BUYING AN ELECTRIC BIKE? THIS IS WHAT YOU SHOULD PAY ATTENTION TO
The e-bike, a great invention for anyone who just wants to pedal a little less. The e-bike, or electric bicycle, is becoming increasingly popular and is also increasingly seen in the streets of the Netherlands. Where cycling to work with a regular bike was actually too far, it is now only a short distance with the e-bike. The pedal assistance also offers a solution for cycling holidays and long trips. But what exactly should you pay attention to when you want to buy an e-bike ?
TYPE OF SUPPORT
An e-bike or electric bike provides extra support while pedaling. This can be done in two ways:
- Pedal assistance
- Rotation support
Pedal assistance is based on the force you put on the pedals. The more force you exert, the more support the bike will give you. This is especially nice when you are riding up a hill or viaduct , but of course also when you just want to cycle a bit faster . The pedal assistance helps you cycle up to a speed of 25 km/h.
With rotation support, the motor will start to rotate when it detects that the crankshaft is rotating. The motor then also continuously provides the same amount of support, regardless of how hard you pedal. You can often choose different programs, so that you get less or more support while cycling.
MOTOR POSITIONING
You may not think about it, but the engine and battery of an electric bike carry quite a bit of weight. That is why it is also good to pay attention to the placement of the engine on the bike. The engine can be in three places: in the front wheel, in the middle near the frame or in the rear wheel.
A motor in the front wheel is a cost-effective technique, but also makes the electric bike much heavier to steer. A motor in the rear wheel does provide a natural riding experience, but has the disadvantage that the bike is more difficult to move and a flat tire cannot be changed by yourself .
With our CUBE bikes, you will always find the engine in the middle of your bottom bracket. The engine in the middle directly supports the pedals and does not require any additional parts, such as with the engine in the front or rear wheel . In addition, the placement in the middle ensures a fine balance of the bike, which makes cycling very comfortable.
WHICH BATTERY DO YOU CHOOSE?
The battery is the part that ultimately drives the engine of the electric bike. This is also the part that you charge and determines the range. The battery is therefore one of the most important aspects of the bike! There are 3 points that you should pay close attention to .
FIXED OR REMOVABLE BATTERY?
Do you want a battery that you can remove from the bike? Or a battery that is fixed to the bike? A removable battery can be taken anywhere and charged, while for a fixed battery you always need a power point nearby. That sounds like a big disadvantage, but a fixed battery certainly also has a big advantage . For example, a removable battery is very popular with thieves, because it is easy to take with you. An e-bike with a fixed battery is therefore much less interesting to steal.
BATTERY LOCATION
Just like the engine, the battery of the e-bike brings weight with it. The placement of the battery is therefore also an important point to pay attention to. With many e-bikes, the battery is placed at the back under the luggage carrier . Here, the battery is not in the way and is well hidden when you use panniers. With the CUBE e-bikes, the battery is in the middle of the bike, integrated into the frame. This ensures good balance while cycling. In addition, the battery is well protected in this way.
BATTERY CAPACITY: RANGE
Then there is the capacity of the battery. This largely determines the range of the e-bike. It is therefore good to think about what you are going to use the e-bike for. How far do you want to cycle? Do you go to work with it every day? Or do you want to make long tours through the country? The range determines how far you can cycle in one go. For short distances, an e-bike with a small range is therefore a great choice! In that case, the battery is also lighter and cheaper. If you want to cycle longer distances, choose an e-bike with a larger range, so that you do not have to charge your bike in between.
At CUBE you can choose from various e-bikes, for short and long distances. For commuting , for example the CUBE Town Hybrid Exc 400 with a range of 90 km is a good choice. The CUBE Touring Hybrid Pro 500 is very suitable for longer distances and specially made for touring. This e-bike has a range of 112 km, which makes it easy to cycle long distances. And did you know that the bike received an 8.2 in the ANWB E-bike Test ?
Please note that the final range depends on various factors, such as wind force, the level of pedal assistance, your speed and tire pressure.
WEIGHT OF THE BIKE
An e-bike is heavier than a regular bike. For example, the bike is made of sturdy materials, but the engine and battery also add extra weight. When you want to buy an e-bike, it is also good to look at the weight of the bike. Are you planning to lift the bike every now and then, for example to put it on a bike carrier ? Then it is best to look at the lighter e-bikes. For cycling itself, the extra weight will not make much difference, because with the pedal assistance you will not notice it!
E-BIKES FROM CUBE
Looking for an e-bike ? Think carefully in advance about what you want to use it for. Based on this, you can make a nice selection of e-bikes that fit your needs. So pay close attention to the capacity of the battery and the placement of the motor. For example, a mid-motor , such as with our CUBE bikes, is the most comfortable choice!
Take a look at our tour and comfort e-bikes in the webshop. Are you looking for extra advice? Then we would like to invite you to visit one of our CUBE Stores . Our bike experts will be happy to help you find the right e-bike!