Enjoy cycling with the assistance of an engine

On the other hand, many cyclists value the technical assistance on challenging hill climbs and multi-day tours. With the help of the e-bike, the elderly and those in poor health can become more active and maintain their mobility. E-bikes are now available in every possible configuration, from comfy city cruisers to sporty e-mountain or road bikes. Consequently, everyone can purchase the e-bike that corresponds to their favorite terrain and route type.

what is the distinction between e-bikes, pedelecs, and electric bicycles?

Consider the purchase of an electric bicycle. As soon as you begin to shop, you will likely encounter several terminology and wonder what they signify. In addition, the definitions in road traffic law diverge from common usage.

e-bikes

All bicycles having an electric motor powered by a battery can be referred to as electric bikes or e-bikes. In certain nations, road traffic regulations differentiate electric bicycles based on the motor assistance they provide. The legislation may classify an e-bike as a standard bicycle if the motor acts as pedal assistance and speeds of no more than 25 kilometers per hour can be attained with its assistance. If higher speeds are achievable with the motor and/or acceleration is possible without pedaling, the motorcycles may be legally classified as mopeds, necessitating an official permission and matching driver's license.

pedelecs

A pedelec is a form of e-bike in which the electric motor offers only pedal assistance. As required, it can be toggled to support manual pedal power at varying intensities. However, it is impossible to accelerate without pedaling. The maximum output of a pedelec motor is 250 watts, and it can propel the rider to a maximum speed of 25 kilometers per hour. If you wish to move quicker, you will need to utilize your own leg strength. To ride a pedelec on the road, you do not need an official permit, insurance, or a valid driver's license.

s-pedelec

Speed pedelecs or s-pedelecs are electric bicycles with motors up to 500 watts and pedal assistance up to 45 kilometers per hour. According to the road traffic laws of several nations, they are no longer considered bicycles but mopeds. For this reason, you may be required to have an official permission (license plate), insurance, and an AM-class driving license (included in the B-class motor vehicle driver's license) in order to operate this type of e-bike. Moreover, you may not be permitted to ride an s-pedelec on urban cycling lanes, only on public roads. In several nations, it is permissible to utilize bicycle lanes when leaving the city. Typically, a helmet is required as well.

Accordingly, this is how the definitions of road traffic legislation differentiate the various types of electric motorcycles. These differences are rarely made in daily English. The majority of e-bikes sold are pedelecs, to be precise. BIKE24 has opted for a straightforward method to facilitate the search process for clients. We simply use the word "e-bike" to refer to any bicycle equipped with an electric motor. Whether it is technically a 45 km/h fast e-bike (i.e., an electric moped) or a 25 km/h pedelec may be ascertained from the model's data sheet, under the title "Supported Speed."

which electric bicycle should i buy?

As there are several varieties of bicycles, there are also various sorts of electric bikes. Touring and trekking bikes with an electric motor, e-mountain bikes (abbreviated E-MTBs or electric MTBs), and electric city bikes are the most frequent types of electric bikes.

The most suitable e-bike for you will be determined mostly by your riding patterns and preferences. If you enjoy off-road riding, an e-mountain bike will be far more enjoyable than a city bike. With the assistance of the electric motor on your E-MTB, you will soon be able to conquer even the steepest inclines. If you prefer long rides on bike routes, a touring, trekking, or fitness bicycle is strongly advised. The motor assistance supplied by these bicycles will allow you to enjoy even multi-day cycling excursions without readily hitting your limits. E-city bikes and e-trekking cycles that are fully equipped with lights, protective fenders, and luggage racks are an ideal choice for daily use.

which type of motor should your electric bike be powered by?

After answering the aforementioned questions, a further determination must be made. Which motor type should you select? Various technologies and manufacturers have become established on the market over time:

E-Bike with a front motor: power is supplied via the hub of the front wheel.

E-bike with a mid-mounted motor: the area of the bottom bracket is where the power is generated.

E-Bike with a rear motor: the power is transferred to the rear wheel hub.

The mid-mounted motor has become the standard for e-mountain bikes, as it gives a comfortable low center of mass and permits the rider to maintain a decent balance.

As a result of their varying torque, the various types of motors are available with varying levels of power and assistance. The vast majority of built-in electric motors in pedelecs – including the vast majority of electric MTBs provided by BIKE24 – are supplied by the original equipment manufacturer.

Whether Bosch Shimano Specialized or Brose

E-bike batteries: a useful fact

Lastly, let's discuss batteries. In this environment, diversity is very crucial. In addition to battery capacity, this is determined by average speed, support level, the total weight of the e-bike, and the route's hill profile. Due to this, any information on a pedelec's range is merely a rough estimate.

When considering the purchase of an e-bike, it is also important to examine whether or not the battery should be firmly incorporated into the frame. There are certain types in which the battery can be removed for recharging, while others do not allow this. Embedded-battery e-bikes necessitate a power outlet in close proximity to their storage location. Before making a purchase, it is crucial to remember this.

In the majority of devices, the battery is integrated into the frame so that it cannot be seen from the outside. A corded charger is used to recharge the battery. Some e-bike versions allow the battery to be removed from a frame or baggage rack-mounted bracket. The battery is subsequently recharged using an external charger. Depending on the charging device's efficiency and the battery's capacity, the charging time will vary. Two to five hours are required to fully charge the battery of an electric bicycle.

And if the range of your e-bikes ever decreases, it is simple to change the battery or the charger.