Do I need an e-bike?

If you aren’t an expert in the field, it’s getting harder and harder to tell the difference between an e-bike and a conventional bicycle. Motors and batteries are getting more compact all the time, with more elegant frame integration.

The rest of the components – like wheels, suspension, brakes, and gearing – are the same on electric bikes and normal bikes. The major difference is the motor. E-bikes support you as you pedal, making riding uphill easier and less physically demanding.

There are different kinds of e-bikes, which we will introduce to you here in this article. But on a general level, these are the basic differences between electric bikes and conventional bikes:

E-bikes aren’t just great fun to ride – they also have a range of advantages compared to conventional bikes:

Despite all the advantages that e-bikes have, there are some disadvantages too:

E-bikes are worth it for most bike riders. Depending on the details on what and how you ride, a few different factors come into play. At the end of the day there’s no wrong choice – but maybe we can help you make the best choice for you in these different riding scenarios:

E-bikes can be an incredible car replacement – there’s a good reason why these are such a popular choice for commuting. When the traffic builds up at rush hour, e-bikes are simply faster, more agile, more ecological, and healthier than cars. The motorised support means you can ride easily and sweat-free and have a relaxed start to your working day. There are so many benefits. For bad weather riding, there’s all kinds of accessories and rain clothing that you can wear over your office uniform.

For day-in-day out transportation, buying an e-bike has the potential to replace your car in many situations. Whether it’s for shopping, taking the kids to preschool, or riding over to meet with friends – e-bikes are fast, eco-friendly, have lower running costs, and let you build exercise into your daily routine.

Want to ride far and fast out on the roads, or electrify your local off-road trails? Then a powerful, high-performance e-bike is exactly what you need. They allow you cover more distance and ride up steep climbs without needing to push. What’s more, you can get more riding done in less time than with a normal bike – so you can still fit in proper rides when time’s tight.

E-bikes are also empowering for older riders who want to get out on the bike even in spite of any potentially mobility-limiting complaints. Especially when it comes to joint issues like arthritis, or if you’ve recently suffered an injury, e-bikes are by far the best and easiest way to get back cycling again. Thanks to their extra motorised support, you can get rolling easy even in situations like these.

Cycling is an incredible (the best, if we may say so!) way of casually exploring your local area. Especially nowadays, in general day-to-day life, we generally spend most of our time in a small circle of distance around our homes. With an e-bike, you can get out further and discover so much more.

In terms of feel, there’s no difference between riding an e-bike and a conventional bike. First, the geometry and handling are very similar. But with an e-bike, you get the extra support you need to glide effortlessly up steep climbs. On flat terrain, e-bikes feel extremely similar to normal bikes. But as soon as you need to ride uphill, their extra power makes a huge difference.

With the motor off, e-bikes ride much more sluggishly than a normal bike without a motor. Since the motor inside the bike has to rotate even when switched off, you need to push a bit more energy through the pedals to keep the wheels turning.

When its battery is not fitted, an e-bike will also ride more sluggishly than a normal bike. However, removing the battery reduces the weight by a significant amount – between 3-5 kilos.

So, we’ve explained the advantages and disadvantages of electric bikes and the situations when e-bikes can help the most. When it comes down to it, you’re the only one who can decide if you need to buy an e-bike or not – but if you want to get riding more often and go further and explore new areas, then a high-quality e-bike is absolutely a great choice.

If you embrace the physical challenge of cycling or just ride short distances in your city, then a standard bike will probably make more sense for you. Whichever way you decide – we’re sure you’ll love your new bike, whether it’s motorised or motor-free.