PickGlobeAn e-bike is a bicycle with a battery-powered motor that helps you pedal. A regular bike relies on your legs alone. Both are good ways to get about, and the better choice depends on your journeys, your budget and where you will keep the bike.
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At a glance
| E-bike | Regular bike | |
|---|---|---|
| Effort | Motor assists your pedalling, so hills and headwinds feel easier | All effort is yours |
| Upfront cost | Higher: typically several times the price of a comparable regular bike | Lower |
| Weight | Heavy, since the battery and motor add many kilograms | Light and easy to lift |
| Running costs | Electricity, plus battery replacement eventually | Very low |
| Upkeep | Same as a bike, plus battery and motor care | Chain, tyres, brakes |
| Range | Limited by the battery, and by how much assist you use | Limited only by you |
| Rules | Legal limits on motor power and assisted speed | Few |
| Storage and theft | Heavier to carry, a bigger loss if stolen | Easier to store |
Cost
Expect to pay noticeably more for an e-bike. The price depends on the motor, battery and frame quality, and the gap to a regular bike with similar parts is large. Over several years the battery is the main extra cost, since batteries wear out and replacements can be expensive. Ask the seller for the battery warranty and the price of a replacement.
Weight and storage
E-bikes are much heavier than regular bikes. That matters if you have to carry yours up stairs, lift it onto a car rack or store it in a small flat. Check the listed weight, and whether the frame folds if space is an issue.
Range and charging
Manufacturers state a range, but real distance depends on rider weight, hills, wind, tyre pressure and how much assistance you use. Treat the stated figure as a best case. Look at the battery capacity (watt-hours) as the most reliable measure, and remember batteries lose capacity in cold weather and as they age.
Rules: US and UK
Laws differ by country, and by state in the US.
- United States: many states use a three-class system. Class 1 bikes assist only while you pedal, up to 20 mph. Class 2 bikes also have a throttle, up to 20 mph. Class 3 bikes assist up to 28 mph. Where each class may be ridden, and age or helmet rules, depends on the state and the path.
- United Kingdom: an electrically assisted pedal cycle that meets the legal limits (a motor of no more than 250 watts, assistance cutting out at 15.5 mph, and rider age of at least 14) can be ridden like a bicycle. Bikes that go beyond those limits are treated differently and can need registration and insurance.
Check the current rules where you live before you buy, as they change.
Who should buy which
- An e-bike suits commuters who don't want to arrive sweaty, hilly areas, longer trips, carrying loads, and riders who want to keep cycling despite fitness or joint limits.
- A regular bike suits short flat trips, anyone watching their budget, people who need to carry the bike, and riders who want the exercise.
If you're torn, try an e-bike through a rental or a shop test ride first.
What to check before you buy either
For sizing, brakes and the specs that matter, read our guide to buying a bike or e-bike online. For e-bikes, also check the motor's rated power, battery capacity, charger and warranty, what the seller says about servicing, and the return policy for a large, heavy item.
The short version
An e-bike costs more, weighs more and has a battery to look after, but it makes hills, distance and commuting easier. A regular bike is cheaper, lighter and simpler. Check your local e-bike laws, the battery capacity and warranty, and where you will store the bike before you decide.