10 Tips for Buying Your First Electric Bike

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Electric bicycles come in a range of styles to suit different uses&#;everything from riding steep mountain trails to getting to and from work. But there are three general categories related to their electric propulsion systems. Each type applies electric power to the bicycle&#;s driven wheel in a distinct way, whether using input from the rider&#;s pedals or from a thumb or twist-grip-activated throttle. Deciding which one is best for you depends on how you plan to use the bike and how far you want to go.

Class 1 represents pedal-assist bikes, which power the electric motor as your feet apply pressure to the pedals. There&#;s no throttle control on the handlebar to get the bike going; the electric part works only when the rider is pedaling, and the e-assist cuts off at speeds above 20 mph.

Class 2 bikes have an electric motor that works up to 20 mph, either while the rider is pedaling (pedal-assist) or with electric propulsion alone, via a throttle control.

Class 3 limits an e-bike&#;s top speed to 28 mph. These faster, more powerful models might not be legal to ride in some areas, such as on bike paths.

CR has tested Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes. We have not tested any Class 3 models. The prices range from about $600 to around $4,000, although most of the better ones cost at least $1,000 to buy. The highest-rated e-bikes tend to be the most expensive models in our tests, although none is anywhere near the $6,000 to $7,000 end of the price range consumers may encounter at bike shops. (Prices can be much higher for certain specialty e-bikes.)

We&#;ve found that more selectable gears make for a better riding experience once the battery is drained and pedaling provides the only power. Single-speed bikes aren&#;t as versatile. Depending on the model, electric assist is applied either at the hub of the rear wheel or in what&#;s called a mid-drive, in which power is applied at the bottom bracket, where the pedals are located. Mid-drive models tend to be more responsive and typically route electric power through the bike&#;s gearing, which can help save battery power on hills and longer rides. Still, there are a number of hub-drive models that offer a reliable, satisfying ride.

The full ratings from our latest e-bike evaluations are available to Consumer Reports members. These include ratings on Class 1, Class 2, folding, and mountain bikes.

The company is the world’s best Customized Foldable Electric Bike supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

Take your time to find a model that fits you physically and will meet your long-term needs. If you&#;re in a hilly area, you may want one with a higher number of gear selections to save energy&#;both yours and that of the battery. Consult local regulations so that you know what, if anything, is required to ride an e-bike in your area, and where you&#;re allowed to ride one.

There are a number of newer brands that specialize in building e-bikes, like Rad Power Bikes and Blix Electric Bikes. You may be unfamiliar with them, but some of these companies have strong businesses, innovative products, and good customer support. But be leery of internet bike brands that might not be there tomorrow to offer customer support. Diligence is warranted if you stray from the long-standing name brands, including Cannondale, Specialized, and Trek.

We&#;re also not bullish on any type of bike sold through big-box stores. The salespeople are seldom bicycle experts. This can affect assembly and repairs, and you might wind up spending any money you saved trying to get a budget bike to work properly&#;or upgrading later. Many smaller bike retailers won&#;t even service models sold from big-box outlets because the quality is so poor.

Buying a bike from a direct-to-consumer manufacturer is another option, but the bike will probably need some final assembly, such as fitting the handlebars, seatpost, and pedals. You will need some mechanical aptitude, and you might need specific tools, such as hex wrenches or a torque wrench. You can take the bike to a local shop for assembly, but it will charge you to perform the work.

That said, many local bike shops now sell e-bikes, and the sales and service staff are typically quite knowledgeable about them. Plus they can help you make a solid choice when you decide you want to buy one.

We always recommend test-riding any bike before buying it. You should get a sense of how the bike feels, brakes, and shifts. (A dealer can customize its fit for you.) Some dealers will also allow you to rent an e-bike, giving you a chance for an extended ride on the road or trail you plan to frequent. Even if it&#;s not identical to the model you want to purchase, renting lets you gain additional seat time to settle on the style of e-bike that works best for you.

Once you&#;ve selected the model you want, keep in mind that it can be&#;and should be&#;further customized. The handlebar tape or grips, the pedals, and especially the saddle are your points of contact and control. Your hands, feet, and butt have to perch comfortably, and all the bike&#;s parts can be adjusted to fit you&#;for instance, a new stem can lift the handlebars closer to your torso. A dealer can also add features for you that might not come with a bike, such as a bell, lights, fenders, and a luggage rack. But the key is getting the fit right.

If you haven&#;t purchased a new bicycle in a while, you might be in for some sticker shock. Bicycles, and especially electric ones, can be a relatively big-ticket item. There are buy now, pay later options, and these vary in how they&#;re set up. A large finance company, Affirm, offers some 0 percent options, but it can also charge interest rates between 10 and 30 percent. Klarna is a similar competitor, and it is more likely to offer a &#;pay in four&#; plan that has 0 percent interest on a four-month loan. How do these banks make a cent on zero-interest loans? Simple: Merchants or exercise bike brands like Peloton, which has zero-interest loans through Affirm, are fronting the finance charges because moving inventory is more valuable to them than making a few extra bucks off the financing.

Our advice: Consider the possibility of high interest rates before signing up for any buy now, pay later plan. 

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