Commuting on an electric bike means you’re doing more for the environment than commuting by car. Not to mention the health benefits of biking to and from work!
But not every electric bike is equal. So, which commuter electric bike is the best for Australians?
The first thing you want to consider before purchasing e-bikes in Australia is the type of motor you’d like.
What to Consider Before Buying a Commuter Electric Bike: Motor Power
Motors differ depending on the output you need to power your bike. For instance, Terra Linda 3: Electric Commuter Bike can be bought with 36V 250W Bafang Motor to 52V 1,000W Bafang Motor.
The bigger the ‘W' number (or wattage) of your e-bike’s motor, the easier it will be for you to go uphill. So if your commute route includes hills, you may want to choose a commuter electric bike with as strong motor power as possible.
The next thing you want to consider when selecting which commuter electric bike to buy is your battery.
What to Consider Before Buying a Commuter Electric Bike: Battery Capacity
How many hours e-bikes battery lasts depends on your usage, weight, and several other factors. In general, your e-bikes can be used for up to 3 hours at full speed without stopping. This translates roughly to around 60 km of usage.
Depending on how long it takes you to commute, you can choose e-bikes with more or less battery capacity.
You can also choose the capacity of your e-bikes battery regardless of the brand and model of the electric bikes you want to buy. For example, the commuter electric bike Heist X2: Electric Hybrid Bike comes with several options, from 36V 10AH to 24.5AH.
What to Consider Before Buying a Commuter Electric Bike: The Chainring
The chainrings are the front gear parts of your e-bikes. Also known as the crankset or “the front ones”, the chainring is the part which determines how “light” or “heavy” your electric bike feels when you pedal it. Since you’ll be using your commuter electric bike every weekday, or even more, you need to determine which chainring will be your e-bike’s perfect fit.
You can see some examples of the chainring’s options for your commuter electric bike. The number of the teeth in your chainring influences the output you generate to move the bike forward as you pedal.
To put it simply, a 28T chainring will make your commuter electric bike feel lighter and give you less resistance when you pedal your e-bike. Meanwhile, a chainring with more teeth, such as a 36T chainring, will make your e-bike feel harder to pedal.
So if you are looking for a lighter experience, go for the smaller number. But if you’re looking for a more challenging experience, equip your commuter electric bike with a chainring with a higher number of teeth.
Choosing your First (or next!) Commuter Electric Bike with Pirez
A journey feels better with a great travel companion. When you commute by e-bikes, that means choosing the best commuter electric bike for you. Visit Pirez’s Commuter Electric Bike collections here and may your journey always feel wonderful.