Buying your first e-bike?
Here’s what to look out for without the headache 👉👉
Right then, you’ve decided to take the plunge and buy yourself your first e-bike. Good choice! But now comes the tricky bit: which one? Walk into a shop or browse online, and you’ll find everything from sleek city commuters to chunky off-road beasts… and all with names like “EcoPower X5” or “Turbo Urban+”. It’s enough to make your head spin before the wheels even start turning.
Don’t worry. Let’s break it down into simple things to think about—no techno waffle, I promise.
1. What kind of riding will you do?
Be honest with yourself here. Are you:
- Pootling about town?
- Going on countryside adventures?
- Commuting to work?
- Go on a couple of e-bike holidays?
- All of the above?
If you’re mostly on roads or smooth paths, a city or hybrid e-bike is spot on—comfortable, practical, and usually with handy extras like mudguards and racks. If you fancy a bit of rougher terrain or want to ride through forests and fields, look at e-mountain bikes. And if you’re all about speed and efficiency, there are even e-road bikes—though they’re lighter on comfort and heavier on price.
2. Step-through or crossbar?
This one’s easy. Step-through bikes (with a low frame) are great if you want to hop on and off without swinging your leg like a gymnast. They are ideal for wearing normal clothes and carrying shopping. Crossbar frames are a bit sportier and can feel more stable on longer rides. Decide which one you want before buying, remember your hips and knees might not be as good as they are in another 5 years!
3. Battery and range – how far can you go?
A bigger battery gives you more range but also adds more weight. Most beginners do just fine with a 400–500Wh battery, which gives you around 60–100km of assisted riding, depending on terrain, effort, and power level. You can see the types of tours I do, and my battery is a 625Wh. If I were buying a new ebike, I would go for the maximum I could get, but again, I ride my bike on every holiday, weekend, and day trip or when going for the shopping.
You don’t need to max out here unless you’re doing multi-day tours or live halfway up a mountain. But do make sure the battery is removable—it’s easier to charge indoors, rather than trying to find a plug outdoors or in a garage.
4. Mid-drive or hub motor?
Without getting too geeky:
- Mid-drive motors (in the middle, near the pedals) are smooth, efficient, and better on hills. They are often found on pricier models.
- Hub motors (in the wheel) are simpler and cheaper—perfect for flatter rides and everyday use.
If you’re in Austria or anywhere with a few cheeky hills, it might be worth spending a bit more buying a mid-drive. Mine? I have a mid-drive motor, but you can see from my blog the type of riding I do.
5. Try before you buy
This is a big one. E-bikes feel different to regular bikes—heavier, zippier, and more powerful. Try a few models if you can. Most decent shops offer test rides. If not, go somewhere else, this is a big spend and you should get the best service, with knowledge and patience from the people selling it. A test ride is the best way to know what feels right. Don’t go into Aldi for your shopping and end up in the middle aisle buying an ebike; you need to try these bikes out to know it’s the right one. My blog next week has a handy checklist for when you go to test an e-bike.
Think comfort
Don’t get seduced by sporty looks if what you really want is a nice, upright riding position and a squishy saddle. Trust me—your back and bum will thank you. What’s the point in getting a Lamborghini when you actually need a VW Polo, as it’s more practical for your lifestyle, and you can afford it! It’s the same with an e-bike.
My Top 4 Tips
- Match your bike to your lifestyle.
- Don’t overcomplicate it.
- Definitely test it out.
- Get the basics right, and you’ll be gliding along in no time—with a big silly grin on your face.