Let’s be honest: We all make impulse purchases from time to time. But buying an eBike should not be one of them. Whether you have $1,000 or $5,000 to spend, an electric bike is an investment. And it’s not a one-size-fits-all type of thing. 

If you’re thinking about buying an electric bike for the first time and unsure what to buy, you’re in the right place. In this buyer’s guide, we’ll walk you through the questions you should ask and things to consider before buying an eBike. By the end, you should know what to look for and have a good understanding of what type of eBike is best for you.

What Is an eBike? 

An electric bike is like a traditional bike, except that it has a battery-powered motor to assist you as you ride. Many also come with a digital LCD, mounted on the handlebars, that allows you to track your bike’s battery life, pedal-assist mode, speed, range, and more. Some displays also integrate with your smartphone, offering features such as GPS and remote bike unlock. 

Some advantages of owning an eBike: 

• It’s an eco-friendly transportation method.
• You can get to work without breaking a sweat.
• It’s much cheaper than a car. 
• You can travel further and faster than a traditional bike.
• You can bring home groceries without much effort. 
• If you struggle with mobility issues, you can enjoy all the benefits of cycling without pushing yourself too much. 

Questions to Ask Before Purchasing 

How Heavy is the Bike? 

Because of its motor and battery, electric bikes are heavier than traditional bikes, often weighing between 45 to 85 pounds. It’s essential to keep in mind if, for example, you live in a six-floor walk-up and need to carry your bike up numerous flights of stairs. Also, in case the bike happens to run out of battery, you’ll need more strength to power up a hill with a heavier bike. 

Heavier eBikes might be more of a pain to lug around—but the upside is that they have larger batteries and longer ranges (so each charge will last longer and take you further). 

How Much Does It Cost? 

eBikes range in price, from as little as $500 to over $5,000. The cost will depend on several factors, like the battery, the type of bike, and the placement of the motor. 

The larger the battery is, the more the bike will cost (and the heavier it will be). Folding eBikes are typically less expensive than other types of eBikes.  Electric bikes with the motor in the front or rear hub are cheaper than those with the engine in the middle (mid-drive). 

 

Which brings us to the next question...

What Type of Motor Do I Want? 

Hub motors are often found on cruiser and commuter bikes. There are two types of hub motors: rear motors (above the back wheel of the bike) and front motors (above the front wheel). Rear engines will give you the sensation that you’re being propelled forward as you bike, while a front engine will make you feel like you’re being pulled. 

Mid-drive motors are more expensive than hub motors but make for a smoother, more balanced ride with higher torque (force) efficiency to help you get up hills and through rocky terrain. The motor responds more naturally as you pedal. 

So which type of motor should you go with? It depends. If you live in a city without hills and are just using the bike to get to work or cruise around, you might be just fine with a hub or front motor. If you want a motor that will help you power up hills and beyond, then go with a mid-drive motor. 

What Class is the eBike? 

There are three classes of eBikes: One, Two, and Three. 

Class One is pedal-assist only, with no throttle, meaning that the bike’s motor only assists as you’re pedaling and stops assisting once the bike gets up to 20 miles per hour. Due to their 20 MPH speed maximum, these bikes are generally allowed anywhere where bikes are allowed (but check your state’s laws first). 

Best for: Those looking for an everyday eBike who don’t mind having to pedal a bit to gain speed. 

 

Class Two eBikes are similar to Class One, but are throttle-assisted (no pedaling required), with a motor that can be used to propel the bicycle that stops assisting once the bike gets up to 20 miles per hour. The downside is that the throttle uses much more power than pedal-assist bikes. These bikes are allowed in most places that traditional bikes are permitted. 

Best for: Those who want to be able to ride their bike without pedaling. 

 

Class Three eBikes are pedal-assist only with no throttle and stop assisting once the bike reaches 28 miles per hour. These bikes are not allowed on certain bike paths and trails. 

Best for: Those who want a bike with more speed and don’t mind obtaining a special license to ride it.  

How Long Does the Battery Last? 

eBikes come with both a battery (determined by voltage) and a motor. Energy is stored in the battery and sent to the motor to create power. 

Expect a full charge to take anywhere from 2.5 to 6 hours. A larger battery will last longer on a single charge and provide more power as you’re riding uphill. The downside is that it will cost more, be heavier, and take longer to charge. 

Bikes with replaceable batteries cost more. But they’re worth the investment because they give you the ability to store your battery separately from your bike and, if your battery dies, you can replace it, rather than buying a new bike.

When will you need to replace the battery? Lithium-ion batteries, which are the most optimal type of battery, can last 800 full charge cycles (which equates to about three years of daily commuting). 

To extend your battery’s lifespan, charge it regularly, and keep the battery in a dry area (lithium-ion batteries degrade faster when stored in cold, damp places, like your garage). 

Lastly, be realistic about what type of battery you need. If you’re using the bike for simple purposes, a small battery might be all you need (and it will make the bike easier to carry). If, on the other hand, you want a bike to haul up groceries or ride up steep hills against strong winds, then you’ll probably need a larger battery. 

How Far Do I Want to Go? 

Another thing to consider is range (which is the distance that the eBike can travel on one charge). The range will depend on several factors, such as the tire’s rolling resistance, assistance level, your weight, average speed, terrain, whether you’re riding uphill or downhill (or on flat ground) and most importantly, the size of the battery. 

Pedal-assist bikes have higher ranges since you’re assisting (pedaling) the bike. Keep in mind that as the battery ages, the range will drop, so choose a bike with a higher capacity to compensate for any loss. 

To estimate the bike’s range, first, multiply the battery’s voltage (V) by the amperage (AH) to get the estimated watt-hours. If you’re energy-conscious, each mile you ride will cost you about 20-watt-hours. So divide the battery’s watt-hours by 20 to get the estimated range. 

For example, the Ecotric Fat Tire Beach and Snow Electric Bike has a battery of 36v and 12AH. 36 x 12 = 432 watt-hours. 432 divided by 20 = an estimated range of 21.6. 

What Will I Be Using the Bike For? 

Do you want an eBike that you can use to commute to work each day? Bike in the mountains on weekends or after work? Cruise around just for fun? 

Ask yourself: What will I spend the most time doing on this bike? The answer to that will help determine the type of bike you need. 

Commuting to work 

Looking for a bike to get you to and from work each day without breaking a sweat? The commuter bike, specially designed for long commutes to work, is what you’ve been looking for. 

This type of eBike has a lightweight frame and narrow tires. It might also come with extras like a luggage rack, basket, and fenders to prevent mud from splattering all over you as you’re riding—so you can arrive to work presentable (and sweat-free). 

Want a commuter bike that folds inconspicuously underneath your desk? Check out our selection of portable folding bikes. 

Our pick: Ecotric 7 Speed Vortex Electric City Bike

Exercise & off-roading 

If you want an electric bike that you can ride off-road, you’ll want to go with a mountain or fat-tire eBike. 

A mountain eBike rides well on both smooth terrain (like if you’re commuting to work) and off road. But if you want to be able to ride any time of the year in virtually any type of terrain (like sand and snow), go with a fat-tire bike.

Thanks to its massive tires (between three to five inches wide), fat-tire bikes are perfect for all types of off-road adventures. The tires have lower pressure, which gives them better traction and allows you to ascend easier. Thanks to its expansive tires and the low pressure of the wheels, you get the sensation like you’re floating over the ground as you’re riding a fat-tire bike, so you barely feel rocks and bumps that you would feel on a mountain bike. 

The only downsides are that when riding over muddy or loose terrain, the fat tire doesn’t dig into the ground like other bike tires do, making it more likely to lose traction. It also has more rolling resistance, which can make riding on smooth pavements less than ideal. 

One last thing: Take your height into consideration. Our fat-tire bikes are best suited for those who are between 5 foot 5 and 6 foot 3. 

 

Our pick: Ecotric Leopard (mountain bike)

Travel & storage 

Looking for a bike that can travel easily with you wherever you go? Or fold away in a closet in your tiny apartment? If that’s the case, you should consider a portable folding bike, which has a collapsible bar frame that allows you to pack and store it away. 

Just a few drawbacks: Folding bikes have smaller, straight frames and smaller tires than standard bikes. As a result, they aren’t as comfortable as regular bikes. They’re also slower and harder to control. Finally, most folding bikes have a hub motor, which, as mentioned, results in a less balanced ride.  

Regardless, you can’t beat the convenience of a folding bike. If you’ve decided that a portable folding bike is the right choice for you, you’ll next want to decide on the type of folding bike you want, such as fat-tire, cruiser, or commuter. 

Our pick: Rattan LF 750W Fat Tire Mountain Electric Bike 

Leisure 

Looking for a comfortable bike to cruise around town? A cruiser bike offers a snug, upright riding position, and a large seat, with swept-back handlebars for ultimate comfort. 

If you’re female or comfort is important to you, you might want to consider a bike with a step-through frame (where the top bar of the bike is absent or set higher). A step-through frame allows you to easily swing your legs through and swiftly get on and off the bike. There’s also less risk of ripping or stretching your clothing when riding. 

 

Our picks:  E-Wheels BAM-STEP THRU White Commuter Electric Bike, The GENZE E152 Step-Thru Electric Bike

Carrying groceries 

If you want an eBike that can lug around groceries, packages, or whatever else, you’ll want a cargo bike or, at the very least, a bike with a large basket. 

Our pick: E-Wheels EW-29 Red Tricycle with Front and Rear Basket 

What Kind of Terrain Will I Be Riding On? 

Another thing to consider is where you live and where you’ll be riding the bike. Uphill? On rocky roads, trails, and mountains? Smooth pavement? Sand or snow? 

If you need a bike to conquer hills, then go with a higher-watt battery (and higher range). For off-road riding, consider a mountain bike. Or, if you want a bike that can handle all types of terrain and weather, a fat-tire bike is ideal. If you’ll be riding it primarily on smooth pavement, then a cruiser or commuter bike could be good for you. 

Summing Up 

Hopefully, now you have a better understanding of the different types of eBikes and which is best for you. Our advice? Make a list of all the features you’re looking for in your dream eBike. 

Start by asking yourself what you want to use the bike for and where you want to ride it. The answers to those questions will largely determine the type of bike you buy. 

From there, look into the battery life of the bike, since this will determine the power of the motor and the range or how far the bike can go on a single charge or incline. 

Also, check out the frame of the bike, keeping in mind that a step-through frame will be more comfortable for women and those with flexibility or mobility issues. 

Think about any additional features that are important to you, like a computer display and integrated lighting (especially important if you’ll be frequently riding at night). 

And if you have to haul the bike around at all, you’ll also want to factor in the weight of the bike and what you’re capable of carrying. Much more than 50 pounds might be too much. 

Still not sure what eBike is best for you? Our team is here to help. Get in touch, and we’ll get you fitted with the eBike of your dreams. 

eBike Glossary (Terminology You Should Know) 

Pedal-assist: A type of eBike that provides power only as you pedal 

Range: The distance the bike will go on a fully charged battery

Throttle: A type of eBike that propels with the motor engaged (no pedaling required) 

Torque: How much electric power to feed the bike depending on how hard the rider is pedaling; the higher the torque, the more power the bike gives (and the more support the rider gets) 

Walk assist: A mode that pushes the bike along as you walk it (so you don’t have to expend energy pushing it) 

Watt-hours (WH): The battery capacity of the bike, ranging from 250 WH to 1,000 WH; the higher the WH, the heavier the battery (and the higher the range)