Electric bikes are becoming more and more popular as people discover the many benefits they offer. Not only are they great for the environment, but they’re also a lot of fun to ride! If you’re thinking about buying an electric bike, there are a few things you’ll need to consider before making your decision.
Electric bikes are bikes that are powered by a battery. That battery powers a motor, which helps you pedal the bike. There are different types of electric bikes, with different features and capabilities.
Due to this, it’s hard to know which one will be right for you. Thankfully we’re here to help as we’ll show you all the key aspects you need to consider. Let’s get started!
Choosing an Electric Bike
When choosing an electric bike, it’s important to get one that is suitable for your budget and your needs. That means taking several different factors into account. These include:
- Price
- Range
- Speed
- Portability
- Bike Motor
- Battery
- Type of bike
- Style of bike
- Additional features
- Size
- Laws
- Accessories
Here we’ll go through each of these, see why they are important and how they relate to your needs.
Price
When it comes to price, electric bikes can range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. It all depends on the features and quality you’re looking for. If you want a top-of-the-line electric bike, you’ll obviously pay more. But if you’re just looking for a basic model, you can find some great deals.
You should therefore know what your budget is and stick with it. You can often find great deals but it’s vital that you find a bike that is right for your needs. You don’t want to spend all that money only to find that it wasn’t the right fit.
Range
The range is another important consideration. Electric bikes typically have a range of 20-40 miles before needing to be recharged. However, this will vary depending on the bike and how you’re using it.
If you plan on using your electric bike for long-distance commuting, you’ll need one with a longer range. On the other hand, if you just plan on using it for short trips around town, a shorter range will suffice.
If you are buying your bike for a specific reason, such as commuting, work out the distance there and back and make sure your bike can cover it. That being said, you can manually ride these bikes if they do run out of battery.
Speed
Speed isn’t a hugely important consideration when it comes to e-bikes as a lot of your speed will be manually down to your input. A lot of motors will only support you in reaching speeds of around 20-30 mph, after which, they’ll stop assisting.
20-30 mph is very quick on a bike and would be more than enough for almost all needs. You don’t have to worry about speed as the motor aiding your own power will be more than fast enough.
It’s better to look at other factors as the speed will be similar across all e-bikes as they are not mopeds or scooters. Instead, they aim to give you that extra push of force when you need it.
Portability
How important is portability to you? If you are riding your e-bike to and from your home each day and putting it into a garage then the answer would be not very important at all.
For others, it’s very important. Perhaps you’re a mountain bike enthusiast who wants to attach your bike to your car so you can take it out on a trail. Maybe you need to take it on a train for part of your journey? Or perhaps 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 either 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 will last longer.
The reality here is that there is no real comparison between them as lithium-ion batteries are far superior. Lead-acid e-bikes may be cheaper but that is for a good reason, as they don’t have the same level of quality.
If you wanted an e-bike then it’s best to stretch your budget to a lithium-ion battery, which have become more affordable in recent years.
Bike Motor
There are two main types of motor which are crank motors (mid-drive) and hub motors. Hub motors can either be placed on the front or rear of the bike and the crank motors will be between your pedals.
In terms of feel, front hub motors feel like you’re being pulled along and rear hub motors feel like you’re being pushed. Both are generally cheaper options with front hub motors being found on budget electronic bikes.
In terms of feel and balance, many people prefer mid-drive crank motors. These work with the whole chainset which allows you to have a much more natural feel. Added to that, the battery’s weight is in the middle of the bike also helps with the center of gravity.
The downside here is that mid-drive motors are often more expensive and harder to repair. You can still have many great e-bikes which have front or rear motors.
Type of Bike
There are two main types of electric bikes which are pedal-assist and throttle-only. Pedal-assist bikes provide power when you’re pedaling, while throttle-only bikes allow you to control the bike with a throttle.
Pedal-assist bikes are much more common and more affordable. They are the better option for those who simply want a little extra boost when they are riding so they don’t have to break a sweat.
Throttle-only bikes are usually much more expensive and are comparable to mopeds or powered scooters. You can still pedal along but you have the option to travel completely under the power of the motor, which the pedal-assist bikes can’t do.
Style of Bike
There are many different styles of e-bikes out there and each one of them has its own purpose. Most standard e-bikes are great for the road and are suitable for most types of riders. These generic bikes are ideal for the likes of commuting.
If you wanted a little more adventure, then you’ll find a wide range of brilliant mountain e-bikes which are great for off-road fun. You’ll even get fat bikes that offer you superior grip in even the most challenging conditions.
For those who want to take their e-bike to work, on a train, or put them inside your car, foldable e-bikes may be best for you. These have extremely good portability and you can take them anywhere.
Those aren’t the only e-bikes available. There are cargo bikes that are perfect for making deliveries and hybrid bikes that can be the best of both worlds. As you can see, whatever your specific needs are, there will be an e-bike for you.
Additional Features
As well as e-bike-specific functions, it’s always good to see what the regular features of the bike are. These include looking at the brakes, handlebar, 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’ll only ever be riding on flat and smooth city roads then a good suspension wouldn’t be important but a high-quality brake system would.
Size
When choosing any bike, it needs to be the right size. If you’re not sure what size bike is right for you, then there are many size guides available that you can check. Not all bikes suit all people and you don’t want to buy an e-bike only to find that it’s too big or too small.
Laws
Electric bike laws vary from state to state and country to country. In some states, electric bikes are classified as mopeds and must be registered and insured. In other states, they are classified as bicycles and don’t require registration or insurance. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the electric bike laws in your state before buying one.
In Europe, laws are much stricter than in the US. For example, the sale of throttle-assisted bikes isn’t permitted in many countries. Have a quick check on the laws to avoid accidentally doing anything illegal.
Accessories
Finally, you’ll need to decide what accessories you want on your bike. Some common accessories include baskets, child seats, and cargo racks. Choose the accessories that best fit your needs.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for an electric bike, there are many great options on the market. However, it’s important to choose the right one for your needs.
We’d recommend writing down all of the factors that are most important to you. Once you’ve made this list, you can then cross-check it against any e-bike that you’re looking at to see if it’s a match.
Consider the factors discussed above and you’ll be sure to find the perfect electric bike for you!
