The electric bike or VAE: electrically assisted bicycle, is increasingly sought after in the hearts of cities. It is not easy to choose the right urban electric bike, electric mountain bike or trekking bike. Solo version or family electric cargo bike, for daily or occasional use, it is not so easy to find the bike you need!
To know how to choose your electric bike , it is useful to consider all the essential characteristics that make an electric bike.
What are the advantages and disadvantages? How many kilometers maximum? What power? What budget and what rules to follow? All these are questions that we will try to answer here.
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What are the reasons to buy an electric bike?
There are many reasons to choose and buy an electric bike:
- Move around the city more easily, without the hassle of traffic jams.
- Participate and contribute to ecological and environmental solutions by reducing the carbon footprint.
- Save energy.
- Give yourself the opportunity to move every day, which promotes both physical and mental well-being by avoiding too much stress and finding the right balance between muscular effort, autonomy and the power of electric assistance.
Please note : If you choose, for example, a Swiss electric bike from the Batoo brand, you then have the possibility of riding in Switzerland with a 500W motor for a distance of more than 50 kilometers, this is not the case everywhere. Indeed, the legislation is different depending on the country. The European Union , for example, limits the power of electric bikes to 250W.
How to choose your electric bike?
The first thing is to determine what use you want to make of your electric bike:
- Go hiking.
- Travel long distances.
- Make deliveries
- Go shopping
- Going out with your pet
You can choose a women's or men's electric bike model. In addition, with the useful accessories available for your bike, you have the possibility of transporting a toddler and a baby.
What are the essential criteria for choosing an electric bike?
The first criterion for choosing an electric bike that suits your needs is, as we said, to determine the use you want to make of it.
You should know that there are four types of electric bikes:
- The electric city bike : perfect for urban journeys.
- The electric mountain bike : suitable for rough terrain and for hiking.
- The electric trekking bike : for covering longer distances.
- The electric cargo bike: ideal for transporting heavy loads.
Each type of bike offers unique features to meet specific needs, ensuring an optimal riding experience that fits your lifestyle.
What are the characteristics to consider when making your choice?
Among the essential features to consider when choosing and buying your electric bike, you should pay attention to:
The power of the electric bicycle motor:
Batoo electric bikes are perfectly suited to Swiss terrain as well as the country's legislation which allows a maximum speed of 500W. As a reminder, this is not the case for European legislation which limits it to 250W.
For example, the electric motor of the Batoo bike is a 500W and 85 Nm rear wheel motor, which allows you to travel more than 50 km thanks to the capacity of its initial battery. On the payload criterion, in order to know the maximum weight allowed on your bike, you should know that the Batoo electric bike is designed to support up to 160 kg.
The capacity of the electric bike battery (Wh) and therefore the autonomy offered:
This is another important selection criterion: the capacity of the electric bike battery.
The initial battery of the Batoo Bike is 720 Wh.
The possible distance varies between 50 and 100 km, depending on the level of electric assistance used. In addition, if you decide to buy a second backup battery, you will be able to ride for longer. This option is highly recommended to have more autonomy and therefore be able to ride with peace of mind.
Once again, your choice of battery depends on the use you will make of your bike, the daily distance you have to cover and the terrain of your route.
The comfort and ergonomics of your bike:
It is important to pay attention to the comfort and ergonomics of the bike.
The Swiss electric bike Batoo selects high-end suspensions. The saddle is ergonomic and comfortable, it is adjustable in height. The handlebar is adjustable in height and depth, it adjusts to the size of the driver, which offers excellent driving comfort.
To possible and available accessories
Again, depending on the use of your electric bike, you may need different accessories. Depending on the brand, there are various accessories perfectly designed for the bike models they offer.
Among the accessories there are:
Accessories for safety:
- High security padlock
- Protective barrier
- Extra-large rearview mirrors
- Foldable child seat and baby seat that meet standards
Comfort accessories:
- Lockable box
- Foam for front and rear seats
- Footrest
- Pair of side bags
- Protection from rain and sun
- Front basket
To the warranty and ease of maintenance of your electric bike
It is recommended to subscribe to the insurances that are offered by the brands when purchasing your electric bike. For an extension of warranty, in case of accident, theft, misuse or handling, for a possible transfer of the bike in case of breakdown, it is still preferable to be well insured.
When it comes to maintenance, the battery is the essential element that needs to be taken care of. To ensure and extend the life of the battery, you can read this article dedicated to this subject by clicking here .
Legislation for electric bicycles:
Legislation differs from country to country.
In Switzerland:
Regarding the use and circulation of electric bicycles, according to the different categories, you can consult the TCS electric bicycle website.
In France :
In France, for electric bicycles, the regulatory requirements and available assistance can be consulted on the service-public.fr website
What are the prices of electric bikes?
The price of an electric bike varies depending on several factors, including the quality of the components. Things like a sturdy frame, a powerful battery, a reliable motor, and sturdy wheels greatly influence the final cost. You should also consider the brand, the power of the motor, and the maximum speed.
Generally, prices range from 1,000 to 10,000 euros, with options for all budgets:
- Entry-level models (1,000 to 2,000 euros) : these bikes are perfect for city trips and transporting light loads.
- Mid-range (3,000 to 5,000 euros) : offering superior autonomy and advanced features.
- High-end (from 5,000 euros) : designed for demanding users, with optimal performance for transporting heavy loads and premium accessories.
At Batoo you will find electric cargo bikes offering the best value for money, combining robustness, reliability and innovation.
Conclusion
You have in hand the essential elements to ask yourself the right questions in order to better choose your electric bike.
The use you want to make of it, the power of the electric motor, the capacity of the battery, the comfort, the ergonomics, the accessories, the guarantees and the ease of maintenance, the prices, are all the main elements to compare when you make your choice.
The Swiss brand Batoo offers models of electric cargo bikes that you must discover. With this Swiss brand you are sure to make an optimal choice.
Overall, everything is planned so that you can ride serenely, comfortably, and safely on an electric bike. All the provisions and options have been taken into account by the brands.
Have a good trip on your electric bike!