How do I choose an electric bike?

It's true, choosing an electric bike is a little more complicated than choosing a classic muscle bike. In addition to size, design, riding style and price, you'll need to consider battery capacity, motor position and power. These criteria are not always easy to understand. For example, how do you translate capacity expressed in Wh into range in kilometers? And will the motor power (in W) be sufficient to climb the hill on your route? Whether it's for weekend fun on steep inclines, or to get to work without breaking a sweat, we've got our tips for choosing the right electric bike! ⚡

The electric bike is an economical, ecological and healthy choice.

Economical, because at a time when the price of a liter of fuel is regularly close to 2 euros (and it's not going to get any better), you'll soon realize that switching to electric power is a much more attractive option. If you add to that the fact that your car requires less maintenance, and depreciates less, an electrically-assisted bicycle represents a much better financial investment.

It's also an ecological solution, because it's no longer a secret that the planet is overheating. Opting for electric power is clearly more virtuous than fossil fuels.

Last but not least, even if you have electric assistance, the VAE forces you to pedal. Regular exercise can only be good for your health!

Wh, W, V, range in km... It's not always very clear. But you'll see, it's not really that complicated.

It's a fundamental element of the electric bike, and the one that makes it immediately recognizable as an EAB.

Batteries are compared on the basis of their capacity in watt-hours (Wh), the maximum power they can deliver for one hour. And unsurprisingly, the more expensive the battery, the greater the autonomy.

To be very concrete, the best batteries exceed 700 Wh, while the least efficient will be under 300 Wh. These are general figures to give you an order of magnitude, but they don't take into account the bike you're riding. For a (very light) electric road bike, a 250 Wh battery could be just as efficient as a 400 Wh battery on a 20 kg bike, for example...

It necessarily depends on battery capacity. But bear in mind that the number of kilometers of autonomy indicated by the manufacturer is given as an indication. It can vary enormously depending on the level of assistance used, the gradient, your weight, weather conditions, your battery maintenance habits, etc. The range of electric bikes is the subject of a separate article.

In addition to capacity and autonomy, we advise you to consider the position of the battery. Generally speaking, it's placed on the frame's downtube or on the rear rack.

This will primarily have an impact on riding, but not so much on performance. A bike with a battery on the frame will have a better weight distribution, thanks to a better-placed center of gravity.

For the record, you don't need to worry about the choice of material, as lithium is now the standard. The lead and nickel of the early days (heavy and harmful) have given way to the more efficient lithium-ion batteries.

The motor transforms the energy stored in the battery into motion. It consumes this energy to help you move the bike forward. While power inevitably has an impact, it's positioning on the bike that really counts.

Moreover, it can be located on the rear wheel (also known as a rear hub motor) or on the crankset (known as a crankset motor or central motor). That said, this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the vast subject of electric bicycle motors.

This type of electric motor provides assistance as soon as the pedal cranks are activated. A power sensor evaluates the cyclist's muscular effort, and the motor then delivers progressive assistance. The result is a feeling of fluidity and naturalness, as if the cyclist's power transmitted via the crankset were simply increased tenfold.

These motors are generally more powerful. They are found on top-of-the-range electric bikes and electric sports bikes (VTTAEs, road bikes and electric gravels).

There's also a sensor, but here it focuses on the wheel's rotation speed to deduce the speed. The assistance provided will be powerful if the bike is going slowly, and weaker when the bike is well under way.

It's much less fluid, but allows you to restart very quickly after stopping at a traffic light, for example.

This type of motor is mainly found on city-assist bikes and VTCs.

First of all, it's worth taking a look at the electric bikes on the market.

EABs are exactly the same as conventional bicycles, but with electric assistance.

These bikes are widely used in urban environments. They are easy to handle, relatively light and comfortable.

Typically, they are used for commuting (also known as vélotaf). Their range is short and motor power is limited, but they're perfectly suited to what's required of them: a short trip on a good-quality surface such as a cycle path.

Here's a tip: if you're taking public transport, look into folding city bikes.

This is the other type of electric bike we often come across in town. Long-tail, two-wheeled or three-wheeled... These bikes are perfect for transporting children to school or for those traveling with a load. They're also ideal for delivery drivers, who can load a large number of parcels to make their rounds more profitable.

There are three main categories of electric-assist cargo bikes:

• Long-tail bikes have an oversized rear rack. This makes it possible to seat children or securely hold luggage or parcels. They are very maneuverable both on the move and at a standstill, but more limited in load capacity than the other two.
• Two-wheelers are bikes fitted with a cargo box between the rider and the front wheel. Once you've got used to them, they're fairly maneuverable, but a little bulkier than a long-tail.
• Three-wheelers are the most imposing. They are difficult to store because they are so wide. What's more, they require a bit of technique to master perfectly. But once you've got the hang of them, they're really very practical bikes, capable of carrying up to 6 or even 8 children. Real mini-buses on 3 wheels!

The MTB electric-assist bikes have another purpose: to give you pleasure in the woods with a powerful bike. Thanks to a souped-up motor and a high-quality battery, you can tackle steep, inaccessible slopes with the strength of your thighs alone.

The long-running battery also means you can go for long rides, even if you're not an endurance king.

These bikes are equipped with wheels that are slightly wider than a road model. They are also slightly notched. This enables them to adapt to more varied terrain. This type of bike has been very much in vogue in recent years, as it combines comfort and performance.

Electric gravels are particularly well-suited to bikepacking. Electric assistance means you'll be able to tackle the gradients of your route without worry, even if you're carrying a lot of luggage.

They're the Formula 1 of electric-assist bikes. Ultra-light (generally weighing less than 12 kg!), easy to handle and aerodynamic, they have just one objective: performance!

Electrically-assisted road bikes are the ideal allies for those who dream of climbing the Tour de France's most legendary mountain passes. In fact, they'll give you a helping hand on the 10%+ switchbacks of Alpe d'Huez.

They can also enable you to join an already-trained group or extend your outings.

Even the most seasoned riders sometimes use an electric road bike for their recovery session between two road cycling competitions.

Now that you're familiar with the different types of electric bikes and their main features, it's time to ask yourself the right questions. For what purpose will you be using your electric-assist bike? How many kilometers will you cover? What's your riding ability? What's your budget?

For biking to work, a city model is perfect. They come in all price ranges, but they're not usually the most expensive assisted bikes. Try to estimate the range you need. To give you an idea, 400 Wh = about 100 km. A little advice: inflate your needs a little, as we tend to use an electric bike more easily than a conventional bicycle (for fetching bread, for a weekend stroll, for vacations, for an errand in town...).

If you have children to drop off at school on your daily commute, consider a cargo bike. They're obviously more expensive, but you'll find they're very practical in many situations.

If you're looking for performance, you'll be better off with a sporty model. As mentioned earlier, the capacity of electric road bikes is often low. However, their light weight and aerodynamic design mean that the battery (often integrated into the downtube) is less stressed.

Now you know everything you need to know about choosing an electric bike. And for even greater savings and eco-friendliness, think about reconditioned electric bikes Upway !