Buying an E-Bike? Keep These Tips in Mind

We wish making the right decision of buying an electric bike was as easy and smooth as it is riding one up a steep hill. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Electric bikes need a heavy initial investment, and it is important to decide what option is the most suitable one for you to invest in. Understanding that, we have compiled a few electric bike buying tips to help you answer ‘how to choose an e-bike’ and start riding as soon as possible.

Set Up a Budget

First things first, while buying a car, set up a budget that you are willing to spend on getting an electrically assisted bike. Be realistic in your approach, and don’t try to invest in random or unknown brands for the sake of saving a few bucks. You might be able to save some here, but you will only end up spending more than the actual price on the upkeep and after-service in such a case. Keep in mind that entry-level e-bikes are cheaper but heavier, also very unfeasible for intensive daily use. For durability and comfort, it Is best to set aside a moderate budget for your purchase.

You could spend extra on a bike that you have been eyeing for a while, but do you need it?

Prioritize Your Needs

There is multiple e-bike option in the market, designed for people and serving different purposes. It is up to you to decide your needs and prioritize the features you want in your bike.

People who need an every day bike to get them to and from work would probably need something barebones. However, someone who enjoys riding on mountainous tracks on weekends would have wholly different needs.

Understanding your needs first and foremost will make it easier for you to pick the bike of your choice without wasting money on additional features that look tempting but are useless in the long run.

You can find out what your needs are by listing them down. For starters, ask yourself what your use for the bike is and how important the features are on a bike you want to buy.

Once you have listed down all the features you want, determine which ones you can live without. These features are typically gimmicks or are useless to you, so there’s no point in paying extra for something you won’t be using regularly.

Test Rides Are Important

Honestly, we recommend this more because of how fun it is rather than the importance of this tip. Don’t get me wrong, trying an electric bike helps you put everything else aside and focus on the most basic questions of whether or not you like the bike and if you think it serves your purpose.

However, test riding multiple bikes in your search for the right one can be a lot of fun, you might get to ride a few that you really love but don’t need right now or a luxury ride that your budget won’t support, but you would love to try. So go through this important and fun step before making up your mind; this will also help you make sure that no reviews or opinions impact your decision when you make decision.

Quality and Servicing Count

Along with the kind of components you need in your bike, it is also equally important to consider the quality of these electric parts. Because as fun as they look, electric bikes are more than just a fun investment.

E-bikes are a mode of transportation in heavy urban traffic day-in and day out. So, go over the electric bike parts you like and try to find out the brand of motors and batteries used. If in doubt, research.

There is also something else to keep in mind. You may get your hands on the most quality products, but if you don’t tune it or service it correctly, you will end up reducing the transportation’s life. So opt for a brand that doesn’t have a non-existent after-service.

Choose Your Battery Wisely

There are three kinds of batteries available in the market for an electric bike. For each battery type, there are different models, and each model offers different modes of operation. You will be offered high or low speed, more or less power, and the level of assistance based on the kind of battery you opt for. So be careful in the choices you make.

Also, make sure you buy a battery that can be easily recharged from a conventional socket since specialized care is hardly ever found on longer commutes.

It is also essential that the battery is a well-known brand because it is one of the most expensive components of an e-bike’s system. Unbranded batteries are a safety hazard and won’t last as long as a branded one.

Since the battery is the heart of your e-bike, a poorer quality one is likely to deliver lesser power than advertised. Cheaper batteries are unable to deliver stable power, which makes for a bumpy ride, so that is something to look out for.

Make a Smart Choice When Choosing the Electric Assistance, You Want

An e-bike system offers two kinds of choices between general categories. In the first category, you can either choose to have pedal assistance or buy an e-bike that doesn’t offer the feature.  

The second category offers proportional assistance. Multiple sensors determine this. These sensors work to evaluate the pressure that you exert on your bike’s pedals and then decide which level of assistance is required by the rider. This allows a lower energy consumption as well as better control.

Theft Insurance

Since it is a heavy investment, we always advise that you insure your electric bike against theft and save yourself from potentially losing a large chunk of money. Many insurance companies have detailed policies relating to electric bikes alone, along with the age limit.

The age limit of the bikes can vary within the first three years for the first insurance contract. After that, you can extend your contract for however long you wish to keep your bike protected against theft.

Think Long-Term

Being environmentally sustainable is more than just using sustainable ways of getting electricity. It is a lifestyle that allows people to think about saving energy and the way they live their life. While e-bikes are sustainable modes of energy, their built and the quality of construction must also be kept in mind when making a purchase.

You should expect that your bike should last from five to ten years minimum with regular services and proper upkeep of the system. It is also ideal for a battery to last at least 600 charging cycles before showing signs of chemical degradation. And when any of these parts need to be replaced, you must ensure that they are recycled as many times as possible before discarding them in the trash cans.

We have tried to ensure that this comprehensive electric bike guide that mentions all things you need to know before buying an e-bike makes it easier for you to decide and invest smartly. And if you are thinking of buying an e-bike now that you are well-equipped, here are a few options to help you make the right decision.