Jan 18, 2022 Canyon.com
Jan 18, 2022 Canyon.com
Canyon Cycling news See our latest electric bike news

Do I need an e-bike?

Should I get an e-bike? Or a regular bike? In this article, we explain how, why, and when getting an e-bike is worthwhile for you.

Do I need an e-bike? Do I need an e-bike?
Contents




What’s the difference between an e-bike and a normal bike?

If you aren’t an expert in the field, it’s getting harder and harder to tell the difference between an e-bike and a conventional bicycle. Motors and batteries are getting more compact all the time, with more elegant frame integration.

The rest of the components – like wheels, suspension, brakes, and gearing – are the same on electric bikes and normal bikes. The major difference is the motor. E-bikes support you as you pedal, making riding uphill easier and less physically demanding.

There are different kinds of e-bikes, which we will introduce to you here in this article. But on a general level, these are the basic differences between electric bikes and conventional bikes:



  • E-bikes come equipped with a motor, battery, and sensors and controls.
  • E-bikes support you as you pedal, up to 25 kph.
  • Generally, e-bikes are heavier than conventional bikes.
  • E-bikes are generally more expensive than their non-motorised counterparts
Is an electric bike worth it for me? E-bikes offer many advantages.

What are the advantages of electric bikes?

E-bikes aren’t just great fun to ride – they also have a range of advantages compared to conventional bikes:

  • E-bikes let you ride further – even without training for cycling.
  • E-bike support you when it’s time to ride uphill, or when you get tired.
  • E-bikes let you ride more often – especially if you’re in an area with many hills and can’t get around without a little bit of extra motorised assistance.
  • Modern e-bike batteries and e-bike motors are powerful and extremely energy efficient too. This means you can ride far, even with strong motorised power pushing you along.
  • E-bike batteries are durable and designed to perform very well after years of usage.
  • E-bike riding is great workout – you can completely ignore the common myth that riding e-bikes ‘isn’t proper exercise’.
  • On an e-bike, you don’t need incredible fitness to have tons of fun – no matter where you ride.
  • With an e-bike, you can save time on every ride. Whether you’re commuting to the office or tearing up your locals trails after work on your e-mountain bike – with the extra motorised support, you can ride the same routes in less time.
  • Especially in the city, e-bikes are greener than cars – and can even be faster, too. E-bikes provide an option for people who don’t normally ride bikes, and for people who’d normally rather just take the car. They’re good for the environment, and good for your health too.




What are the disadvantages of electric bikes?

Despite all the advantages that e-bikes have, there are some disadvantages too:

  • E-bikes can cost more to buy than regular bikes.
  • E-bikes require more maintenance than normal bikes.
  • You need the help of trained bike shop specialists to maintain and set up e-bike batteries and motors. This can be more expensive than regular bikes.
  • E-bikes are significantly heavier.
  • E-bikes also take more planning and organisation, because you have to make sure the battery is charged. On a normal bike, you don’t have this issue.




Who can benefit from an e-bike?

E-bikes are worth it for most bike riders. Depending on the details on what and how you ride, a few different factors come into play. At the end of the day there’s no wrong choice – but maybe we can help you make the best choice for you in these different riding scenarios:

Is an electric bike worth it for me? E-bikes are perfect for your daily commute.

E-bikes for commuting

E-bikes can be an incredible car replacement – there’s a good reason why these are such a popular choice for commuting. When the traffic builds up at rush hour, e-bikes are simply faster, more agile, more ecological, and healthier than cars. The motorised support means you can ride easily and sweat-free and have a relaxed start to your working day. There are so many benefits. For bad weather riding, there’s all kinds of accessories and rain clothing that you can wear over your office uniform.

Everyday car replacement

For day-in-day out transportation, buying an e-bike has the potential to replace your car in many situations. Whether it’s for shopping, taking the kids to preschool, or riding over to meet with friends – e-bikes are fast, eco-friendly, have lower running costs, and let you build exercise into your daily routine.

Is an electric bike worth it for me? No climb is too steep when riding an e-bike.

Pushing the boundaries

Want to ride far and fast out on the roads, or electrify your local off-road trails? Then a powerful, high-performance e-bike is exactly what you need. They allow you cover more distance and ride up steep climbs without needing to push. What’s more, you can get more riding done in less time than with a normal bike – so you can still fit in proper rides when time’s tight.

For older riders and post-injury recovery

E-bikes are also empowering for older riders who want to get out on the bike even in spite of any potentially mobility-limiting complaints. Especially when it comes to joint issues like arthritis, or if you’ve recently suffered an injury, e-bikes are by far the best and easiest way to get back cycling again. Thanks to their extra motorised support, you can get rolling easy even in situations like these.

E-bikes for casual riders and explorers

Cycling is an incredible (the best, if we may say so!) way of casually exploring your local area. Especially nowadays, in general day-to-day life, we generally spend most of our time in a small circle of distance around our homes. With an e-bike, you can get out further and discover so much more.

Is an electric bike worth it for me? Riding an e-bike is a great way to discover your area.

How does e-bike riding feel?

In terms of feel, there’s no difference between riding an e-bike and a conventional bike. First, the geometry and handling are very similar. But with an e-bike, you get the extra support you need to glide effortlessly up steep climbs. On flat terrain, e-bikes feel extremely similar to normal bikes. But as soon as you need to ride uphill, their extra power makes a huge difference.



How does it feel to ride an e-bike with the motor switched off?

With the motor off, e-bikes ride much more sluggishly than a normal bike without a motor. Since the motor inside the bike has to rotate even when switched off, you need to push a bit more energy through the pedals to keep the wheels turning.

How does it feel to ride an e-bike without the battery?

When its battery is not fitted, an e-bike will also ride more sluggishly than a normal bike. However, removing the battery reduces the weight by a significant amount – between 3-5 kilos.

Conclusion – is an e-bike worth it for me?

So, we’ve explained the advantages and disadvantages of electric bikes and the situations when e-bikes can help the most. When it comes down to it, you’re the only one who can decide if you need to buy an e-bike or not – but if you want to get riding more often and go further and explore new areas, then a high-quality e-bike is absolutely a great choice.

If you embrace the physical challenge of cycling or just ride short distances in your city, then a standard bike will probably make more sense for you. Whichever way you decide – we’re sure you’ll love your new bike, whether it’s motorised or motor-free.

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