To take a relaxing walk or avoid arriving at work all sweaty, the electric bicycle is the indispensable companion of many urbanites and inhabitants of rural areas. If you want to choose the best electric bike, do not improvise and think carefully about the needs you want to satisfy. Here are some criteria to guide your decision.
1. Autonomy and type of electric assistance
As with any type of electric vehicle, the issue of autonomy is crucial and must be addressed before choosing the best electric bike. The batteries can provide electrical assistance for about 30 kilometers before having to be recharged. However, in optimal conditions (flat terrain, using it properly, with a quality battery), some models will allow you to run your own stage of the Tour de France or up to a distance of 200 kilometers! In any case, remember that a sudden battery discharge would lead you to have to pedal a bicycle that, on average, weighs 7 kilos more than conventional bicycles. Especially if you are dealing with an electric bike for kids, the issue of bicycle weight must be considered carefully.
Before buying an electric bike, ask yourself also about the type of assistance. There are two common models:
– Rotation sensor assistance activates the electric bicycle motor when pedaling and stops it when pedaling is stopped. It is the ideal system for a cheap entry-level electric bike.
– The torque sensor assistance allows you to regulate the power depending on the degree of force exerted by your feet on the pedals. In this way, physical effort is optimized and contributes to energy savings, although it comes at a higher price.
2. Engine position and power
An electric bicycle transmits very different sensations depending on where the motor is located. Motors located in the front wheel have a reputation for providing a pleasant sensation by facilitating smooth and continuous pedaling – something that is most noticeable when the motor is located on the rear wheel. Finally, many models have the motor installed on the pedals: more recommended if what you want is to have sensations similar to those of a traditional bicycle. In addition, in the latter, the center of gravity is more balanced.
3. Stationary or folding electric bike?
The folding electric bike is a revolution for many people who do not have space at home or in their office to store a traditional bike. You can fold it up, store it in a closet, and forget about it if you’re not going to use it for a while. If you don’t need the bike to be foldable, then it is better to opt for a traditional model and, incidentally, save some money.
4. Size and position of the rider
A cheap electric bike that does not adapt to the shape of your body will take a short time to cause pain, especially in the area of the back and knees. The size of the bicycle can be expressed in letters (M, L, XL, etc.) or in centimeters, according to the manufacturer’s criteria, and it is essential to consult the equivalences to choose the most appropriate according to the complexion and size of your body. As an example, a painting with a height of 47 to 49 centimeters is suitable for a person who measures 1.70 meters, but for a height of more than 1.85 meters a 55-centimeter painting is preferable. The height of the handlebar and the distance that separates it from the rider are also characteristics that must be taken into account when choosing a bicycle. In the case of an electric city bike model, it is better to opt for a handlebar that is high and close to the rider’s body. However, on an electrically assisted MTB bike, the saddle is lower and the handlebar is further from the body.
