Do you love nature but your unconditioned legs just can’t do the task of pedalling your bike up the hill nearby? Or do you work some miles away from home and biking was never an option to get there because you don’t trust your legs? Well, we now have e-bikes that can help us achieve some of our goals which we can’t do so with our traditional bikes.
Indeed, e-bikes have brought commuting through bikes to another level. Now, we can bike to some distant destinations and bike uphill without straining our muscle. Cruising through traffic has also never been easier. E-bikes are truly great options for people who have some goals other than the health benefits that traditional bikes are known for.
So when choosing the best e-bike, be sure to check on the following. You will surely have the best times of your life if you have an e-bike that is compatible with your needs and wants.
Class 1, 2, or 3
There are three classes of e-bikes to choose from. A class 1 e-bike has a motor that starts the moment you start pedalling, and it stops helping you when you reach 20mph. Class 2 e-bikes have motors that help you until 20mph but can allow you to pedal or just kick back for a free ride. Class 3 is the fastest and most powerful of the three, and it still helps you until 128 mph.
Class 1 and 3 are purely pedal assists. With some bike paths and mountain bike trails allowing class 1 bikes, you may only have this option if you are a regular biker on such bike lanes.
Battery Life
When choosing an e-bike to buy, one important consideration is the battery. It should have a longer battery life to cover the distance you intend to travel. One alternative that you can do to ensure that you will not be out of power is to have a backup battery which can be attached, or you can have it in your backpack. If you are travelling long distances, you can have one that is attached to your bike and one on your backpack as backups.
Batteries can be built-in or detachable. It is more convenient to charge e-bikes with detachable batteries, and you can easily attach your backup battery also.
Motor Location
The motor of e-bikes can either be located mid-drive or hub drive. Mid-drive motors can be more convenient because they allow easy change of tires. They too provide more balance and stability.
Other features of e-bikes that are worth considering are their smartphone connectivity and LCD display. These features really make your e-bike look like the bike of the future.