An electric bike, also known as an e-bike, is a great way to commute if you are over the expensive lifestyle of owning a car. These pedal-assisted bikes make it possible to traverse in an environmentally responsible way without having to severely compromise your time.
If you have been in the market for an e-bike, you may not know quite where to look. Thankfully, with a few helpful tips, you can find the right e-bike to suit your needs. There is a lot more to choosing one than meets the eye, so this guide can be more helpful than you realize.
What You Will Find Here
Know Your Class
One of the first things to know when choosing an electric city bike is the class that works best for you. There are three classes within the e-bike realm, each offering a slightly different speed and pedal assistance. Let’s take a look at each of the three.
Class 1: Pedal assistance is only provided when you actually pedal and won’t be there after the bike hits the 20mph threshold.
Class 2: There is pedal assist on class 2 up to 20mph, but there is also a throttle-powered mode that won’t require any additional pedaling on your part.
Class 3: This class is only pedal assist, but it stops when the bike hits the 28mph threshold.
For most new riders, class 1 is perfectly fine. You can get away class 2 in most places, but check before making a purchase. Know the access rules of each class before making your choice to find the best option for city travel.
About the Battery
Another critical feature when choosing an electric city bike is the battery. The last thing you need is to buy an e-bike with a less-than-stellar battery that won’t last you half the distance you need it to. Batteries can run the gamut, each featuring a different charge time, mounting setup, and even the number of batteries being used.
Depending on the model you choose, your e-bike may use two batteries. Make sure that you always have an extra battery ready to go at all times. Know the lifespan of the battery in question, plus the proper mounting for your specific bike to avoid unwanted wear and tear.
Storage
Depending on how often you plan to use your e-bike, and what purpose you will use it for, storage could become critical. One of the cool things about an e-bike is that you can customize your storage options based on your own needs.
Most e-bikes come with a rack that is meant to support heavy loads. You will also find a number of supporting racks that can be purchased separately, but make sure that you choose a rack that is compatible with your bike. The last thing you need is to buy racks that won’t work with your bike.
Smartphone Integration
Technology is everywhere these days, and it is now possible to connect every device in your life to one another. If you use your e-bike to make deliveries or act as a courier, being connected to your smartphone is a must. The cool thing about most e-bikes is that they can be paired up with your smartphone in no time.
The top-end e-bikes are able to connect wirelessly, typically via Bluetooth, to your smart devices. Being able to use apps for GPS, service records, or whatever else you need to access can be invaluable. Depending on the bike in question, you may even be able to access security features through your smartphone, making it easier to manage your bike’s security.
Please note this post is a collaboration.
