills at Chavez Ravine. I am a big man, larger than most cyclist, so it was something on the back of my mind. I was very impressed (and relieved) that the Beluga’s robust 500 Watt Geared Motor Drive was able to conquer these hills without hesitation. (The power was there when I needed it the most). I named the Beluga the Beauty and the Beast of E Bikes with Great Looks and impressive Strength”.      The “Dolphin” is Qualisports newest edition to their fleet. The sleek frame sits on 20 x 2.35” tires and it is capable of traveling 50 Miles Plus on a single charge and is equipped with a 350Watt Geared Hub Motor Drive making it a perfect commuter bicycle for treks that require longer distances. Most of the participants were not aware that they were looking at electric bikes at first glance because of their design. When they found out that they were all e-bikes they were intrigued to learn more about these bikes and really became interested in them when they see us made it up the hills. After the game, the group was taken on a brief tour of Downtown Los Angeles to see the sights.   Qualisports designs and manufactures four quality e-bikes for under $1,500 with the cyclist experience always on their mind.     Come test ride one at Stans Bike Shop. For more dealers around you, click here Qualisports Dealers   Stans Bike Shop 732 N Azusa Ave, Azusa, CA 91702 626-804-7400

As always,keep #Qualisports passion. After saying goodbye to F1 racing in France. Now here we are, F3 Asian Championship in Suzuka Circuit, Japan.   The F3 Asian Championship is fully certified by motorsports’ world governing body, the FIA, and began in 2018, with a 5-round, 15-race season held at Malaysia and China’s F1 circuits and the Ningbo International Speedway in China. In 2019, the championship’s second season sees an expanded calendar - which includes rounds in Malaysia, Thailand, Japan and China - and an impressive international field of young single seater talent.     Adopting the new FIA F3 single chassis and engine concept, the focus of the Championship is firmly on performance, safety and cost control, while the dynamic Asian region provides the ideal showcase for up-and-coming talent from every nation to make their names.   The Tatuus F3 T-318 car complies fully with the latest FIA specifications and features a number of enhanced safety features including the new Halo device and improved side impact protection. It has a six-speed paddle shift gear box and is powered by a 270hp turbo engine. The official tire supplier to the championship is Giti Tires. Organised by respected and experienced pan-Asian promoter Top Speed, the Championship is the first of its kind for the region.

The core of the electric bike: a profound analysis of the differences between the mid-drive motor and the hub motor. As the core of power output, the motor, one of the four components of an electric bike, has the ability to convert kinetic energy into mechanical energy. In the market share ratio of central motor and hub motor, hub motor has an absolute advantage.How does this come from? First, let's get to learn the advantages and disadvantages of these two types.   Hub Motor     Advantage: The hub motor is a motor assembly that integrates a reducer directly assembled in the hub. Electric bikes in the market usually use the brushless hub motor. The structure of it is simple-- under the action of current, a magnetic field is formed between the two magnetic steel sheets, so as to make the shaft inside start to work. And the failure rate is low due to the simple structure. Disadvantage: The hub motor has poor heat dissipation, and the temperature of the tire will also be transmitted to the motor, especially in Summer, when the temperature of the road is super high, and then, the heat will be transmitted to the motor from the tire.The hub motor is exposed to the outside environment, unlike the mid-mounted motor, which is normally covered by the frame. That is say, when an e-bike is parked in the sunlight, with the black metal cover of the motor, the temperature of it can easily increase to 50℃. With its mature design and relatively low price, the hub motor e-bikes occupies more than half of the market of electric bicycles. However, since the motor is integrated on the wheel, it will break the balance of the front and rear of the bicycle, and it will be greatly affected by the bumps during the mountain off-road. For the full suspension model, the rear hub motor will also increase the unsprung mass and the rear suspension. In response to greater inertia impact, large-sized sports bicycles usually use a mid-drive motor.     Mid-drive Motor As the name suggests, the central motor is the motor that is placed in the middle of the frame( or at the crank set).     Advantage: The advantage of the mid-drive motor is that it can maintain the balance of the front and rear weight of the whole bicycle as much as possible, and will not affect the movement of the shock absorber. The impact of the motor on the road is also smaller. The ultra-high integration can reduce the unnecessary exposure of the cables. In terms of off-road handling, stability, and passability, it has a better performance than a bike with a hub motor. At the same time, the rider can also freely choose the wheel set and transmission, and the daily disassembly and maintenance of the hub is also simpler.   Disadvantages: In fact, the mid-drive motor is not that perfect. Since the driving force needs to be transmitted to the rear wheel through the chainring and the chain, it will aggravate the wear of the chainring and the chain compared with the hub motor, and the pedaling needs to be slightly changed during shifting. Be gentle to avoid the terrible squeaking of the chain and the flywheel. The structure of the mid-drive motor is more complicated than that of the hub motor. In addition to the motor, the whole structure also requires clutch, transmission shaft, transmission chain, transmission, differential mechanism and other components to work together to output power to the rear wheel. These components not only increase the complexity, but also the difficulty of maintenance. It requires regular maintenance, and the modification is much more difficult. The most important thing is that the price is very high for one mid-drive motor.   Quick Overview Hub Motor Mid Drive Cost  More Cheaper More Expensive Best Terrain Flat or very Small hills From flat all the way to very steep hills Ease Of Install Very easy - replace the wheel More complex and in-depth  Best Uses Leisure rides, commuting, on-road Off-road, commuting, mountain biking   How do you like these two types of motors? We’d love to hear from you and look forward to sharing in your cycling experience.