How to Pick the Best Electric Bike for You

If you haven’t noticed, the popularity of electric bikes have grown tremendously in the last few years. People are beginning to realize the many benefits E-bikes offer, and a significant number has chosen to use electric bikes for all their transportation needs. At the same time, the number of brands offering electric bikes to sale has also increased as have the various styles and models. For those new to E-bikes, this can make it difficult knowing which is the best electric bike to purchase. There are many things to consider when evaluating various electric bikes for sale. And though not a comprehensive list, the following can help identify some of the most important things to consider.

Consideration #1 – What Will You Use Your Electric Bike For?

Perhaps the most important thing to think about when looking at electric bikes for sale is your intended use. There is no single best electric bike out there that meets everybody’s needs and wants. Therefore, a good starting point is to determine how you might enjoy your new E-bike purchase. For many, the best electric bike is one that provides a safe, efficient, and easy commute to and from work. Others may wish to choose electric bikes for sale that hail a significant amount of cargo. And for those more athletically inclined, fitness hybrid E-bikes and off-road mountain E-bikes may be preferred. As you can see, these are key things that deserve your attention before diving into all the electric bikes for sale on the market.

The major categories among electric bikes for sale involve several styles. These include commuting E-bikes, off-road E-bikes, hybrid E-bikes, cargo E-bikes, and folding ones. Each category of electric bikes offers different features that let you match your electric bike needs to a model. Some may also have overlapping features that offer greater versatility in using your electric bike. Understanding how you plan to use your E-bike is thus a great starting point when seeking the best electric bike. Once you have figured this out, then you can narrow down your search and selection, saving you time and frustration.

Consideration #2 – What E-Bike Features Are Most Appealing?

In addition to determining the intended use of your E-bike, various electric bikes for sale come with a variety of features. For example, some are more comfortable than others, some have multiple gears for shifting, and some are more portable and lightweight. Other key features that deserve attention include battery size, battery range, and anti-theft features. Someone planning to commute less than 10 miles a day will likely want a different E-bike than someone commuting 50 miles. And someone who plans to transport their E-bike often may prefer a lighter, folding style of E-bike. These too are important aspects that require consideration when selecting the best E-bike.

It's probably not much of a surprise that speed is a feature that many people consider when choosing the best electric bike. The same goes with whether or not an E-bike has a throttle or not. Class I electric bikes only offer pedal-assistance without a throttle and have a max speed of 20 mph. Class II electric bikes differ in that they have a throttle (that doesn’t require pedaling) while also maxing out at 20 mph. Class III electric bikes also have a throttle and pedal-assist, but they can achieve speeds up to 28 mph. Likewise, electric bikes for sale can vary in their level of “smoothness” on acceleration. Cadence-sensing electric bikes (which assess how fast you pedal) tend to be less smoother than those with torque-sensing. Torque-sensing electric bikes assess pedaling resistance, which provides a smoother acceleration. Of course, everyone will have different thoughts about which of these features are a must and which ones aren’t. But it helps to appreciate your options in E-bike features when choosing the best electric bike.

Consideration #3 – Evaluating Value and Dependability

In addition to the other considerations mentioned, choosing the best electric bike for most also involves some assessment of value. As the more advanced features are selected, naturally prices increase. Torque-sensing tends to be more than cadence-sensing, and larger, longer-range batteries are more that smaller ones. Some electric bikes for sale will also have many “bells and whistles” such as integrated lights, nice displays, and app-based connections that cost more. Notably, these features add additional value to an E-bike, but there are some important value considerations to think about beyond these.

As mentioned, there are many brands of electric bikes for sale out there with a variety of price ranges. But while the price may look appealing, that may not mean you’ll be getting the best electric bike for you. Many brands have a bad reputation when it comes to service support and warranty backups. Others tend to break down often, requiring costly parts and service repairs. And some are simply difficult to maintain or find parts because of a less-than-desirable design and construction. It is therefore essential to do some research about a brand and E-bike model before buying as well as reading customer reviews. This is where your local electric bike shop can be quite valuable.

Time to Take a Test Ride!

Once you’ve taking all of these things into consideration, it’s now time to take a test ride on the electric bike styles you have selected. While reflecting and researching goes a long way in finding the best electric bike, there’s nothing like actually riding one. This is where your local electric bike shop and dealer can help. At St Pete Biking, we have a variety of models of electric bikes for sale. Some have cadence-sensing while others have torque-sensing. Some are folding, some hybrids, and some offer cargo options. And the brands we carry are reputable and have great value, which is why we back up our E-bikes with comprehensive service support. If you’re in the market for an E-bike, we would love to help you find the best electric bike for you.