How to choose the perfect e-bike for you?
You might want to buy an e-bike, but you don't know which one yet. That's why we've prepared this simple guide to help you find out.
1) First of all, we must ask - do you already know how an e-bike works?
Most future e-bike users have never ridden one before, but only heard about them. If you are one of them, please don't read any further, but rather rent an e-bike first.
From a neighbor, from friends, or stop by the nearest rental shop or e-bike store.
2) So, have you taken a ride? Great - let's choose yours then...
The first thing to consider is the budget you have allocated for purchasing an e-bike. We know it's a bit impolite to talk about money right away, but in this case, it is truly important!
If you want to invest less than 800 euros in an e-bike, you'd better not buy it. For around 600 euros, you can buy a high-quality sports bike and be satisfied with it. Not with an e-bike for this amount.
3) Still reading? Great, now it gets more pleasant!
Think about what purpose the e-bike should serve. Do you consider an e-bike as your "means of transport" or rather as "sports equipment". You will very likely fall in love with riding an e-bike, and even if you currently only see yourself on an e-bike for a trip along forest paths, you might want to start using it for daily commutes to work. Or vice versa. And you haven't even considered the super-flexible folding e-bike, the so-called "folder", which can travel with you in the car, or for free on public transport!
City e-bikes
For routes mainly around the city and for shopping.
Touring e-bikes
For journeys on regular or gravel roads.
Off-road e-bikes
Over hills and dales - even off the asphalt.
4) How to choose the e-bike size?
The alpha and omega of an e-bike that you will love is the right frame, so that the e-bike is neither too big nor too small for you. It will be easy to mount and you will feel safe on it. This is hard to read from charts or reviews, it is always better to try it "live", but for orientation we have a guide for you to find out What frame size is ideal for your figure.
If you are not sure how many "inches" (the distance between the top of the seat tube and the bottom bracket) is OK for you, it's better to visit your local bike dealer for advice.
If you already know your size, choose from the basic categories of low-step e-bikes without a top tube, trekking bikes with a lowered (trapeze) or classic (diamond) top tube, or mountain MTB bikes.
Remember that there is no such thing as an explicitly "women's" or "men's" frame – only one that is comfortable for you and easy to mount! On our website, we use the term women's frame when the main frame tube of the e-bike is lowered.
5) Let's think further. How much will I ride per day on an e-bike?
Thanks to the e-bike, new horizons and distances will open up for you, but will you really be able to sit in the saddle for 80 kilometers?
A simple equation: the larger the battery capacity = the higher the bike's price. At the same time, of course, with every e-bike you get a charger, which you simply take with you on a trip if you are unsure of its length. If necessary, you can easily recharge the e-bike from any socket.
The battery costs about 1/3 of the e-bike's price, so you can sometimes save money by choosing a lower-capacity battery without the e-bike serving you any worse. We always state the battery capacity in so-called Watt Hours (Wh), which is an international standard. Today, the most common batteries on the market are from 400Wh to 800Wh (exceptionally even less and more). If you weigh more, choose a higher battery capacity, that's about the only advice we have for you. If you want to learn more about batteries, continue here.
E-bike Range Calculator
At greatebike.eu, we have created for every e-bike model a simple tool that estimates the real range. You enter your weight (including clothes and luggage), select the route profile, and possibly choose from the offered battery capacities (some manufacturers offer several capacity variants for one model).
Battery placement
Battery placement is another thing to pay attention to. The trend is to "hide" the battery as much as possible in the main frame tube of the e-bike. Here we distinguish between non-integrated batteries (installed, for example, instead of a bottle cage), semi-integrated batteries, which are still visible, and batteries fully integrated in the frame. Then, at a glance, it is often not easy to tell if it is an e-bike at all.
In city e-bikes, the battery is exceptionally placed on or in the rear rack, which means the center of gravity of the e-bike is very far back and with frequent handling this is NOT an ideal situation. In this case, choose a low-step bike with the battery positioned vertically behind the seat tube or in the down tube, at the bike's center of gravity.
You can choose any e-bike model if you will be parking it in a garage.
However, if you park, for example, in a basement and you have to handle the e-bike, it is advisable to choose a model that is adapted for carrying (the bike will be balanced).
If you don't have parking space, choose a folding e-bike, which fits into any apartment – and you can easily fold it into the trunk of a car or transport it on a train.
Find out how easily or complicatedly you can remove the battery from the e-bike, because you might often want to charge it off the bike (from a socket at home while the e-bike is in the basement). Note that some new e-bikes are designed in such a way that the battery cannot be removed without special tools!
6) Another dilemma when buying an e-bike concerns the motor placement.
When buying an e-bike, you will encounter the question of motor placement. The previous myth that rear motors are the most powerful is no longer valid. Today's market is clearly dominated by mid-drive motors.
Modern mid-drive systems (like DJI Avinox or 5th generation Bosch with up to 120 Nm of torque) offer absolutely unrivaled performance. For mountain and high-quality trekking e-bikes, a mid-motor is an absolute necessity today. It ensures the ideal center of gravity for the bike and natural power dosing based on how you pedal.
When does a rear-wheel motor make sense?
Today, only in two specific cases:
- For the cheapest city bikes for undemanding rides on the flat.
- For lightweight gravel and road e-bikes, where minimal weight and a clean design are paramount.
An e-bike with a mid-motor is indeed a bit more expensive, but the investment is 100% worth it. You get incomparably better riding characteristics, smoother operation, and a much longer range. We definitely recommend trying this drive!
The difference between a mid-drive and rear motor.
7) E-bike equipment – does it make sense to deal with it?
Definitely yes. For example, Shimano makes derailleurs for 10 as well as for 500 euros, and one suspension fork can cost 100 and another 1000 euros. With e-bikes, there is no point in dealing with grams of weight or choosing the most expensive systems, but you need to think about quality. While we ride, for example, 500 – 1000 kilometers a year on a regular bike, on an e-bike it will comfortably be triple that. Therefore, it is good to choose components with higher quality and durability. We will gladly explain the specific differences to you.
Don't choose a new e-bike based on the shape of the saddle or grips.
Both of these things determine your riding comfort, but they are very individual. Therefore, if the ones chosen by the manufacturer do not suit you, we will install the saddle and grips of your choice free of charge (you can find various types on our website). Even choosing a different thickness and tread pattern for the tires is not a problem!
Before making a choice, it is also good to think about how much you will carry with you. You can ride "light" or just with a backpack or bag, or if you have a larger load, we recommend choosing an e-bike equipped with a rear rack. If you want to carry a really LARGE cargo on your e-bike, or perhaps children, at greatebike.eu we offer many types in the CARGO E-BIKES category.
The range of e-bikes today is huge
At greatebike.eu, we offer a total of up to 500 different models and variants of e-bikes. Your personal affinity for a certain brand, or liking a specific color or design of the e-bike, also plays a role in your choice. That is very important too!
At greatebike.eu, we will strive to ensure you make the right decision.
But if by chance it doesn't work out, you risk nothing!
Only with us do you have up to 30 days to exchange for another, more suitable e-bike model.
Did you think of something you haven't read about here?
Write to us at info@greatebike.eu and we will gladly advise you!