8 criteria for choosing your Electric Bike well - 2025 Guide

More and more of you are choosing electric bike.

Indeed, the eco-mobility revolution is underway and you want to be part of it to enjoy the many bike lanes that are springing up in our urban areas.

Thanks to the electric-assist bicycle, you will no longer have any difficulty reaching your destination. All of this without emitting a single gram of CO2.

You want to take the plunge but don't know which e-bike model to choose.

In this guide we give you the 8 essential criteria to consider when buying your electric bike. Comment choose your bike with electric assistance?

An electric bike for what use?

Whether you are traveling around the city or taking routes on country roads, you will always find electric bikes suited to your needs. But in one case or another, the technical characteristics of electric bikes can vary and should therefore influence your choice.

An electric bike for city use

If your electric bike needs to take you from point A to point B every day, for example between your home and your workplace, it is interesting to select a bike that combines practicality and good performance.

And folding electric bike, easy to store, can be a good solution in a case like this. Generally the Folding models are lighter, which makes them convenient to store at home, transport them on a train, or even park them at work.

best electric bike

Electric bikes for all-terrain use

If you want to choose a bike with a classic frame that can ride both on roads and country paths, it is better to choose a hybrid bike, all-terrain electric bike. This type of electric bike is the good compromise between a city bike and a mountain bike.

It is advisable to choose a model equipped with 26-inch wheels and which has all the necessary accessories for city use such as mudguards, a luggage rack, and a front headlight.

Electric bikes for off-road use

The last category includes the Electric mountain bike (or Fat Bike), these are intended for more sporty use. They are generally equipped with larger tires to ride on the most difficult surfaces (like forest paths).

Electric mountain bikes (e-MTBs) are not equipped with special accessories, but it can be useful to have mudguards.

electric bike battery

The battery performance of an electric-assisted bicycle

After choosing a Lithium-Ion battery, you need to consider the battery's performance. In short, There are 2 criteria to consider to make the right choice, voltage and amperage per hour.

If there are several voltages on the electric bike market, the most standard one is the 36V. Then you need to pay attention to the current expressed in ampere-hours (Ah) because this will determine the battery's autonomy.

There Electric bike battery capacity ranges from 8 Ah to 15 Ah. For example, with a 36V 8 Ah battery, expect a range of only 30 km, with a 36V 10 Ah battery a range of 50-70 km, and with a 36V 15 Ah battery a range of 80 km.

It should be noted that the ranges announced by manufacturers can vary from reality because they depend on the user's weight, the type of terrain on which you ride, whether you always ride at 25 km/h, and the level of electric assistance used.

Choosing your electric bike based on its power

Once you have made your choice on the type of battery you want, it is time to look at the power of the motor. Indeed, while the battery will determine the range of the electric bike, the engine will be the component that delivers the speed of the vehicle.

In France, the power of electric bikes is regulated by law, so all bikes have the same maximum power of 250W. Even though the battery allows for delivering higher power, manufacturers are required to limit the motor to 250W (250 watts).

Indeed, above 250W an electric bike is considered by law as a moped. Also called Speedbike, it must therefore be registered and insured. This then loses all the simplicity of use that an electric-assisted bike offers.

The second constraint of the law concerns the maximum speed of the electric bicycle. It is set to a maximum of 25 km/h. Once this speed is reached, the electric assistance must automatically cut off. The same applies if the rider brakes or stops pedaling. Therefore, it is not legal to use a throttle to avoid pedaling when riding on public roads, even below 25 km/h.

Most electric bikes can be unlocked to exceed 25 km/h, but in this case, the vehicle can only be used on private property. It is then impossible to ride it on public roads.

electric bike motor

The position of the motor on an electric bike

On this criterion, you will find 3 engine type options depending on its position on the bike. Please note that the position of the engine is mainly a matter of feeling regarding the daily use of the device.

Motor located in the front wheel

If the motor is installed in the front wheel you will have a very linear driving sensation. That is to say, there will be little difference in power between two pedal strokes. To put it simply, it is as if someone were pushing you from behind while pedaling.

Motor located in the rear wheel

Ultimately, there is little difference between a motor placed in the front hub or rear wheel of the bike.

Experts agree that if the engine is at the front the bike will be less stable and will lack grip on difficult terrain. But in the city or on asphalt, you won't feel any difference.

Motor located in the crankset

High-end electric bikes are generally equipped with this system. The central electric motor allows for smoother acceleration that accompanies your pedal stroke.

If you want to install a electric bike conversion kit in order to give your old classic city bike or road bike electric assistance, it is towards this latter type of motor that you should turn.

Battery located on the rear luggage rack

The great advantage of placing the battery on the rear racks is the price. Indeed, this allows manufacturers to use classic bike frames and simply attach a battery to them. The bike is then more compact and shorter.

However, The major drawback is that the rear of the bike then becomes overweight. This will affect the center of gravity of the vehicle and any additional load on the luggage racks will negatively impact the bike's handling. It is an important criterion when choosing an electric assist bike or electric mountain bike.

Especially on the folding electric bikes, it is generally better to have the battery inside the frame.

The type of electric assistance on the bike

We find two types of assistance on the electric bike market whose main difference is the nature of the sensors that operate the engine.

The rotation sensor for electric assist bicycles

It is the most used on the electric bike market. The motor starts when you pedal and stops when you stop pedaling. It is fitted on most bicycles because it is the easiest to maintain and the cheapestIts only drawback is that the power is delivered in an all-or-nothing manner.

To adjust this, you will need to regulate the level of assistance based on the terrain and wind. Once the motor is activated, you are propelled at 11 km/h on flat ground with the 1st level of assistance, and at 18 km/h with the intermediate level.

The torque (force) sensor for electric assist bicycles

This technology measures the pressure applied directly on the pedals. Basically, the more you press on the pedals, the more the motor provides you with high electric assistance. For example, it is easier to climb hills because the bike immediately understands the level of difficulty you are in.

The other advantage of the torque sensor is that it ensures better engine responsiveness and lower energy consumption (because the assistance is activated only when effort is required). But every good thing comes at a price! And effort sensors are more expensive, and you will find them especially on high-end electric bikes.

In either case, you will have several levels of assistance that you can adjust using the controller mounted on the handlebar.

electric bike riding position

The riding position of an electric bike

Another criterion to consider before buying an electric bike is the riding position. It is defined in relation to the shape of the frame.

Upright position

This is the most classic position as it corresponds to that of a classic city bike with a high and close handlebar to the cyclist.

The advantage of this type of frame is the comfort of use on an electric-assist bike because it allows the arms to be relaxed as well as the head and back to be kept straight, unlike the electric mountain bike.

Position sportive

It is increasingly found in new electric bike models. The rider is then more leaned forward for a more sporty feel and increased riding pleasure.

This is commonly the case with electric mountain bikes or Fat Bikes, which are rarely used for riding in urban environments.

electric bike derailleur

The gear shifting of an electric bike

You will find 2 types of gear shifting systems on the electric bike market.

Gear shifting with a derailleur

It is the most used system and that everyone knows.

It allows to change gears while pedaling. It is suitable for both classic and sporty riding. In the latter case, if paired with a motor in the crankset, it allows for greater torque.

The gear change in the rear hub

Less common than the derailleur, it still has many advantages.

First of all with the gear change in the rear hub you can change gears without pedaling.

Indeed, it is impossible to derail and there is no longer a need to bother maintaining your bike chain regularly. The latter is protected by a closed system.

The importance of disc brakes on electric bikes

In terms of security, it is essential to have an electric-assist bicycle with disc brakes front and rear. With the thrust of the engine, it is essential to have good braking, especially on an electric mountain bike that requires quality braking.

These disc brakes can be mechanical or even better hydraulic for an even better bite when pressing the brake.

Availability of spare parts

To conclude this article on criteria for choosing your electric bike, it is important to add that you should always inquire about the availability of spare parts from the seller.

First of all, this will allow you to quickly gauge the seriousness of the seller. Indeed, if an electric bike seller tells you that they do not have spare parts, it is clear that either they are not serious or they are not a specialist in electric bikes.

Secondly, to know how to choose your bike, you especially need to know if the electric bike's battery will still be available as a spare part in the coming years in case you need to replace it.

All electric bike batteries have different shapes and finding a compatible one from another brand can sometimes be complicated.