Electric Bike Buying Guide

Combining the classic bike look and lightweight feel with the extra power of the battery and plenty of modern design, e-bikes really offer the best of both worlds.

Find the perfect e-bike to take your ride to the next level

Whether you’re new to cycling, just starting out, or getting some help on those challenging hills, an e-bike might just be the way to go. But with so many options, it can be hard to know where to start. Our electric bike buying guide is designed to help you understand how to choose the right bike for you, from bike type to battery size. Choosing an e-bike or a conventional bike is just the beginning. You’ll have many different options – from the number of gears to the type of brakes, and whether the battery is integrated internally or externally. Electric bikes are available in women’s, men’s and unisex styles, and what’s right for you depends on your body size, riding style and type of travel. So, keep reading for our comprehensive electric bike buying guide and everything you need to know about choosing the right bike for you.

What is an electric bike?

An e-bike (electric bike) is exactly what it says on the can – it’s essentially a conventional bike with extra electric drive. Motors and batteries have been added for extra help and acceleration when you need it. To comply with UK law, the motor speed of e-bikes is limited to 15.5 miles per hour (25 kilometers per hour). That means you won’t get any electric assist if you’re riding at 15.6 mph or higher. There is also a limit to how much power an e-bike can assist in – your e-bike shouldn’t produce more than 250W in its highest mode. Electric bikes also need to have two pedals as the primary form of propulsion. For these reasons, electric bicycles are also sometimes referred to as “electrically assisted bicycles” and “pedals”. The battery of an e-bike provides assistance, not an independent power source. Unlike motorcycles or e-bikes, an e-bike’s battery is only used when you’re actually pedaling. Like non-electric bikes, there are many varieties to choose from. City dwellers might be interested in an urban e-bike or a commuter e-bike, while the more adventurous might want an eMTB (electric mountain bike).

Which electric bike to buy?

As with choosing any type of bike, it’s important to consider how you’ll be using your e-bike before you decide which type is right for you. There are many different types, all boasting power boost and pedal assist.

The best electric commuter bikes

Commuter e-bikes are designed to zip through traffic on the way to work, meaning you can get to the office effortlessly, so be prepared in advance. Because the motor of an e-bike helps propel you forward, you can even save a few minutes in your morning routine. For those new to e-bikes, lightweight options like the Raleigh Array make riding easier; 60 miles on a 400wh battery, 7-speed shifting, and the ability to ride by attaching to the An OLED display on the aerodynamic flat handle controls the speed.

Hybrid Electric Bike

A true combination of the best in the world, the electric hybrid bike provides the push of an engine, the control of a road bike and the handling of a mountain bike. For long commutes and heavy traffic, a high-quality hybrid electric bike is the perfect choice. For example, a Raleigh Motus with a Bosch e-bike battery has an output of 250% of what you’d get on a bike, so you’ll cut your commute time considerably.

Folding electric bike

Folding electric bikes make your commute easy and take the load off your shoulders. Whether you want to stow it away on the train, pack it under your desk while at the office, or even tuck it into a suitcase on the weekend, a folding bike can make your adventure or commute a breeze made simple. Models like the Stow-E-Way combine a powerful battery, stable wheels, and all the power of a top-of-the-line battery to provide a high-quality ride that can be stowed away at any time.

Electric mountain bike

If you’re going to be riding off-road or uneven terrain, an electric mountain bike (eMTB) or off-road e-bike is ideal for all your adventures without the hard work. While the battery means a mountain e-bike is a bit heavier than a pedal bike, the benefits are extra speed, help on rocky surfaces and hills, and a ton of control.

Electric cargo vehicle

For those who need to carry a lot, the e-cargo bike is the ideal solution, combining storage space with an electric booster. As a sustainable alternative to motor vehicles, using an electric cargo bike for transportation is a great way to save money and reduce your carbon footprint. The Stride 2 family cargo bike, for example, is powered by Bosch’s e-bike battery and can travel up to 40 miles on a single charge, with enough cargo space for school, deliveries and even weekly supermarket shopping.

Choosing the Best Electric Bike Accessories

As complicated as it sounds, the components and mechanics of an e-bike are basically similar to those of a regular bicycle, such as a pedal-powered road or mountain bike. It’s important to choose the right components for your bike and riding style – read our team’s top tips.

Electric bike battery

Obviously, the battery is one of the most important components of any electric bike. When it comes to choosing an e-bike battery, both capacity and quality are important factors in how the motor operates and how long you can ride on a single charge. Factors such as temperature, rider weight, damage from impacts, and charging time can all affect battery performance. You will still be able to use your e-bike when the battery is dead, but you will not be able to use the assist function – it will work like a normal pedal bike, although it will be heavy and difficult to pedal. So, it’s important to choose a battery that’s powerful enough to do the journey you need.

All Raleigh e-bikes are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which are high-capacity and light-weight when charged. You can monitor the battery level on the display on the handlebar and make adjustments accordingly. When looking for the right e-bike battery, it’s important to consider quality, capacity, and durability. Bosch e-bike batteries are known for their reliability and performance – for example, the Bosch-equipped centrros Tour can travel 85 miles on a single charge! You can also use the display to decide when to remove the battery to charge. Electric bike batteries are removable for easy storage and charging, but you can usually charge them on the bike if needed. Learn more about e-bike batteries and how to care for them in our e-bike battery guide.

Electric bike motor

Like any good duo show, the battery needs its partner to function properly. The motor of an e-bike accounts for half of the electrical functions, and there are different models to choose from to suit every cyclist. There are two main categories of e-bikes – crank motors and hub motors. Crank motors are more popular in modern bikes, although hub motors are usually cheaper. Crank motors give e-bikes a unique frame shape, while hub motors are more traditional. In Raleigh, our e-bikes come in three different engine types – front, rear and center mount. Front-wheel e-bike motors are a great entry-level affordable option, while rear-wheel e-bike motors improve traction and a more subtle look. For electric mountain bikes, the power and gearing of a center mount motor make it the best option.

The quality of your e-bike motor is also very important, of course, choosing a reputable manufacturer is a must. The Motus range features a redesigned Bosch e-bike battery and motor system, including a new Active Line motor, to provide quiet handling, no power savings, and guaranteed reliability.

Frame of electric bike

The process of choosing an e-bike frame is very similar to choosing a road or mountain bike frame. You’ll want to choose a size that fits your height and make sure your feet are comfortable on the pedals (your legs can bend and straighten) when you’re sitting in the seat. Good quality e-bike frames come in different sizes to suit different riders. For example, the Motus and Motus Tour series come in different sizes on different frameset varieties: 46/50/54cm low-end, 48/52/56cm crossbar and 44/48/52cm open.

Maintenance of electric bikes

Choose the right e-bike and it will truly become part of the family. Well, maybe not quite, but it’s certainly a treasured possession you want to take good care of. Read our full guide to e-bike care and check out a few of our favorite tips below:

General Electric Bike Repair

Just like a car, it’s important to maintain and inspect your e-bike to make sure the battery, engine, and other components are working properly. To schedule service, find your local Raleigh appliance store here.

Electric Bike Battery Maintenance

Be careful when storing your bike, especially in the hot summer or winter. One option is to remove the battery from the bike rack and store it safely indoors. Store your bike at about 30-60% charge – you can monitor the charge level and plan to use the handlebar display.

Electric Bike Motor Repair

Because the motor is hermetically sealed, you don’t need to maintain or inspect it regularly. When you send your bike in for routine maintenance, a local expert will check that the motor is working properly. All the usual bike cleaning tricks like wiping down the frame and keeping the wheels free of grit, but just as importantly, carefully clean the connectors with an alcohol-based bike cleaner before spraying a proper bike lubricant like GT85 to drain the water. It’s also a good idea to wipe the e-bike display with a dry cloth to remove any dirt or dust.

It’s OK to hose a muddy bike, but don’t touch the electrical components (battery, motor, and display) and don’t use a jet or pressure washer.