More and more cyclists are fans of electric -assisted bicycles, and a new market is currently expanding in Quebec, transforming normal bicycles to make them electric.
At the Cycles Amadeus store in Arvida, a hundred bicycles passed through Jean Simard’s hands last year to have an electric motor.
One chief mechanic of the Saguenéenne shop specializes in the conversion of bicycles. In three to four hours, he is able to turn them into electric bicycles.
Sometimes people ask me: “Ah, my bike, is it electric?” Right now, the bike doesn’t look good, but it’s not, it’s pure dirt, he explains, pointing to a bike waiting to transform. When we separate everything and clean, they will come back like new.
” This shows us that even though the bike is a few years old, we are able to convert it and it will be a very good bike in the future. “
The cost of the operation is approximately $ 3000. And there’s the demand. It’s doubling every year, it’s just as radicalhe pointed out.
The classic crankset is replaced by a motorized crankset, the frame is drilled to install the battery and the programming is adjusted to customer requests.
A way to take shape
Among his clients, Denis Pagé, 77, began cycling after heart surgery fifteen years ago.
Electrical assistance allowed him to cycle around Lac Saint-Jean every summer, when he thought he would never ride a bike again in his life.
” That’s what makes me drunk. Electric assistance isn’t 100% cycling, but at least we’re pedaling, and we’re exercising. “
And we’re not obligated to put the help in full, he explains. As we get back in shape, we give less help. It allows us to strengthen our legs as well as our arms.
Based on a report by Ainhoa Ibarrola and with information from Julie Bergeron
Radio Canada
Source: Radio-Canada
