How to choose an e-bike

Range? Yes. But it's not a magic number

Range is by far the most common question in shops. But it's also the least telling figure. There is simply no universal answer. It depends on a great number of individual factors, such as your weight, the terrain, the temperature, tire pressure and how much you let the motor help you.

The simple rule is: the more you pedal, the less the battery works. But as soon as you rely mainly on the motor, the energy disappears faster.

“As a general rule, the greater the battery capacity, the longer the range. Capacity is given in watt-hours (Wh). Today the common standard is 500 to 750 Wh. If you want to ride long routes without worries, choose a battery with a capacity above 800 Wh,” says Richard Gasperotti, ambassador for e-bike drive manufacturer Bosch eBike Systems, adding that a trip of around 50 km can be done without worries even with a battery with a capacity of 500 Wh.

The motor isn't just about watts. What matters more is how it pulls

The motor is the heart of an e-bike. Users are often confused by power figures. For an e-bike to comply with EU legislation and be considered a bicycle (not a moped), it must have:

• a nominal power of up to 250 W,
• assistance only while pedaling,
• assistance up to a maximum speed of 25 km/h.

Thanks to this, you don't need a driver's license, a registration plate or mandatory liability insurance, and you can ride on bike paths. The law doesn't require a helmet, but common sense does.

“The law doesn't limit the maximum (peak) power of the motor. When pulling away or climbing, the motor can briefly reach 500, 600 or even 750 W,” points out Gasperotti.

Torque: the number you'll notice on a hill

With e-bikes, so-called torque, given in newton meters (Nm), is often more important than watts. It decides how willingly the bike pulls away and how it handles hills or rough terrain.

“A value between 60 and 90 Nm means the ride will always be dynamic enough,” describes the Bosch eBike Systems e-bike ambassador. “The motor multiplies your strength, it doesn't work on its own. It likes lighter gears and a higher cadence best. In other words – pedaling faster and lighter is better than slowly and with brute force.”

A stronger motor with higher torque shows up mainly on hills. But it still holds true that the motor is not a substitute for fitness, it just smartly amplifies it.

Not every motor is for everything

Manufacturers usually offer motors graded not only by power and torque, but also by their intended use. That is, what purpose they serve.

“For example, Bosch eBike Systems divides its drive units into the weaker Performance Line SX and the stronger Performance Line CX, but alongside them it has special Performance Line PX motors for touring cyclists traveling with luggage, Cargo Line for cargo e-bikes, Active Line for less powerful city bikes and others,” says Richard Gasperotti.

That's why you shouldn't choose the strongest motor just because it has bigger numbers. Choose the one that matches what you actually plan to do with the bike.

How much the motor helps you while pedaling is something you influence by switching between riding modes, from the weakest (Eco) to the strongest (Turbo). You choose the modes on the display or on the controller, and you feel the change immediately. But keep in mind that more assistance drains the battery faster and shortens the range.

Safe braking thanks to ABS

If safe riding comes first for you, ask about ABS. It's a braking assistant that is standard on cars and motorcycles. This unobtrusive system, given away only by a small unit on the e-bike's fork, monitors wheel rotation with sensors and, in a critical moment, automatically regulates braking pressure so that the front wheel doesn't lock up, the rear one doesn't lift and the rider doesn't end up on the ground. “Falls over the front wheel are among the most common and the most dangerous, and Bosch eBike Systems research shows that ABS can prevent up to 30% of them. The result? A shorter braking distance, better control of the bike and significantly more confidence, especially on slippery surfaces and in unexpected situations,” says Richard Gasperotti.

The e-bike as a smart device

What also sets e-bikes apart from traditional bicycles is the ability to connect to a mobile app, which fundamentally expands what the whole system can do. “For example, in the Bosch eBike Flow app you can individually adjust the riding modes or the way navigation guides you. The app is also used for wireless updates of the software that controls the motor, battery and other components, and thereby ensures that your e-bike always has the best possible features, reflecting the latest findings of the developers,” specifies Richard Gasperotti. The app also serves as a service book with all maintenance records.

Thieves don't sleep. Luckily, neither does technology

E-bikes are an attractive target. That's also why digital protection now exists that goes beyond a classic lock. Through the app you can electronically lock both the motor and the battery, and once switched off, the bike is practically unrideable and only reactivates after being paired with your phone via Bluetooth.

The app also keeps all the data about the bike, including the serial number, which can help when dealing with the police or an insurer. It's now also possible to mark an e-bike as stolen in the app, which turns it into practically unsellable goods, because every prospective buyer will see this information immediately.

One last piece of advice? Ask people

Technical parameters are important, but real-world experience is just as important. Ask people you know, try out different bikes, go with your own feel for the ride. Because a good e-bike is not the one with the biggest number in the table, but the one you'll want to get on again and again.