e-Bike Buying and Ownership Tips
E-bikes have become incredibly popular over the last few years, because they’re versatile, connected, and a lot of fun. If you’ve decided that you’re in the market for an e-bike, this article focuses on what factors to consider when buying one, because e-bikes aren’t just bicycles with a battery.
There are quite a few things to be aware of when purchasing an e-bike, from regulations and laws (that vary by location)to different motor types. As much as I love my personal cars, I have found e-bikes to be a great alternative for a lot of use cases. Below, I’ve compiled a list of some of the things to look for and think about in advance when purchasing an electric bike that can help guarantee a great e-bike experience.
e-Bike Batteries
A primer on e-bike batteries could fill a whole article, but the main things to consider are charging, replacement availability, convenience, and security.
First, think about charge cycles, degradation, and replacement costs for the battery of your e-bike. Most lithium-ion batteries can handle 500-1000 charge cycles, which for the general consumer means about five to ten years of solid use. After that time, it doesn’t mean a battery necessarily needs to be replaced, but an e-bike battery might not provide the warranted range it had when new.
The best way to make sure your e-bike’s battery lifespan is maximized, and maintenance minimized, is to take care of your battery. For instance, do not drain it completely before recharging, and only fully charge it when needed. In fact, it’s best to keep it around 50 to 75 percent charged if possible. Depending on the brand and type of battery, an e-bike battery can be expensive to replace, often up to 30 percent of the bike’s cost.
If you do need to replace the battery, you’ll want to make sure doing so is easy. When buying an e-bike, check the brand’s battery availability and compatibility. Some lesser-known brands may have limited support for replacement, or available parts down the line. While some startup e-bike manufacturers may have great features, and even app support, we’ve unfortunately seen quite a few recently go out of business.
For the sake of convenience, check how easy it is to remove the battery for charging or replacement. Some e-bikes have better-designed battery mounts that are quick-release, while others may require tools or be more cumbersome. This is especially important if you live in an apartment, and leave your bike on a different floor than your apartment. If you need to remove the battery frequently and carry it around to charge, this is something to keep in mind.
Battery theft can also be an issue, so think about security as well. Look for models with locks on the battery, or consider removing the battery whenever leaving the bike unattended for long periods. We’ll discuss additional security things to think about later in this article.
The e-Bike Riding Experience
A number of factors can affect the riding experience you have on an e-bike, so depending on your individual needs, there are a few things to consider when shopping for the right e-bike for you.
Motor type and placement has the largest effect on the ride. Some e-bikes have a hub motor, which is positioned in the wheel hub. Hub motors are usually more affordable, and are great for flat terrain or casual use. Mid-drive motors are located near the pedals and provide better weight distribution and performance on hills or varied terrain.
Think about how far you will typically ride, which will help you evaluate an e-bike’s battery range and capacity. If you have long commutes or plan long rides, a higher-capacity battery (measured in watt-hours, or Wh) will be essential.
Throttle Versus Pedal Assist
There are also two kinds of electric assistance: throttle assist or pedal assist. The difference between throttle and pedal-assist can greatly affect your biking experience. Pedal assist means that the motor kicks in as you start pedaling, whereas a throttle creates an experience more similar to riding a moped or motorcycle. I’ve enjoyed both types of assistance, but personally I’m a fan of the throttle assist, which really gives the rider the flexibility of how they want to ride and provides more immediate torque in a city environment, like when crossing a busy intersection.
Generally, pedal-assist e-bikes are more common and are usually best for riding up hills. Throttle-assisted e-bikes are great too, but typically they are not as good at powering a bike up a steep hill. This is due to the different motor types associated with each, and this is where the impact of real-world riding can be less obvious than the specs on paper say.
For example, using the throttle assistance excessively can drain the battery faster than in a pedal-assist bike. I definitely recommend riding a few different styles of e-bikes before purchasing. This will allow you to experience how both systems operate to find a balance between battery life and performance.
Some e-bike motors are noisier than others. Hub motors tend to be quieter (they are most commonly found on throttle-assist bikes), while mid-drive motors (almost exclusively on pedal assist-bikes) can produce more noise, especially under heavy load or at higher speeds.
Weight Distribution and Handling
Where the motor and battery are located in an e-bike can significantly affect the handling. Mid-drive motors provide a more balanced feel, but hub motors in the rear wheel can make the bike feel rear-heavy, especially when cornering or going uphill. This can be fun but also fairly dangerous, if the rider is expecting an experience exactly like a traditional bicycle.
Similarly, the battery’s placement affects how the bike feels when accelerating or climbing. If the bike feels too heavy or unbalanced, longer rides are uncomfortable, so it’s something to pay attention to during test rides. I really enjoy my personal bike, but with a large battery up very high and having larger, off-road style tires, it can lose traction fairly quickly when aggressively leaning into a turn.
e-Bike Safety Tips
An e-bike’s increased speed is both a benefit and a liability. Given that e-bikes are capable of greater speeds, I recommend always wearing a bike helmet, but you should consider looking for something even more capable, such as a moped or motorcycle helmet.
Most e-bikes have lights integrated into them from the factory because of their onboard battery. I recommend purchasing an e-bike with great lights, and testing the lights on an e-bike when doing a demo ride. It’s not just about your own visibility but about making sure you are more visible to others on the road at all times, and definitely at night. I love that our e-bikes even have an active brake light and very bright front facing LED to light up the road ahead.
Charging an e-Bike
While most people charge their e-bikes at home, if you plan on long-distance rides, it’s helpful to know about charging points or carry a charger with you. Some cafes, offices, or public spaces offer charging stations for e-bikes, but availability is often limited and inconsistent.
However, most e-bikes just use a normal wall outlet to charge so if you bring your charger with you on a trip, you should be able to easily find a place to charge. Additionally, I’d recommend considering an e-bike with a removable battery pack, or an option for an external battery pack or a portable charger compatible with your e-bike for emergency charging on the go.
e-Bike Security and Preventing Theft
E-bikes have a lot of benefits, but just like any bike, and especially given their higher prices, they are popular targets for theft. Here are some of my personal recommendations, and lessons learned the hard way:
First, regular bike insurance may not cover the full cost of an e-bike due to its higher value. Look into specific e-bike insurance or check if your home insurance covers it. Some home insurance policies cover stolen bikes (confirm up to what value).
Think about bike locks and security systems, too. You already spent a good chunk of money on an e-bike, so don’t become frugal with the lock you buy to protect it. Invest in high-quality locks (such as U-locks or chains), and check if the bike comes with a GPS tracking or security system. Some e-bikes have apps that can help locate stolen bikes or even trigger alarms.
Also remember that e-bikes usually have larger, thicker frames, so when purchasing a bike lock, you may need to get a longer chain than you would for a normal bicycle. Especially if you plan to use your lock to tie up multiple e-bikes.
Some regions have e-bike registration programs to help track stolen bikes. Also, most, iif not all, e-bikes have serial numbers and can be registered with their manufacturer, which I also highly recommend.
The e-Bike Ownership Experience
Now that you have your e-bike, what will it be like to own? And what if you need service or repairs?
Some e-bike brands have limited repair networks or may only offer support in major cities. Before purchasing, check if there’s a local service provider who can repair or maintain the bike if issues arise. This is something I’ve personally experienced with the bikes I purchased. Having said that, most can still perform a simple tune up or help with replacing wheels and tires. Which sometimes may need to be specially-ordered.
Regular bike tires and brakes can wear out faster due to the increased weight, torque and speeds of an e-bike. For reduced maintenance hassles, look for puncture-resistant, e-bike-rated tires, which are more durable. Also keep an eye on your tire pressure. Keeping your tire pressure optimized is more critical on e-bikes due to their weight and speed, which can lead to increased wear on under-inflated tires and more frequent flats.
Investigate the warranty terms, especially for the motor and battery, on your e-bike. Some companies offer extended warranties for these components, which can be costly to replace outside the warranty period.
e-bikes, like cars, depreciate over time, but certain brands or models hold their value better than others. If you plan to upgrade in a few years, consider the resale market for e-bikes and choose a model from a brand with a good reputation for long-term value.
e-Bike Accessories
Not all e-bikes are compatible with standard bike accessories, either. For instance, fitting a child seat can be challenging due to the battery or motor placement. Check the e-bike’s compatibility with any extra gear you might want to add, like racks, bags, or baskets.
Additionally, existing bike racks and storage devices you have may not be compatible with all e-bikes. Since they’re usually bulkier and heavier than regular bikes, it makes them harder to store or transport. Check whether your current bike rack can accommodate the e-bike’s weight and size. Many standard car bike racks can’t handle e-bikes, so you may need to purchase a special e-bike-compatible rack. You’ll also want to make sure the bike racks can handle not just the added weight, but many e-bikes also have wider tires, and may require adapters for the larger tires to fit.
Conclusion: Life on Two Electric Wheels
Hopefully my e-bike experiences, good and bad, can help better inform you when buying an e-bike. I’ve really enjoyed owning ours and would gladly buy them again. It’s been a great way to get around town and explore nature, all while having flexibility in how we travel. Even if you’re not ready for a fully electric car, an electric bike could be a great way to bring down your monthly gas and car maintenance costs. All while having more fun!
