IN STOCK BAGS

WON'T BE BEATEN ON PRICE
SHOP NOW
Home > Help & Advice > Start Your Cycling Journey > E Bike Hub > Electric Bikes Buyers Guide
Two mountain bikers on a climb using Giant Trance X E+ E-Bikes Two mountain bikers on a climb using Giant Trance X E+ E-Bikes

Electric Bike
Buyers Guide

Electric bikes, also known as eBikes and pedelecs are seeing a healthy uptake with us Brits. This rise in popularity has seen big manufacturers like Specialized, Giant and Haibike expanding their eBike ranges.

Thinking of buying your first eBike? Use our informative eBike guide to see if an extra boost is best for you.

What is an Electric Bike?

An eBike is simply a normal bike with a modified frame that has been designed to incorporate an electric motor and hold a battery pack.

Most electric bikes are 'pedal assist', which means the motor doesn't kick in to give you a boost unless you turn the pedals. The harder you pedal the more help you get from the motor.

In order to be road legal in the UK, an eBike's motor must be limited to 15.5mph with an output of no more than 250 watts. Nearly all major bike manufacturers adhere to these regulations, so you can be confident whichever eBike you choose is road legal.

Anybody over the age of 14 can ride an electric bike without needing a license, tax or insurance.

Why use an Electric Bike?

eBikes aren't just for lazy people. Just like a regular bike, there are many ways to ride a power assisted bike.

Improve your fitness

Most cyclists chose an electric bike because they flatten hills and let you ride further and faster than your current fitness level provides. That's not to say you won't get fit riding an eBike. The extra boost lets you stay in the saddle for longer which will get you fitter as you still have to put in effort.

Riders with poor mobility, especially in their legs will benefit from an eBike as you don't need to spin quickly to get up to speed. The extra boost also helps veteran riders continue to cycle later into life as there is less impact on your joints and lungs.

cross country eBike riding

Hassle free commuting

A big drawback to commuting by bike is turning up to work, out of breath and sweaty. If your workplace doesn't have facilities such as showers and changing rooms then the thought of smelling all day is a big turn off.

Fortunately commuting with an electric bike lets you casually beat the morning rush without having to exert yourself. You'll get to work sweat free, refreshed and ready to take on the day. This is especially true if you have a long daily commute.

e-hybrid bike on morning commute

More off-road fun

The fastest growing sector of eBikes are electric mountain bikes (e-MTB's). With an e-MTB you can fly up the climbs so you're not exhausted for the descents. You can use your energy for epic descents and get more runs in throughout the day.

E-MTB's are fun for the casual rider. Pro enduro riders also use e-MTB's so they can focus their effort on nailing the descents, which is where time is won or lost.

e-mountain biking

Which type of Electric Bike is best for me?

e-hybrid bike

E-hybrid

These flat bar bikes are very versatile, and the most common form of eBike. With a comfortable upright riding position as well as fast rolling wheels they're ideal for city riding and commuting. The addition of a rear rack and mudguard mounts improves daily practicality. Load up some pannier bags onto the rear rack and head out on a trek. Excess weight from baggage isn't a problem.

Shop all e-hybrid bikes

e-MTB

E-MTB

eMTB's are ideal for tackling country lanes, canal towpaths and trails. Choose a full suspension e-MTB and you can ride the most technical terrain. The upright stable riding position of these bikes makes them another great choice for on-road riding.

Shop all e-MTB's

e-road bike

E-road

The newest category of eBikes are electric road bikes. These lightweight eBikes make climbing super efficient. Thanks to aero designs, when you reach the 15.5mph motor cut-off, it's easier to maintain and increase your speed. E-road bikes are great for improving fitness levels.

Shop all e-Road Bikes

How does an E bike work?

All the eBikes we sell are pedelecs – pedal assisted. As you begin pedalling the motor monitors your input and applies the correct amount of boost you need. This assistance changes as you go up or downhill. Once you reach 15.5mph the assistance will cut off. Riding an eBike is very simple. All you do is switch it on and start pedalling, the motor will do the rest.

Summary

An eBike is simply a standard bike with an added motor and battery pack. You can use them to improve your fitness, beat the morning rush, flatten hills or head off-road for a bit of fun.

eBikes are at the forefront of technological advances in cycling. Brands like Giant and Specialized are improving frame design to make it harder and harder to spot an eBike from a normal one – check out the Specialized Levo range to see what we mean.

Popular Models

Most Popular Electric Urban Bikes

Most Popular Electric Mountain Bikes

Most Popular Electric Road Bikes

£5 OFF VOUCHER

When you spend £50 or more.

Sign up to our newsletter and get all the deals and special offers first.

GoogleNorton securedNovunaPayPal Credit

© Performance Cycling Limited 2024. Tredz is a trading name of Performance Cycling Limited. All Rights Reserved Company No. 03398601 | VAT No: 797 0776 69

† IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Performance Cycling Limited FRN: 720557 trading as Tredz & Tredz Bikes are Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. We are a credit broker, not a lender – credit is subject to status and affordability, and is provided by a panel of lenders of whom we have a commercial relationship. Terms & Conditions Apply. Performance Cycling Limited trading as Tredz is registered in England and Wales 03398601. Registered office: Icknield Street Drive, Washford West, Redditch, Worcestershire, England, B98 0DE. Performance Cycling Limited trading as Tredz is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Our registration number is 720557. Credit provided subject to age and status.

Finance is subject to application, financial circumstances and borrowing history. Performance Cycling Limited FRN: 720557 trading as Tredz are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. We are a credit broker not a lender – credit is subject to status and affordability and is provided by Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC. Terms & Conditions Apply.

† Novuna Representative Example: If total purchase price is £4,255.52 and your selected term is 36 months 14.9% APR Representative, Annual Interest Rate 14.9% p.a. Fixed with £0 deposit you would pay £145.38 per month. Total amount payable will be £5.233.68 with a cost of credit of £978.16.

† Novuna Buy Now Pay Later Example: If total purchase price is £4,255.52, payment holiday of 12 months and 24 monthly payments at 9.9% APR Representative, Annual Interest Rate 9.9% p.a. Fixed with £0 deposit you would pay £213.02 per month. Amount of Credit £4255.52, Total amount payable will be £5,112.48 with a cost of credit of £856.96. If the loan amount is voluntarily paid in full before the deferral period ends, interest will be waived but an early settlement fee up to £29 will apply.

PayPal Credit is subject to status. Terms and Conditions apply. Performance Cycling Limited acts as a broker and offers credit from PayPal Credit. PayPal Credit is a trading name of PayPal UK Ltd Registered Office: Whittaker House, Whittaker Avenue, Richmond-Upon-Thames, Surrey, United Kingdom, TW9 1EH. † Full Representative Example: Representative 23.9% APR (variable), Purchase interest rate 23.9% p.a. (variable), Assumed credit limit £1,200.00.

PayPal Credit and PayPal Pay in 3 are trading names of PayPal UK Ltd Registered Office: Whittaker House, Whittaker Avenue, Richmond-Upon-Thames, Surrey, United Kingdom, TW9 1EH. PayPal Credit: Terms and conditions apply. Credit subject to status, UK residents only, Performance Cycling Limited acts as a broker and offers finance from a restricted range of finance providers. PayPal Pay in 3: PayPal Pay in 3 is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Pay in 3 eligibility is subject to status and approval. 18+. UK residents only. Pay in 3 is a form of credit, may not be suitable for everyone. Use may affect your credit score or make credit less accessible or more expensive for you. Consider if affordable for you. See product terms for more details.

Learn more about Pay in 3.

FacebookXInstagramYouTubeStrava