As was earlier mentioned, there are quite a number of electric bike options available for purchase, and each of these bikes is somewhat unique feature-wise and design-wise. Most electric bicycles generally tend to have a lot of features, but amidst all these features, there are some very vital ones that will have a huge impact on the quality of your riding experience.
Pedal Assist
The pedal-assist feature of electric bikes is a very smart, very intelligent inclusion that ensures you will be able to enjoy a smooth ride with minimal stress whenever you want. As the name implies, the pedal-assist feature simply provides pedalling assist. This means that with a pedal-assist e-bike feature, you will be able to easily switch from manual pedalling to electric pedalling (powered by the motor of the electric bike).
Geared Hub Motor
Electric bike motors can be broadly divided into two distinct types: the geared hub motor and the gearless hub motor. The geared hub motor is, however, considered to be the better e-bike motor type thanks to its better efficiency. Geared hub motors also tend to have a lower weight when compared to their gearless counterparts and this, of course, means lower e-bike overall weight and this, of course, translates to an improvement in riding experience. E-bike motors are also usually named based on their location on the bike, so you will probably hear terms like center hub motor, mid-drive motors, rear hub motor.
Rear Rack
The rear rack is actually one of the most important features an electric bike could have. This feature is especially important if your reason for purchasing an electric bike is to run errands. There are several e-bike models offered for sale by several manufacturers that have a rear rack. These e-bike models are usually city bikes, cargo bikes, city commuters and even some mountain bikes. For the most part, these e-bikes have a small rear rack. However, there are some electric bike models designed with much larger rear racks. Several of these even have a front rack (e.g., cargo e-bike types).
Tires
The tyres of your e-bike are one of the most important features of the bike. The tires are important for grip, and they determine what kind of road/surfaces you will be able to ride your bike on. You are more likely to ride a city bike, cargo bike, cruiser e-bike and even some cargo bikes on very smooth roads, so the tire type and size, as well as the grip these tires offer, will be different and way less than the tires of fat bikes (so named because they have a “fat tire”) ad mountain e-bikes. Some quality e-bikes (usually the fat tire bikes) also have puncture-resistant tires, which makes them perfect for off-road riding.
LCD
Not all e-bikes have an LCD; however, those that do usually tend to rank among the most premium electric bikes available. The LCD allows riders to be able to easily monitor important e-bike condition levels such as battery percentage, pedal-assist levels, speed and so on. The best part is riders get to have access to all this vital information at a glance. While it is not compulsory you opt for an e-bike option that has an inbuilt LCD; your riding will certainly be a lot better and smoother if you do so.
LED Lights
Good quality bikes should be able to accord you a high level of safety while you’re riding them. This is why it is very important that you opt for quality e-bikes that have both front and rear LED lights. This is to ensure you have access to maximum visibility while riding your e-bike at night. Note, however, that LED strength usually varies from e-bike to e-bike, so you will want to ensure that your preferred e-bike selection has bright enough lights.
E-bike Frame Type
There are several types of e-bike frames. Ideally, your choice of frame will depend on several factors such as:
- Personal mobility
- Type of e-bike
- Expected weight capacity
- Storage options available.
For people who have limited storage space available in their homes, folding e-bike options will be a perfect option for them. This is because these folding bikes have a foldable frame that ensures users will be able to “fold” and store it in small spaces in their homes or even their cars. For people who have somewhat limited mobility, e-bikes with a step-thru frame are the best option as this unique frame has a low step-in height that ensures they will be able to get on and off the e-bike easily.
E-bike frames are made of different materials depending on the bike manufacturers and expected weight capacity. The most common electric bicycle frame used is the aluminum frame.
Battery Capacity
This is one major feature of e-bikes you will want to pay very close attention to when you’re purchasing a new e-bike. Your e-bike is meant to run on battery power, so it can definitely be inferred that your e-bike is only as good as its battery. If you’re just looking for an e-bike option for use as a daily commute within your city or for running errands, you should find an e-bike with an average-capacity battery satisfactory. However, if you’re looking to do some off-road riding or hill climbing, then you should definitely consider electric bikes with very high-capacity batteries.
Brakes
Electric bikes usually have one of two brake types. They, however, for the most part, usually have hydraulic disc brakes, although brake manufacturers often differ. A common e-bike brake model is Shimano hydraulic disc brakes (Shimano hydraulic brakes is one of the best e-bike brakes available). Hydraulic brakes are more common because they tend to provide better stopping power than mechanical brakes. They also have superior efficiency and performance.
