With gas prices rising, many people are considering alternative modes of transport to get to their destinations. Electric bikes are one option attracting attention, given they enable to save money and provide a durable and quick method for getting around.
Riding an electric bike offers great health and fitness benefits, as well as being good for the environment. They enable people to leave their car or motorbike at home and cover greater distances than regular bicycles, given the addition of a motor and battery.
There are a variety of electric bike models on the market, meaning there’s an e-bike out there for everyone. We advise considering the following factors before purchasing an e-bike and taking it out on the road or offroad trails.
The functionality of your electric bike will depend on the model you purchase. Ensure you pick an electric bike that matches your needs and lifestyle. For example, if you prioritize comfort, you can look at models with comfortable seating and high handlebars, like a breach cruiser e-bike. Some e-bike models have added features like anti-theft and space to put your luggage.
Man biker sitting on electric bikeSome customers prioritize e-bikes that deliver top speed. E-bikes have a derailleur system that allows riders to switch their gears and take the strain off their legs. The gear system makes it easy to navigate urban areas and offers complete control over speed. If this appeals to you, browse models with gear systems that suit your preference and lifestyle. There are also many safety options built into the bike to prevent accidents.
The most important part of an electric bike is its motor. Earlier models of electric bikes had the motor fixed close to the front wheel. However, as manufacturers prioritized performance, they switched to a pedal-cased motor system. With the advancement of technology, some new models even come equipped with built-in sensors that can measure the bike’s speed, pressure, and rotation.
When deciding on a model, check whether the motor’s position will hinder your travel. Some bikes even have motors of different sizes, with some going a step further with customized electronic bikes with cool motors.
An electronic bike is powered by a battery that you can easily charge at most power outlets. It’s important to ensure your electronic bike model has a high-quality battery that won’t drain quickly. If using your electric bike for long commutes, consistently charge the battery so you don’t get stranded.
When choosing your model, look at the battery’s range, as this will determine how long it can run before it needs a recharge. E-bikes come with three types of batteries:
Nickel-cadmium batteries: Very light and come with their issues, especially when it comes to memory.
Lead-based batteries:
The most affordable option , but are very heavy. They also react strongly to different weather conditions, which could require more hands-on maintenance experience.
Very consistent when providing power, but they are more expensive, so only consider these if they match your budget.
If you plan to use your bike in urban areas, consider buying a lighter model. City e-bikes or folding e-bikes are highly convenient for people living in small spaces or navigating through busy streets. Also, factor in your own weight when picking an electric bike, and choose a model that will support you comfortably.
Modern rental electric bikes standing a row during charging on a bright day with a selective focus on the vertical payment terminal with a mock-up of informational or an ad banner placeholder on itElectronic bikes are the future, giving so many people an alternative means of transport. You can use them to skip traffic and arrive at all appointments on time, and they offer a sustainable mode of transport that cuts down your carbon footprint. As technology develops, it’s exciting to think about the future of electronic bikes and their features in the long run.
If you’re ready to join the e-bike revolution, research your purchase by discovering how to choose an electric bike and check out our guide to the best e-bikes of 2023.
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Electric bikes – or e-bikes – have been soaring in popularity. And it’s no wonder why.
E-bikes will give you a hand up hills, help enable longer commutes, and let you cruise effortlessly past other cyclists on your Sunday ride. What’s more, they’re opening up cycling to wider age groups and demographics – increasing the amount of bikes on our streets. And they’re fun.
There are a multitude of different e-bikes out there. From folding options to full-on enduro mountain bikes. Just like regular bicycles, there are options for just about every style of riding. Manufacturers are constantly developing lighter, longer lasting batteries with increased range. Price-tags have been falling, too.
Right then, where to start? We’ve drawn out five main areas for consideration when buying an e-bike.
Firstly, you need to think to yourself where and when you’ll be using the e-bike. For example, do you live in a city that will require regular lifting up and down stairs, and other general commuting demands? Or maybe you live somewhere more remote, and will be looking to take it off-road?
E-bikes are great for carrying extra loads for commuting or shopping, thanks to the motor’s help in carrying you up testing hills. Many have standard rack mounts for pannier bags. But if you want to carry more – even your children, for example, you even have the option of a dedicated cargo e-bike.
On the other hand, if it’s leisure rides that pique your interest, then range of the battery and weight may come into play when deciding on which model to choose..
Once you’ve established your needs, there are five overarching categories of e-bikes to choose from:
E-road bikes and e-mountain bikes both lean towards the performance side of things. Both are dedicated to going out for long rides and are designed for speed. Therefore, they’re limited for rack options and in general might not be as comfortable for commuting.
Hybrids are a solid option for city riding. They’ve got suitable upright geometry to suit casual riding, and plenty of commuting features. They’re also the cheapest entry into e-bikes, with mainstream bike shops like Halfords and Evans offering them on cycle-to-work schemes.
However, they are often quite heavy, which could be a problem if you’re forced to carry the bike upstairs or onto public transport.
Folding e-bikes provide the best option for shorter city commutes, and those with limited storage options. They store easily into folding bike lockers, or in your hallway at home. Batteries in folding e-bikes are often smaller, and therefore have a reduced range.
They’ll come in heavier than standard folding bikes and would perhaps be unsuitable if you had to carry them over longer distances.
All e-bikes use different versions of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. It’s the same technology as used in electric vehicles. They’re quick to charge with a relatively low overall weight.
There are a few different positions where the battery commonly sits on the bike. Most commonly the battery is attached to the down tube, where it can be easily accessed and removed. Sometimes it’s attached on top of a rear rack – as seen in early models of the Lime rental bike.
In more expensive models the battery is integrated into the downtube near the bottom bracket, or sometimes within the seatpost. This makes for a cleaner finish, but does come at a cost.
For battery size, a general rule is to simply look out for the best size and quality your budget allows for. The capacity will be measured in Watt hours (wh), which is important when considering the range of your e-bike.
Most of the time you’re unlikely to have your battery run flat – if you start fully charged – on a typical journey. However, the ‘range’ of your e-bike – or total distance you can ride before running out of juice – will be important when it comes to charging.
The longer your range, the less you’ll have to charge your battery. This is where Watt hours (wh) come in to play. If you’ve got a 300w motor being fed by a 300wh battery, it would drain in one hour – at full power (on paper, at least).
In practice, there are many more variables. For one, you won’t ever have the battery operating at full power all the time. It’s more likely you’ll use different modes. Some will have eco modes to give you longer life, for instance.
On top of that, rider weight, the terrain you’re riding, and even weather can affect the range you’ll get from the battery. Here’s a handy calculator from Bosch to help estimate range.
To understand the impact weight may have, it’s worth thinking back to the intended use of your e-bike, plus your riding style.
If you’re a road rider looking to ride in groups, then you’ll likely be after a lighter weight bike. This is an area where despite the extra motor assistance, weight will still alter the performance and handling of the bike. Plus, if you did want to tackle some hills without the motor, you won’t be held back by weight.
More realistically, the weight of the bike will have a larger effect when you aren’t riding the e-bike. If you’ve got to cart your bike up flights of stairs, on and off busy trains, or even on to a rack on your car, the extra weight will be hard to manage day-to-day.
E-bike technology has come a long way in the past few years, and they aren’t as heavy as they used to be. With all things, it’s worth trying to visit your bike shop to have a feel of the bike and workout how light you want the bike to be.
No longer a luxury product, e-bikes have been coming down in price. If you want an entry level commuter bike, you can now get hybrid electric bikes for around £1,000. While this may still sound steep, it’s made more palatable by e-bikes availability on cycle to work schemes.
Ultimately, the price will be dictated by how much you think you’ll use the bike, and of course, your budget. Top-end road and mountain bike models are likely to be made from carbon fibre, and other high-end materials. These may weigh less and perform better, but they’ll cost a lot more.
Check out if your employer is signed up to a cycle-to-work scheme, then get yourself down to a bike shop and see what options are available.
For more on e-bikes, see our feature on the future of e-mobility, or whether we need e-bike charging stations in our cities.