Buying an E-Bike
The majority of electric bikes on the market will be either city/commuter bikes or mountain/hybrid bikes. Folding bikes are also available for those who like portability, but unless you have a specific need to store your bike in a small space you'll be better off on a rigid frame bike. Most of the time, city bikes are good for pavement and low-grade off-roading like rail trails. Many people find a low-step frame and upright seating position more comfortable for this type of riding.
They are perfectly strong enough for their intended purpose and easy to get on and off. From the center of the crank to the top of the seatpost, frame sizes are measured in centimeters. A frame shorter than 48 centimeters is typically the choice of riders who are smaller, medium, or taller. On city bikes, mudguards, puncture-resistant tires, lighting, and carrier racks are all useful features. Mountain or hybrid bikes have a crossbar that provides extra frame strength but is more difficult to mount and dismount.
They usually come with a “forward” rather than “sit up” riding position and chunkier tyres for grip on difficult terrain. Unless you plan to ride on terrain more challenging than a rail trail, you'll probably be more comfortable on a city bike. Tip: If you like the mountain bike “look” but plan to ride mainly on pavement, ask your dealer about adding slicker tyres, mudguards, lighting and a more upright handlebar stem to optimise your ride.
Apart from the motor, battery and other electronics, e-bike components are just standard bike parts that can be serviced at any bike store. With the assistance of the motor you don't need the same range of gears on e-bike versus a regular bike, so they usually come with just a single set of gears on the rear – but you'll still want a minimum of 7 for hills. The majority of e-bike shifting systems are made by Shimano, and the majority of electric bikes come with basic but adequate Acera or Altus gear. More sophisticated riders might prefer to spend more on a higher end system like a Shimano LX.
A suspension fork is a great way to smooth out those bumps along the way. Rockshox and Fox are often found on good mountain bikes, while SR Suntour makes good general purpose forks. If you want to use your bike on and off road, a lock-out fork will let you switch for comfort and efficiency., while if you're into serious offroading you might want to pay the extra money for rear suspension. Check out Talaria X3.
One of your bike's most important components is its brakes, which Shimano and Tektro both produce well. Additionally, Avid and Magura are renowned for their superior stopping power. Hydraulic brakes usually cost a little more, but allow you to apply strong braking pressure more easily because the brake fluid (rather than just your own hand pressure) is doing the work.