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Electric Bicycle Buying Guide

May. 24 2022 Buying Guide By Antelope Valley Harley-Davidson

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Do you love the freeing feeling of climbing on a bicycle and soaring down the road, but you don’t want to spend a long time getting to your destination only to end up out of breath and sweaty when you arrive? Electric bicycles, also known as “e-bikes,” have become extremely popular in recent years because they bridge the gap between traditional bicycles and motorized vehicles.

Electric bicycles are economical, sustainable, and convenient means of transportation for all types of people, from everyday commuters to errand-runners to urban explorers. We’ve broken down some of the aspects of e-bikes below so you can learn more about these two-wheeled wonders.

Pedal Assist

The primary way in which electric bicycles aid the rider is via “pedal assist,” which uses the bike’s motor to add power to the amount of power that the rider’s pedaling puts out to make the bike go faster without increased effort on the rider’s part. You can typically set the power level you desire and a torque sensor will determine how much power to provide you with, based on the strength of your pedaling. This makes riding easier and more enjoyable.

Motor Types

The motor that drives the pedal-assist system on an e-bike could be one of a few different types.

Hub motors are either attached to the front or rear wheel of the bike, and they’re the most common type because they’re inexpensive and don’t require as much maintenance since they aren’t attached to the drivetrain.

Mid-drive motors are attached to the bottom bracket and drive a crank, which can help make it easier to climb up steep hills. These motors are lightweight and small, which can make them more expensive than hub motors. 

Friction-drive motors spin a roller which is pressed against the rear tire of the bicycle. While this style was extremely common at the advent of the e-bike craze, friction-drive motors aren’t the most efficient motor type, as they produce a lot of heat and can wear down the rear tire over time. Hub motors and mid-drive motors are the most common types of motors on today’s electric bicycles.

Bicycle Types

Electric bicycles can suit the same needs as their non-motorized cousins, so whether you want a road-friendly commuter bike or an off-roading adventure bike, you can find an e-bike that has these capabilities. Here are the types of e-bikes available: 

  • Road: With curved handlebars and narrow tires, these bikes are ideal for paved roads.
  • Performance Road: Almost the same as a road e-bike, but lighter in weight and more subtle about their “electric” capabilities. This style is the most similar to a standard bicycle.
  • Commuter: Comfortable and practical, this style of e-bike has road-ready wheels and tires with flat handlebars. Typically these bikes offer step-through frames to make it easier to get on and off the bike, as well as racks for carrying cargo.
  • Mountain: Features include flat handlebars and knobby tires with a durable suspension system for handling rough terrain. Suitable for roads and gravel, but are best ridden on trails. You can get them with a hardtail or a full suspension.

Classes

E-bikes come in three different classes, to meet the unique needs of riders.

  • Class 1 e-bikes only provide pedal-assist while you’re actively pedaling, and they stop adding power when the bicycle reaches 20 miles per hour.
  • Class 2 e-bikes have a pedal-assist mode that assists you until the bicycle reaches 20 miles per hour, along with a throttle-powered mode that eliminates the need for pedaling.
  • Class 3 e-bikes are pedal-assist only like Class 1 bikes, but their motors will provide assistance until the bicycle reaches 28 miles per hour.

Ready to shop for e-bikes? Come see us at our dealership located near Lancaster, CA, to take a look at our wide selection of new and used electric bicycles for sale, including the latest Harley-Davidson® electric bikes. Antelope Valley Harley-Davidson® serves the cities of Ridgecrest and Bakersfield, CA.