We wanted to know what questions Kiwis aged 50+ who didn’t yet own an ebike had about ebikes. So we asked them what they wanted to know!
Here’s an overview of the questions they asked, along with answers from MeloYelo.
Are ebikes ok if I’ve had a knee replacement?
Yes. Many MeloYelo owners have had knee or hip replacements. The beauty of an ebike – especially ones with a throttle like MeloYelo – is that the rider can use as much, or as little, leg power as they choose. Health professionals often recommend an ebike as a tool to accelerate the process of healing from knee or hip surgery.
Can I charge the bike at home?
Yes. You have a couple of options:
- If you can get your bike close to a power outlet – for example in your garage – then you don’t need to remove the battery.
- If you are unable to get your bike close to a power outlet, then the battery is easy to remove from the bike, and can be charged indoors.
Is it easy to buy spare parts?
In the case of MeloYelo, YES, we keep good stocks of spare parts on hand at our NZ warehouse.
How long will a battery last before it needs replacing?
That depends on factors like how often your ride your ebike, how far you ride your ebike, and how well you maintain the health of your ebike battery. MeloYelo uses battery cells from LG or Samsung – two of the top brands in lithium-ion batteries. For typical customers, the battery will last a good 5 years and quite possibly longer, before needing a replacement.
Is the seat comfortable?
The standard saddle on MeloYelo ebikes is a memory foam saddle, chosen specifically for its comfort. Some customers do prefer a different, wider saddle, and MeloYelo also carries a wider saddle option for those who prefer this.
Is it a NZ owned company?
Yes, MeloYelo was founded in NZ in 2016 by Kiwis, and is still a Kiwi-owned company. All MeloYelo ebikes are designed and engineered in New Zealand, by New Zealanders who understand both the types of terrain that will be ridden and the specific needs of more mature riders. Parts are sourced from a number of different countries, including Japan, Korea and China, and the bikes are assembled at a small assembly plant in China under the watchful eye of our independent quality control team.
What servicing is required?
The first service should be completed after 6 months, or after having completed 500kms, whichever comes first. One of the unique benefits of MeloYelo, is that we offer this first service check free of charge.
Beyond that, MeloYelo also recommends a 12-month and 24-month service check. And, to make things easy, we send out reminders to our customers when it is time to have their ebike serviced.
PLUS, MeloYelo is the only ebike brand in NZ to offer a 3-year warranty, providing the required service checks have been completed.
How hard is it to use the throttle?
It is very easy, and your MeloYelo agent will make sure you’re familiar with using the throttle before you take delivery of your ebike. The throttle is a lever on the handlebars that you press down on with your thumb.
Is it easy to control the speed?
Yes. The speed is controlled primarily by how much leg pressure you apply to the pedals. The more leg pressure you apply, the more assistance the motor will deliver. The throttle can also be used – when you choose – to deliver additional motor power.
Is an ebike good for fitness, even though it is power-assisted?
Yes. Because you choose how much – if any – power the motor delivers. MeloYelo ebikes have 5 levels of assistance. In level 1, the motor adds about an extra 30% assistance to your legs, while in level 5, it adds about 300% assistance. You can also ride the bike in level 0, in which case the motor is not delivering any assistance. Some brands of ebikes can be difficult to ride when the motor is not engaged. However, MeloYelo customers report that our ebikes are easy to pedal, even when the motor is not engaged.
