Let’s saddle up and pedal into the electrifying world of two-wheelers, but hold on to your handlebars, we’re not talking about your grandma’s rusty old bike. We’re diving into the realm of e-bikes, the Tesla of two wheels, the new VIP of your city’s bike lanes. If you’ve been lucky enough to take a spin on one of these bad boys, you’ll know they’re not just cool, they’re chill AF. Who needs to break a sweat pedaling uphill when your trusty e-bike is ready to lend a helping hand, or rather, a helping motor?
Here’s the deal, though, e-bike shopping can be about as simple as trying to find a single specific noodle in a spaghetti factory. So, sit tight and let us be your map in this tangled jungle of wattages, motor types, and battery capacities.
Let’s start with e-bike classes. Picture it as Hogwarts sorting, but instead of deciding if you’re brave, wise or ambitious, we’re looking at how the e-bike motor assists your pedaling.
Class 1 is the Hufflepuff of e-bikes: reliable, friendly, and great for beginners. It’s pedal-assist only, meaning you get an extra boost up to 20mph, but only when you’re pedalling. Great news, Class 1 e-bikes are welcome everywhere traditional bikes are. Potholes, bike lanes, trails – they’re all fair game.
Class 2 e-bikes are the Slytherins – a little bit sneaky, a little bit misunderstood. They’re throttle-powered and also cap out at 20mph, but be wary, they’re not accepted in as many places as their Class 1 cousins.
Class 3 e-bikes are the Gryffindors of the bunch – brave, daring, and a bit more showy. They’re pedal-assist but turbo-charge you up to 28mph. They’re also handy when you’re carrying your groceries, your gym kit, and a medium-sized dog. They’re a bit more exclusive though, so check where you’re allowed to ride them before you buy.
Now let’s talk batteries. Just like you after a double espresso, your e-bike will eventually need a recharge. Remember, your bike’s performance and the power it sucks up will affect your battery life. Like a vampire on a blood diet, the more power your bike has, the faster it’ll drain its life source. Consider the motor your bike has too – a large battery paired with a less powerful motor will keep you cruising for longer.
You can get more juice out of your battery by giving it a proper charge – we’re talking 3 to 5 hours here, maybe even longer if you’re dealing with a behemoth of a battery. Planning on clocking up the miles? Take your charger with you. Or better yet, splash out on a spare so you’ve always got one at home.
For the high-rollers out there, some e-bikes can even house two batteries at once. It’s like having a secret stash of candy bars – when you run out of one, you’ve got a back-up ready to go.
Next up, the motor. This isn’t a hidden innuendo; we’re talking about where your motor is located. You’ll find mid-drive motors lounging around the bottom bracket. Their central location gives you a more balanced ride, like sitting in the sweet spot in the middle of a seesaw.
Hub-drive motors, on the other hand, are found inside the hub of the rear wheel (occasionally the front). These are a little like having a pushy personal trainer – you’ll feel propelled forward. One thing to remember, if you get a flat tire on a hub-drive, you’ll have a trickier job on your hands than with a mid-drive.
And let’s not forget the torque. Torque is the strong, silent type. It determines how well you can tackle hills or heavy loads. It’s measured in Newton meters (Nm), and the higher the Nm, the more it can handle.
There are a few other nifty features to look out for: pedal-assist levels to help you find your perfect speed, smooth pedal feels, night-time lighting, handlebar-mounted LCDs for keeping an eye on your stats, smartphone integration for GPS and service records, racks for luggage, built-in security for peace of mind, and a durable frame material.
Once you’ve considered all this, choosing your perfect e-bike should be a breeze. Or at least, more like a manageable gust than a full-blown hurricane.
Now that e-bikes are making such a splash, bike-sharing schemes have entered a whole new level. It’s like Netflix, but for bikes. Just pick up a bike at one station, cruise around town, and drop it off at any other station.
Between 2010 and 2016, the number of Americans pedaling the streets soared from 320,000 to a whopping 28 million. The increase in bike production has followed suit. Check out the Bicycle Vs Car Production Chart – it’s like watching the tortoise overtake the hare.
We’ve done the talking, now it’s your turn to do the riding. If you have any questions or want to chat about gear, get in touch, and we’ll get your wheels turning. Now go and live your best e-bike life! You’ve got this.