{"id":36133,"date":"2022-04-25T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-04-25T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=316098"},"modified":"2022-04-25T15:16:19","modified_gmt":"2022-04-25T13:16:19","slug":"best-electric-bike-2022-ebike-types-explained-and-how-to-choose-the-right-one-for-you","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/best-electric-bike-2022-ebike-types-explained-and-how-to-choose-the-right-one-for-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Best electric bike 2022: ebike types explained and how to choose the right one for you"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Paul Norman\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Monday, 25 April 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Electric bikes, or ebikes as they\u2019re commonly known, are a really popular option to provide a bit of extra support on your ride. An electric bike will help keep your speed up on the flat and give you the extra push you need to get up any hills on your way.<\/p>\n

As more and more people take to ebikes, prices are coming down and manufacturers are adding new models to their ranges, with updated features such as lighter motors and improved battery ranges.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re constantly adding to our collection of electric bike reviews<\/a> here at BikeRadar, so if you\u2019ve got a type of ebike or a specific ebike model in mind, you\u2019ll probably find a review here.<\/p>\n

But if you\u2019re still not certain what you\u2019re looking for in your new ebike, read on for our full run-down of electric bike types, to find the right one for you.<\/p>\n

There are ebikes for every type of riding, from electric mountain bikes<\/a> helping you get to the top of the next downhill trail to folding city ebikes<\/a> you can take with you on your commute<\/a>.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll go through the different types of ebike, what they\u2019re good for, and point you to our buyer\u2019s guides and top reviews for each category.<\/p>\n

The range of ebike options mirrors the range of non-motorised bikes available, so it\u2019s also worth reading our best bike<\/a> buyer\u2019s guide.<\/p>\n

Electric bike basics<\/h2>\n

First, let\u2019s start with the basics<\/a>. An electric bike is a pedal cycle with an electric motor and battery that provide assistance as you pedal.<\/p>\n

To qualify as an electric bike, you have to pedal for the motor to kick in. If there\u2019s a bar-mounted \u201cthrottle\u201d or twist grip to control the power, the bike will legally be considered a moped. That means it won\u2019t qualify for tax- and registration-free ownership, at least in the UK and EU.<\/p>\n

Likewise, support is legally<\/a> only allowed up to 15mph\/25kph in the UK, EU and Australia, above which the motor will cut out and any additional speed will have to be the result of your own effort. But you\u2019re in luck if you\u2019re reading this and riding in the US, where your motor can keep on pushing up to 20mph.<\/p>\n

Take a look at our ebike FAQs<\/a> for the answers to common electric bike questions.<\/p>\n

The best electric bikes in 2022 for all riders<\/h2>\n

Best electric road bikes<\/h3>\n
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Hub motors slot subtly beside the cassette to maintain sleek aesthetics.<\/span><\/figcaption> Russell Burton \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

If you enjoy riding on roads, but want a bit of help to keep your speed up or to get you up hills, there are a number of electric road bikes out there from well-known brands.<\/p>\n

Many motors and batteries can be unobtrusive, too, so it\u2019s less than obvious that you\u2019re riding an ebike. Fazua, Mahle ebikemotion and Bosch are motor systems to look out for.<\/p>\n

You may not be adding a lot of extra weight either because the lightest road ebikes are touching 11kg.<\/p>\n

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The Scott Addict eRIDE Premium is almost indistinguishable from the standard Addict RC.<\/span><\/figcaption> Russell Burton \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

However, with many road riders achieving speeds on the flat of 15mph or above, you may feel that you\u2019re carrying dead weight around with the motor cutting out at that top assisted speed.<\/p>\n

It will conserve battery, though, and with careful use you can get significantly more mileage out of an ebike system than the typical 75km quoted range, so more ambitious, longer excursions will be within reach.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, if you\u2019re interested in riding a wider range of terrain, there are an increasing number of gravel ebike<\/a> options out there. With wider tyres<\/a> and more grip, they\u2019ll help you tackle the rough stuff.<\/p>\n

Pros:<\/strong> Fast for road riding and lightweight (for an electric bike)<\/p>\n

Cons:<\/strong> Extra weight for no gain if you\u2019re riding over 15mph<\/p>\n

Scott Addict eRide Premium<\/h4>
<\/div> 4.5 out of 5 star rating<\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div>
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The Scott Addict eRIDE Premium looks and rides like a racy road bike.<\/span><\/figcaption> Russell Burton \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n