LUDLOW — At the end of December, owners Abdu Bahira and Tammy Darling opened an e-Cyclist showroom at 71 East St. that allows you to complete customize your own electronic bicycle.
The showroom is open every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and includes different models of bikes that are customizable to individuals based on their preferences and needs.
You can decide on the style of frame you want, the size and type of tires, the color of the bike, if you want fenders, the type of seat and handlebars and other attachments including lights or blinkers.
“We offer an opportunity for people to come into the store, look at all of the models that we have, some bike options and we basically walk through a ground up building of your bike. We have a discussion with you, understand what kind of bike riding that you do, how you are going to use the bike and make recommendations,” Bahira added.
Darling and Bahira both discussed the various perks of purchasing an electronic bike.
“Imagine a regular bike and then imagine a bike that can go 27 mph just with all electric components and then everything in between. They look very similar to regular bikes, and it allows for you to go on a bike ride and then just give yourself a little boost whether you’re going up a little hill or if you’re at the end of a long bike ride,” Bahira said.
You can still pedal like a regular bike but can also initiate pedal assist or a throttle to engage the electric motor and increase the speed.
Darling added, “These bikes are useful for people who don’t have their license and don’t drive. They use them to commute because you don’t need a license to ride this bike in Massachusetts. One of the other things we find in the e-bike community is that people who haven’t been on a bicycle in years because of an ailment or age, this assist them and gives them exercise at the same time and enjoy it.”
Each bike has five different modes that represent a different level of speed including zero which is basic pedaling.
Each level after 0 will bump up the miles per hour and power to the bike.
There are two ways you can engage that motor, according to Bahira.
He said, “One is going to be a simple throttle. It is what you would imagine on a motorcycle. There’s a twist throttle and then a thumb throttle. The second way you can engage those electrical components is through a pedal assist. It senses if you are pedaling the bike and then gives you that extra boost dependent on how fast you’re going and the incline that you are on.”
Since the bikes are customizable, the showroom offers free test rides down the Riverwalk and bike path.
“We want people to try them before they buy them because we know they are not for everyone and not every model is for everyone either so people can come in a do a free test ride. The bikes are built in California and the relationship we have with the manufacturer is we do not markup the price and offer an additional discount,” Darling said.
Bahira added, “Hearing about it and trying it is night and day. I say it sounds as cool as it is but it is even cooler actually getting on one.”
Once a customer completes building his bike, the design is sent to a manufacturer who ships the finished product directly to their door.
“We will be able to offer additional discounts as well as maintenance and upkeep of the bike if you bring it in to the store. We will work with our manufacturer directly and assist with that process,” Bahira said.
Each bike has a battery that is charged like a cellphone and e-Cyclist offers different batteries options ranging from 40 miles to 200 miles.
“The range that it takes you really depends how you are using it. If you are more conservative with using the pedal assist or the throttle you will go further with it. It depends the terrain you are on it also depends on the person themselves like their size,” Darling added.
According to Abdu, if the battery dies during your ride, you are still able to pedal like a regular bike without the electrical option.
They expect business to pick up once the spring season rolls in.
Darling said, “We’ve had a couple test rides but right now it’s cold. It’s not the best time to open but we figured once we got the okay to do so we would, and we are hoping that people come in and find out the information so when springtime hits they are ready with their bikes to go.”
e-Cyclist will be attending the Ludlow 250th Celebration Committee’s First Night on Saturday, Feb. 24, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Ludlow High School.
Bahira added, “We are going to bring a couple of bikes to that event and have a raffle for some items as well. We want to let the town know and people in the community know about us. Of course, help them out with any questions and educate those who don’t know about us or the bikes.”