Choosing an Electric Bike: A Buying Guide
Buying an electric bike is a complex purchase that presents multiple questions. Should you go for a central motor or a hub motor? How long does an electric-assist bike battery last? Should I go with 250wh or 500wh? These questions, along with several others, are all equally legitimate.
And to help answer some of these questions for you, we’ve decided to put together this special guide on electric bikes. This guide will provide you with all the information you need on choosing an electric bike.
From the types of electric bikes there are to the different types of motors, and even what battery to choose, our guide will help you with this complex purchase.
Quick Navigation
- Who are electric bikes made for?
- The Different Types of Electric Bikes
- Electric Mountain Bikes
- Electric Road Bikes
- Electric City Bikes
- Parts and Components of Electric Bikes
- Everything You Need to Know About Electric Bikes Batteries
- How long to charge a ebike battery?
- How much does a full battery charge cost?
- What should I do if my battery dies mid-trip?
- How much battery life will I get?
- Tips and Tricks for Optimizing a Battery’s Lifespan
- Everything You Need to Know About Electric-Assist Bike Motors
- General Questions About Electric Bikes
- Tips and Tricks for Maintaining Your Electric Bike
- Electric Bikes and the Law
- Accessories to Leave Room for in Your Budget
- The Brands of Electric Bikes at Cadence
- Electric Bike FAQ
Who are electric bikes made for?
Very often, the first image that comes to mind when we hear electric bikes is elderly people. Even my parents, who are in their early sixties, have a very typical response whenever I mention the electric bikes we have at Vélo Cadence:
❝Oh, come on! We aren’t that old.
❝We still want to exercise. An electric bike is a little like cheating.
You might be surprised to learn that we have customers of all ages who buy electric bikes at Cadence, and for many different reasons. Here’s what a few riders and cyclists had to say:
“I love my electric bike. It makes my 40km trip to work a pleasurable ride, rather than overly long. And I come into work less sweaty than I did before.
“I can go a lot further in half the time.” “With the 9 to 5, the kids and practically no time, this is what I need.”
“I don't have a lot of experience with mountain bikes, but I can say that I much prefer pedaling uphill rather than pushing my bike or waiting on the lift like I did before.”
“I took my bike out a total of 5 times last summer. Since I got my electric bike, I travel about 30km per day, 4-5 times a week.”
The Different Types of Electric Bikes
Just like choosing a standard bicycle, the first thing to know is the type of bike you are looking for. Luckily, the categories are the same as non-electric bikes. You have mountain bikes, hybrid and urban bikes, and road bikes.
Secondly, you may be asking yourself what level of electrical assistance you need. Nowadays, most electric bikes are assist-only, meaning you still have to pedal. All the models we offer at Vélo Cadence are pedal assist.
This means that they enhance the force a cyclist applies to the pedals depending on the desired level of assistance. If you don’t pedal, you don’t move.
Electric Mountain Bikes
You have as many options with electric mountain bikes as you do with traditional mountain bikes. Rigid, simple suspension and double suspension, you can find an electric-assist bike regardless of your discipline. Mountain bike experts will often go for an electric bike when they want to travel long distances on all-day trips.
On a mountain bike, when you travel more than 30km, this is considered an all-day trip. However, with an electric bike, you can accomplish more with the same effort. In addition to allowing you to spend more time on the path, an electric bike also allows you to discover new paths that were once too far away or too hard to access.
You go uphill more quickly, and these climbs become just as technical as descents. Assist bikes are also a great way to share your passion for mountain biking with a friend or partner who is just starting out.
At Cadence, we have more than fifteen different electric mountain bike models in our inventory. Moustache, Haibike, Cannondale, Rocky Mountain and Devinci.
If you would like to learn more about mountain bikes and the various subcategories of mountain bikes, visit our mountain bike buying guide, where we explain the difference between hardtail, enduro, trail and cross-country bikes. Or click here to take a look at our electric mountain bike comparison table.
Electric Road Bikes
For cyclists who like road bikes, there are many choices for electric bikes. With an aggressive shape and a design that integrates the engine and battery into the frame, sometimes it can be difficult to tell the difference between an electric-assist road bide and a conventional road bike.
Electric road bikes usually come with stronger batteries to ensure longer battery life.
For us, located in St-Basile-le-Grand, on Montreal’s South Shore, many of our customers use their electrically assisted bikes to commute to work on the Island of Montreal. Electric bikes provide them a certain reliability and consistency, being that you can count on them to travel at the same speed regardless of wind or weather conditions.
One of our trustworthy customers did a test and noted the following: out of a car, train, bus and bike, the electric-assist bike was the quickest way to get to Montreal during rush hour (coming from St-Basile-Le-Grand).
In this category of bikes, we find models such as the Super Evo Neo from Cannondale or the Dimanche 29.3 from Moustache. Click here for our complete range of electric road bikes. Or if you are interested in road bikes in general, you can read our guide on road bikes.
In this article, we describe the differences between performance, endurance, triathlon and gravel road bikes.
Hybrid and Urban Electric Bikes
Electric Urban Bikes
Electric urban bikes prioritize the rider’s comfort. They feature a shape that provides a more relaxed posture as well as a larger seat and practical accessories like mud guards, a luggage rack or headlamp. Urban bikes are preferred for short-distance trips, running errands and family bike rides.
Whether to replace your car, to get to work, going to the grocery store or to the park, urban bikes are great models for those who don’t consider performance a priority. A large part of our clientele comes from Montreal for electric city bikes.
A model like the Moustache Friday 28.1 is a very good example of an urban bike with its mud guards, luggage rack and chain guard. Cannondale’s Quick Neo, Devinci’s E-Cartier or the Haibike Sduro Trekking are other great examples. Click here to see our electric urban bike models.
Electric Hybrid Bikes
On the more recreational side, we have the electric hybrid bikes. These bikes replace hybrid or road bikes to give you more freedom in relation to your trips or their duration. For those who wish to travel long distances by bike or cyclo-tourism, an electric bike opens many new doors, knowing that you can always continue your trip.
These bikes charge more and more quickly and are capable of more pulling a lot of weight, which makes them perfect for this type of use. Just like road bikes, electric hybrid bikes have stronger batteries to ensure the most battery life.
If you would like to learn more about the various subcategories, take a look at our hybrid bike buying guide. Click here to view our electric hybrid and urban bike comparison table.
Parts and Components of Electric Bikes
Although certain parts are specific to electric bikes (such as a modified chain, which allows it to handle greater tension), most parts and components remain the same in terms of derailleurs and brakes. You may have been expecting more cutting-edge technology, but the main components are the battery and motor.
So in this article, we will try to demystify electric bikes even further. If you still have questions, feel free to contact our advisors via live chat during our business hours, or by phone or email.
Everything You Need to Know About Electric Bikes Battery
The battery is the most important element when it comes to range of an electric bike. How you use the motor also has a strong influence on battery life, but power (generally between 250Wh and 500Wh) is the most decisive element. The stronger a battery is in terms of Watt hours, the longer it will last.
Also keep in mind that a stronger battery means a heavier battery. This information is usually indicated on the battery itself. You will also find information on the voltage (V) and the capacity in ampere-hours (Ah). Multiply these two values to get your watt hours.
Charging Times
Charging times vary from one brand of battery to the next and depend on the battery’s power. As a general rule, the first 80% charges much more quickly than the last 20%. As an example, a Shimano 418Wh battery reaches 80% in 2 hours, while the last 20% takes an additional 2 hours. The electrons must be balanced. This is why the last stretch always takes longer to charge. Below is a table comparing the charging times of the most common electric bike batteries when using a standard charger.
| Bosch | Yamaha | Shimano | Dyname | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 400Wh | 3:30hrs | 3:30hrs | X | X |
| 500Wh | 4:30hrs | 4:30hrs | 5hrs | 2:50hrs |
| 600Wh | 4:50hrs | 5hrs | X | 3:30hrs |
How much does a full battery charge cost?
To optimize the battery’s life and for the most electric assistance during your outings, it is recommended to recharge the battery after each use. How much it will cost to recharge your battery depends on your battery’s power in watt hours, how often you recharge and, of course, the cost of electricity.
In Quebec, the price per KWh is approximately 6 pennies for the first 50KWh of the day and 10 pennies after. Here is a table comparing the cost of recharging different batteries using the highest rate: 10 pennies per KWh.
| Battery Power | Cost for one full charge | Cost for 500 recharges | Cost for 1000 recharges |
|---|---|---|---|
| 400Wh | 4¢ | 20$ | 40$ |
| 500Wh | 5¢ | 25$ | 50$ |
| 600Wh | 6¢ | 30$ | 60$ |
What should I do if my battery dies mid-trip?
If you are planning for a long excursion, the best thing to do is to bring along an extra battery in case of a breakdown. It’s also a good idea to check before and during your trip for places where you can charge your battery. In any case, you can still ride your electric-assist bike even if the battery is dead. You may realize the extra weight without the battery helping you, but you can still move the bike.
How much battery life will I get?
Most brands estimate that their batteries can be charged approximately 1000 times. These estimates assume that owners are charging the battery while it’s empty. Since this is rarely the case, you will likely be able to charge the battery much more than 1,000 times. The older the battery, the less battery life you can count on. Depending on the brand and how you use your bike, a battery should last 2 to 5 years.
Tips and Tricks for Optimizing a Battery’s Lifespan
- Charge the battery in temperatures between 0 and 20° C
- Store the battery with a charge level between 30 and 60%
- Park the bike in shade and store it in cool rooms
- Remove the battery and leave it in the car when transporting your bike.
Everything You Need to Know About Electric-Assist Bike Motors
How to Choose the Right Motor
The best engine for your bike depends on the type of bike it is. For an electric mountain bike, this motor will generate more torque and a higher level of assistance. For example, the Bosch Performance Line CX motor generates 300% assistance at its highest level and a maximum torque of 75 Nm.
Another thing to keep in mind with electric-assist bike motors is the type of gear. There are hub gears (by the wheel) and derailleur gears (by the pedal). Usually more popular on electric bikes, derailleur gears offer greater responsiveness. This is the type of gear you want for athletic activities such as mountain biking.
However, this type of gear causes more wear and tear on the gear unit (about 30% more). In comparison, hub gears offers superior comfort, and we see them more and more often on hybrid and urban bikes. Here you can find a table comparing the various types on motors on the market.
| Active Line | Active Line Plus | Performance Line (MY19/20) | Performance Line (MY20) | Performance Line CX (MY19/20) | Performance Line CX (MY20) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Torque (Nm) | 40Nm | 50Nm | 63Nm | 65Nm | 75Nm | 75Nm |
| Power (W) | 250W | 250W | 250W | 250W | 250W | 250W |
| Weight | 2.9kg | 3.2kg | 3.9kg | 3.2kg | 4.0kg | 2.9kg |
| Built for: | City | Touring | Touring | Touring | Mountain | Mountain |
| Moustache and Cannondale use Bosch motors in most of their electric bikes | ||||||
| PW-X2 | PWseries ST | PWseries TE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Torque (Nm) | 80Nm | 70Nm | 60Nm |
| Max Power (W) | 250W | 250W | 250W |
| Weight | 3.1kg | 3.4kg | 3.4kg |
| Built for: | Mountain | City/Mountain | City/Mountain |
| The PWseries ST is used for some Haibike models | |||
| Steps E5000 | Steps E6000 | Steps E6100 | Steps E7000 | Steps E8000 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Torque (Nm) | 40Nm | 50Nm | 60Nm | 70Nm | |
| Max Power (W) | 250W | 250W | 250W | 250W | 250W |
| Weight | 2.5kg | 3.2kg | 2.8kg | 2.8kg | 2.8kg |
| Built for: | City/Touring | City/Touring | City/Touring | Mountain | Mountain |
| Devinci use the E6100 and the E8000 motors for some their electric bikes | |||||
| Dyname 2.2 | Dyname 3.0 | |
|---|---|---|
| Max Torque (Nm) | 129Nm | 127Nm |
| Max Power (W) | 1200W | 1200W |
| Weight | 3.78kg | 3.72kg |
| Built for: | Mountain | Mountain |
| Rocky Mountain use the Dyname motors for their electric bikes | ||
| X35 | |
|---|---|
| Max Torque (Nm) | 40Nm |
| Max Power (W) | 250W |
| Weight | 2.1kg |
| Built for: | City/Road |
| Cannondale use the ebikemotion X35 motor for some of their electric bikes | |
General Questions About Electric Bikes
Tips and Tricks for Maintaining Your Electric Bike
When it comes to maintenance, you have the same standards as you would for an unassisted bike, but with electric bikes, you may need to upgrade the electrical system from time to time. So, we recommend at least one adjustment per year and also having your chain checked fairly often.
In regard to the chain, an electric bike removes a lot of the power from there and more quickly stretches the chains than a bike without electric assistance. To prevent your chain from stretching prematurely, it is very important to pay attention to gear shifts.
While it may be tempting not to change speed because the motor is still propelling the bike, too much force will then be placed on the chain. This makes the chain stretch faster, and the cogset sprocket, on which the chain rests, will be damage more quickly.
The motor will also wear faster, since it will be putting out too much power for the speed at which you’re traveling. In reality, all you need to do is change gears like you would on a standard bike to minimize the wear and tear.
Electric Bikes and the Law
In Quebec, all electric-assist bikes are locked at 32 k/ h by law. This means that once you exceed 32 km/h, the engine stops providing assistance.
Helmets are also mandatory, and the police are stricter with electric bike riders.
Accessories to Leave Room for in Your Budget
Not all electric bikes come with accessories. Several bikes, like the Cannondale Quick Neo, do not come with mudguards, luggage racks or lights. Depending on how you use the bike, you may have no need for mudguards or a luggage rack. However, in Quebec, lights are mandatory 30 minutes after sunset. We also have two different types of lights: one for seeing and one for being seen.
Front/rear lights like the Knog Blinder Mini Chippy are mainly for being seen by others on the road. Compare this to a front light like the Serfas E-Lume 1200 which generates a very intense light at 1200 lumens. And while most bikes come with luggage racks, they don’t come with luggage itself.
Our Electric Bike Brands
Vélos Cadence has Quebec’s largest selection of electric-assist bikes. We carry 5 of the top bike brands in our store, as well as 50 different models and some one hundred electric bikes you can test ride when you visit us.
FAQ
How fast can an electric bike go?
Theoretically, the speed of an electric bike depends on its motor. But technically, in Canada at least, electric bike companies limit their motors to 32 km/h to follow laws on electric bikes. This means that once the bike reaches 32km/h, electric assistance stops.
How far can you travel on an electric bike?
The distance you can travel on an electric bike depends on several factors. The model of bike, the cyclist themselves, the motor type, the battery power and the environment. A standard electric road bike with a 400-500W battery can travel up to 100km to 120km on one charge. In comparison, an electric mountain bike can travel 24km to 40km. A standard hybrid bike can travel about 50km to 75km. For a more precise analysis, use our Bosch motor tool, which calculates battery life based on various parameters.
How much does an electric bike weigh?
Just as with conventional bikes, weight differences depend on the bike’s category, among other factors. Electric road bikes place a particular focus on weight. You will find weights ranging from 11kg to 18kg. Electric mountain bikes often require more torque and, therefore, have stronger motors. Their suspension systems also add weight. You will find weights ranging from 22kg to 25kg. Hybrid bikes are used for a much wider range of usages. You can find performance models as low as 15kg, but you can also find comfort models with racks, fenders and front lights weighing about 27kg.
Is wattage important in choosing a battery?
Wattage is just a technical way to refer to a battery’s power. The stronger the battery, the longer the bike’s battery life. Mountain bike batteries are generally 500Wh or 625Wh. Electric hybrid and road bikes have batteries ranging from 250Wh to 500Wh. A road bike traveling on relatively flat roads does not require a high-torque motor, and this is why they use relatively weaker batteries. On the other hand, a cyclo-tourism bike that can carry luggage and climb hills will have a higher torque motor and, therefore, higher wattage.
Does an electric bike still require you to pedal?
Yes. Once the pedaling stops, so does the electric assistance. A bike that doesn’t require pedaling isn’t considered an electric bike and requires a license.
Do you need a license to ride an electric bike?
No, no license or permit is necessary.
Do I need insurance to ride an electric bike?
No.
Can I ride an electric bike on bike paths?
Yes, it is legal to ride electric bikes on regular bike paths.
How much time does it take to recharge the battery?
Charging times depend on the battery’s brand and power. For an example, a 400Wh Bosch battery takes 3.5 hours to fully charge. The same brand at 500Wh will take 4.5 hours, and a 600Wh battery will take just under 5 hours. Click here to see our comparison table for battery charging times by brand
How much does a full battery charge cost?
In Quebec, a full battery recharge costs about 4 to 6 pennies. Completely charging your battery 1000 times comes to $40 for 400Wm, $50 for 500Wh and $60 for 600Wh.
How many charges can I get out an electric bike battery?
Most brands estimate that their batteries can be charged approximately 1000 times.
Can I lock the battery?
Yes. Most models have the battery fully or semi-integrated into the frame, all of which can be locked with a key.