Rayos Support
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is an electric bicycle?
An electric bicycle is a bicycle equipped with an auxilliary motor that is powered by a rechargeable battery. There are currently two categories of electric bicycles. Power Assist -The motor is activated by depressing the throttle. There is no need for pedaling. However, one could still pedal at the same time and also decide how much electrical assistance one wants with the throttle. Pedaling with a power assist bike will increase the range achieved on each battery charge Pedal Assist - The motor can only be activated as you pedal by means of a motion or torque sensor.
Q2. Who would use an electric bike?
Electric bicycles are used for many reasons such as commuting to work; desire to minimize use of fossil fuels, on-campus transportation, recreation, police/security enforcement. As an alternative to a car and giving the ability to individuals to ride that need the extra assistance. There are many other reasons why individuals opt to ride an electric bike.
You can travel further distances, achieve faster speeds and be less fatigued when you arrive at your destination.
Q3. How fast do electric bikes go?
The speed of an electric bike will vary based upon several factors. With no pedaling, U.S. law restricts the speed of electric bicycles to 20 mph or less. This ensures you don't need a license, registration or special safety gear to legally operate your bicycle.
Most electric bikes are rated between 15-18 mph by the manufacturer. The Rayos achieves speed of approximately 17-18MPH with a 190 lb person riding on a flat surface with the motor alone. But the actual speed will vary depending on rider weight, terrain and road conditions. Some riders will be able to exceed the top rated speeds - while others may experience slightly less power. Keep in mind, U.S. law does not restrict how fast you can travel while pedaling, so most riders will easily exceed the top rated speeds while providing human assistance. Pedaling not only assists the speed that you can attain with an electric bike but it also extends the available range of the battery.
Q4. How far can I go on a single charge?
The range of the Rayos electric bike will also vary upon several factors. With nominal pedaling (i.e. light pedaling) you should be able to travel approximately 15-20 miles per charge. Other factors, which determine the range of a single charge, include: rider weight, amount of pedaling, wind, road conditions and terrain (such as inclines or declines).
If you do not pedal while using the motor assist you usually attain 50% of the published range with nominal pedaling.
Q5. How long does it take for the battery to charge?
With the standard charger supplied with the Rayos it should take approximately 4-6 hours to fully charge when the battery is depleted. As the Rayos uses a sealed lead acid (SLA) battery it is important to charge the battery after each use regardless of the level of depletion of the battery as there is no memory effect. A smart charger is supplied with each Rayos electric bicycle so you do not need to unplug the charger once the battery reaches full capacity.
Fast chargers to reduce the charging time are available as an option.
Q6. How long will the battery last
With proper care (i.e. ensuring the battery is always charged and not stored partially charged) it should last approximately 300-400 charges. Batteries should be topped off once per month in the non-riding seasonQ7. Are electric bicycles legal?
The US Senate passed SR 1156 which defines an "electric bicycle" as a bicycle with 2 pedals that has an electric motor of no more than 750 watts and can attain speed of 20 MPH or less on the motor alone with a 170 lb person on a flat surface. Therefore, the Rayos Electric Bicycle and our 24" Adult Electric Tricycle are classified as bicycles under the "federal law". However, each state can adopt their own unique laws regarding the use of electric bicycles in their state. Most states adopt the federal law, however some states have unique laws. Attached is a link to your local state resources defining various regulations relating to electric bicycle in those states. This information is for reference purposes only and you should check with the local Department of Motor Vehicles in your state to validate the information in the attached link.
Federal Legislation on Electric Bicycle Laws: SR 1156 HR 727
States References on Electric Bicycles
Q8. Will the electric bicycle climb hills?
The Rayos Electric Bicycle uses a 600-watt hi-torque motor, which is excellent on hill climbing. As with any electric bicycle you will get the most power and torque out of your system when you use a combination of pedaling and motoring together. The Rayos will enable you to climb hills you could not conquer before.
Q9. Does the motor create drag and slow you down when not being used?
The Rayos uses a heavy clutch freewheeling system, which allows for frictionless coasting when the motor is not engaged. There is NO DRAG from the motor/propulsion assembly when the motor is not engaged, unlike hub motor systems, which do have an element of drag.
Q10. What is the warranty on the electric bikes?
The Rayos Electric Bicycle and the 24" Adult Electric Tricycle carry a 6 month warranty on the frame, components and electrical system. The battery carries a 6-month warranty, 100%-3months, pro-rated in months 4-6.