It goes without saying that e-bikes are becoming increasingly popular. As an alternative to the conventional bicycle, they offer users with physical disabilities the opportunity to continue cycling in the fresh air thanks to their comfort. On the other hand, bicycle enthusiasts and cycling fans have long since discovered the e-bike for themselves.

The range of e-bikes on the market and in the MYVELO online shop is correspondingly large. There are e-bike variants available for almost every purpose; from folding e-bikes to SUV e-bikes , trekking e-bikes , city e-bikes and e-mountain bikes . If you are planning to buy one, the decision can therefore be challenging. In addition to the intended purpose and the design, which must be pleasing, the range of the e-bike is the most important criterion when choosing a model.

For the sake of clarity: The range refers to the distance that can be covered with a fully charged battery before recharging is necessary.

E-bike range

The main factors that influence the range of an e-bike are the technical equipment, such as the battery and motor, as well as the weight of the bike. Your riding style and the terrain you are travelling on are also relevant. If you also follow a few tips, you can influence the range without much effort. But more on that later.

The battery

The capacity is the characteristic value that describes the performance of a battery. This is given in watt hours (Wh). The higher the number of watt hours, the longer you can ride the e-bike before the battery needs to be recharged. The usual capacity for e-bike batteries is between 400 and 1000 watt hours.

This means that ranges of 80 to 130 kilometers are realistic with a fully charged battery. Lithium-ion batteries are primarily used in e-bikes. Due to their high energy density, these offer an advantageous ratio of capacity, service life and weight.

The quality of the battery and the integrated battery management system also influences their performance and service life. The number of possible charging cycles describes the service life. For a commercially available battery, around 700 charging cycles are standard. A good battery achieves 1000 charging cycles. This corresponds to an average service life of 3 to 5 years.

Depending on the battery capacity, you should allow 4 to 8 hours for charging. It is recommended that you recharge the battery when the charge level drops below 40 percent. This is necessary when it drops below 20 percent. Completely discharging the battery should be avoided. If the e-bike is not used for a long time, it is advisable to check the remaining battery charge from time to time. This prevents deep discharge, which could damage the battery.

The motor

The most common e-bike motors are mid-engines and hub motors. The mid-engine, positioned near the bottom bracket, ensures balanced weight distribution. The torque is transferred directly to the chain. This has advantages when using the e-bike off-road.

Mid-engines are very popular due to their efficiency and good performance characteristics. They dominate in number and distribution among the engines for e-bikes.

Hub motors are located in the hub of the front or rear wheel. Compared to mid-engines, these are generally quieter and require less maintenance. Hub motors in the front wheel are found in cheaper models. They are suitable for city e-bikes and rides on flat surfaces. The positioning of the hub motor in the rear wheel ensures a very direct transmission of torque without affecting the driving feel.

Sporty e-bikes are often equipped with a rear wheel hub motor. Commercially available motors produce torques between 40 and 85 Newton meters. The motor power should be in a reasonable relationship to the battery.

Driving style and terrain

If you ride the e-bike aggressively, at high speed and with a strong start for good acceleration, this has a significant impact on the range. In this case, the motor requires high levels of power; the battery must therefore supply a corresponding amount of energy. This reduces the possible range.

Moderate speeds and a leisurely start reduce the load on the battery and allow for greater ranges. If you are travelling off-road, on sandy or scree-like ground, with lots of uphill rides, you have to overcome high rolling resistance. The motor has to produce a lot of power and needs large amounts of energy from the battery. This reduces the range.

Flat routes and asphalt surfaces, as well as taking advantage of natural conditions such as downhill rides, require significantly less energy from the battery. The lower energy requirement leads to a greater range.

What else needs to be considered

In addition to the criteria already mentioned, the weight of the e-bike plays an important role. It is known from physics that accelerating masses requires energy. The higher the mass, the more energy is required. This also applies to e-bikes. If a lot of energy is used from the battery, the range decreases.

The construction and material of the frame are essential for the weight of an e-bike. In high-quality bikes, aluminum or carbon is used for this. Compared to conventional steel frames, this offers significant weight advantages. E-bikes weigh between 20 and 30 kilograms.

Low ambient temperatures lead to a loss of capacity in the battery. As a result of the battery discharging more quickly, the range is reduced. Rolling resistance depends not only on the surface being driven on, but also on the tire pressure. The correct pressure in the tires has a positive effect on the range. If the pressure is too low, this causes higher rolling resistance. The result is a shorter range.

The choice of driving mode is relevant for the range. Using the economy mode relieves the load on the battery and allows for a longer range. When driving in sport mode, this will be less. The recuperation function enables energy to be recovered when braking. The battery is charged with this energy. If the e-bike has a recuperation function, this increases the range.

Maintenance and the age of the battery also affect the range. A new, properly maintained battery is able to store energy well. As the battery life increases, this ability decreases. The achievable range is likely to be affected.

E-bikes at MYVELO

Enough theory - now it's getting concrete! In the MYVELO online shop you have the opportunity to get an impression of e-bikes with a long range.

Don't be put off by the multitude of options! The structure of the site follows the absolutely correct approach when choosing an e-bike and choosing the future purpose. You can take a detailed look at the respective model on high-resolution images; the design, color and equipment of the bike should ultimately correspond to your ideas.

In the technical data you will find information about the battery capacity, motor performance and frame material. Here too, illustrations illustrate the details.

The MYVELO ASPEN E-FULLY MTB ranks high among mountain bikes. The Shimano EP-8 motor with 250 watts and 85 Newton meters is in the upper performance range.

The Shimano 630 watt-hour battery provides sufficient capacity for a long range. Shimano 4-piston brakes ensure powerful deceleration and safety on and off the road.

Conclusion

If you are planning to buy an e-bike, you should first be clear about what you want to use it for.

Do you need a powerful sports machine that can be used off-road, are you looking for a city bike or do you want a lot of storage space for transporting goods?

In addition to the design of the bike, which has to be pleasing, the technical data of the motor and battery are crucial. Motors in the higher performance levels are essential for sporty use of the bike. City bikes get by with significantly less power.

A powerful battery is essential for the range of the e-bike. The right choice of performance parameters and the sensible combination of motor and battery ensure that you enjoy your new e-bike.