How To Choose The Best E-Bike

What is an E-Bike?

What is an e-bike and how to choose the best e-bike? A simple answer is it is a bicycle with an electric motor. An e-bike has a frame, handlebars, seat and peddles just like a regular bicycle. The big difference is that it can propel itself using an electric motor. 

Why Get an E-Bike?

The biggest reason for getting a e-bike is that you don’t have to peddle to get somewhere. However, you can still peddle if you want to. The motor assists with the peddling. This is a big advantage when you have a heavy load to carry. In a word, an e-bike makes it effortless.

Another advantage comes in when you are going up an incline. Anyone who has ridden a bicycle uphill is aware of how physically taxing it is. An e-bike solves this problem.

Perhaps the most important reason for getting an e-bike is that they are just plain fun to ride.

E-bike sales are in growth mode. 20.36 billion in e-bike sales will occur in 2023 with growth projected for the next several years.

What Types of E-Bikes Are There?

In order for you to know how to choose the best e-bike you should know as much about them as possible. You should be familiar with e-bike classifications. The e-bike industry has come up with three:

Class 1

Peddle assisted e-bikes are class 1. That is, the electric motor senses when you are using the peddles and powers the e-bike but only when you peddle. Top speed on this class of e-bike is 20 mph. Some class 1 e-bikes do not have a throttle. The motor must be less than 750 watts.

The class 1 e-bike looks the most like a standard bicycle. They come with or without a crossbar and usually have narrow tires. Derailleur gears come on these e-bikes and may have up to 40 gears depending on the model. You push a lever on the handlebar to shift to a lower or higher gear.

Class 2

A class 2 e-bike can also go up to 20 mph but has a throttle to allow you to control the speed. Unlike the class 1, this type of e-bike doesn’t require you to pedal to enjoy the benefits of the electric motor. You can use the pedals alone or with the electric assist. The motor must be less than 750 watts.

Class 3

A class 3 e-bike is similar to a class 1 in that you must pedal to enjoy the electric motor assist. However, you can get up to 28 mph with the electric assist. It may or may not have a throttle. If it has a throttle, it will only work up to 20mph. Above that speed, you must peddle to reach 28 mph. The motor must be less than 750 watts.

Class 4

You may not ride a Class 4 e-bike on the street. They are for off-road use only. The motor can exceed 750 watts. A class 4 e-bike can go faster than 28 mph.

Road E-Bike vs Off Road E-Bike

E-bikes are classified as road or off-road. The difference in use is self-explanatory based on the name. Furthermore, there are physical differences between the two bikes.

Firstly, the off-road e-bike has wider tires with knobby tread. The road e-bike has narrower tires more suitable for use on pavement.

Secondly, the off-road e-bike generally has a stronger frame. The stronger frame means more weight. This is to absorb the punishment of off-road excursions. They also have a longer travel suspension to handle ruts and rough trail conditions. Off-road e-bikes can weight from 45 to 75 pounds. Contrast that with about 40 – 50 pounds for a road e-bike.

Thirdly, road e-bikes generally have more range. A road e-bike range is from 35 – 40 miles while an off-road e-bike can go around 35 miles. However, keep in mind that the range depends upon riding conditions. More up-hill riding means more power consumption resulting in less range.

Even More Variations

There are even more e-bike variations. Don’t let that discourage you though, this just means that you can find the right e-bike that meets you needs.

Type	Photos	Description	Pros	Cons
Road E-Bike		The road e-bike has a lightweight frame and narrow tires. It has low handle bars and is designed for street use.	Good for speed and long distances	Limited to street use. Not suitable for off-road trips or riding on dirt roads.
Off-Road E-Bike		Built to take the rigors of off-road use. It has a strong frame and suspension to absorb shock. It has knobby tires for traction on the dirt.	Best e-bike for rough off roads.	Most at home on dirt roads. May not suitable for street use if they have aggresive knobby tires. There may be legal restrictions to riding an off-road e-bike on the street. Check your local regulations.
Cruiser E-Bike		Cruiser e bikes have a classic style frame. Many are solid frames but some have suspensions. They have wide, swept handlebars for comfort. Some cruisers have big wide tires with knobs for the occasional sandy or gravel road.	A design for those who want to ride slow and comfortably. They should not be used off-road as they are most at home on the street.	Cruiser e-bikes can be heavy and slower than other e bikes. They are best for more relaxed, leasurely riding.
Cargo E-Bike		Cargo e-bikes are designed to carry a payload. They are great for transporting small boxes, bags of goods and various other items that can be put on a rack or basket. These bikes can be heavy in order to support heavy loads.	Great for hauling items.	Best limited to hauling and delivery.
Folding E-Bike		These e-bikes can fold down into a size that will fit into most automobile trunks. You may be able to take it with you on a train if they permit it.	These e-bikes take up less storage space than other e-bikes.	Could be heavy. You should check to make sure that you can lift it with ease.
Commuter E-Bike		These e-bikes have a smaller frame and tires than other e-bikes. This makes it easier to bring with you on a train. Many manufacturers are also making commuter e-bikes with a standard size frame and tires.	Great for the final leg of a motor journey when you don't want to walk.	Smaller frame e-bikes may be a little heavy for its frame size.

E-Bike Characteristics

Throttle For The Best E-Bike

How to choose the best e-bike requires that you know the characteristics of an e bike.

E-bike have one of two types of devices on the handlebar to regulate speed. One is a twist grip throttle device. Turning the throttle with your hand makes the e-bike move forward. The more you twist, the faster you go. The other is a paddle-like device that accelerates the e-bike when you push the paddle with your thumb. The further you push it, the faster you go.

It is best to try out the twist throttle and paddle at an e-bike dealer to see which is most comfortable for you. If you ride a motorcycle or scooter, you may wish to opt for a twist throttle for consistencies sake.

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Motors For The Best E-Bike

There are two types of motors for e-bikes: hub motor and mid-drive motor.

Hub Motor

A motor located inside the wheel hub is a hub motor. The axle passes through the center of the hub, the spokes attach to the hub and rim of the wheel and the axle attaches to the frame or fork of the e-bike.

A plus of the hub motor is that should the motor or chain fail, the hub motor will still propel the e-bike to your destination. 

There are two types of hub motors: front hub and rear hub.

Mid-Drive Motor

A motor mounted in the same area as the pedals is a mid-drive motor. An advantage of a mid-drive motor is that it delivers power to the rear wheel through the chain. This means that it can take advantage of the gear selection. Using the proper gear for the riding conditions reduces the load on the motor which makes it last longer. One potential downside to a mid-drive motor is that is the chain should break, you will not be able to pedal or use the motor to power your way to your destination. A mid-drive motor will generally give you more range than a hub motor.

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Frame For The Best E-Bike

Aluminum

E-bike frames are made from aluminum, steel, titanium or carbon fiber. The type of material that the frame is made of depends on how it will be ridden.

Aluminum is the most popular material. It is light weight but strong. There are two types of aluminum alloy that are used in frames. One is 6061. This alloy is economical and is easy to manufacture. The other is 7005 and is more expensive than 6061. One drawbacks to aluminum frames is that they can corrode over time. An aluminum frame may not be strong enough for extreme riding.

Steel

Steel is a strong material and is what e-bike frames where originally made from. A big advantage is that they are more easily repairable that aluminum frames and tend to last longer. However, a drawback if that they are heavy. This weight puts additional load on the motor and makes the e-bike harder to lift.

Titanium

Titanium is the strongest of the frame materials but it is also the most expensive. If you will be subjecting your e-bike to extremely harsh riding conditions, you may wish to consider titanium.

Carbon Fiber

Carbon fiber is a high-tech composite material that is lightweight and strong. It consists of carbon fiber sheets and resin. This material is best used for high-speed competition use. Although this material is strong, it can be broken and unlike metal frames that bend when stressed, carbon fiber will shatter when broken leading to a catastrophic failure.

Batteries For The Best E-Bike

There are two types of batteries for e-bikes: lead acid and lithium ion.

Lead Acid

The first e-bikes had lead acid batteries. A sandwich of lead plates emersed in a solution of sulphuric acid produces electricity. Lead acid batteries are no longer in use.

Lithium-Ion

Lithium-ion batteries have replaced lead acid as the battery of choice. These batteries last longer and are more suitable for e-bike use.

Electrical Terms

The battery is the heart of the e-bike so it is a good idea to understand some basic characteristics of the battery.

Volts

A volt is the measurement of the force of electricity. More volts equals more power.

Amps

Amps measures the current or speed of an electrical force. Moreover, amp hours measure the amps that a battery will output in one hour. Higher amp hour batteries last longer between charges.

What Capacity Battery Do You Need

Generally speaking, get the highest capacity battery in order to have the greatest range. However, higher capacity batteries weigh more so you will need to take that into consideration especially if you will need to lift the e-bike.

Charging The Battery

E-bikes come with a charger. You plug the charger into a wall socket and the other end into the e-bike charging port.

Tires For The Best E-Bike

Tires are a very important part of the e bike equation as they form the connection between the e-bike and the ground. E-bike tires are designed for a specific use and the right tire will make a big difference in the ride quality and safety.

One factor in determining the correct tire is the tread pattern. Road tires have groove patterns designed to aid grip on the road and to direct water away from the tire in wet conditions. Road tires are generally narrow as to reduce the contact patch, the area where the tire meets the road. A smaller contact patch results in less rolling resistance and thus increases range.

Off-road tires on the other hand have knobs or rectangle-like protrusions that give traction on dirt roads. Off-road tires come in various forms consisting of small knobs or lugs to large knobs. The larger knob tires are best used strictly off-road as they are unsuitable for street use. However, there are some tires that are designed to allow riding on both street and off-road.

The tire compound, how hard or soft the rubber is makes a difference in tire life and performance. On road e-bikes, harder compound tires can reduce rolling resistance and thus extend battery life. It also gives longer tire life. A softer compound can improve road performance at the price of tire life.

Tire diameters also depend on how the e-bike will be used. The most common size wheels are 16″, 20″ and 26″. The 16″ and 20″ tires are found on folding e-bikes. They are smaller in order to reduce the size and overall weight of the e-bike. The 26″ tires are found on road, cruiser and off-road e-bikes.

Generally speaking, the larger 26″ wheel and tire combo will give better handling and battery life. The larger mass allows the e-bike to coast longer and need less power to maintain speed. However, the larger mass means that it takes longer to get up to speed. The larger tire can also get better traction than smaller ones.

A smaller wheel tire combo is more nimble on the road. Although they are easier to get up to speed, they require more power and rpm to maintain speed. The smaller size means that you will feel road bumps and potholes more than you would with a larger tire. The smaller size tire means they are easier to heft around on a folding e-bike.

Seats For The Best E-Bike

E-bike seats or saddles as manufacturers like to call them are usually padded for comfort and there are oversized seats for those who want maximum comfort.

Road e-bike seats tend to be narrower to prevent chaffing during competitive riding. Cruiser seats are usually wider with more padding and some even have gel fill for great comfort.

For even more comfort, suspension seat posts are available that utilize a spring and lever mechanism to smooth out bumps.

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Suspensions For The Best E-Bike

E-bikes can be had with no suspension, front suspension only or full suspension (both front and rear suspension). 

A no suspension e-bike is just that, the wheels are mounted solidly to the front fork and frame and there is no give other than the deflection afforded by the tire.

There are four types of front suspension: resistance rubber, spring, pneumatic and hydraulic. 

Resistance Rubber

A resistance rubber suspension uses rubber to absorb shock forces. Inexpensive e-bikes have this type of suspension.

Spring Suspension

A spring suspension uses coil springs inside telescoping tubes on the front fork to absorb shocks. The rear suspension uses a coil over shock aborber to cushion the ride. The rear suspension may have one or two shock aborbers.

Pneumatic Suspension

The pneumatic suspension uses air to aborb shocks. This type of system is adjustable for rider weight and riding conditions. The front fork is filled with air by attaching a special hand pump to a valve located at the top of each fork stanchion. The rear shock is filled in a similar manner. This type of suspension is light weight and has a progressive action; as the suspension compresses, the stiffer it gets.

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Hydraulic Suspension

The hydraulic suspension uses oil inside telescopic tubes in the front fork to absorb shock. Pressurized oil inside the fork chamber provides a damping effect. Many consider this type of suspension to be the best for smooth ride and response to rough road conditions. Like the pneumatic suspension, it is light weight but is also expensive to buy and repair.

Brakes For The Best E-Bike

There are two types of e-bike brakes: rim brakes and disc brakes. Lower end e-bikes may come with rim brakes. It is better to get disc brakes for your e-bike.

Rim Brakes

Rim brakes use a clamp system that squeezes onto the rim of the wheel when the brake lever is pulled which stops the e-bike. This is generally considered inadequate due to the weight and speed that can be attained by an e-bike. It is better to get disc brakes which offer more stopping power.

Disc Brakes

There are two types of disc brakes: mechanical and hydraulic.

Mechanical Disc Brakes

Mechanical disc brakes consist of a rotor which is attached to the wheel and a caliper which is attached to the frame. The caliper encircles the rotor. Between the caliper and rotor are disc brake pads. The brake lever is attached to the caliper with a cable which controls the braking. Inside the caliper are a set of pistons that squeeze the brake pads against the rotor. Pulling the brake lever causes friction which stops the e-bike. 

Mechanical disk brakes require more effort squeezing the brake lever to stop compared to hydraulic brakes. This effort can cause the cable to stretch which will require you to adjust the cable to compensate for the stretch. The cable must also be inspected periodically to check for frays and avoid brake failure.

Hydraulic Disc Brakes

Hydraulic disc brakes are similar to mechanical disc brakes but instead of activating the caliper pistons with a cable, a tube with hydraulic fluid is used to activate the brakes. The hydraulic system is considered very reliable and produces a stronger braking effect. Hydraulic brakes are quite reliable but are more expensive to repair than mechanical disk brakes.

E-Bike Range

There are many factors affecting how far an e-bike can go on a single charge such as battery capacity, motor watts, tire pressure, road incline and rider and cargo weight. A very general estimate is that a 500 watt motor may go roughly 20 – 30 miles. Pedal assisting and a higher capacity battery may yield a longer range. There are some e-bikes that have a range of up to 50 – 70 miles. At least one e-bike has a claimed range of over 200 miles. This kind of mileage requires an expensive 3kW hour battery.

Charging Time

The amount of time it takes to charge an e-bike depends on how depleted that battery is and its capacity. Generally, it takes 2 – 6 hours to fully charge an e-bike battery.

Weight

E-bikes generally weight from 40 – 80 lbs. Some of this weight depends on what type of material the frame and wheels are made of and how much the motor and battery weigh.

Weight is especially important if you are considering a commuter e-bike. You will need to handle or lift a commuter e bike at some point in your trip. Make sure that you can easily lift or heft the e bike around.

A lighter e-bike may be more maneuverable while a heavier e bike may feel more stable at speed. You will need to test ride the e-bike of your choice to see if it handles and feels comfortable to you.

Which E-Bike?

Figuring out how to choose the best e bike for you can be daunting. The first question you should ask yourself is, “what kind of riding will I be doing?” Will you be casually riding on the weekends on the street, commuting to work, off-road riding or a little of all three.

If you will be a casual street rider, a class 1 cruiser or road e-bike may be for you. It is a good entry point. This type of e-bike will give you the pedal assist (which is the primary reason for getting an e-bike) and looks and performs most like a bicycle which makes transition easy. 

If you are sure that you will like owning an e-bike you may opt for a class 2 or 3 e bike to get the extra speed and range. If you want to be able to ride without pedaling, a class 2 e-bike is a good choice. You can go faster on a class 3 e-bike (up to 28 mph) but the motor kicks in only under pedal assist. A 250 – 500 watt motor will get the job done but you could opt for a higher watt rating if you want more power. Keep in mind that a higher watt motor will require a larger ah battery so expect to pay more.

If you want an e-bike for commuting, a class 1 or 2 folding or commuter e-bike would be a good choice. Storing the e-bike after arriving at your destination is a factor so the smaller size of the commuter e-bike makes sense. The smaller wheels and lighter weight of the commuter make it easier to maneuver in traffic.

If you will be delivering light items or hauling, a cargo e-bike would be a good choice. a 500 – 750 watt motor will make sure that you have sufficient power to handle your loads. You may want to consider a dual 500 Wh battery to ensure that you have the capacity to meet your range requirements. Also, a hub motor with 7 or more gears will allow you to conquer hills with confidence.

If you want to ride off-road a class 2 or 3 off-road e-bike is a good choice although there are also class 1 off road e-bikes available. Choose the class based on the amount of power assistance you want. Class 4 off-road bikes are the most powerful. However, keep in mind that they must be licensed and registered. These e-bikes can exceed 28 mph and can have motors greater than 750 watts.

Make sure that the e-bike that you choose has disc brakes. Lower cost bikes will have mechanical disc brakes but hydraulic brakes would be the best choice.

When you have selected the type of e-bike you want, make sure that you get the correct frame size that will fit you. Below is a general chart for picking the e-bike frame size based on rider height.

Keep in mind that the above chart is just a guideline. It is best to actually sit on the e-bike that you are considering and check the position of the handlebars and pedals to make sure that they feel like they are in the right positions. Furthermore, straddle the e-bike and check that you can comfortably stand with both feet flat on the ground without sitting on the seat or having your crotch hitting the top tube of the frame. While sitting on the seat, you should be able to put at least one foot on the ground with your foot outstretched.

Accessories

There are a lot of accessories that you can add to your e-bike to customize just to your liking. You can get lighting sets, cargo racks, baskets and saddle bags, mounts for GPS units and phones, horns, mirrors, mirrors bike racks and more.

Price

Price will certainly affect how to choose the best e-bike. Prices for e-bikes range from about $700 to $12,000 or more. 

A basic class 1 or 2 e-bike for around town use can be had for around $1,200 – $2,000. You can get an e- bike for less than $1,000 but don’t expect much in term of quality. Furthermore, you may not be able to get replacement parts if you choose a cheap e-bike. This can be a big problem especially if you encounter an electrical issue with the e-bike. Basically, you get what you pay for.

If you will be using your e-bike for off-road, expect to pay around $2.000 – $2,500. This will get you a bike with good quality components and adequate power and suspension to handle mountain roads.

When buying your e-bike, it is best practice to buy from a reputable shop. They can recommend the right bike for you and they will stand behind the products that they sell. Be sure and ask about warranties and whether they have spare parts available and do repairs in shop or outsource it.

Legal Concerns

Make sure that you check the local laws regarding where you can ride your e-bike. Some jurisdictions do not allow off-road riding for some classes of e-bike. Also, check requirements regarding licensing and registration. You may be required to wear safety equipment such as a helmet.

Finally

Technology has come together to update a mode of transportation that has been around for over 200 years. Knowing how to choose the best e-bike means knowing the basic aspects of the technology. The e-bike adds a new spin on two-wheel transport. In particular, riding an e-bike is fun and reliable.

In conclusion, no matter what type of riding you enjoy, you will be able to find an e-bike that will meet your needs. Now get out there and ride!

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