Which Electric Bike Has the Longest Range?
December 25, 2022
If you are in the market for an electric bike for adults, chances are you’ve already looked at a variety of different options. Knowing which one to choose depends on what you’re looking for. Are you wondering if riding an electric bike helps you lose weight? Are you looking to go on off-road adventures? Are you looking to ride around your neighbourhood? Answering these questions will help you figure out which electric bike is best for you.
As you shop around, you might find yourself with a few other questions. Aside from wondering how far you can go on an electric bike, you might also be wondering which bike has the longest range. In the same way that people heavily rely on fuel efficiency when shopping for cars, it is viable to keep the range in mind when shopping for electric bikes. There is no fun in taking your electric bike out for a ride only to have to turn right around to charge it.
There are many bikes that claim to have long ranges, and while it is important to do your research and go straight to the source, there are a few factors that will always affect the answer.
Battery
The battery is a critical component of your electric bike. If depleted, your bike will not work until it is recharged. If it is nearly depleted, you might start to notice a slight decrease in your bike’s overall performance, and the opposite is also true. A battery that is fully charged will result in a great ride.
The reality of almost all devices that utilize batteries is that they lose capacity and performance over time. The more your battery is charged and used, the more you will notice reduced capacity as it ages—that’s part of normal wear and tear.
It’s important to know what type of battery your electric bike operates on. There are two common types used in e-bikes: lithium-ion and lead-acid. While lithium-ion batteries tend to be more expensive, they also provide a longer lifespan and more power. Lead-acid batteries, on the other hand, don’t provide as long of a range and are not as common as they once were.
Of course, the bigger the battery on your bike, the more range you can expect from it.
What Are Your Bike’s Types of Assist?
As you shop around, you might see that each bike has different types of assist. Some bikes might offer pedal-assist, which turn the motor on when you pedal. This is the most efficient, because in general, you are doing much of the work to accelerate and maintain speed. There are also bikes that have a throttle, which propels you without the need to pedal. This will drain your battery quickly, as you are not helping to propel yourself. It is important to check with your manufacturer and bike model to see which features your bike has–the amount of assistance your bike provides will affect your range.
How Do You Ride?
If you’re a relaxed rider, pedaling gently without asking too much of the bike’s motor, you can expect your bike to have a higher range. The opposite also stands, however. If you tend to ride aggressively, use the throttle often and use the bike’s full power, you will probably have a shorter range.
As you shop around, consider these things. Know what type of rider you are, how often you expect to be using your bike, and the type of terrain and conditions you might be riding in. This information will assist you in finding the right bike for your needs; luckily, Ride1Up’s selection of e-bikes is sure to have something to fit the preferences of any rider!