Before You Buy: Answering the Most Frequently Asked E-Bike Questions

When it comes to transitioning to an e-bike, new users have many questions which can vary from costs to battery life. If you are looking to purchase an e-bike you may have your own questions. Let's go through some of the most popular questions you may have when it comes to purchasing an e-bike:

Is an e-bike right for you?

This should be the main questions you ask yourself. While many people simply address the types of available e-bikes and skip this question, you will need to ask yourself why an e-bike would benefit you in order to choose the right one.

For example, if you want shorter commuting times, you'll need a hybrid e-bike, or if you want to forgo the effort of riding up hills in off-road bike parks, you'll want an e-mountain bike. Using an e-bike will be a good option if you are commuting to work and if you don't want to sweat while using a traditional bike. You may also like the extra help e-bikes give you in areas with hills. Many people with health problems also choose e-bikes for the pedalling assistance.

Is range important?

The range is the most important characteristic of a bike yet many new cyclists may struggle to fully grasp the concept since they don't have a scale to compare the range and then decide which is best-suited option for them. The range is very important with an e-bike and this is where you will need to assess your estimated daily distances to find a bike which is right for you. For example, if you cycle to work you know the distance you cover every day and thus you can find an e-bike which can cover this distance. If you prefer to use the bike for leisure, you will find that even shorter range e-bikes might be enough for your needs.

Are electric bikes safe?

E-bikes are very safe and yet this very important characteristic is overlooked by so many cyclists. For example, in the US, an e-bike cannot travel at a speed higher than 20mph, in the UK it’s 15.5mph with a maximum of 250 watts in the battery. This means that even if you get a more powerful design, this will not affect the top speed of the bike. But speed raises other safety concerns such as breaking time. Will you be safe when braking from the top speed? Most manufacturers cut the power of the motor when you use the brakes and this means the bike should react well and decelerate safely.

Is bike servicing important?

As with any bike, taking it into service is very important. However, this doesn’t mean you’ll have to take weekly trips to the bike shop to get your bike serviced. E-bikes can be serviced once a year, just as regular bikes. This means you’ll have good autonomy and a decent timeframe before your next scheduled service. Is the battery the most important element?

Batteries are very important to e-bikes. A battery will power the motor of the bike and it will sustain it for the range it’s made to cover. A full charge can last a few hours and this is why it is important to find the right battery which you can charge without being rushed to reach work or home. But with modern technologies, you should not worry too much as batteries will charge faster up to a certain percentage so you’ll be able to use the bike after 1-2 hours of charging. For top tips on how to increase the range of your e-bike, you can click here.

Can I clean my e-bike?

Electric bikes can be cleaned just as regular bikes. You can clean an e-bike with a sponge, water and a cleaner. You should take your time and ensure you go through this process every week if you cycle every day. A good tip is to avoid cleaning the bike with a pressure washer and to always check lubrication on moving parts when you do your basic cleaning or maintenance. You can also read other tips on how to clean your bike to the highest standard.

Final Word

Using an e-bike can be one of the best experiences for some cyclists. E-bikes will add an extra comfort level to your daily commute. They can also add a new fun level and refresh your cycling sessions. In the end, even if you use the bike to cycle to work or just to relax on the weekends, it will be important to answer some of the above questions in order to address some of your possible concerns when transitioning from a classic bike.

Why not check out our guide to 2017 E-Bikes for commuting, and E-bikes for mountain biking.