1. Read up on it

Watt hours, voltage, rotation sensor, ampere hours: can you still follow it all? The first tip is: read up on it. Become acquainted with the terms that you will undoubtedly hear in the bicycle shop. The ANWB had a good article about this, which you can find here. Another handy item: the e-bike from the Cyclists’ Federation. You can request it via this link. This will provide you with everything you need to know about e-bikes.

2. Go to a bicycle shop

You will be given clear advice and can go there if there is something wrong with your bicycle or for the necessary servicing. Furthermore, you will often be given custom work and exactly what you need. A nice link to tip 3.

3. What exactly do you need?

Are you mainly a recreational cyclist? Do you use your bicycle for a daily commute? If so, do you cycle through the busy city streets or go through the outskirts of the city? How many kilometres do you want to travel without having to charge the bicycle? Think carefully about these questions.

4. The battery itself is an issue

They are available in various sizes. Many experts recommend choosing a large (or the largest) battery. In any case, you will have to deal with capacity loss, and the battery performance decreases in the winter. This is because there is more resistance, which can demand 20-30% more power, draining the battery more quickly. If you have a lightweight battery, you will need to charge considerably sooner. And yet it all depends on the situation, which is why tip 2 is the most useful. Tip: Check this website to calculate the range for your e-bike tour

5. Which will it be: A rotation sensor or a power doubler?

If you followed our first tip, you will know what we are talking about ... Nevertheless, a brief explanation. A rotation sensor registers the rotation of the pedals and, if that happens, the motor starts. A power sensor (for bicycles with a centred motor) measures the power with which you push the pedals and signals to the motor to double that power. It feels very natural. For people with little strength, this system is less ideal because if you cannot provide much power, you also do not receive much power. Then you benefit more from a rotation sensor, which will give you the maximum support that you want. But then you are restricted to a front-wheel motor. Luckily, there is an exception. Bafang manufactures a centred motor with a rotation sensor.

6. What are you willing to pay for an e-bike?

Some preparatory research will tell you what you can get for a specific amount. The consumers' organisation dealt with this extensively in the spring of 2022, and you can check out the results here. The Cyclists’ Federation’s e-bike special also has test results.

7. What noise does your bicycle make (motors make different sounds at different volumes)?

How comfortable is it to mount? Do you sit upright, or do you have a sportier posture? What kind of steering do you like? In short, always ask for a test drive.

In conclusion

An e-bike is popular, and a good lock is definitely a requirement. Ask for more information about this at the bicycle shop, and don’t forget to take out suitable insurance. (Source: Cyclists’ Federation). Have you not yet participated in the e-bike trial? This is still possible until December 2023. Ebikeproberen.nl