5 things you should know to choose your electric bike
You've decided to take the plunge and buy an electric bike. And you've done the right thing! With your electric bike, you'll no longer have to put up with traffic jams or delays on public transport. You'll be able to get anywhere in record time, effortlessly. But before you choose your electric bike, here are a few tips to help you make the right choice.
What is an e-bike?
An electrically assisted bicycle is a conventional bicycle equipped with a motor (front, rear or pedal), a battery, a controller, a display and electric brakes.
What types of electric bike are there?
There are 4 main types of electric bicycle: electric city bikes, electric mountain bikes, electric mountain bikes and electric folding bikes.
Electric city bikes and mountain bikes are most often used in urban environments, where the shape of their frames and the full range of equipment they offer are perfectly suited to commuting.
We recommend that you buy an electric mountain bike for more sporting use, suitable for all types of terrain and gradients.
The use of an electric folding bike is particularly recommended for a home-work trip during which you need to use public transport in addition to your E-Bike, or if you have problems finding space to store your bike.
Front, rear or pedal motor?
The differences between a front and rear motor are minimal. The front motor has the advantage of being compatible with all derailleur gears and of having better road holding (2-wheel drive). The motor located in the rear wheel will give you a feeling of power when you start up and will allow more versatile use of your E-Bike. The main advantage of in-wheel motors is price.
A crankset motor is the closest thing to the feeling you get on a conventional bike. The presence of assistance will be constant and the motors will generally have a greater torque.
Which battery should you choose?
Electric bikes on the market today are systematically fitted with lithium batteries. Lighter and more efficient than previous battery technologies (lead and nickel cadmium), they come in all shapes and sizes, and can be located in the luggage rack, behind your seatpost, on your bottle cage or built directly into the frame of your electric bike. Their voltage is usually 24, 36 or 48 volts. The higher the voltage of a battery, the more power you'll feel when you use it. Their capacity, expressed in amperes per hour, will influence their range: the higher the amperage, the greater the range.
To maximise the life of a lithium battery, you need to look after it properly. You need to recharge it regularly, even if it's not in use, and store it in a place that's not prone to wide variations in temperature.
The displays
The displays on electric bikes are either LED or LCD. Depending on the model, they allow you to manage your assistance level, switch on your lights and also indicate your battery charge level and speed. The most advanced displays now come with a USB port so you can recharge your smartphone while you're using your bike.
