Select a Bike Style
If you are considering purchasing an E-bike pay particular attention to
style and price. Here are some common styles to select from:
Cargo and Utility E-Bikes are
designed and constructed specifically for transporting loads, they are a great way to transport kids, groceries, or virtually anything else by bike! Electric pedal-assist cargo bicycles make it easy to climb hills, especially when you are using your bike for hauling children or running errands. Many delivery services use them in dense urban environments, the frame and drive train are usually constructed to handle loads larger than those on an ordinary bicycle.
A City E-Bike,
is a bicycle designed to be ridden on relatively flat urban areas, at a moderate pace. It is built for everyday riding in normal clothes and in a variety of weather conditions. It is a bicycle designed for practical transportation, as opposed to a competitive bike, such as a touring bicycle, racing bicycles, or mountain bikes. City E-Bikes are focused is on comfort and practicality, the saddle is typically larger compared with other bicycles and most bikes are provided with chain and tire protection.
A Fat-tire E-Bike,
is usually designed for off-road use and comes with oversized tires, typically 4 in or larger, and rims 2.16 in or wider, designed for riding on soft, unstable ground, such as snow, sand, and mud. The wide tires can be used with inflation pressures as low as 5 psi to allow for a smoother ride over rough terrain, A rating of 8–10 psi is suitable for the majority of rides. Fat-tire bikes were conceived for use in sand and snow but are capable of riding on all types of terrain including snow, sand, mud, pavement, or traditional Mountain Bike trails.
A Mountain E-Bike
is a bicycle designed for off-road cycling. Mountain Bikes incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain. These can include some or all these design features such as a suspension fork, large knobby tires, more powerful brakes, straight handlebars, lower gear-ratios, for climbing steep grades. and a rear suspension to smooth out the trail. Mountain Bikes are built to handle rough terrain but can be used to smooth out the worst pot-holed city streets.
Step-through frame.
A step-through frame (also known as open frame is a type of bicycle frame, often used for utility city biking, with a low top tube or cross-bar. The advantages are, very quick mount and dismount, so is suitable for a delivery bike, or any journey with many stops. It can also be great for people with restricted mobility, suitable for elderly and others with less agility. It also could be potentially safer than a high top tube; a rider who loses balance can step through the bicycle without becoming entangled. Most Step-Thru bikes have become very fashionable, touting unique colors and retro designs, for casual cruising around town or the boardwalk.
Consider the Bike's Dimensions
When looking for the ideal size of an electric bicycle, you need to consider the saddle height, frame size, and handlebar height and width.
The saddle height and horizontal position(setback) is an adjustment. Unless your physical dimensions are extraordinary most e-bike saddle height and position can be adjusted to meet your needs.
Handlebar Width
The larger rider is likely to fit a wider 760- or 780-millimeter bar, while the smaller rider would probably fit more naturally on a 720- or 740-millimeter bar. Off-Road terrain has a major influence on a rider’s preferred handlebar width. If your riding through narrow paths with trees on both sides you may not want a wider handlebar.
Frame Size
Measuring your inseam is an important first step in determining your E-bike frame size. Measuring your inseam can be accomplished by placing a thick notebook in between your upper thighs so you are straddling it (as if you were straddling your bike). Leave the notebook in place on the wall and measure from the top of the notebook to the floor. This measurement is your inseam. It is generally a good idea to wear the shoes you’ll be cycling in. Once you have the measurement, reference a sizing chart like the ones below. Find the frame size that is close to the chart suggested frame size for your dimensions.
