Do I need an e-bike or not?
When it comes to buying a new bike you’ll probably find yourself asking whether a conventional pedal bike is right for you or whether you should go electric. The pd-f, a cycling organisation in Germany, has a few tips.
With an electric bike the support provided by the motor means that steep hills are no longer scary and you can go on longer trips. On the other hand, bikes without electric motors are usually lighter and cheaper. They’re also easier to fix yourself if something goes wrong.
By taking away some of the physical exertion, e-bikes can help lure people back to cycling. Sporty people can also control how much effort they put in thanks to the various support modes.
If you decide to buy an e-bike you need to think about the battery. Large batteries or bikes with double batteries provide a long range, which means longer tours and fewer charging breaks. However, such bikes can be quite heavy – over 30 kilograms in some cases.
Models with a smaller battery are lighter at less than 20 kilos. These bikes are usually sufficient for everyday journeys. For some bikes, additional batteries can be purchased if you want to take longer trips.
On some models the battery is integrated into the frame. That has advantages such as a neater appearance and better protection against theft, falls, dirt and water. The bike’s handling is often also better due to the lower centre of gravity.
However, you need to consider where the bike will be charged. Some integrated batteries are removable but that may be difficult and require special tools. In that case you need to have a charging space that can accommodate the whole bike and not just the battery.
