Ebike
Why Ebikes?
Health
Personal finance
Impact on climate crisis
Brands
- Rad Power Bikes: the biggest in the US. Mostly affordable hub-motor ebikes.
- Tern: started as a folding-bike brand. Their bikes tend to better accomodate smaller riders. Their bikes are also well-tested (e.g., UL certified)
- Lectric
Accessories
Which ebike to buy?
General tips
Online vs offline
You can either buy one from offline bike shops or order online. Offline shops usually carry their own (traditional) brands. Many new ebikes can only be ordered online. Some shops may not like servicing these online bikes. Purchasing online also means you may need to put together the bike although it is possible to ship it to a bike shop nearby and get assembled by a professional mechanic. This will incur some fees.
Mid-drive vs. hub motor
A key decision is whether to buy one with a mid-drive motor (e.g., Bosch) or a hub motor. Mid-drive tends to be more expensive. Mid-drive provides a similar experience to non-electric bikes with more smooth power delivery and can make use of the gearing (can deliver more torque with low-gear). Hub-motor can provide more instant power and resembles a moped.
With mid-drive, you will keep changing the gearing and ride like a normal bike. With hub-drive, you may not change gears much but use the throttle more frequently to add power as necessary.
Mid-drive can be combined with an internal gear hub and a belt drive. This can provide the ultimate low-maintenance machine.
Parts to pay attention to
Ebikes tend to be much heavier (not always). If it’s heavy, be sure to pay attention to the brakes. Strong braking power is essential for safety. Decent disc brakes may be fine, but hydraulic brakes are nicer to have.
Belt drive (+internal gearing) vs. chain (+deraileur): belt drive costs more, but a belt lasts much longer than a chain and does not require much maintenance if any (no lube). Belt drive more or less requires an internal-geared hub. This combination is almost maintenance-free compared with chain drive. But it may be slightly less efficient.
Fender.
Lights.
Back mirror.
rear rack.
Frame (low-step vs. high-step)
Some options for each price range
- ~$800+, Lectric XP - https://lectricebikes.com/collections/ebikes
- ~$1000, RadMission - https://www.radpowerbikes.com/collections/electric-city-commuter-bikes/products/radmission-electric-city-bike
- Pretty basic.
- ~1800, Aventon Soltera, PACE - https://www.aventon.com/collections/ebikes
- Minimal, light.
-
1800, REI Co-op cycles- - https://www.rei.com/b/co-op-cycles
- decent mid-drive commuter bike & hub-drive utility bike.
- $1400, Luna Eclipse - https://lunacycle.com/luna-eclipse-folding-ebike/
- both suspensions, gates belt drive, folding.
- ~2000, RadRunner, RadMini, RadExpand
- Affordable & utility.
- Biggest ebike maker in the US, with decent AS.
- No fancy parts (belt, hydraulic disc brakes, …)
- $1800, Tenways CGO600
- Low maintenance: Gates belt drive + single gear hub motor + hydraulic disc brakes
- ~$3500, Tern Quick Haul: https://www.ternbicycles.com/us/bikes/471/quick-haul
- A cheaper version of HSD?
- ~$3500, Priority current: https://www.prioritybicycles.com/products/current
- Low maintenance: Mid-drive + Shimano/Enviolo hub + Gates belt drive + hydraulic disc brakes
- ~$3700+, Tern HSD: https://www.ternbicycles.com/us/bikes/471/hsd
- a shorter GSD
- ~$4000, Bunch cargo ebike: https://bunchbike.com/products/the-original-electric-cargo-bike
- ~$5000+, Tern GSD
- S00 LX (or higher) comes with a belt drive and an internal gear hub.
- ~$5000+, Urban arrow