Knowing how to choose your mode of transportation is a guarantee of independence and fulfillment. This is even more true when it comes to how to choose your folding electric bike. The folding electric bike is an excellent means of transport in urban spaces, combining efficiency and autonomy. It allows you to weave through the maze of winding streets in the historic city centers of our towns and gives you access to confined spaces that are difficult to reach with traditional means of transport.
The best part is when your electric bike is folding, it can easily fit in your trunk and serve as a perfect transportation relay during your trips to the city center. But to benefit from all these advantages of the folding electric bike, you need to know how to choose the right one, the one that suits you. In this article, you will find elements that can help you more easily choose your folding electric bike.
Identify the type of use
The first reflex when choosing your folding electric bike is to identify the type of use you want to make of it. This first step is very important because it allows you to have a very precise view of the type of folding electric bike you need. Indeed, depending on your travel needs and the frequency of use you might have, the model and brand of your future electric bike could be specified accordingly.
For daily use
Indeed, if in your plan you foresee mostly daily use, with regular trips, what you need is a robust and comfortable model that guarantees durability. An electric bike in this category is not hard to find. Very good brands offer them at very competitive prices. You should aim to choose models made with solid materials that are easy to maintain. And easy maintenance means availability of spare parts. These factors should therefore guide your choices.
A folding electric bike for occasional use
On the other hand, if the use you plan is limited to rare occasions, such as weekend rides or occasional outings, you will also have at your disposal a range of folding electric bikes with a configuration adapted to your current need. You could therefore opt for a more classic model, lighter to carry, but which nevertheless offers
Taking into account the type of motor and battery autonomy capacity
You must also consider, when choosing your folding electric bike, the aspects of the type of motor and the battery autonomy capacity. To do this, you should recognize that there are mainly two types of motors: the hub motor and the central motor.
Knowing how to choose the type of motor is knowing how to choose your electric bike
The first is a motor integrated into the front or rear wheel. Its advantage is that it is quiet and requires little maintenance. However, it can sometimes be less powerful on slopes. The second type of motor is most often located at the crankset. It is a motor that offers better weight distribution and allows for greater power, particularly useful for mountain trips. The only downside is the complexity of its maintenance. It is therefore important to take this factor into account when choosing your folding electric bike.
The importance of a high-autonomy battery
Another equally important aspect is the question of battery autonomy. Do not forget that autonomy is an ultra-determining criterion in choosing an electric bike. Autonomy is linked to battery capacity. The higher the capacity (measured in Watt-hours (Wh)), the greater the autonomy. Generally, folding bikes have an autonomy ranging from 20 to 100 km depending on the model and assistance mode. It would be wise to evaluate your daily trips or travel needs to choose the folding electric bike that will suit your situation.
Measure portability and evaluate comfort and ergonomics
Choosing your folding electric bike also means thinking about evaluating your choice based on portability and the quality of comfort it offers you. Do not forget the very important ergonomics so that your folding electric bike fits you well. All these conditions will help you make a perfect choice.
The weight of the bike, a factor not to be neglected
The weight of the bike is a factor not to be neglected, especially if it is regularly carried. The average weight of a folding electric bike is between 15 and 25 kg. Keep in mind that lighter models are usually easier to transport but have the disadvantage of containing much fewer features and power. You should therefore keep all these factors in mind when choosing your folding electric bike, and do not forget to prioritize an electric bike with easy folding and a simple locking mechanism so that you can fold it quickly and securely.
The importance of comfort
Comfort is also as important as everything else, especially if, as mentioned above, you want to make long trips with your folding bike. In this case, it would be wise to choose a comfortable saddle with padding adapted to your body shape. Also prioritize an adjustable handlebar, which allows you to adapt the height according to your size. This aims to guarantee you a correct posture and ease in handling your bike.
Wise ergonomic choices to preserve your health
The benefit of these wise choices lies in preserving your health, as these adapted features will help you avoid back pain or other aches. You should also ensure that your bike is equipped with a suspension system that aims to improve comfort on uneven terrain by avoiding shocks that could cause muscle contractions or other bodily discomforts.
Check the equipment ensuring your safety
Before finalizing the choice of your folding electric bike, it is also important to carry out some checks regarding safety equipment. Safety is important when you know that being on a bike also means being a little exposed.
Choose your bike according to the brakes
The importance of brakes in the use of any wheeled vehicle should not be underestimated. Regarding the folding electric bike, brakes are part of the components that allow you to judge the quality of an electric bike. Therefore, you should inquire about the type of brakes your folding electric bike is equipped with before any purchase.
Generally, folding electric bikes have two types of brakes, each with their advantages. The first, disc brakes, have the advantage of better braking power. This advantage makes them more effective on uneven and mountainous terrain.
As for rim brakes, more common, they offer the advantage of being affordable and easy to maintain. What you should especially remember about these brakes is that they are less effective when it rains or on slippery roads. These elements will allow you to make an optimal choice of your folding electric bike.
Tires and additional equipment
You cannot talk about safety in the use of a folding electric bike without addressing the issue of tires. Good tires, with a wide ground contact area, can provide better grip and much more stable driving. Conversely, smaller tires tend to be faster on urban surfaces that are smoother. It is up to you to choose between these two types of tires depending on your usual routes and the types of surfaces on your regular itineraries.
Besides tires, what you should pay more attention to is the set of equipment that could be called accessories but also contribute to creating a safe environment when using your folding electric bike. If you plan night trips, you should check that your folding electric bike is equipped with a good lighting system. Priority is given to turn signals that will help you signal your turns.
If it is equipped with a mudguard and a luggage rack, that is a significant plus that can seriously tip the balance when making your choice. These additional features can be very practical in rainy weather or for carrying small daily luggage.
FAQ
Why choose a folding electric bike?
Many advantages favor the choice of using a folding electric bike for short or medium trips in the city. Not only will you help combat the polluting effects of traditional mechanical mobility, but you will also make great savings by avoiding buying fuel or taking a taxi, for example. More seriously, you will gain mobility and flexibility during your city trips.
How to choose your folding electric bike well?
To be sure you have made the right choice regarding the purchase of your folding electric bike, you can identify the common points between the characteristics of your bike and the type of use you want to make of it. If these common points are majority and convincing, you can rest assured: your choice is perfect. You will then just have to enjoy your new means of transportation in urban areas peacefully.
Conclusion
A true means of urban mobility solving many transportation problems, the folding electric bike is a real technological gem that at first glance may seem trivial. But in reality, it is a concentration of features that allow you fast, punctual, and efficient mobility. Identifying them will allow you to make a suitable choice when you want to buy your folding electric bike.