Alex Idler
Updated
Researcher and tool builder at eBikesHQ
Alex Idler researches, writes and builds eBikesHQ. Alex Idler is a pen name used to keep this site separate from my day job.
Why I started checking e-bike claims
I’m an engineer working on large public infrastructure projects. In that work, a number is useful when its source, units and assumptions are clear. I bring the same habit to e-bike specifications and planning questions.
I’m a parent in the Pacific Northwest considering an e-bike for family trips, errands and wet-weather commuting. I do not currently own or ride an e-bike. The guides here come from checking manufacturer documents and other identified sources, rather than presenting that research as a ride test.
What I work on here
I compare manufacturer specifications with owner manuals, identify the exact configuration and date the checks. When sources disagree, a record explains the conflict or keeps the unresolved value unavailable. A battery’s nominal watt-hours, a rider limit and a gross vehicle limit answer different questions; the units and definitions belong alongside the number.
The site’s planning tools show their formulas and assumptions. I develop the site and tools with AI assistance, then check the results through automated tests and browser verification. The tools hub explains what each worksheet can help you plan.
Research and future first-hand evidence
I track household electricity use hour by hour. An anonymized worked example from those records is a future project; the site does not yet present it as a verified e-bike charging measurement. A future shop ride, rental or reader submission will be labelled with what was actually observed and how it was collected.
Current articles carry the Researched label. A manufacturer’s range claim stays a manufacturer’s claim, and a planning calculation stays a calculation. Read our research and corrections policy for how sources, dates and disagreements are handled.
About eBikesHQ · Source-labelled bike records · Read the guides