To many bicyclists, the advent of electric bikes has been a life-changing event. Challenging rides that would have been brutally hard on a conventional bike are suddenly doable, even pleasant. E-bikes can even be an alternative to car ownership in areas where autos are too costly or impractical.
But an e-bike brings problems you won’t encounter with a standard bike. It has a battery and some have proprietary software. If you buy one from a maker who goes out of business, you may have trouble servicing it or perhaps riding it.
And while e-bikes are far lighter than cars, they are far heavier than standard bikes. That makes transporting them and storing them more difficult.
None of this is stifling E-bike sales. Patrick Hogan, senior research manager at People for Bikes Coalition, a nonprofit organization promoting bike use, says about 500,000 e-bikes were sold through retailers in the U.S. in 2022, four times as many as in 2019, citing market data supplied to the group from retail researcher Circana. Hogan’s group estimates one million to 1.5 million e-bikes were sold through all channels last year. including the internet.
E-bikes look like traditional bicycles, but unlike that beat-up 10-speed you rode in college, there are a few factors to keep in mind if you’re looking for a new set of electric wheels.
Stick with Known Brands
Many of those sold directly to consumers over the internet are relatively new brands and cost less than what you’d pay in a bike shop. Some are dangerous. There have been a spate of news stories about lithium-ion bike batteries exploding, such as bikes used by Manhattan delivery drivers.
Ed Benjamin, chairman of the Light Electric Vehicle Association, an international group promoting electric-powered two-wheeled vehicles, says generally the source of those fires came from low-cost bikes.
“When we look at the bikes with problems, in general they’re the cheap bikes that you can buy for a startling low price over the internet,” he says.
Benjamin advocates sticking with established brands where there is a local dealer or bike shop that offers test rides and service. These bikes will likely have UL-certified batteries or are EN 15194 certified, the European standard. He says durable e-bikes start in the $1,800 to $2,400 range.
Ride Before You Buy
Before buying, test drive an e-bike. The cheapest way is through a bike-share system such as New York City’s Citi Bike and Houston’s Houston B-Cycle. Also consider renting an e-bike for a day from a local bike shop if possible. Jackie and Tom Podewils, who have owned e-bikes since 2019 in Door County, Wisc., took rented e-bikes for a spin before buying a pair, testing them on different terrains they knew well so they could get an accurate feel. At a minimum, a good bike shop should let you ride the style of bike you’re considering before buying.
A common misconception is that e-bikes ride like a motorcycle or moped. They are significantly heavier than standard bikes, weighing anywhere from 30 to 75 pounds because of a sturdier frame and the battery. Nonetheless, Jon Lind, owner of the 15-year-old J.C. Lind Bike Co., says a good quality pedal-assist e-bike, the most common type, should ride like a traditional bike.
Pedal-assist bikes have torque sensors that feel how hard you’re pedaling and give assistance based on your speed and cut off when you stop pedaling so you always feel in control. “It’s going to feel very much like you’re biking with a tailwind or with really strong legs,” he says.
Consider Your Use Case
A good bike shop will ask about how you’re planning to use the bike to get the right ride for you. Cargo e-bikes are best for transporting goods or children and can replace a car, while a standard e-bike can be used on streets or trails, Lind says.
Frame style is another consideration, especially for people who have physical limitations. Jackie Podewils says she and her husband wish both they had bought step-through frames (formerly known as women’s bikes) since it’s easier to mount than swinging a leg over the diamond-style frame (a man’s bike) in a heavier-weight bike.
Ask about the bike’s classification. There are three types of classes to distinguish an e-bike from a scooter or moped that can go faster than 28 mph, says Ashley “Ash” Lovell, e-bike policy director at People for Bikes Coalition, which helped to create the e-bike class system.
Motors on Class 1 bikes are pedal-assisted and cease aiding when the e-bike reaches 20 mph. Class 2 bikes have a maximum speed of up to 20 mph but are throttle-assisted. Class 3 motors are pedal-assisted up to 28 mph. Forty-two states have adopted the classification as legislation, and Class 2 and 3 vehicles may be subject to registration, licensing, or the insurance requirements that apply to motor vehicles under the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Some states and cities may prohibit people from riding Class 2 and 3 bikes on certain trails or paths.
Storage and Maintenance is Critical
Know where you’ll store the bike before buying. It’s going to be tough to lug a heavy e-bike up and downstairs. If you keep your bike in an unattached garage, check to see if the batteries can be removed because they don’t fare well in extreme heat or cold, Lind says. Also, e-bikes can’t be taken on planes because of the lithium-ion battery. Call2Recycle has more e-bike battery safety tips.
You’ll want to establish a relationship with a bike shop because like a car in certain respects, annual service is necessary. Lind says e-bikes may need firmware updates, and because these bikes are heavier, all systems get more wear and tear. Lind says he sets the first service level at 500 miles and can use the bike’s computer to track usage.
“Because they have computers built into them, and they have odometers, we can really track the level of usage, and develop a service plan for them,” he says.
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