Here’s what you need to know before buying an e-bike

Yes, a bicycle boom is underway, but nothing is on people’s minds more than buying an e-bike. With the threat of climate change still very much looming large, there has recently been a dynamic shift in the mindset of consumers around the world.

In today’s day and age, living sustainably is absolutely imperative – whether it be through the food we choose to eat, the clothes we decide to wear, or the vehicles we opt to drive.

With this in mind, and coupled with the rise of technology over recent years, electric bikes have seen a huge rise in popularity, providing consumers with a sustainable, low emission alternative to the other gas-guzzling forms of transport.

But, if you’re thinking about buying an e-bike, it can be a little confusing getting to grips with all the terminology involved and ultimately, deciding whether investing in one is right for you.

So, we thought we’d lend a hand. In this article, we will guide you through everything you need to know when it comes to buying an e-bike, highlighting some of the main things you’ll need to look out for. 

Understanding The Jargon 

As you might have guessed, e-bikes don’t function in the same way as traditional bikes.

For starters, they have a motor and a battery which, as a result, create a few jargon-based terms you’ll need to know when it comes to shopping around. These mainly include:

• Power. Provided by the motor, the power of an electric bike is currently limited to 250w of ‘continuous support’ (i.e. easier pedalling). This is also known as pedal-assist and is often mentioned by brands as either a percentage or a total wattage.

• Torque. A rotational force around an axis, torque is what generates the acceleration you feel when you start pedalling. With electric bikes, in particular, torque is used to support the rider at the back wheel.

• Watt-Hour. This is a term used to describe how much capacity an e-bike’s battery has. If, for example, a specific model has a 150Wh battery, it will run for an hour when operating at full 150W motor usage.

Understanding The Types Of Bikes

In the same way as traditional bikes, e-bikes come in a variety of forms depending on how you want to use them.

Whether it be an e-road bike, an e-hybrid bike, an e-pedal bike, an e-mountain bike or a folding e-bike, each type of electric bike comes with its own various advantages and disadvantages.

E-hybrid bikes and e-mountain bikes tend to use systems with a higher torque rating than e-road bikes, for example, providing users with the ability to commute further with less effort.

On the other hand, according to Urban e-Bikes, e-pedal bikes are designed to replicate the ‘ride feel’ of road bikes as much as possible. They say: “[E-pedal] bikes tend to weigh a lot less than other types [of electric bikes], allowing them to offer a level of performance that’s more similar to the traditional road bike most riders are used to.”  

Therefore, when it comes to choosing which type of electric bike is right for you, it’s important to identify what you’re going to be using it for. That way, you can then work out the key things to look out for, in terms of the bike’s motor placement, power, torque delivery and pedalling resistance.

Understanding What To Look Out For 

OK, so now you understand the terminology involved with buying an e-bike and know which type of bike you’re going to go for, it’s time to get shopping. However, before you dive straight into it, there are a few things to think about in advance.

The bike’s motor placement is one such example, with two main types to choose between: hub driven and mid-drive.

• Hub Driven. For this placement, the motor sits in the rear hub with the battery living in the down tube. Generally speaking, this makes the bike look more ‘normal’ and is typically better on e-road bikes than other models.

• Mid-Drive. A bulkier-looking yet more popular option, mid-drive motors are placed around the bottom bracket to help improve stability and handling.

Aside from the motor placement, torque is another key thing to consider when buying an e-bike, dramatically impacting the bike’s overall ride feel.

Since torque relates to the e-bike’s acceleration, the higher this is, the less normal it will feel compared to a traditional bike. As such, many brands offer lower torque numbers on their models, in an attempt to better replicate the ride feel of a normal bike.

Moreover, there is the bike’s battery capacity to think about as well – after all, the bigger the battery is, the more support it will give you while you’re out and about.

That said, however, the larger the battery is, the more the bike will weigh, meaning it may not necessarily be an advantage if you’re unlikely to need much-pedaling assistance while you’re out riding.

Final Thoughts…

Ultimately, deciding which e-bike is right for you really depends on your individual circumstances.

If you’re looking for a low-cost option to get around the city, a mid-drive e-road bike with a smaller battery and a lower torque number could be a good bet.

However, if you’re looking for a sturdier bike that can deal with all sorts of terrain, a hub-driven e-hybrid bike with higher torque and a bigger battery capacity could be a better bet.

As with anything, the more you know in advance, the better equipped you’ll be to make the right decision when it comes to it – so, make sure to do your homework. That way, you can feel a lot more rest assured in the model of electric bike you choose to go for.