Pedaling Electrically – What You Should Know Before Buying an E-Bike


More than a third of all bicycles sold in Austria are electric bicycles – and the trend is rising! No wonder, because e-bikes offer a number of advantages: Thanks to the electric pedal assistance, more distances and steeper inclines can be mastered with the electric bike than with conventional “bikes”. This support also brings people who would otherwise not or no longer cycle into the saddle. Together with the ARBÖ, we provide tips and information on buying an e-bike!

E-bikes are not only an interesting form of mobility for leisure time: short and medium-sized trips can be covered relatively quickly, ecologically and with little effort, making the e-bike an attractive and healthy alternative as an everyday means of transport, for example for business trips or business trips to the car. At least in good weather.

No purchase without a test
The offer is now extremely diverse. The most important thing is to think about your own requirements and willingness to pay before buying, so that you can then try out various e-bikes in consultation with the specialist dealer. It is certainly advisable to visit several dealers for the purpose of price comparison.

E-bike, pedelec, S-pedelec or even a moped?
E-bikes are clearly defined by law: Electric bikes or pedelecs are all bikes that are equipped with an electric motor that has a maximum output of 600 watts and provides electrical assistance up to a speed of 25 kilometers per hour.

E-bikes that have more power or whose assistance exceeds 25 km / h are known as S-Pedelecs. The same regulations apply to these vehicles as to mopeds: Insurance cover and license plates are required, and you are only allowed to drive with a helmet and where you are allowed to drive the moped. Driving on cycle paths, for example, is therefore prohibited.

Front, mid or rear engine?
Motors are installed on e-bikes either on the fork, in the middle on the bottom bracket or on the rear of the hub. The advantage of rear motors lies in the direct power transmission to the rear wheel. Front engines often lead to an unfavorable shift of the center of gravity and are therefore usually not recommended. E-bikes with a mid-engine are usually the best choice, as they hardly affect the driving behavior and are the most reliable.

And the battery?
In the past, the power packs were usually built into the luggage rack, but there are now many models in which the battery is mounted on the frame or even integrated into the frame. The latter have the advantage that they are visually inconspicuous and are protected from the elements. It is practical if you can remove the battery and charge it at home in the apartment. Regardless of where the battery is installed: Basically, you should only buy an e-bike with a lithium-ion battery, as these work reliably and have a high power density.

How expensive is the fun?
E-bikes are not exactly cheap. How much you want to spend on the e-bike naturally depends on the intensity of use. Occasional riders who only cover short distances are usually well served with an e-bike for around € 2200. Anyone who is dependent on the e-bike in everyday life should opt for a model from around € 2700. As in many other areas, there are almost no upper limits.

Current delivery bottlenecks for e-bikes
The demand for e-bikes is high. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there are now logistical bottlenecks at parts suppliers from Asia. A look at the sales platforms of online bicycle dealers shows that many e-bike models say “sold out”. So if you have found the right e-bike for you, you shouldn’t hesitate for a long time: neither delivery times nor prices are expected to improve in the near future.