Electric bikes, or e-bikes, are revolutionizing how we commute, exercise, and explore the world. With the added boost of an electric motor, hills become less daunting, and long distances feel shorter. However, buying an e-bike is more nuanced than a regular bicycle; these bikes are notably more complex, so being an educated consumer will result in a more satisfying purchase.
In this article, we’ll discuss the biggest mistakes to avoid when buying an e-bike, from understanding the electric assist and battery life to considering e-bike insurance. Let’s make sure your e-bike journey starts on the right foot.
Buying the Wrong Bike for Your Use Case
One common mistake when buying an e-bike is choosing the wrong type for your needs. E-bikes come in various styles, each designed for a specific purpose. Selecting the right one ensures you get the most out of your ride and enhances your overall experience.
Hybrid/City/Commuter Bikes
Perfect for daily commuting and urban riding, these e-bikes are designed for comfort and efficiency on paved roads and bike paths. They typically come equipped with features like fenders, lights, and racks, making them ideal for carrying groceries or commuting to work.
Road Bikes
If you love long-distance rides on smooth pavement and crave speed, a road e-bike is your best option. These bikes are lightweight, with thin tires, and are built for speed and endurance.
Gravel Bikes
For those who enjoy a mix of on-road and off-road riding, gravel e-bikes are an excellent choice. They handle rougher terrain better than road bikes but are still efficient on pavement, making them perfect for adventurous riders exploring unpaved paths and trails.
Mountain Bikes
If off-road adventures and tackling rugged trails excite you, a mountain e-bike is designed to meet your needs. These bikes have sturdy frames, suspension systems, and wide tires to handle challenging terrains, providing a smooth ride over rocks, roots, and uneven ground.
Cargo Bikes
Do you need to transport heavy loads or kids? Cargo e-bikes are built to easily carry substantial weight. They come with robust frames and large storage areas, ideal for running errands, delivering goods, or taking your children to school. In bike-friendly cities they are also a perfect replacement for one of the family cars.
Folding Bikes
These bikes that can be folded and stowed away under a desk or in a hallway, taken up in an elevator, or carried down to the subway are particularly attractive to city dwellers and are, undoubtedly, the best machines to navigate the urban sprawl.
Choosing the Wrong Size and Fit
An e-bike should feel like an extension of yourself. Choosing the wrong size can lead to discomfort and even injury. Test-ride several models to find the one that fits you best. Pay attention to the frame size, handlebar height, and saddle position. These should be adjustable to suit your body and riding style.
Consult with experts or use sizing charts provided by manufacturers to ensure you get the right fit. Comfort encourages frequent use, so it’s worth taking the time to find the right size. Also, think about your riding style: commuting, mountain biking, or leisurely rides. Choose an e-bike that suits your needs for a more enjoyable experience.
Overlooking the Importance of Battery Life
Battery life is crucial for e-bikes. You don’t want to be stuck halfway through your ride with a dead battery, right?
E-bike batteries come in different capacities, typically measured in watt-hours (Wh). A higher watt-hour means a better range. For daily commuting, look for a battery with at least 400Wh. If you’re planning longer rides or dealing with hilly terrain, 600Wh or greater capacity is ideal.
It’s also essential to consider the battery’s lifespan. Most e-bike batteries last between 500 and 1,000 charge cycles, so ask about their lifespan and replacement costs.
Knowing how long a charge takes is also handy; longer charging times can be a hassle if you use your e-bike frequently. While all e-bike batteries will charge to full overnight if you’re a long-distance commuter, you might need to charge up the battery at work or another destination, and knowing how much distance you can add per hour of charge could be valuable.
Not Considering the Warranty
E-bikes are complex and expensive. Electric systems are often proprietary to the bike, so having solid warranty coverage is critical. Not every bike shop can source the parts to repair the bike if something goes wrong.
When reviewing warranties, consider the nitty-gritty details. What exactly does it cover? The best warranties cover all electronics, including the motor, battery, and controller, and subpar warranties may not cover the electronics at all.
At a minimum, you’d want the warranty to cover the motor and the battery because these are the most expensive and likely to fail.
Overlooking Brand Support
The market is flooded with e-bike offers, from reputable brands and not-so-much, with new brands popping up like mushrooms after an afternoon shower. Most of these bikes are white-labeled, mass-produced products built around questionable components with virtually no support. If a part fails years later, its availability is not guaranteed, so even a minor $5 part, like a derailleur hanger, might take such a bike off the road forever. Due to a very rough start of e-bikes in the US, with multiple building fires started by low-quality batteries, liability insurance prohibits most shops from working on e-bikes outside the brands they carry. So, if you’re considering a bike from an unknown brand, particularly one without a local dealer network, you may be stuck wrenching on it yourself.
Ignoring the Need for Proper Maintenance
E-bike maintenance is slightly different from regular bike maintenance. Like all bikes, e-bikes require regular maintenance, including cleaning and lubing the chain, replacing brake pads and cables, and servicing suspension if your bike is equipped.
Most electric motors require no maintenance, and some budget variants may require replacing internal gears. Batteries, however, are somewhat sensitive and will degrade faster than usual when not taken care of properly. Specifically, batteries need to be charged when in active use; draining the battery and leaving it uncharged will result in premature wear.
For long-term storage, a charge of 40-50% is ideal, and it’s also best to keep the battery off the bike. Charging a battery in the cold is a bad idea, and so is leaving it in direct sunlight for extended periods.
Before buying, ask about the maintenance schedule and what specific parts need regular attention. For example, most brands suggest that you check motor and battery connections regularly to ensure they are clean and secure.
Ensure you’re comfortable with the maintenance tasks or have a local shop that can help. Not all bike shops handle e-bike repairs, so finding a reliable service center nearby is crucial.
Underestimating the Importance of Test Rides
Skipping a test ride can lead to disappointment. A test ride lets you experience the bike’s performance, comfort, and handling firsthand. It helps see if the e-bike meets your power, battery life, and overall ride quality expectations.
Notice how the bike handles different terrains and speeds during a test ride. Check the motor’s responsiveness and the brakes’ effectiveness. Ensure the bike feels stable and comfortable and the controls are easy to use. Don’t hesitate to ask questions or request adjustments for the best fit and performance.
Test rides also allow you to compare different models and brands. Take your time and try multiple e-bikes to find the best combination of features and comfort. An e-bike is an investment, and ensuring it meets your needs through a test ride is crucial for long-term satisfaction.
Neglecting the Weight of the E-bike
Due to the motor and battery, e-bikes can be significantly heavier than traditional bikes. This weight can affect handling, storage, and transportation. Before making a purchase, consider how you’ll handle the weight, especially if you need to carry it upstairs or lift it onto a bike rack.
The weight also affects performance. Heavier bikes might feel more stable but can be harder to maneuver, especially at lower speeds. Find a balance between weight and usability that suits your needs. Lightweight models might be more expensive but offer easier handling and portability.
Test ride different weight classes to see how the weight impacts your riding experience. A heavier e-bike requires more power to accelerate and can affect battery life. Make sure the weight works for your comfort and riding style.
Forgetting E-bike Insurance
Many new e-bike owners overlook e-bike insurance, which can be costly. Just like cars, e-bikes are valuable and can be targeted for theft. They can also be involved in accidents, leading to damage or injury. E-bike insurance is purposely designed to address risks associated with the cycling lifestyle, most of the coverage offered by such insurance can not be gotten anywhere else.
When considering e-bike insurance, look at what the policy covers. While most policies include theft and accidental damage coverage, others can also offer medical payments, liability, and uninsured motorist coverages. Choosing a policy that matches your particular needs and provides adequate coverage is essential. Not all policies are the same, so it is prudent to understand what is covered, to what extent (limit), and under which conditions. For example, some policies may require that your bike is locked with a specific lock, and you may have to present proof that the lock was broken when filing a claim. The general rule of thumb is to comb through the exclusions, and the more exclusions a policy has, the less actual coverage it may offer.
Obtaining electric bike insurance can give you peace of mind, knowing you’re protected against unforeseen events. It’s worth exploring different options and comparing policies to find the best electric bike insurance for your situation. Don’t wait until it’s too late; protect your e-bike with the right insurance.
Conclusion
Buying an e-bike is an exciting step towards a more enjoyable and eco-friendly mode of transportation. However, it’s easy to make mistakes if you need to be well-informed. By avoiding these common pitfalls, you can make a smart purchase that meets your needs and enhances your cycling experience. So take your time, do your research, and enjoy the ride!
