How to choose an electric bike
When choosing an e-bike, it’s important to choose one that fits your budget and needs. This means taking several different factors into consideration. These include:
price
scope
speed
portability
bicycle motor
Battery
bike type
bike style
Additional features
size
law
Accessories
Here, we’ll go through them one by one to see why they’re important and how they relate to your needs.
Price
When it comes to price, e-bikes can range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. It all depends on the features and quality you are looking for. If you want a top-of-the-line e-bike, you’re obviously going to pay more. However, if you’re just looking for the base model, you can find some great deals.
Therefore, you should know what your budget is and stick to it. You can often find great deals, but finding the right bike for your needs is crucial. You don’t want to spend that much money only to find it doesn’t fit.
Scope
Scope is another important consideration. Electric bikes typically have 20-40 miles of range before needing a charge. However, this will vary based on the bike and how you use it.
If you plan to use an e-bike for a long commute, you need an e-bike with a longer range. On the other hand, if you’re only going to use it for short trips around town, the shorter range will suffice.
If you’re buying a bike for a specific reason (such as commuting), work out the round-trip distance and make sure your bike can cover it. Having said that, if the battery runs out, you can ride these bikes manually.
Speed
Speed isn’t a terribly important consideration for e-bikes, as a lot of your speed will be manually reduced to your input. Many motors can only support you up to around 20-30 mph, after which they stop helping.
20-30 mph is pretty fast on a bike and more than enough for just about anything. You don’t have to worry about speed because the motor that assists your own power will be fast enough.
It’s better to consider other factors as all e-bikes are similar in speed as they are not mopeds or scooters. Instead, their goal is to give you that extra boost when you need it.
Portability
How important is portability to you? If you ride your e-bike to and from your home every day and put it in the garage, the answer isn’t very important at all.
For others, it’s very important. Maybe you’re a mountain biker and want to hook up your bike to your car so you can take it on the trails. Maybe you need to take it on the train during your trip? Or maybe you live or work in a high crime area and don’t want to leave it unattended.
Before buying an e-bike, it’s important to know where you’ll be taking it and how important its weight and portability are to you.
Battery
The battery is another important factor to consider. Electric bikes come with lead-acid or lithium-ion batteries. Lead-acid batteries are cheaper, but don’t last as long as lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are more expensive but last longer.
The reality is that there is no real comparison between them because Li-ion batteries are so much superior. Lead acid e-bikes may be cheaper, but for good reason, as they have different levels of quality.
If you want an e-bike, it’s best to stretch your budget to lithium-ion batteries, which have become more affordable in recent years.
Bicycle motor
There are two main types of motors, crank motors (intermediate drive) and hub motors. The hub motor can be placed on the front or rear of the bike, and the crank motor will sit between your pedals.
In terms of feel, the front hub motor feels like you’re being pulled and the rear hub motor feels like you’re being pushed. Both are generally inexpensive options, and front hub motors can be found on cheap e-bikes.
In terms of feel and balance, many prefer a mid-drive crank motor. They work with the entire chainring to give you a more natural feel. In addition to that, the weight of the battery in the middle of the bike also helps with the center of gravity.
The downside here is that mid-drive motors are generally more expensive and harder to service. You can still have many great electric bikes with front or rear motors.
Accessories
bike type
There are two main types of e-bikes, pedal assist and throttle only. Pedal-assist bikes provide power when you pedal, while throttle-only bikes allow you to control the bike with the throttle.
Pedal-assist bikes are more common and more affordable. They’re a better option for those who just want a little extra power while riding so they don’t have to break a sweat.
Throttle-only bikes are generally much more expensive and rival mopeds or e-scooters. You can still pedal, but you have the option to run entirely on electric motor power, something you can’t do with pedal-assisted bikes.
Bike style
There are many different styles of e-bikes out there, each serving its own purpose. Most standard e-bikes are great for road riding and will fit most types of riders. These general purpose bikes are ideal for things like commuting.
If you’re looking for more adventure, you’ll find a great variety of mountain e-bikes perfect for off-road fun. You can even get fat bikes that give you great grip in even the most challenging conditions.
For those of you who want to ride an e-bike to work, get on a train, or keep your e-bike in your car, a foldable e-bike may be best for you. These are very portable and you can take them anywhere.
These aren’t the only electric bikes available. Some cargo bikes are great for deliveries, while hybrid bikes can get the best of both worlds. As you can see, no matter what your specific needs are, there is an e-bike that’s right for you.
Additional features
It’s always good to see what the bike does in general, aside from what’s specific to an e-bike. These include looking at brakes, handlebars, suspension, frame, tire size and weight.
These are all features that may be more or less important, depending on your needs. For example, if you’re only riding on flat, flat city roads, good suspension doesn’t matter, but a high-quality braking system does.
Feature
When choosing any bike, it has to be the right size. If you’re not sure which size bike is right for you, there are many size guides you can check out. Not all bikes are for everyone and you don’t want to buy an e-bike only to find it’s too big or too small.
Law
Electric bike laws vary by state and country. In some states, e-bikes are classified as mopeds and must be registered and insured. In other states, they are classified as bicycles and do not require registration or insurance. Before buying an e-bike, it is important to familiarize yourself with your state’s e-bike laws.
In Europe, the laws are much stricter than in the US. For example, many countries do not allow the sale of gas-assisted bicycles. Quickly check the law to avoid accidentally committing any illegal activity.
Finally, you need to decide which accessories you need on your bike. Some common accessories include baskets, child seats and luggage racks. Choose the accessories that best suit your needs.
Final thoughts
If you’re looking for an electric bike, there are plenty of great options on the market. However, it is important to choose the right one according to your needs.
We recommend writing down all the factors that are most important to you. Once you’ve made this list, you can cross-check it with whatever e-bike you’re looking at to see if it matches.
Considering the factors discussed above, you are sure to find the best electric bike for you!
If you are looking for a new way of commuting or want a healthier lifestyle, we are here to help you. Visit our website to learn more about electric bikes and electric scooter or please leave information to us.