Today’s big question about the electric bike is “How to choose an electric mountain bike?” When considering buying an e-mountain bike there are several things to look for when making that decision as nothing comes that easy. Or does it? 🙂 But to help you in making that decision, I thought of putting up a guide for everyone’s access so that you can make that decision a little easier.
How do I choose the right electric bike?
There are plenty of things to look for and into when buying an electric mountain bike. These things will help you get answers to the most common question i.e. How to Choose An Electric Mountain Bike or choosing the right electric bike as most people asked then let’s start and know. Choosing the right e-bike is not difficult but you need to know some key points before buying.
Several major factors we have discussed in our blog give more valuable information. First of all how much do you want to spend on an electric bike and what features are you looking for? knowing about Brand, Weight, and durability are important notes so check the details of every e-bike and then decide.
10 things to know before buying an E-bike
- Budget
- Features
- Weight
- Frame
- Motor
- Battery
- Suspension
- Wheels
- Brakes
- Storage
Budget
The foremost step when buying anything new or old is making that cost-effective decision. If you are looking to buy a fully loaded e-bike then you should budget around $4k or above. You need this kind of bike if you are a regular biker and love to take harsh terrains, as well. You are looking for something reliable that will give you long years with that investment.
On the other hand, some e-bikes are available for a considerably lesser price but might be more suited for smooth and easier pathways. However, you also always have the option to buy a second-hand bike for a much cheaper price. Nevertheless, you will have to look closely at the kind of usage that bike has had with the previous owner and whether it is worth your money. Pay close attention to the second-hand e-bike’s motor, frame, and battery, in particular, or have an expert in e-bikes help you make that decision before you commit your money to it.
Frame
Ebikes can be made of three categories of frames: Steel frames, Carbon frames, and Aluminum frames. The Frame of an e-bike dictates the weight of the bike so it is very important to know what frame of e-bike you would want to buy.
Carbon Frames: These are very light in weight but strong. However, they are not very durable compared with other types of frames.
Steel Frames: These frames are very sturdy but as they are made up of steel, they are heavy. Ebikes with steel frames can be trouble when taking the bike up, down, or over the hill.
Aluminum Frames: These frames are strong but light in weight. They do not weigh much and do not rust. However, because of being very light in weight, they are quite flexible and, therefore, tend to rupture easily.
Motor
E Mountain Bike gets its power from the motor and the battery is what powers the motor. This is one of the most crucial distinctions between an E-Mountain Bike and a regular Mountain Bike. The motor of an e-bike tends to have one of the biggest impacts on the performance of an e-bike. However, the motor is limited in its capacity, for example, the maximum allowance of size in the USA is 250 watts to 750 watts. A motor with a larger power helps you speed up the bike quickly but gives you a lesser range of travel and vice versa. It is also important to mention here that e-bikes have a speed limit of 20mph for how fast they can go, especially in the USA.
Battery
Most E-Mountain bikes come with batteries internally attached to their frame, however, some still have batteries externally mounted which makes it slightly easy to remove and attach the battery back to the bike while charging. Whether internally or externally attached to the bike, all batteries have a charging point so that you can charge them while being fastened to the e-bike. Batteries are either 400 watts/hr, 500 watts/hr, or 625 watts/hr in size.
The battery with a larger capacity is going to give you a longer ride on one complete charge. The kind of pathways and the modes you opt for when riding the bike would have the greatest impact on your battery life. Therefore, pay close attention to the display screen when riding the bike to ensure that you have enough battery life for the end of your ride. Through trial and error, you will be able to learn to optimize your battery life while riding on different terrains and modes.
Battery Replacement Price
The majority of your e-bike investment would be directed toward the batteries so it is important to take into consideration battery replacement costs. The normal life cycle of a battery is about 500 full charging cycles until they start to deteriorate which means you will have to replace the battery every few years.
Suspensions
E-Mountain Bikes come with front or dual suspensions. Having front suspension helps in shock absorbance from the front through any bumps encountered as you ride. It does not assist with shock absorbance from the back so your ride may feel a little rough. The advantage of having only a front suspension is that it reduces the weight of the bike as there are no back suspensions and makes your ride a little faster. Only having suspensions in the front can lower the cost of the e-bike by a few bucks, too. Front or dual suspensions, you must make sure that they are working correctly and are heavy-duty to ensure a smooth ride.
Brakes
For any type of ride, your brakes are one of the most essential components of it because without them you won’t be able to stop at the right time. Before going for a ride, make sure that your brakes are working properly. Most e-bikes come with disc or rim brakes, however, disc brakes are more commonly used.
Wheels
Wheels are what will be moving your e-bike from place to place so it is important to ensure that your wheels are sturdy, solid, and ready to take on the pathways you wish to ride on. For general details on wheel size etc click here.
Storage
One of the things to consider when buying an e-mountain bike would be your storage capacity. If you do not have any space in your area to keep an e-bike then you might want to opt for an electric folding mountain bike. Additionally, if the place you want to keep your e-bike is not secure enough then you might consider going for cheaper options.
It would be a brilliant idea to go for a test ride on the e-bike you wish to buy before investing your money in it.
Investing in e-bikes would be an important decision and can be expensive sometimes. It is better to have some research work done before actually buying an e-bike. I’m sure the above points that I have discussed would definitely help in your decision-making.
Wish you the best of luck with your e-bike experience. If you have any further questions or need more details then send me a note in the comment section of this blog post.
Find the Best Electric Mountain Bike on Amazon. Click Here
Enjoy a best electric bike ride with Full Suspension Electric Mountain Bikes