What You Must Know Before Buying an Ebike

Thanks to advanced technologies and more affordable price points, electric bikes, or e-bikes, are gaining popularity throughout the world. In 2019, the e-bike market was valued at about $15.4 billion and it is expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 7.5 percent from 2020-2025. E-bikes still have a ways to go if they're going to catch up to conventional bicycles, but they're on their way - and they're becoming more and more popular in garages and storage sheds throughout the country.

Are you interested in buying an e-bike? If so, you've come to the right place. In this post, we'll discuss everything you need to know before you buy an electric bike. Here's a closer look:

What Style is Right for You?

Contrary to what you may initially think, there is more than one type of e-bike - so it's important to find the right one for you and your riding style and habits. Here's an overview of the e-bikes that are available and what their intended riding purpose is:

• Hybrid: These bikes are an ideal option for recreational riders and beginner cyclists. Essentially, hybrid bikes mix mountain bikes and road bikes and are great for general-purpose riding. One of the best hybrid e-bikes on the market today is the EVRYjourney 500W.
• Beach cruisers: Contrary to their name, they aren't intended to be ridden on the beach. Beach cruisers get their name because they're a popular style in beach towns. They're known for their upright riding position, comfortable riding tires and ergonomic seats.
• Commuter: Ideal for cruising through the city to get to the downtown office, these e-bikes look like conventional bikes except that they're propelled by an electric motor. This allows riders to get to work (or wherever it is that they're going) much faster and more efficiently.
• Tricycle: Tricycles aren't just for kids. Three-wheel electric bikes are ideal for senior citizen riders with mobility and balance issues and for riders that want more storage on a bike platform. Tricycle electric bikes generally have excess storage space for transporting the likes of groceries and other supplies. Sixthreezero manufactures the EVRYjourney 250W tricycle and a 750W tricycle with a passenger seat.
• Fat tire: One of the nice things about fat tire bikes is that the oversized tires allow for better handling on slick terrain and uneven surfaces. The tires, which are often up to 4 inches thick, also make for a more comfortable ride on bumpy terrain.
• Comfort: As the name implies, these bikes are high on ergonomics and riding comfort. They often feature low step-through frames to make it easy to mount and dismount, an upright seating position, wide tires and space for rear accessories, like child seats or storage baskets.

How Much Battery Do You Need?

Electric bicycles are equipped with an electric battery that powers an electric motor to initiate the drivetrain. But contrary to what some people believe, you can still pedal an electric bike in a conventional way. Before we get into the basics of battery range, let's first discuss the two electric drive options that most e-bikes come with: pedal assist mode and full electric throttle.

Pedal assist mode is where the electric motor complements conventional pedaling. This mode also uses less battery power since the rider is putting in some of the legwork. Full electric throttle, on the other hand, is when the motor takes over to completely drive the bicycle. This mode tends to use the most battery since it's the motor doing all of the work. Furthermore, if the battery is completely depleted, you can still pedal an electric bike the conventional way.

Now on to battery life. How much battery do you really need? It really depends on how you intend to ride and how long you intend to ride in between recharges. Some electric bike models have batteries that can get up to 70 miles. However, most riders don't need any more than about 20 miles of range. The EVRYjourney 500W, for instance, one of Sixthreezero's most popular models, can take riders up to 20 miles in full electric mode and up to 40 miles in pedal assist mode. Generally the more powerful the motor, the longer you're likely to go in between recharges.

It's worth noting that if you don't think a battery is going to be enough to power your ride, many e-bikes offer an optional second battery that can be swapped out for a depleted one seamlessly on any ride.

How do You Intend to Ride?

The battery that you need will largely depend on how you intend to ride your e-bike. If you're planning on taking your bike for long rides on trails, then you're likely going to want to select a bike style and a battery that will suit these riding purposes. But if you're looking to just ride around the neighborhood or to the park or grocery store, a commuter or comfort type of bike with less battery range is likely going to suffice just fine.

We should also note the importance of getting fit tested before making your electric bike selection. Many riders assume that bikes are one-size-fits-all and can be customized by simply adjusting the seat. That's not the case. We always suggest that riders get professionally fit tested either in store or online to best determine the type of bike and the size of the bike that would suit them.

Contact Sixthreezero Today

For more information about what considerations to account for before you purchase an e-bike and to get fit tested to ensure you're purchasing the right bike for you and your body type, contact Sixthreezero today. We believe that biking is for everyone - and electric bikes are the next evolution in cycling. That's why we're proud to offer a variety of different bike types and battery ranges at affordable prices for every rider's enjoyment. Contact us today for more information and to acquire a new e-bike today.