Choosing the Bike for You

Electric bikes are becoming increasingly popular and for a good reason. Versatile, easy to ride, and ideal for everything from commuting to enjoying a weekend outing, electric bikes are a fantastic alternative to motor vehicles and traditional, two-wheeled travel.

If you’re considering purchasing an electric bike, you need a bit of guidance in making your decision. We’re here to help. Please check with our guide to help you navigate.

For regulatory reasons, electric bikes are divided into three specific classes. These are as follows:

Class 1: Class 1 bikes feature a motor that kicks in only when thee users pedal, and stops running when the bike reaches 20 mph.
Class 2: Class 2 bikes also have a pedal-assist mode that works up to 20 mph, as well as a throttle-powered mode users can activate without pedaling.
Class 3: Class 3 bikes are solely pedal-assist bikes, but the assistance mode continues until the bike hits 28 MPH.

It can seem like the options and variations are endless. Let’s look at a few tips to help decide which options are best for you.

1. Consider Your Needs

You’ll buy a different e-bike for commuting daily then you would for weekend rides.

With this in mind, think about things like your desired riding ranges and speeds. Manufacturers of e-bikes devote a lot of attention to ensuring their bikes have powerful batteries, but the trade-off is performance vs. range.

A bike with a powerful motor, for example, will deliver much more speed, which is great for commuters who want to keep up with traffic or haul a briefcase. This big motor will also burn your battery faster, though, which reduces riding ranges. While there’s no “right” or “wrong” style of e-bike, knowing how far you want to go will help you decide on the right model for you.

2. Understand Features and Components

The e-bike you eventually buy will be more than just a frame, motor, and battery. In fact, many of them come with cool features like pedal-assist activation and integrated accessories. Here are a few things that are standard on many e-bikes:

Lighting. While many e-bikes come with integrated lighting, it’s most popular on city and commuter bikes. High-end bikes tend to have the most powerful lighting, which is excellent for anyone who wants to ride at night or in the early morning hours.
Racks. If you intend to haul cargo, check out bike options with integrated racks, which are designed to support heavy panniers. Don’t worry if the bike you love doesn’t have a rack, though - most e-bikes support after-market racks with no problem.
LCD displays. Since there are so many components to track on an e-bike, many of them include a handlebar-mounted bike computer that allows you track your bike’s battery life, pedal-assist mode, speed, available range, and more.
Smartphone Integration. High-end bikes can connect wirelessly with smartphones. These app integrations offer functionalities like GPS, remote bike unlocks, service records and notifications, and more.

While an e-bike will function just fine without all the bells and whistles, knowing what you want is a great way to ensure your bike lives up to your expectations.

3. Think About Frame Materials

Ebikes tend to be much heavier than a standard bicycle, thanks to their additional components. If you want to cut weight on your ebike, you’ll do well to compare and contrast frame materials. While most ebikes are made of aluminum, options from carbon-fiber to steel exist. Keep in mind that the heavier the ebike, the more sluggish it tends to become in pedal-assist mode.