Being a cycling enthusiast and discovering a long-distance electric bike can feel like finding a superpower. You can travel almost anywhere there is a road, keep up with stop-and-go traffic, easily tote kids or freight, arrive less sweaty at your destination, or enjoy a little additional oomph on journeys that would otherwise appear too far or too hilly. So, whether you’re assessing the bike you own or shopping for a new one, this article narrows down everything you need to know.
Class Types
Make those miles count with a reliable long-distance e-bike. When on the hunt for a good one, figuring out which class of e-bike you need is a key decision point. Electric bikes are classified based on their level of motor assistance, mostly for regulatory purposes. The three-class system has been adopted by the majority of bike manufacturers, as well as state, local, and other entities.
In class 1, the motor assists only when you pedal, and it quits when the e-bike reaches 20 mph. Class 2 offers a pedal-assist mode up to 20 mph and a throttle-powered mode that does not require pedalling. Class 3 is exclusively pedal-assist (similar to class 1); however, the pedal-assist ceases when the e-bike exceeds 28 mph.
Class 1 bikes are the most affordable and, from a regulatory standpoint, the most widely approved. You may ride one on city streets and numerous bike trails. This type of e-bike is starting to be allowed on regular mountain bike trails; however, access is not universal, so always check beforehand. Class 2 e-bikes are often allowed in the same areas as class 1 e-bikes. This is because both classes have a maximum speed of 20 mph for motor assistance. However, the fastest, class 3 e-bikes aren’t to be ridden on most bike paths or mountain bike trail systems.
Batteries, Riding Ranges and Motors
Manufacturers pay a lot of attention to the power plant in each long-distance e-bike. The design trade-off is between performance and riding range. A more powerful motor provides more speed to keep up with traffic and torque to climb hills and transport cargo. A more powerful motor also depletes the battery faster, limiting your riding range.
Having a large battery helps, of course. Watt hours (Wh) are the number of hours a battery can provide one watt of power before expiring. Thus, motor power matters: A 500-watt motor with a 500 Wh battery (a common class 3 bike combination) drains power faster than a 250-watt motor with a 500 Wh battery.
Most batteries will take three to five hours to fully charge from empty, with higher-capacity batteries requiring longer. If you plan to commute on your electric bike, you can purchase additional chargers or bring your own.
Regarding the different motor locations, e-bikes can come with a mid-drive motor and a hub-drive one. The former is placed on the bottom bracket- the place where the crank arms attach to the bike frame. Many motors feature this setup, for a variety of reasons. The pedal assist responds with a natural feel, and having the weight of the motor centred and low helps keep the ride balanced and stable.
On the other hand, rear-wheel hub-drive motors transfer pedal force directly to the rear wheel, giving you the sensation of being pushed along. It’s worth noting that changing a tyre on a wheel with a hub drive is more difficult than changing a flat on a regular (or mid-drive) bike. Front-hub drive motors operate similarly to front-wheel drive cars; they also allow a regular bike drivetrain to be utilised on the rear of the bike.
However, if you plan to ride a lot of hills or haul heavy loads, the torque is a spec to check. Measured in newton meters (N m), the listed maximum for an e-bike might range from 40 N m to 80 N m. Your actual riding torque will vary, though, as you change your pedal-assist settings.
Features and Components
Your long-range electric bike is more than just its motor and battery. The more performance-oriented the bike, the smoother and more responsive the pedal assist will be. Test ride various bikes to locate one that reacts at the right pace and intensity for you. Most bikes have three or four assist levels, which allow you to save battery power (eco mode) or increase speed and torque (turbo or boost mode).
Many e-bikes now also include a variety of integrated accessories: There is a lot going on with a long-range e-bike, so having a handlebar-mounted bike computer that allows you to monitor battery life, pedal-assist mode, miles travelled, speed, and other factors is beneficial.
High-end e-bike electronics can connect wirelessly to smartphones. GPS, service records, and more screen capabilities may be among the available apps. Some apps even allow you to open your bike’s integrated lock.
Most e-bike frames are built of aluminium, however, a wider range of frame materials (from carbon fibre to steel) are also available. The total weight is mostly determined by frame material and design, as well as the size of the motor and battery.
