July 06, 2022
With the rapid development of e-bike in recent years, there are massive electric bikes (or e-bikes in short ) being appeared on the market every year. Therefore, it is no doubt that you heard e-bikes from your friends or colleagues about the information and what benefits you can get from them. However, people have different comments or viewpoints on something new, resulting in various challenges when choosing and purchase it, especially when you do not know exactly e-bikes ' information and details. Obviously, with an e-bike, you will find so many changes in your life and will gain an advantage from it. It is a perfect way to keep fit, exercise, make friends, or even commute. While the benefits of having an e-bike are clear, it's not simple to know what type of e-bike is the most compatible with your lifestyle. So we listed some questions to consider when choosing the right e-bike for you!
The First Question: What is Your Main Purpose for Buying an E-Bike.
E-bikes are an excellent way to get out and an awesome option to exercise. These new things are designed for different groups and purposes. You can decide what features are the most important to you and what will you use after you purchased an e-bike. First and foremost, before you decide to purchase an e-bike, You must figure out where you'll be riding your bike most frequently and what is the main intention you get an e-bike. For example, some e-bikes are designed for commuting to work, some e-bikes are designed for running errands in the city, and some e-bikes are designed for getting to the rough road or mountain. Also, You may consider the folding e-bike. A folding bike is convenient because it is can come in handy if you should carry it out or store it as part of your daily routine. In all, make sure that you have already known clearly how you'll be using the e-bike before going to the shop to purchase one for yourself.
THE SECOND QUESTION: WHAT ARE THE TYPES AND CLASSES OF E-BIKES?
After you are known about the main purpose of purchasing an e-bike, you will move to the next step of learning e-bikes.
Just as we stated before, there are various e-bikes that you can choose from on the basis of purposes and features you prioritize, also, there are various types and classes of e-bikes available in the market. After that, you may choose one suitable e-bike that compatible with your needs. So it is significant to learn about the e-bikes types and classes briefly. However, it does not require you to master all the knowledge about electric bikes.
A Few Common Types of E-Bikes You must Know.
Electric Commuter Bikes: Rather than being designed for the exact and specific usage, the electric commute bikes are good for taking errands, commuting to work, or getting to somewhere you must go fast or taking an adventure and planning bike travel on evenings and weekends with family members and friends.
Electric commuter bikes are typically designed with an upright shape for comfort, also, they have comfortable but not wider seats. Besides, you can also be equipped with a sturdy frame, metal pannier racks for carrying your things, mudguards, and even in-built lights for added convenience.
Electric Mountain Bikes: It is obvious that electric mountain bikes are designed for tougher terrain or uneven mountain road, and these types of e-bikes are preferred for groups who want to seek thrill and off-roading trails because they will have fun when they got the top of a mountain or ascend steep hills.
Electric mountain bikes typically feature wide tires, which help riders take on bumps and tackle dirt trails without a problem. With the assistance of the motor, you don't need to worry about the extra burden that the wide tires will bring to you.
Electric Road Bikes: Electric road bikes are the opposite of mountain bikes. This kind of e-bikes works best on smooth and paved roads. Electric road bikes are also equipped with light frames, which help riders easier to pedal even without motor assistance. What's more, it is more convenient once you should store it or put it in the back of a car.
If comfort and leisure are key, then this kind of e-bikes may be the best. This type of electric bike is different from mountain and commuter bikes. No electric road bike is purposeful, and it can meet more of our needs, such as leisure, outgoing, and common outdoor exercise, as long as we are on a flat road riding.
THREE CLASSES OF E-BIKES YOU SHOULD KNOW.
There are also local laws that can supervise when you ride an e-bike in your place, so these three classes can help you obey the local laws.
Class 1: Pedal-assist
E-bikes pedal-assist only and without throttle, they have a maximum speed of 20mph— great for bike lanes and paths with no requirement of any additional licensing.
Class 2: Throttle
E-bikes are limited to a top speed of 20 mph, but they are equipped with throttles that work even you're not pedaling. That means you can decide to either depend on your two legs or ride it without pedaling.
Class 3: Speed Pedelec
E-bikes that are limited to a top speed of 28 mph, also they are equipped with a motor and it only provides assistance when you are pedaling — a great choice for commuters.
THE THIRD QUESTION: WHAT ARE THE MAIN COMPONENTS OF AN E-BIKE?
Overall, an e-bike works a bit differently from a traditional bike. But to some degree, an e-bike is the same as a traditional bike, the difference between them is the e-bike works relying on some extra three components: an electric motor, a battery, and a sensor. Of course, there are some other components, but those three parts are the major items that push the bike to work.
THE MOTOR
Apart from pedaling, the motor is the component that pushes the bike moving. The motor can be installed on the front wheel, back wheel, or in the middle by the side of the pedals. From these different placements for the motor, each has its benefits.
The major function of the motor is to provide assistance when you pedal. Once you have learned the information about the e-bike, you will know the assistance provided by the motor is torque. With an advanced motor, you will get more torque provided by it, thus you will get more power out of the e-bike.
THE BATTERY
The battery is one of the most crucial parts of an e-bike. Without it, we will be unable to get the power from the motor on the bike.
Like the motor installation placements, the battery can also be mounted in varying places on the bike, it often depends on the bike frame type and size. With different battery models and types, and the time you charge is also different. But the method for charging your battery is easy, like charging a mobile phone.
There are two major types of e-bike batteries — lead-acid and lithium batteries. Now, most e-bike batteries are lithium-ion. As technology updates, the battery continues to be lighter, smaller, and more powerful in accordance with riders' needs because we all hope that the battery can be as light as possible while we use it. Meanwhile, it can still provide a substantial riding range, i.e., the distance an e-bike can travel after a single charge.
THE SENSOR
The sensor is a highly important component for e-bikes. It helps the e-bike activate the motor power at the right time so it does not move unceremoniously or start running out of control without pedaling.
Usually, there are two types of sensors used on different e-bikes; a speed sensor or a torque sensor.
The speed sensor immediately activates the motor once you begin to pedal, which provides you ride assistance.
The torque sensor will not immediately activate the motor but it can help you with assistance according to your speed when you are pedaling.
CONCLUSION
The above three questions are the main factors when you choose an e-bike, also here are some other questions you may also consider when you choose it. Such as the riding range and the budget. But what we should know is that the riding range and budget are also based on the above three factors. Different types of e-bikes are equipped with different components, also, the components' prices, classes, and service life are various. The more advanced components are equipped with, the better user experience you have, and the higher price you will spend.
Anyway, If you need an entry-level e-bike for leisure or commuting, then choosing an electric bicycle is not a horrible thing. You only should know your purpose and simply understand their functions and components, then determine your budget based on the above information.