Electronic bikes are growing in popularity all across the UK. Nowadays, you can find a bike for just about any need, whether you’re looking to ease up your commute to work or go off-roading at the weekend.
How can you choose the best e-bike for your lifestyle though? When you have to co-exist on the road with cars, you’ll want to do everything you can to maintain your personal safety while still having fun.
There are four different ways you can break down your next trip to the e-bike shop:
- What class of e-bike do I want to use?
- How much do I want to spend?
- Do I want my bike to fold?
- Am I biking in the city or going off-road?
Classes of e-bikes
Before you start shopping, decide what kind of bike you want to welcome into your home. Electronic bicycles can be broken down by class. Each comes with a different motor, battery, and top speed.
Class 1 bikes assist you while you pedal with a 750w motor. You’ll be able to reach speeds of 20 miles an hour on class 1 bikes, making them better for commuting in your hometown.
Class 2 bikes won’t make you pedal to reach your desired speed. These bikes come with throttles. You’ll be more likely to see class 2 bikes on the street and in bike lanes. Because these bikes don’t utilise human strength as much as the other classes of bike, they can’t go quite as far on a battery charge, but they’re still useful in short bursts.
Class 3 bikes can go up to 28 miles an hour and also assist you while you pedal. While they can’t have larger motors than class 1 bikes, you’ll be able to use these bikes on UK biking routes or longer trips.
E-bike battery range
You’ll also want to assess the battery range and life on your e-bike of choice. Electric bike batteries that work with class 1 and 3 bikes will assist you while you pedal, with the battery kicking in at 25 per cent of your pedalling speed.
However, if you want a battery that does more of your bike’s heavy lifting, you’ll want to invest in a bike that offers you a more significant boost to your pedalling.
Electronic bikes on display
Your battery range and class of bike are the first factors to consider when purchasing a bike. From there, you can start breaking down your bike availability by cost, foldability, or preferred riding location.
E-bikes on a budget
If you’re shopping for an e-bike while on a budget, you’ll still be able to find bikes that get you from point A to point B without a problem. Do note, though, that you’ll still be looking at bikes that cost hundreds of pounds.
The Gtech eBike City is one of many e-bikes on the cheaper end of the spectrum. This bike comes in at less than a thousand pounds, costing £995.00 straight from the manufacturer. The Gtech City Bike is an ideal bike for beginning electronic bicyclists and maintains the traditional appearance of a non-electric bike. You’ll be able to take this bike for reasonable rides around your town and urban commutes.
Folding vs. Non-Folding
Folding bikes come in handy if you prefer to take your bikes off-road or if you need to store an electric bike in your cubicle. One of the best folding bikes on the market is the Brompton Electric. If you have to take a bus or cab to get most of the way to work, you can readily pack up this bike and take it with you on the road.
Alternatively, you may be more inclined to work with a bike that doesn’t compress. If you’re still travelling through the city with your e-bike, then you’ll want to invite a VanMoof Electrified S2 into your life. This bike comes with GPS tracking to ensure its overall safety.
Alternatively, you may be more inclined to work with a bike that doesn’t compress. If you’re still travelling through the city with your e-bike, then you’ll want to invite a VanMoof Electrified S2 into your life. This bike comes with GPS tracking to ensure its overall safety.
While you won’t be able to take this bike on public transportation or up to your office with a whole lot of ease, the bike’s safety features make it all the safer for you to store in a parking garage or on a bike rack.
Off-roading on a bike
But what if you’re not looking to bike in the city? There are a number of e-bikes that work well on the hills of the UK.
The Haibike Sduro Trekking bike conquers hills without a problem and can move over gravel without stumbling. If you’re moving over UK biking routes that are littered with potholes or other obstacles, this bike will make it feel as though you’re riding on a newly paved street in London.
There’s an e-bike on the road somewhere for everyone. No matter what your need, budget, or preferred speed is, you’ll be able to find one that makes your biking experience all the more enjoyable.