How to choose your electric bike? Purchase guide

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May 30, 2024

Understanding the fundamentals of an electric bike: why ride an e-bike

Unlike a traditional bicycle, the electric bicycle is equipped with a rechargeable battery which powers the motor and allows you to pedal more easily and cover longer distances without getting tired. They offer numerous advantages both ecologically, practically and economically:

This type of bike offers increased mobility and requires much less effort than a conventional bike. No more sweaty arrivals at the office in the morning. Furthermore, it is proven that in urban areas, the average speed of a bicycle often exceeds that of a car.
Ideal for city commutes, this bike allows you to navigate through traffic more easily, avoiding traffic jams. It's an excellent solution to escape the rush of public transport while enjoying the outdoors.
It is an eco-responsible alternative to the car or scooter, and it is even proven that in the city, we go faster by bike than by car.

They are economical vehicles because they require less maintenance and save money on fuel.
The electric bike is a versatile ally that adapts to everyday life. You can take your child to school in a child seat, go shopping by storing them in the front basket, and get to all your meeting points for the day while avoiding traffic jams.

Determine the use of your electric bike

To choose the ideal bike, it is important to clearly define your use.
Is this a bike that you will use mainly for your daily trips, to get to work?
What is your journey, its duration, the routes you will take?
What do you like about a bike?
Who will be the person(s) who will use it?

An electric bike for everyday use

Like the vast majority of e-bike users, you are surely looking for the ideal bike for your everyday journeys.
To choose an electric bike suitable for your daily commute, here are some important criteria that you should consider:

Comfort: it is important to choose a bike on which you feel good throughout your journey, whether in terms of position, feeling on the road, seat on the saddle or even the height of the frame .
Component quality: High-quality components guarantee the durability and reliability of your bike. Choose recognized brands to avoid maintenance problems and frequent replacements.
Weight: A lightweight bike is easier to maneuver and transport, whether going up stairs or storing it at home. Opt for a model with a good weight/performance ratio for optimal comfort.
The engine and its feel: Large torque is essential for rapid acceleration and smooth driving, especially uphill. Consult specialized articles on motors to understand the differences and choose the one that best suits your needs.
Accessorization: to be able to transport your computer, your bag, shopping, or your children, it is important to ensure that your bike can have luggage racks and the possibility of mounting the most suitable accessories: basket, panniers …
The presence of a mudguard and a belt: in order not to arrive completely dirty in the event of rain for example, mudguards will be particularly useful. A strap instead of a chain will also prevent splashes on your pants.
The place of manufacture: The place of manufacture: Depending on your ecological sensitivity, the origin of the bike can be an important criterion. From a practical point of view, a bicycle designed abroad can result in longer and more polluting delivery times for components compared to a product manufactured in France.
The battery: A removable battery can greatly facilitate charging and maintenance. Additionally, a lightweight battery helps reduce the overall weight of the bike and makes it easy to carry if you keep it with you. Finally, the autonomy should be sufficient to cover your daily journeys without requiring frequent recharges, thus ensuring practical and worry-free use.
Energy recovery: Some bikes offer an energy recovery system, which is particularly relevant in urban environments. This system can partially recharge the charge when braking, thus increasing the range of the bike.
Aesthetics: Design is a decisive criterion when choosing a bike. A bike with an attractive, modern appearance can enhance your enjoyment of using it and reflect your personal style.
Connectivity & anti-theft system: Modern connectivity allows your bike to be tracked and managed via mobile apps, while the integrated anti-theft system provides additional protection against theft.
Lighting: A good lighting system is crucial for your safety, especially if you ride at night. Make sure your bike has strong, visible front and rear lights. It is better that it is integrated to avoid forgetting it at home when you need it most.

Electric bike for sport and leisure

For a bike intended primarily for sport and leisure, it is essential to adapt it to your practice and the distances covered. When choosing an electric bike for your weekend outings, there are a few main criteria to consider:

Adaptability: walks in the forest will not require the same type of bike as riding on the road or along the path. Likewise, you need to define whether you are more interested in walking or sporting performance; in the first case, you will favor versatile models such as VTCs, in the second more specialized models such as mountain bikes or gravel bikes.
Motor Power: A powerful motor is essential for tackling difficult terrain and traveling long distances without overheating or losing performance.
Autonomy: it is important to have autonomy that will cover the distance you want to cover during your outings.
Robust frame and suitable suspension: A strong frame, made of aluminum or light alloy, is necessary to withstand the rigors of various environments, while a high-performance suspension improves comfort and handling over the roughest terrain.

Choosing the right engine type and power

Bicycle motors can be classified into different types based on their location on the bicycle. We distinguish in particular:

The front hub motor , located in the front wheel of the bicycle and providing pedaling assistance from the start.
The rear hub motor , placed in the rear wheel and providing better thrust and stability. In the case of the hybrid bike, it ensures energy recovery and facilitates maintenance.
The crank motor , integrated into the bike crankset and allowing more natural and power-focused assistance.

Therefore, in the choice of engine, everything depends on the type of your type of use. For more details on VAE motors, do not hesitate to find out by reading our dedicated article: Types of electric bike motors to know .

The importance of battery and autonomy

Most electric bike batteries are lithium-ion. Batteries are differentiated by their capacity, influencing their size and weight. Their location also varies: on the downtube of the frame, integrated directly into the frame, or on the rear rack. It is essential to choose the type of battery that best suits your needs in terms of autonomy and performance and especially weight.

To estimate how much range you need, you need to take into account factors such as the distance you plan to travel, the terrain you will be riding on, and your own weight. For urban use, you should choose a lightweight, removable battery, especially if you live in town, where it is recommended to always take your battery with you to avoid having it stolen.

Some bikes offer non-removable batteries; which means that to recharge your bike, you will need to have an electrical outlet close to where you park it. These models should be avoided particularly if you live in an apartment.

Battery charging time is also important if you use your bike daily; the shorter it is, the more practical it will be for you on a daily basis.

If you are looking for the bike with the most compact and practical battery for everyday use; You are on the right site. Discover the Anod Hybrid with its 650g battery that can be recharged with any USB-C charger. You can even use the bike without a battery and still benefit from electric assistance.

Choosing the right electric bike brakes

On an electric bike, brakes are even more important than on a muscle bike, because your average speed will be much greater. Above all, you must not neglect your safety. Choosing the right brakes for an electric bike is crucial to guarantee safety and performance. Here are some points to consider:

Disc brakes: On a bicycle, the brake disc is mounted on the hub, located in the center of the wheel. When you activate the brake, the pads squeeze the sides of the disc. This type of brake offers many advantages: it is compact, easy to use and remains the most efficient system even in bad weather. However, disc brakes are relatively expensive and are found on more high-end bikes. This braking system can be either mechanical or hydraulic.
Drum brakes: These brakes are located at the wheel hub. Like disc brakes, they act on this part of the wheel to slow and stop the bike. In traditional models, braking is carried out by two pads placed inside the hub, which come into contact with a circular surface called the drum. However, unlike disc brakes, drum brakes require more maintenance. Although more robust, heat dissipation is less efficient.
Shoe brakes: They are light, simple to repair and economical. However, they can damage bike rims over time, require regular maintenance, and their effectiveness may vary depending on weather conditions. Like disc brakes, pad brakes can be hydraulic or mechanical.
Motor brakes (regenerative braking): An advanced feature of electric bikes is motor braking, also known as regenerative braking. This system uses the motor to slow the bike, converting kinetic energy into electrical energy, which is then sent back into the battery. This not only extends the life of the brake pads, but also increases battery life. This type of braking is generally quite progressive and gentle.

To guarantee everyone's safety, brakes must meet the following criteria:

Power: The brake must be able to stop the bike in any circumstance. As the practice of VAE is often developed in urban areas, it is crucial to be able to react quickly to unforeseen obstacles.
Progressive braking: Braking must combine efficiency and gentleness to avoid sudden stops that could cause injuries.
Be ergonomic: Using the brakes must be easy and intuitive, allowing quick and comfortable use of the electrically assisted bicycle.

Select the electric bike based on design and comfort

An essential criterion is to feel good on your bike. It should make you want to use it as frequently as possible. If this motivation persists even on rainy days, you will have found the ideal bike!
For this, aesthetics plays a crucial role. Choose a bike that appeals to you visually to maximize your riding pleasure. There are a variety of designs for eBikes, ranging from Dutch, vintage, sporty, and even futuristic styles. The right bike is above all the one that makes you want to pedal and that gives you pleasure on each ride.

Men's and women's electric bikes, any differences?

Although most electric bikes on the market are designed to be unisex, brands often distinguish between men's & women's ranges. This distinction is mainly marketing, and everyone can actually ride any bike as long as it suits them. However, here are some characteristics to find you within these two categories.

Women's electric bike

Electric bikes aimed at women emphasize low, open frames, better suited to the female body shape. Compared to traditional bicycle frames, these open frames allow riders to get on and off the bike more easily, even while wearing a skirt or dress. These bikes often come with practical accessories such as front baskets, perfect for keeping a bag within sight.

Choosing the most suitable electric bike is crucial to meeting the specific needs of female cyclists. The weight of the bike plays a key role: a lightweight design facilitates maneuverability and allows it to be easily transported when needed, especially when going up or down stairs or using public transport.

A good bike should also include suitable frame geometry, a comfortable saddle and a low standover for easy getting on and off. By choosing a well-designed electric bike for your size, you can considerably improve the comfort and pleasure of daily riding.

Men's electric bike

So-called “men's” electric bikes are generally designed with a taller frame, and often have a closed frame as well as a slightly more sporty and responsive position, with relatively low handlebars offering a little more “forward” steering. .

Despite the differences between these products, some brands offer unisex bikes that meet the needs of all types of riders. Brands such as Anod offer accessories such as a luggage rack or removable baskets to meet the specific requirements of each user.

Value for money: how to find the best electric bike

When the time comes to make your purchase, it is best to know how to evaluate the quality/price ratio in order to find the best deals.

Don't let yourself be seduced by the lowest prices: cheap does not always rhyme with quality
Take the time to compare prices and features of similar products.
Study details such as material quality, features and performance.
Also consider the resale value: A cheap bike easily loses a large part of its value on resale and trade-in. It may be interesting to invest in a quality bike for better resale value.
Do not hesitate to consult customer reviews to help you choose a satisfactory electric bike. Find out more about the places and conditions of VAE manufacturing.

Additional Benefits to Consider

To go even further, there are many additional options for e-bikes, such as lighting, speed sensors and connectivity. These features give you an improved driving experience and greater safety on the road.

The integrated lighting system avoids the risk of forgetting it at home or theft of the lighting if it is directly integrated into the bike.
Speed sensors allow you to monitor your speed and adjust your effort based on road conditions.
Post-purchase experience: One element that can radically transform the purchasing experience is support. A good brand stands out for the quality of its after-sales service, its accessibility and its effectiveness in responding to consumer issues. The purchase of an e-bike being a long-term investment, benefiting from good follow-up means avoiding the effort of finding a professional for an overhaul or repair.

How to benefit from financial assistance for your purchase?

In France, there are several bonuses and subsidies available for the purchase of an electric bicycle, aimed at encouraging the adoption of more ecological and sustainable modes of transport. One of the main incentives is the €500 bonus for purchasing an electric bike , also known as the "e-bike bonus".

Here is some information about this bonus and how to obtain it:

This bonus is offered by the French State to encourage the use of electric bicycles as an ecological means of transport.
To benefit from it, the electric bike must meet certain conditions: be new, be equipped with a lithium-ion battery and comply with European standards in terms of safety and quality.
To obtain the bonus, you must generally apply it to your municipality, department or region, as the procedure may vary depending on where you live.
It is recommended to check with local authorities or consult official websites for specific details and how the bonus applies in your area.

In addition to the €500 bonus, some local authorities offer additional assistance for the purchase of an electric bike. This aid may vary depending on the region and local policies regarding sustainable mobility. You can find out more about the assistance available for purchasing an electric bike in this article.

Why choose an Anod hybrid bike?

If you're looking for the perfect urban bike, we're probably a little biased, but the Anod Hybrid should tick all the boxes in your buying criteria.
The Anod Hybrid promises to be the bike that gives you a perfect experience on the saddle, but also once you park it. No more heavy batteries and the stress of having to systematically check your charge level. Anod offers you a battery that fits in your pocket and recharges via USB-C, with any charger. It can even charge your iPhone via USB-C and, when it runs out, you still benefit from electrical assistance thanks to energy recovery and our hybrid system.

Choosing Anod means choosing practicality and a high-end product, made in France. Between the comfort of use with its carbon strap, connectivity and assistance, everything is designed for quick and intuitive handling. Finally, in terms of security, your application allows you to block the bike when it is not in use, geolocate it at any time, be alerted in the event of suspicious movement, but also to have a maintenance log always within reach. hand.

Don't miss the opportunity to discover the benefits of the Anod Hybrid for yourself and book your trial now .

Conclusion

Choosing the perfect electric bike requires careful evaluation of several key criteria. We must evaluate the engine power, battery life, driving comfort, as well as additional features such as safety and connectivity systems. Additionally, aesthetics and design also play an important role in overall user satisfaction. We saw above that although some bikes favor a very specific technology or riding style, others like Anod seek a subtle blend capable of suiting the greatest number of people in an urban environment.