General Questions
Which e-bike is right for me?
The triumph of e-bikes can no longer be stopped. Experts agree on that. In recent years, the e-bike segment has experienced a veritable explosion. In hilly and mountainous regions, bikes supported by electric motors offer unimagined opportunities for all age groups and regardless of physical ability. Uphills can be conquered effortlessly and even longer distances are no longer a problem. Accordingly, the range of e-bikes became large. Nowadays, it is almost impossible to keep track of all e-bike types and their field of application. Here we would like to shed some light and give you a brief overview of the wide range of different types.
Which e-bike manufacturers are there?
Nowadays, all major manufacturers have e-bikes in their program. We offer a wide selection of well-known manufacturers such as, Cube e-mountain bike, Cube e-trekking bike, Scott e-mountain bike, Scott e-trekking bike, Flyer e-mountain bike, Flyer e-trekking bike, Haibike e-mountain bike, Haibike E-Trekkingbike, Koga E-Trekkingbike, Kross E-Mountainbike, Kross E-Trekkingbike, Mondraker E-Mountainbike, Sinus E-Trekkingbike, Feeler E-Mountainbike, Feeler E-Trekkingbike and Winora E-Trekkingbike.
What is the range?
The most common question we are often asked is the range in relation to e-bikes. However, this question cannot be answered in a blanket manner. The range of an e-bike depends on many factors. In the first place is the capacity of the installed battery. In our e-bikes, battery modules from Bosch, Yamaha, Shimano and Panasonic are installed. These have a capacity of 430 to approx. 700Wh. Depending on the terrain and the selected support level of the motor, ranges of approximately 50 to well over 150km can be achieved.
How fast can I ride an e-bike?
The achievable speed depends mainly on the terrain and your muscle power. However, there are legal guidelines for the maximum speed with motor assistance. In Austria, this is 25km/h. There are also faster e-bikes, but these so-called S-pedelecs are no longer legally considered bicycles and must be registered and insured like a moped.
How much does an e-bike weigh?
Electric bikes are heavier than their classic counterparts. As a rule of thumb, the electric components weigh about 7 kilograms. Then there is the chassis, which is optimized for motor support, and the add-on parts such as wheels, gears, brakes, and so on. This gives a standard weight of around 20 kilograms for an e-bike. But the spread is relatively wide - from almost 30 kilograms for an e-downhill bike to under 13 kilograms for an e-road bike.
Is there anything I need to keep in mind when caring for my bike?
To protect the electronic components, cleaning with high-pressure cleaners should be avoided. This could cause water to penetrate the bearings of the motor, hubs or rear triangle. We recommend removing the battery and, if possible, the display before cleaning and then spraying the e-bike with a special bike shampoo or care product and cleaning it with a garden hose and brush. It is important to clean and lubricate the chain regularly, otherwise the service life will be significantly shortened.
What does a good e-bike cost?
A relatively well-equipped e-bike is already available from about 2000€. Depending on the equipment, battery capacity and intended use, this amount increases. Most of the offers are between 3000 and 5000€.
Is there an e-bike insurance?
Yes, with the EBWF membership both the valuable e-bike and the associated accessories are covered against the financial consequences of damage, wear & tear & theft.
What are the benefits of the e-bike insurance of the E-Bike World Federation?
With the EBWF membership, both the valuable e-bike and the associated accessories are covered against the financial consequences in case of damage, wear & tear & theft. Members of the E-Bike World Federation benefit from worldwide insurance coverage with replacement value compensation, no deductible & no age limit. In addition, the EBWF membership includes further benefits such as 20% discount on all events.
Highlights
- Fully comprehensive insurance at a fair price
- E-bikes without age restriction (also carbon) incl. accessories insurable
- Without deductible, with replacement value compensation
- Protection in case of accident, fall and transport damage
- Wear and tear incl. tires, brakes and gears
- Protection in case of electronic and battery damage
- Protection in case of theft and robbery
- Vandalism and damage by third parties
- Worldwide coverage
How long is the life of a battery?
Compared to older models, today's lithium-ion batteries are not only significantly lighter, but also impress with their long service life. To extend the life of a battery, an e-bike owner should follow a few rules. These include, first and foremost, protection from direct sunlight and high temperatures. Charging should therefore ideally take place at room temperature and the e-bike should not be left in the blazing sun. During transport, it is important to always remove the battery from the e-bike and store it safely in the car. If these points are observed, a battery will last approximately 4 to 5 years or 400 to 500 charging cycles with average use. After that, the battery slowly loses capacity and the e-bike therefore loses range. Nevertheless, batteries should be replaced after a certain period of time so that the joy of your e-bike does not dry up.
How long is the charging time of a battery?
The charging time also depends on the capacity of the installed batteries. With standard chargers, a 300Wh battery needs about 2.5 hours for a full charge. A 500Wh battery takes about 4.5 hours. However, there are also fast chargers that significantly reduce the charging time.
Which motor position is best?
In the early days of the e-bike revolution, motors were often installed on the rear hub. In recent years, however, this drive technology is only installed in very inexpensive models. Nowadays, e-bikes with mid-mounted motors are the ultimate. E-bikes with a mid-motor have their center of gravity very centrally mounted and thus an optimal balance during the ride. A mid-motor also provides support directly at the bottom bracket, giving acceleration a natural feel. When changing tires, you don't have to worry about a complicated process because the motor is out of the way.
What motors are available?
Motors from Bosch, Yamaha, Shimano and Panasonic are installed in our e-bikes. The Bosch motor has been available since 2014 in two versions -Performance Line and Active Line. Both versions are very powerful compared to mid-range motors from other manufacturers, and the Bosch is hard to beat on hills. Three sensors measure cadence, cadence and speed over 1000 times per second. This enables perfect interaction between the rider and the e-bike. The Japanese manufacturer Yamaha is considered a pioneer of e-bike drives. Since 1993, the mid-mounted motor from Yamaha has been on the market and is particularly widespread in Asia. The currently installed PW-X series was developed from scratch and specifically for the most demanding E-Performace. The result is a compact, quiet and very powerful motor that always remains optimally controllable. With STePS, Shimano brings an integrated drive system to the market. The Shimano Total Electric Power System. This means that the motor, battery, gearshift, control instruments and display come from one house and are perfectly matched to each other. For example, if you press the shift button, the motor assistance is briefly interrupted and the gear change is only initiated when one of the cranks moves through top dead center and little force is applied to the pedal. E-bike drives from Panasonic were among the best-selling in German-speaking countries for a long time. In the meantime, Bosch drive systems are considered the most popular and most used in this country, but thanks to innovative new developments and good quality, Panasonic drives can continue to hold their own on the electric bike market. They are characterized by their compact and lightweight design and are very quiet in operation.
How much power do the motors have?
E-bikes are not allowed to exceed a continuous power of 250 watts due to a legal limitation. Our motor manufacturers offer motors with a continuous power of 250 watts and a peak power of over 700 watts.
What should be considered when equipping an e-bike?
The right e-bikes equipment is what matters. Since these bikes can be moved around with motor assistance, they are only somewhat similar to conventional bicycles in terms of their design. The attachment of additional components such as motor and battery requires greater stability and robustness of the frame. That is why e-bikes are several kilograms heavier than normal bicycles. The high weight and thus greater forces want to be kept appropriately in check. Accordingly, brakes are a crucial component in principle and especially on the E-MTB. Powerful four-piston models ensure reliable deceleration. Stable tires with sufficient tread are also very important. The rolling resistance plays a subordinate role, since you can fall back on the support of the motor. Anyone who saves weight here will constantly have flat tires and lose driving stability. In addition to the right tires, appropriately stable wheels are also extremely important to guarantee durability, good handling and thus corresponding fun on the e-bike ride. Absolutely indispensable is a telescopic seatpost on an e-mountain bike. This offers significantly more safety and comfort on descents on the trail.
Which wheel size is right for me?
Hard to deny the noticeable advantages of larger wheels. You roll more safely through the terrain and they forgive more riding errors. Even in the e-bike segment, the large 27.5 and 29 inch wheels have taken hold in recent years and the small 26 inch wheels are no longer offered. Which wheel size is best for you depends on your body size and the intended use of the e-bike. 27.5 inches is mainly offered for smaller people and on e-bikes with a lot of suspension travel. The geometry of the frame makes it very difficult to accommodate large wheels there. Generally, the larger the wheels, the higher the comfort, traction and riding stability.
Can I tune my e-bike?
Is your e-bike too slow for you? When the e-bike reaches the legally prescribed limit of 25km/h, the motor assistance is adjusted. It is technically possible to circumvent this limit, but this would have many negative consequences. First and foremost, the manufacturer's warranty expires and your e-bike may no longer be moved within the scope of the STVO. In addition, insurance claims are no longer valid in the event of an accident. Experts can also provide evidence of subsequent dismantling.
THEREFORE: Keep your hands off it!
Do I need a driver's license for an e-bike?
To answer this question, you have to distinguish between e-bikes or also called pedelecs and the so-called S-pedelec. E-bikes actively support the rider up to a maximum speed of 25 km/h. According to road traffic regulations, these e-bikes are considered normal bicycles under traffic law. Therefore, no driver's license is required. The situation is completely different for the much faster S-pedelecs. These support the rider up to a speed of 45 km/h. For this reason, a class Am or B driver's license is required. It is very important to note that the use of a bicycle path is strictly prohibited. In addition, helmets are compulsory and an insurance license plate and operating permit are required.