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frequently asked questions

Answers to frequently asked questions at UGO Cycle

Installation and compatibility

Yes, it is possible to electrify your bike yourself, and we're here to guide you through the process with personalized tutorials and advice. However, in most cases, we recommend using a certified fitter. As well as having all the necessary tools, a certified fitter will guarantee a safe and compliant installation.

We do not offer conversion of carbon bikes due to the brittle and fragile nature of this material. However, bikes with carbon inserts in places other than the bottom bracket, such as the fork, can be converted without problem.

UGO Cycle offers a conversion kit specially adapted to fat bikes, with bottom bracket dimensions of 100 or 120 mm. However, due to the specific geometry of this type of bike, we recommend that you contact us for a more in-depth assessment of compatibility and available options.

Absolutely not. In the vast majority of cases, our solution offers the advantage of being installed without requiring any permanent structural modifications, such as welding or sawing, to your bike. What's more, if necessary, the electric conversion kit can be uninstalled, allowing you to return your bike to its original state. This flexibility is a considerable advantage, especially if you plan to resell your bike while keeping your electrification kit.

The UGO CYCLE electric conversion kit is a solution that can be successfully installed on around 95% conventional bikes with bottom bracket widths between 68 and 73mm. Therein lies the ingenuity of UGO CYCLE's universal solution.

Sometimes wear and tear or misshapen parts (pedals, chains, etc.) require adjustment or replacement. If your bike is a little out of the ordinary, UGO CYCLE can adapt it at very low cost.

Click here for the compatibility checker

The UGO CYCLE conversion kit generally adds a maximum of 15lbs of extra weight to your bike. This weight includes the pedal motor block, which weighs 7.5 lbs, and the battery, which weighs 7 and 8 lbs depending on the model chosen. It's important to note that the battery is removable, and we recommend that you remove it for all handling operations, which reduces the weight of the kit by half and makes lifting and transporting the bike easier.

When you convert to the UGO CYCLE kit, you generally retain the use of your rear derailleur. This can still be used to help your motor perform better, depending on the gradient encountered, so you can benefit from assistance tailored to your needs. However, as the entire crankset is replaced in the conversion process, the central derailleur will be removed. For example, on a bike equipped with 24 gears (3 central chainrings and 8 at the rear), the electric bike will become an 8-speed bike.

Engine performance and driving experience

EABs are no more vulnerable to theft than conventional bicycles. In fact, they are stolen less often, as they are less attractive to thieves and fences. The specificity of their components makes them difficult to resell. A secured VAE or one with the battery removed is of little interest to thieves. At UGO Cycle, we take extra measures to protect our customers: we record the serial numbers of every kit sold, and actively monitor social networks for any suspicious activity, ensuring that our customers are protected.
The province of Quebec's highway safety code stipulates that electric bicycles equipped with a motor not exceeding 500 watts and limited to 32 km/h in autonomous mode do not require a driver's license. Our conversion kits and electric-assist bicycles comply with these requirements. Electric bikes must respect speed limits and can be used on public roads, with the exception of freeways and their access roads. However, certain bike paths, parks and trails may impose restrictions on the use of electric bicycles. Helmets must be worn.

For more information, visit https://saaq.gouv.qc.ca/securite-routiere/moyens-deplacement/velo-electrique/
In fact, we design traditional bikes specifically for seamless integration with our electrification kit, rather than complete electric bikes. This approach allows us to concentrate on frame design and choose top-quality components, which translates into lightweight, high-performance bikes at an unbeatable price. This modularity gives us total flexibility, whether for the electrification kit or the accessories, responding to the individual needs and preferences of each customer, and creating a truly bespoke cycling experience, in line with our values of innovation, quality and customer satisfaction.
Riding an electric bike with a flat battery can be more demanding due to the extra weight. Pedaling resistance with our motors is virtually zero when assistance is deactivated, offering a similar experience to that of a traditional bike even when the battery is flat. However, this may vary according to your physical condition.
Our motors are IP54 certified, while our displays are IP65 certified. This dual certification ensures resistance to the elements, enabling our assemblies to cope with rain and snow under standard operating conditions. However, we recommend preventing prolonged exposure to extreme conditions, such as leaving the bike exposed to continuous rain for long periods.
We offer several control screens with its conversion kits, each offering specific features to enhance your cycling experience.The Original 4 screen offers 4 assistance modes and is the only one compatible with the throttle trigger, giving you access to motor power without necessarily pedaling.

The Compact 5 display offers 5 assistance modes, as well as a comprehensive odometer. What's more, it can be paired via Bluetooth with the Ibike + app for a connected cycling experience.

Both displays also offer Mode 0 or OFF, allowing you to pedal unassisted while recording your odometer data.
With our Original 4 screen, you have the option of installing an acceleration trigger, allowing you to access engine power without necessarily pedaling. However, in accordance with road safety regulations, the use of this feature requires the installation of circuit-breaking brakes (included with the option). Our systems are designed to guarantee safe driving in compliance with current legislation, ensuring your safety on the road.
The electric conversion kit, including its motor and controller, is set up to comply with Canada's Federal Electrically Assisted Bicycle Regulations. This means that the electric assistance will be automatically interrupted when you reach a speed of 32 km/h, allowing your muscular strength to propel you beyond this speed. However, it's important to note that, as a cyclist, you must respect the speed limits imposed by the highway safety code, just like any other vehicle on the public highway.
The UGO Cycle solution's synchronous-assist technology offers highly precise and intuitive calibration between the power expended by the rider and the power delivered by the motor. Thanks to a torque sensor integrated into the motor block, power is constantly monitored, ensuring a natural pedal-assist feel. Virtually instantaneous assistance makes it easy to start uphill or restart from a standstill. All you have to do is pedal as you would on any conventional bike, except that you'll always feel the wind at your back and the hills will disappear.
Our team is committed to providing solutions tailored to our customers' needs and preferences, while ensuring compliance with current regulations and safety on the road. This commitment is at the heart of our mission, enabling us to offer you a safe, personalized driving experience every step of the way. We install 48V / 500W pedal motors equipped with torque sensors, in compliance with road safety codes. By special request, we also offer a 48V / 750 W motor with the same torque sensor technology, intended for off-road use only, as it exceeds the 500 watt limit authorized in Canada. Our motors develop up to 90 Nm of torque and use the bike's transmission to enable cyclists to optimize the motor's power according to the gradient.
UGO Cycle mainly recommends "pedal-assist" technology for electrifying bicycles, as it is considered the most innovative and efficient by experts and cycling enthusiasts. This approach offers numerous advantages in terms of comfort, ergonomics, pleasure, autonomy, safety and durability.Pedal assistance requires minimal effort to move: if you don't pedal, you don't move. As a result, this solution gives cyclists the same sensations and pleasure as riding a traditional bike, while benefiting from electric assistance to go faster and farther with less effort. This is a major advantage for cycling enthusiasts, who see this technology as the ideal companion for combining business with pleasure.Unlike wheel-assist kits, the extra weight generated by the addition of electrification components does not alter the bike's original center of gravity, making it neither dangerous nor difficult to ride. This is a major advantage of pedal-assist technology, guaranteeing a safer, more ergonomic ride.

Battery and autonomy

By opting for an electric bike, you can considerably reduce your carbon footprint. A single gasoline-powered car on the road is equivalent to the use of 60 electric bikes in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. With its low energy consumption and zero emissions, the electric bike represents the most sustainable and eco-responsible means of transport, especially in regions like Quebec, where energy comes mainly from hydroelectricity. Choosing an electric bike for your daily commute is not only economical, but also a significant gesture towards preserving our planet, with additional benefits for your health and well-being.
Recharging the electric bike's battery while braking or descending a gradient, known as regenerative braking, is technically possible but not widely used. Its effectiveness is limited, offering at best an increase in range of around 10 %. However, the current cost-benefit ratio is not favorable, especially when compared with cars. Although available, this technology is not widely used in the e-bike industry due to its limitations.
The cost of a full charge is around 5 cents. Our highest-capacity battery, 48 volts at 15 ampere-hours, produces 0.720 kilowatt-hours of power. Taking into account the average cost of electricity in Quebec of 7 cents per kilowatt-hour, the total cost is estimated at around 5.04 cents. This low cost makes bicycles equipped with a UGO Cycle electric assistance kit the most economical and sustainable means of getting around on a daily basis.
Li-Ion batteries are designed for optimum service life, thanks to top-quality cells from renowned brands such as LG and Samsung, protected by an advanced battery management system (BMS). With a calendar life of around 6 years and up to 800 complete charge/discharge cycles, they can cover between 30,000 and 40,000 km in daily use. The UGO Cycle team will tell you all you need to know to maximize their longevity.
Charging time varies according to battery capacity and charger. With our standard 48V/2.0Ah chargers, you can recharge the battery from 0 to 100% in a maximum of 6.5 hours for the 48V/12.8Ah battery and 7.5 hours for the 48V/15Ah battery. If you're in a hurry, after just 3 hours, the charge will reach 80%. You can charge the battery at any time, without waiting until it's completely exhausted.
At UGO Cycle, we generally recommend opting for a battery with a range suited to your needs, rather than buying a second one. This prolongs the battery's life and avoids discharging it completely. What's more, carrying an extra battery can make your bike heavier. For those who need to recharge their battery during the day, we suggest buying a second charger for added convenience.
The range of your electric bike depends on a number of factors, including battery capacity, altitude difference, rider weight, pedaling assistance level and temperature. At UGO Cycle, we offer two main battery capacities: 48V / 12.8AH (620 Watt hours) and 48V / 15AH (730 Watt hours).

Here are the range estimates for the 620 Wh battery:

Eco mode and Tour combined: 110 to 130 km Tour, Speed and Turbo mode: 70 km to 110 km Turbo mode only: 50 km to 70 km

Here are the range estimates for the 730 Wh battery:

Eco mode and Tour combined: 120 to 150 km Tour, Speed and Turbo modes: 90 km to 120 km Turbo mode only: 60 km to 90 km

These estimates are based on general use. Some customers have covered greater distances depending on their specific use. Our team is here to help you choose the right battery for your needs.
The batteries supplied with our electric conversion kits are equipped with the latest battery technology available on the market. It features a high-performance 48V rechargeable battery from the renowned Hailong brand, with Samsung or LG lithium-ion cells.

Electric bike maintenance and accessories

UGO Cycle electric conversion kits are installed on your bicycles with a view to providing you with exceptional service and complete satisfaction. All UGO Cycle electric conversion kits are covered by a 12-month limited warranty on parts and labor. What's more, for complete bikes, all components are also covered by a 12-month warranty, while we offer a 5-year warranty on the frame and fork. Please refer to our purchasing and service policy for more information on the terms and conditions of our limited warranty.
With the battery removed (which we recommend for all your trips), your converted bike weighs just 7 pounds more than its traditional version. A standard rack, capable of supporting 44 pounds per bike, should suffice. We can weigh your bike in our workshop, and advise you to check the capacity specifications of your bike rack with the manufacturer.
As with any bicycle, annual maintenance is recommended to ensure that your bike's components remain in good working order over the long term. This maintenance can be carried out by an authorized bike mechanic. Although motor components require less maintenance, UGO Cycle or any authorized UGO Cycle fitter will take this opportunity to carry out an internal motor inspection to ensure that your electric bike is in good working order.
Yes, your electric bike conversion with UGO Cycle is reversible. Our modular approach means that we make no structural modifications to the bike during installation. As a result, the kit can be easily removed if necessary, allowing your bike to return to its original state. What's more, this modularity gives you the flexibility to transfer the electrification kit to another bike if you wish, or even to use another bike for special needs, such as a Fat Bike, without having to buy a second battery.
UGO Cycle offers much more than electric conversion kits. As a complete bike shop, we offer a wide range of high-quality accessories and components to enhance your bike. The installation of your electric conversion kit is the ideal time to consider these upgrades, offering a modular, customized solution to your needs.
The UGO Cycle team systematically performs a safety check on the bikes before installing the conversion. This includes checking the headset, brakes, rear derailleur adjustment and tire pressure. If parts need to be replaced, we inform the customer and charge for the parts, but additional labor is usually included in the kit installation package, except in exceptional cases.

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