E-bikes buying guide

Thought the petrol motor was the unassailable king of the road? Think again: electric bikes have the advantage for the majority of urban transport trips. Simon Vincett presents the best of what’s on offer in Australia.

The middle and outer suburbs of Australian cities need a transport solution and the e-bike is it. What other option solves congestion, costs as little and combines as intelligently with public transport, all the while providing healthy activity during the otherwise wasted time of commuting? For a 5km ride to a train station bike cage or a 15km commute home-to-office, an e-bike is as fast or faster, costs far less and actually offers health benefit compared to the poor outmoded car. Hills flatten and headwinds ease ahead of an electric motor but the exercised rider arrives enlivened and ready to work.

E-bikes are sometimes thought to be expensive but no other transport option can bring such economic benefit as an e-bike that replaces the second family car. The savings begin with the cheaper purchase price of the e-bike and continue with lower operating costs (a charge every other day compared to fuel twice weekly), lower insurance and no registration costs, through to reduced health costs for the rider due to improved long-term health.

At the moment most people have no idea what an e-bike really is, let alone what they offer. E-bikes are not purely the preserve of lazy-legged riders with strong throttle thumbs. In fact, most are ‘pedelec’ varieties that require the rider to pedal and add something like 35, 75, 150 or 300% additional power, depending on the system and the level of pedal assist selected. E-bikes are also not all step-through style with baskets: there are flat bar commuters, downhill mountain bikes, recumbent tourers and folding bikes to stow in caravans. All are designed to be propelled by pedals with or without assistance from an electric motor.

The proliferation of varieties of e-bikes reflects their booming expansion in Europe. In fact, the e-bike sector is the big-growth area of the European bike industry. Some choose e-bikes for a sweat-free commute, some for confidence in keeping up with other traffic, friends and family, some to comfortably make the distance of the ride ahead. Others appreciate assistance to cart about loads of groceries, market produce or kids. All these different types of riders require a variety of different e-bikes to suit their needs.

Which e-bike for me?

When choosing a model for yourself, it’s essential to test ride many models because they are all quite different: different riding positions, different strengths of assistance from the motor, how quickly and strongly the motor activates, different levels of complexity in operation of the gears and assistance. Some riders will want a bike that is simple to operate, which might mean minimal gears and levels of pedal assist. Some riders will appreciate a range of gears and more scope to tune the level of assistance they want. Some riders will like a bike that takes off quickly and other riders will find that disconcerting.

Some choose e-bikes for a sweat-free commute, some for confidence in keeping up with other traffic, friends and family, some to comfortably make the distance of the ride ahead. Others appreciate assistance to cart about loads of groceries, market produce or kids.

In addition to the type and function of the bike, you will need to check its potential range between re-charging. This depends primarily on the battery capacity, which is conventionally expressed according to its volts and amp hours. It’s handy to multiply the volts and amp hours together to express battery capacity with a single figure in watt hours. As a basic guide, a 36v 10ah battery (360wh), which is a very common capacity for an e-bike battery, will take you 50km using the highest level of assistance or 100km using the lowest level of assistance. A 36v 9ah battery (324wh) will provide about 40 or 80km and a 36v 14ah battery (504wh) should take you 55 or 120 kilometres. Hills, headwinds and carrying a lot of weight drain the battery further, and using a throttle drains the battery more quickly than a pedal assist system does.

Check that the battery charger is Australian compliant. Most chargers are smart ones that you can leave on overnight, despite that most batteries charge in four to six hours. You can top up a lithium ion battery anytime but it’s best to charge it once it’s less than half full. Be aware that batteries have a finite life. You should budget to replace your battery after two or three years or 500 discharge and recharge cycles.

The bit you interact with is the display, which is attached to the handlebars. It might have an LED screen and all the functions of a simple cycle computer laid out like a mini dashboard or it might be a simple box with LED lights to indicate battery and pedal assist levels. The best displays have up and down buttons to instantly adjust the level of assistance you want while riding. Basic displays, disappointingly including Gazelle, provide only one button and to go down an assistance level you have to scroll up and back to zero first.

The final e-bike bit is hidden but crucial: the controller. It’s usually in the box with the battery. It translates the messages from the pedal assist sensors and the display to the motor but it’s also what governs when the assistance cuts out and subtle things like how gently the assistance starts so it’s not too sudden. Many controllers (systems) can be customised for your riding by the bike shop: providing more assistance for steep hills or providing less assistance for less battery usage. You should ask your shop about tuning your bike to suit your riding.

Convert your own bike

Converting your own bike to an e-version gives you the most scope for choosing the style of bike you like and getting the right size – because most off-the-shelf e-bikes don’t come in different sizes.

Packaging e-bike conversion kits is fertile ground for electronics boffins and there are quite a few kits on the market in Australia. The ones listed in the table at the end of this article are the ones Ride On is confident to suggest. These ones post Australia wide. Developers of these kits must work on the compatibility of the e-bike systems they put together. Anyone can buy a battery, controller, motor and display and make them work together. The best brands test the systems they assemble to ensure minimal wastage of battery power.

It’s not too hard to convert your own bike if you’re technically minded, though the excellent Bionx, for instance, is only available from a dealer who will do the installation for you. It’s advisable to have an experienced bike mechanic have a look over your conversion to be sure everything is good working order.

When you’re considering a conversion and choosing what bike to electrify, think about the variety of riding you will do with your newly improved machine. There’s a reason why so many European e-bikes come fully accessorised with mudguards, chainguards and racks or baskets, it’s because these bikes are designed for the most utility for a wide variety of trips. Whether you’re riding in the wet, in office clothes, carrying luggage or shopping, these bikes are ready to aid your task.

The e-future

All workplace bike fleets should include electric bikes. Employees worried about getting sweaty in transit to a meeting can feel assured if they can take an electric bike. Hike bike fleets should similarly include electric bikes. Groups travelling together can accommodate a less confident rider, who can take an electric bike. Then that rider can feel sure that they can cover the distance and keep up with everyone in the group. This includes mountain bikes for hire, now that there are reasonable e-mountain bikes and kits such as Bionx to fit to existing mountain bike models.

Manufacturers need to test how people actually ride e-bikes. For instance, many people use the strongest level of pedal assist for most of their riding. It’s there, why shouldn’t they. Developers must understand and cater for this. At the very least, brands must express the realistic range that can be expected from the highest assistance level.

But the development to take e-bikes to the next level of popular engagement – makes the e-bike the second vehicle of the middle and outer suburbs of Australia – will be an automatic transmission that will do away with the complication of gears and levels of pedal assist. It will be a system that adjusts assistance depending on resistance such as gradient and headwind, supporting the rider to pedal at her/his preferred cadence and power. It must be possible and it would be irresistible fun.

The world of e-bikes

The fifteen bikes featured here are models that Ride On is confident to recommend or that are good examples of different types of e-bikes. All current models tested are listed in the table at the end. Electric motors are a very useful addition to cargo bikes, of course, and we’ll review them separately. Other bikes, such as recumbents, also do well converted to an e-version but we can’t include them here.

This is how we arrive at our ratings.

Please note some bikes previously reviewed have a different rating in this review. This is because their original test data – along will all the new bikes tested – was calculated using our revised rating system and with slightly different results.

Thanks to Melbourne Electric Bicycles for providing so many of these bikes for test riding and for friendly help and good advice.

$2,999

250w motor pedelec

36v 9ah battery (14ah option)

Simplest, most user-friendly of all e-bikes, with subtle, effective assistance

Beautifully constructed and accessorised: Shimano Nexus 7 hub gear

Proprietary motor, battery and controller, including the only motor with a freewheel for no resistance

Upgraded XT motor provides power equal to other Australian e-bikes

Single button for assistance levels is forgivable because there are only three levels and off to scroll through.

96% Function 39/40 Quality 38/40 Price 9/10 Appearance 10/10

Subtle, effective and silent assistance – the benchmark in city-bike-style e-bikes.

$2,449

200w motor with throttle and pedal assist

36v 10ah battery (15ah option)

Only brand to offer throttle concurrently with pedal assist mode (meaning you can ride in pedal assist mode but boost with the throttle any time)

Most powerful acceleration and maximum assisted speed of approximately 32km/h (this is not restricted with a 200w motor)

Proprietary motor, battery and controller

Top quality components obviously thoughtfully chosen: Shimano Deore derailleur set-up and Shimano mechanical disc brakes.

93% Function 38/40 Quality 40/40 Price 9/10 Appearance 6/10

Most powerful and best e-bike for those who like to control their ride.

$1,799

250w motor pedelec

36v 11ah battery (15ah option)

Very good value for good quality and performance, with a generous battery

When stopped at intersection for seven seconds pedal assist automatically resets to the lowest level

Kenda puncture resistant tyres and puncture resistant gel in tubes

Fully accessorised for commuting

Also in a diamond frame with 700c wheels.

92% Function 37/40 Quality 36/40 Price 10/10 Appearance 9/10

A latest generation e-bike that is also outstanding value.

$1,984

250w motor pedelec or 200w pedal assist and throttle

36v 9ah battery (24v and 48v options)

Convert your bike of choice with downtube or rack battery, but only through a Bionx dealer

Powerful and easy to control via good clear display

Sophisticated tuning and diagnostics software available to dealers

Four levels of assistance and four levels of regenerative braking (engine braking that recharges the battery)

The regenerative braking is really only useful for long descents

90% Function 36/40 Quality 38/40 Price 7/10 Appearance 9/10

Sophisticated, adaptable but easy to use for the rider.

$1,995

200w motor with throttle and pedal assist

36v 10ah battery (14ah option)

Folding bike expertise by Dahon with acceptably compact fold and good riding performance

Proprietary battery and controller from Ezee

Shimano 6-speed rear derailleur with Revoshift twist grip

Fully accessorised for commuting

87% Function 35/40 Quality 36/40 Price 9/10 Appearance 7/10

The best electric folding bike.

$2,449

250w motor pedelec

36v 9ah battery (no upgrade option)

Especially quiet motor and discreet battery but lots of cables give it away as an e-bike

Torque sensor for pedal assist system very responsive, providing more power when you pedal harder

Front and rear derailleur shifters (Shimano Alivio 8-speed rear derailleur and triple crankset) will please some riders and make it too complicated for others

Dynamo hub with lights front and back

91% Function 36/40 Quality 36/40 Price 9/10 Appearance 10/10

Will appeal to those used to a responsive bike and gear changing.

$2,449

200w with throttle

36v 12ah battery

Generous battery and large, clear display

Shimano Nexus 7 hub gear with twistgrip shifter

Compact handlebars and easy handling but efficient full-size wheels

Rack doesn’t take conventional pannier hooks

Good lights front and back running off battery

Similar model with step-over frame called Flow available

91% Function 36/40 Quality 36/40 Price 9/10 Appearance 10/10

Elegant, compact and easy to operate, with a generous battery.

$1,995

250w motor pedelec

36v 11ah battery (no upgrade option)

Very good value for good quality and performance, with a generous battery

Shimano Nexus 3-speed hub gear and Nexus 8-speed also available

Nicely finished, with fully enclosed chain and nice paint job and good mudguards

Version with 26” wheels coming

Fully accessorised for commuting

Also in a step-through version called Legato.

90% Function 36/40 Quality 36/40 Price 9/10 Appearance 9/10

Very good new offering from the people powering Australia Post’s e-bikes.

$3,199

250w motor

36v 9ah battery (14ah option)

Set back saddle allows both feet to touch the ground and a good pedalling position

Simple, user-friendly Gazelle system with subtle, effective assistance

Beautifully constructed and accessorised: Shimano Nexus 7 hub gear

Proprietary motor, battery and controller, including the only motor with a freewheel for no resistance

Upgraded XT motor provides power equal to other Australian e-bikes

Single button for assistance levels is forgivable because there are only three levels and off to scroll through.

90% Function 36/40 Quality 38/40 Price 7/10 Appearance 9/10

Pricey, but overcomes most obstacles to riding.

$1,950

250w motor pedelec or 200w motor with throttle

36v 9ah (other options available)

Designed for minimum weight, maximum assistance and low-key looks

Stated maximum power assist speed of approximately 33km/h (this is not restricted with a 200w motor)

Fitted to Fuji Roubaix, James Ventura Comp, Fuji Cross (other models available)

Battery takes up one bottle cage space.

85% Function 34/40 Quality 35/40 Price 8/10 Appearance 8/10

A welcome option for roadies with powerful, adjustable assistance.

$3,299

350w pedal assist (not street legal)

36v 9ah (no upgrade option)

Genuine dual-suspension mountain bike for off-road riding only

Torque sensor for pedal assist system very responsive, providing more power when you pedal harder

Especially quiet motor and low-profile battery

Shimano Deore gearing with XT rear derailleur

Rock Shox XC32 and Suntour Epicon Lord 120 rear suspension.

84.5% Function 34/40 Quality 34/40 Price 6.5/10 Appearance 10/10

Don’t be denied the joys of off-road.

$1,199

250w motor pedelec

36v 10ah battery (no upgrade option)

Very good value for appropriate quality and performance

Shimano Tourney rear derailleur

Reinforced downtube for supporting battery

Available as 21-speed and with 26” wheels

Modestly finished with accessories to commute.

83% Function 36/40 Quality 30/40 Price 10/10 Appearance 7/10

An excellent budget e-bike.

$2,295

250w motor pedelec

36v 10ah battery (15ah option)

Infectious good fun: guaranteed to make friends on the bike paths

Step-through and leg-over versions, also available as tandem

Boxy silver battery lets down the looks and rattles

Plug into battery doesn’t appear highly water resistant

Steering goes wobbly when one hand is off for signalling

Avid mechanical disc brakes and sturdy double-leg kickstand.

74% Function 29/40 Quality 28/40 Price 8/10 Appearance 9/10

For the good times – the coolest off-the-shelf e-bike in town.

Envi Mountain

$1,990

200w with throttle and pedal assist

36v 10ah battery (no upgrade option)

26” mountain bike wheels with slick or knobby tyres or 20” wheels with urban slicks

Suntour suspension forks, Tektro disc brakes

Knees contact the down tube slightly at times

Also available with NuVinci hub gear.

72% Function 28/40 Quality 28/40 Price 7/10 Appearance 9/10

Built for fun: on-road or off.

$2,799

200w with throttle

36v 9ah battery (no upgrade option)

Designed to lean when cornering, which improves handling over other trikes

Narrow enough to fit through a standard doorway

One power level with Shimano Nexus 3-speed gears with twist shift

Tektro side-pull cantilever front brake

Rear brake on left wheel only makes bike veer to left when braking.

66% Function 26/40 Quality 26/40 Price 6/10 Appearance 8/10

Pips the field of electric tricycles with its superior handling.

The complete table

Ride On content is editorially independent, but is supported financially by members of Bicycle Network. If you enjoy our articles and want to support the future publication of high-quality content, please consider helping out by becoming a member.