Things To Consider When Buying An Electric Bike (e-bike)

Electric bikes (often called e-bikes) are extremely popular. and some research found that baby boomers make up the largest cohort of electric bike owners or interested consumers. And for some good reasons. These bikes could help us to keep active longer and potentially enjoy some great scenery along the way.

But buying an electric bike can be a confusing experience. In this Learning Bites episode, we are joined by Michel Courval from iGo Electric Bikes who helps explain what we should consider if we were going to purchase an electric bike.

Here is our discussion:

These are some of the highlights of our conversation;

What is the difference between an e-bike, a moped and a scooter?

• A moped has a motor and requires you to have a drivers license, license plate and insurance. It also requires gas to run. A scooter does run on batteries however it does have a limited range and is very heavy. An e-bike allows you to ride it like a regular bike but also has a throttle which if you need some extra support in either getting up a large hill or get tired, the e-bike can provide some assistance.

Who are the primary users of an e-bike? 

• Older people who would like to continue to ride a bike but could use some support are most often the primary users. They are typically looking to ride longer or would like some assistance in increasing their speed. They are usually primarily leisure cyclists.

• Commuters are also interested in e-bikes. Often they want to leave their car at home or possibly don't even have a car. They would like to bike to work but not necessarily arrive either tired or too hot.

• Sometimes people that are interested in this product are individuals who may have partners that cycle that may be a little stronger then themselves. The e-bike can give them the support to be able to keep up

What things should someone focus on when looking for an e-bike?

• First decide what you are going to be using the e-bike for. For instance, if it's to ride bike paths in the city then you don't need a mountain bike. 

• Next is comfort. You need to make sure that you get a bike that will be comfortable for you and in turn you will enjoy riding.

• Then consider how far are you planning to ride. As the battery is the most expensive part of the bike, you want to get a bike with a range that is right for you. Too much and you'll pay too much. Too small and you won't be happy with your bike.

• Also, be sure to establish a budget. Figure out how much can you afford to spend on an e-bike.

What is the average cost of an e-bike?

• A bike that has a mid drive battery located in the pedal area in the middle of the bike) averages approximately $3600 Canadian ($2700 US) and up. A bike that has a rear drive (center of the back wheel) it can be about $1000 less expensive. If weight distribution is not that important, the rear drive option may be a good choice.

• Warranties typically range from one to two years.

 What is the battery life and maintenance needs of an e-bike?

• If you maintain your bike properly, you should expect the battery on your e-bike to last from 5 to 7 years

• To maintain your battery, you will need to charge it for at least 15 minutes each month including the months you may not be using it in order to keep the chemistry of the battery active

• Maintenance costs are mostly for mechanical parts of the bike - derailer, chain, wear and tear of tires and likely a tune up once a year depending on how much you are using your e-bike

• You also need to make sure that you don't store your e-bike in either freezing or very high temperature in order to maintain the battery

• The e-bike should last for as long as you can replace the battery. 

What other things should we consider?

• Make sure you purchase from a well established brand. This way you know that should you need parts or something goes wrong they will be around to help.

• Also check out reviews of the e-bikes. These will often give you an indication of the quality and support that you can expect of the product.

• Be sure to take the e-bike for a test drive. Similar to a car, you want to test the product before you buy it. Comfort, the feel, the noise - you want to be confident with your purchase.

So if getting an electric bike is in your future, we hope you found this information valuable and helps you get the right e-bike for you.

Happy cycling!