7 Mistakes People Make While Buying an E-Bike

I have seen people in my social circle lose weight, have improved mental health, and feel younger once they regularly ride an e-bike. On the other hand, I have also seen people become lazier, annoyed at the maintenance expenses, and more frustrated once they started using this efficient electric transport. It all depends on choosing the right bike for your needs. There are a hundred different models of bikes available in the market today, and to decide which one you should invest in, is not an easy decision.

To make it easier for you, this article significantly describes what to consider before buying an e-bike to make the right purchase:

1. Multiple Gears and Speed Levels

A bike with multiple gears and speed combination settings looks fancy, and we have an in-built assumption that the more speed levels it offers, the more sophisticated it is. But the fact is, even though multiple speed options allow you to ride a bike at different terrains smoothly, it is not only geared e-bikes that offer this ease.

A gearless electric bike performs the same mechanical function through the pedal boost and throttle mechanism. It lets you modulate the assistance you want from the motor, and at the end, combined with the amount of effort put in by the rider, one can easily control the effort applied and the speed level according to choice.

2. Price Is Not a Gauge for Quality

Price is never the gauge for quality, and it is simply a way to estimate the value of a product or a brand’s name. You can buy the most expensive e-bike in the market, but there is no guarantee that it will be the best or the most useful one for you. So instead of looking at the price tags, it is more often recommended that you check the bike’s components instead. If you can, ask for a test ride on the bike to check the overall look and feel. It will also help you understand how the different components work and if they will be suitable for the kind of ride you want.

3. Charging Options

People often forget that the e-bike needs to be recharged regularly, especially if you use it to commute to the office or longer routes. It would be more convenient if the charging process were simple and quick, but unfortunately, technology by most brands hasn’t advanced to that level yet. So riders have to go through the trouble of finding charging ports, which are rarely available.

A few more technologically advanced brands have come up with the solution to this problem in the form of portable batteries. These batteries provide the ease of detaching them from the bike and connecting them to ports usually available at office desks or home while your cycle stands at its parking spot. So when you make the purchase, thoroughly check the bike to see if it offers a portable battery.  

4. Pedal Boost Sensors

People looking for options that give them comfortable rides and some good physical exercise; an e-bike can be even more comfortable if you have a Pedal Boost mechanism. It enables the bike to be used for exercising and commuting. Moreover, having it will make sure that you don’t need multiple gears or speed combinations on your bicycle.

Buyers often overlook understanding or looking at this detail in the system, resulting in frustration when the e-bike refuses to provide a smooth ride on steep slopes.

5. Reviews and Ratings

Social media has enabled the user to judge the authenticity and the quality of products with the help of online ratings and reviews. Unfortunately, most buyers make the mistake of not checking the brand’s presence online, and some often get scammed as a result. It is best to go to the brand’s page and go through the review section. If you have any doubts or questions, you can also ask someone who has had the experience of buying from the brand by connecting with them online. It is also important to see how the company representatives respond to customer queries and negative criticism or complaints on their brand page.

6. Batteries

Batteries are to e-bikes what fuel tanks are to cars. Often neglected when purchasing a new bike, people don’t realize that battery range can help determine future maintenance costs. Once the existing battery range starts to limit, it is time to consider buying an extra one, which is a considerable cost of’ course. To avoid any bank-breaking shocks in the future, ensure that you know what kind of a battery is installed in the bike you are interested in and whether or not you need a larger battery with more watt-hours for your everyday commute.   

7. Customer Service

As it happens with every new technology, you will need the assistance of the after-sales support team once you purchase the bike. If the support team isn’t responsive or doesn’t provide you with the guidance or help you need, you might not enjoy your new purchase as much as you wanted to. Unreachable and inaccessible customer service representatives indicate that the organization or company itself is struggling within. Someone who has invested a good chunk of money in their product is usually not a good sign. Be proactive and choose a brand with a strong online presence and representatives who are pleasant and responsive.

8. Manufacturer’s Performance Claims

Regardless of what they make and sell, manufacturers always exaggerate when they are marketing a product. So unless a third party has investigated these claims, it is better to question them and only buy if you get satisfactory responses. E-bike manufacturers often make big claims about the power and range of their products, and you might end up getting scammed if you don’t question their top speed and performance claims before making the purchase. So let them claim whatever they want; make sure you have your end secured with proper research of the market and customer reviews regarding that particular product.

With these things to know before buying an e-bike in your mind, I can assure you that choosing the most suitable of these efficient electronic transport options will be a smoother, more fun experience for you. So choose wisely and make sure that the money you invest in the purchase doesn’t waste. For that, look at some of these affordable e-bikes that have good ratings and a strong online presence and select the one that suits your needs the most. Happy riding!