Choosing the perfect e-bike.
- Posted on
- By Michael Curran
- Posted in E-Bikes
The ultimate guide to the perfect e-bike.
E-bike popularity has skyrocketed in recent years. Just take a look around on a weekday morning to see how popular e-bikes have become. This trend isn’t just for commuters; every day, hundreds of people use e-bikes to cycle along the various greenways around the country.
So, what is an e-bike, and what should you look for if you’re thinking of buying one? Put simply, an e-bike is a bicycle with an integrated electric motor that helps propel you once you start pedaling. Dan O’Brien offers advice on what to consider when purchasing an e-bike
Identifying Your Bike
Before selecting an e-bike, you need to identify your intended use. Will you be commuting to work, hitting the trails, or taking long rides on weekends? Do you prefer flat bars? By answering these questions, you can decide which style of bike best suits your needs. E-bikes come in various forms, including city bikes, mountain bikes, and road bikes. Recently, cargo e-bikes have seen a growth in popularity. With many families trading in their second family car for one.
Drive System Options
Pedal Assist System
Once you’ve identified your bike’s purpose, the next step is understanding the different drive systems available. The drive system includes the battery unit and the type of assistance it provides. The two main providers of drive systems are Bosch and Yamaha, which offer front hub or pedal assist systems.
- Front Hub Drive: This system provides assistance via the front wheel, pulling you along. Many first-generation e-bikes used this system, with the battery located on a carrier above the back wheel.
- Pedal Assist Drive: This system provides assistance as you pedal, pushing you along. The battery is integrated into the down tube, lowering the center of gravity and improving handling. This design also makes it hard to distinguish the e-bike from a normal road bike.
Battery
The battery is a crucial component of an e-bike and often overlooked. Battery capacity is measured in watt-hours (Wh), with 400Wh and 500Wh batteries becoming standard. Choose a bike with a high-quality, decent-capacity lithium-ion battery for the best range. Several factors affect battery range, including assistance level, rider weight, terrain, and weather. Bosch’s Range Assistant can help determine a battery’s range based on these factors. Good quality batteries can last for up to 1,000 charges, though their capacity will decrease over time. For example, Shimano claims their batteries retain 60% capacity after 1,000 charges, while Bosch batteries maintain 60% capacity after 500 charges or two years. Even at below 60% capacity, quality batteries can still be used for many years
Standard or Fast Charger
Charging an e-bike battery from empty to full takes about 2 to 6 hours, depending on the battery type and size. Bosch claims their 400Wh battery takes 3.5 hours to charge fully. A fast charger can speed up this process by sending more amps into the battery. Bosch’s fast charger can charge a 400Wh battery in just 2.5 hours and reach 50% capacity in only 1 hour, which is an hour quicker than a standard charger.
Head Units
The information provided by e-bike head units varies with the investment. Entry-level e-bikes typically display battery life and assistance level. In contrast, high-end e-bikes offer additional data such as speed, expected battery range, and compatibility with heart rate monitors. A handy feature of high-end e-bikes is walk assist, which helps move the heavier e-bike by providing assistance while walking.
Cycle Superstore has Ireland’s largest collection of e-bikes, featuring leading brands like LOOK, Lapierre, Cannondale, Giant, Cube, and Raleigh. We are open 7 days a week, including late hours on Saturdays and Sundays. Our e-bike specialists are available to help you find the perfect e-bike for your needs. Our selection of e-bikes can be found Here