trek bike quiz

Trek bikes range: which model is right for you?

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The humble beginning of Trek bicycles took place in the "red barn" - once a carpet warehouse - in Waterloo, USA. The first bikes were steel touring frames , but within three years the brand had expanded substantially.

Eventually outgrowing the barn, Trek moved into a much larger headquarters - still in Waterloo - in the year 1980. From there it began to manufacture road racing bikes, then in 1983 created its first mountain bike before moving into accessories come 1984.

Having started out in steel, Trek moved into developing aluminium bikes in 1985. The first Trek branded full carbon frame came in 1989 - the Trek 5000 had a frame weight of 1.5kg. It was built by an outside manufacturer and discontinued after a year. Trek made its own efforts at carbon, with an in-house production, in 1992 to much greater success.

>>> Trek mountain bikes: which model is right for you?

Now, Trek offers the Madone (aero bike), Domane (endurance bike), Emonda (lightweight race bike) and Checkpoint (gravel bike) as well as the Boone cyclocross and Speed Concept time trial machine.

Trek's OCLV Carbon

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Trek's carbon bikes have always used their own patented 'OCLV carbon' - this stands for Optimum Compaction Low Void. It believes this carbon creates the best compromise between low weight and high strength and stiffness.

Optimum Compaction refers to the way sheets of carbon are layered into the mould, and optimised via heat and pressure - in Trek's opinion the two treatments are administered to the perfect ratio. Low Void refers to the minimisation of space between the layers of carbon, which might otherwise reduce strength and durability.

In 1995, Trek opened an independent facility inWhitewater, Wisconsin. The idea being that the Waterloo factory would work in frame development only. For those who want to customise their ride, the'Project One' custom paint programme arrived in 2001.

Trek's pro cycling support

Trek supported now disgraced American cyclist, Lance Armstrong, through his peak years. In 1997, it helped him sign with their sponsored team, US Postal Service Pro Cycling. He won his seven editions of the Tour de Frances on bikes bearing the brand name, but all of said wins were later taken from him following doping violations.

In 2014, the brand sponsored the Trek Factory Racing Team, now calledTrek–Segafredo. In that role, it provided bikes for high profile winners such as Fabian Cancellara and Alberto Contador,as well as Jens Voigt, and notably his Hour Record in September 2014.

In 2020, Trek continued to support the Trek-Segafredo men's and women's race outfits, two highly successful teams.

Trek's acquisitions

Over the years, Trek has made a number of high profile acquisitions. The most famous, perhaps, Gary Fisher bicycles - the mountain bike brand which it took over in 1993.

Later came Bontrager Cycles in 1995 and Electra Bicycle Company in 2014. Bontrager, now Trek's component and apparel brand, maintains the same name as does Electra, the creator of leisure bikes and accessories.

Useful links for road bike shoppers…

Trek's road bike models

Trek is able to offer a wide range of different bikes, each tuned to a slightly different purpose. Some model families are available in a selection of standards (SLR premium carbon, SL carbon, ALR premium aluminium and AL aluminium), and then these come with assorted levels of componentry to suit your price bracket.

To add even more depth to the range, Trek offers many models in two different 'fits'. The Madone and Émonda come as standard in an H2 (traditional) fit, but there are versions in what it calls 'H1' fit. This is more aggressive, shaving off about 30mm on the head tube to create a longer, lower ride. The Domane comes in an H2 'Endurance' fit, with a few models in 'Pro Endurance', again with a longer and lower stance on offer.

Here's a look at the key model families...

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Trek Domane

Our expert review:

Reasons to buy

Reasons to avoid.

The Trek Domane was introduced in 2012. It was created to offer a comfortable ride, the key feature being an IsoSpeed decoupler which separated the seat tube from the top tube, thus reducing vibrations and fatigue.

In 2016 it gained theFront IsoSpeed, which helps to reduce vibrations at the front end without impacting handling. This came alongside a new slider, which alters the level of dampening offered by the rear.

In its most recent update , the Domane took notes from the Madone with an aero fork profile, whilst becoming more versatile thanks to clearance for 38mm tyres (without mudguards, 35mm with). It also gained a downtube compartment for stashing tools (or snacks!).

Though comfort is important to the Trek Domane, it's still a racing frame, and its prowess has been demonstrated by UCI WorldTour riders at major one-day Classics, such as Strade Bianche and the Tour of Flanders. The top Domane bikes come with an H1.5 fit, which was developed with the Trek-Segafredo teams to offer the optimal balance between aerodynamics and endurance.

The Trek Domane - available as a men's build or with women's specific componentry - is a fast selling model, which comes in a range of frame materials.

The Domane SLR uses the lightest carbon Trek offers, the SL is one step down, whilst the AL uses aluminium and is the cheapest of the range.

Trek Madone

The Trek Madone is quite another beast, and the bikes come built for men and women; the latter's models with women's saddles and narrower handlebars . With an aggressive geometry and stiffness to boot, it's a road race hero, and aerodynamics have become part of its lifeblood. When we tested five aero bikes , head to head, the Trek Madone came out fastest.

Modern Trek Madone's feature a high level of integration, with the cables tucked away yet reachable via an access point at the top of the down tube.Wind tunnel testing has helped Trek to create theirKVF (Kammtail Virtual Foil) tube shapes, used on the frame and fork. These unconventional tube shapes are designed to further reduce drag, helping the rider/bike unit to slice through the air efficiently.

Because being bumped around doesn't make you faster, the Madone also features an IsoSpeed decoupler at the seat tube and more recently an adjustable one at the head tube, which offers greater compliance whilst still being integrated to prevent adding drag.

The newest model, according to Trek, can offer 17 per cent more compliance through to 21 per cent more stiffness, depending upon your chosen setting. A damper at the seatpost is also said to cut rebound by 13 per cent. All of these stats add up to a bike that can be comfortable and stiff at the same time - and one that earned a place in our 2018 Editor's Choice awards.

The majority of the bikes come in a more relaxed 'H2' geometry, save for the Madone SLR, which is in an 'H1.5' fit - this is designed to allow riders to achieve an H1 fit or an H2, depending upon their set up.

Trek Émonda

Adding more depth to the Trek family is the Trek Émonda, launched in 2014. Designed to be a climbing bike, newer adaptations are capable of negotiating mixed terrains - with disc brakes available and tyre clearance to 28mm.

>>> Trek Émonda range explained

Trek continues to work on developing the Émonda, dropping the weight of the top end Trek Émonda SLR to 640g in a size 56cm (665g with discs) and 1091g for the Trek Émonda SL (1149g with discs). The weight difference is largely achieved by the use of700 Series OCLV carbon on the SLR, as opposed to 500 series on the SL.

The aluminium model has seen some major work and the result earned it a place in the Editor's Choice 2019 awards. The key characteristic we loved was the way it simply didn't look, or ride, like aluminium. A lot of this is down to Trek's 'Invisible Weld Technology' which increases the surface area of the frame, adding to strength and reducing weight. The ALR model's frame weight comes in at a competitive 1112g, or 1131g with discs, and it uses the brand's 300 Series Alpha Aluminium.

The carbon models are available in 'SLR' build or 'SL', the former being the lightest and the latter more affordable. The majority of Trek Émonda bikes cone in an 'H2' fit, but they can be purchased in an 'H1' geometry, if you choose the top end 'Race Shop' version.

There are a few nods to neatness and integration around, such as the use of 'Blendr Integration' which seamlessly mounts Bontrager’s cycling computer, Ionbike lights or even Garmin computers directly to the handlebars. On SLR versions there's ‘Control Freak Cable Management’ which allows for shifter and brake cables to be housed through the frame.

Trek Checkpoint

With gravel and adventure bikes a fast growing category, the Checkpoint is Trek's offering to fill that sector. The crucial element here is that both the SL and ALR frame options come fitted out with 35c gravel tyres, and can accommodate rubber up to 45c. They've all got internal cable routing, to ensure much stays out, whilst the higher end models use 'Control Freak' routing which is neater.

>>> Best gravel bikes: the top models reviewed

If you opt for the carbon SL model, you get vibration dampening from an IsoSpeed decoupler at the rear, too.  To provide stability and confidence on light trails as well as comfort on all-day adventures, the geometry is not as aggressive as the road bikes elsewhere in the range. Such all-day rides warrant plenty of kit, so there's mounts for racks and mounts. Similar to elsewhere in the range, there's AL, ALR and SL models.

Trek Speed Concept

Trek's Speed Concept time trial bike has been raced by the pros yet is still seen on the amateur race scene as a popular option.

>>> Check out Fabian Cancellara's 2016 Speed Concept

The frames use 500 Series OCLV Carbon, boasting the KVF (Kammtail Virtual Foil) tube shapes described in the Madone, plus a carbon fork with integrated brake and stem - the key goal being cutting through the air quickly.There's space to fit Trek's SC Draft Box and SC Sped Box, largely used by triathletes carrying snacks.

Trek Boone 5

Trek's got plenty of experience in the muddy realm of off-road cycling - and they've got a selection of cyclocross bikes. The Trek Boone 7 model comes with hydraulic disc brakes, a one-by crank and 12-speed cassette and they've all got Bontrager's own 33c cyclocross tyres.

The frame material is Trek's 600 series OCLV carbon, and there's front and rear IsoSpeed decouplers to help riders negotiate the mud without excess transfer of vibration. Combining the mud ready tyres, disc brakes, 'cross focused cable routing and geo into an aluminium package is the Trek Crockett family.

They key differentiation is the frame material, which is300 Series Alpha Aluminium, and there's no decoupler. However, it's still a performance bike that's ready to race.

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Michelle Arthurs-Brennan the Editor of Cycling Weekly website. An NCTJ qualified traditional journalist by trade, Michelle began her career working for local newspapers. She's worked within the cycling industry since 2012, and joined the Cycling Weekly team in 2017, having previously been Editor at Total Women's Cycling. Prior to welcoming her daughter in 2022, Michelle raced on the road, track, and in time trials, and still rides as much as she can - albeit a fair proportion indoors, for now.

Visma-Lease a Bike rider broke his collarbone, sternum and several ribs in a high speed crash at Dwars door Vlaanderen

By Tom Thewlis Published 24 April 24

Bäckstedt recently landed sponsorship from the energy drink giants and joined the likes of Tom Pidcock, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot and Evie Richards as a Red Bull athlete

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QUIZ: Which new Project One ICON colorway are you?

Each one of Trek's new Project One ICON range is unique, just like you

If you haven’t seen Trek’s latest Project One ICON paint schemes, then what are you waiting for . The new schemes are on proud display at this year’s men’s and women’s editions of the Tour de France, where each squad member is riding a bespoke paint job. Getting the bikes to the riders was a massive undertaking , but we did it for good reason: These bikes look beautiful, and they deserve to shine on cycling’s biggest stage.

Trek added five new colorways: Chroma Ultra-Iridescent, Chroma Diamond Flake, Crystalline, Real Smoke and Tie Dye. They are all gorgeous, but which one is right for you? You could spend hours agonizing over the stunning detail shots, or you could take the quiz below and let science sort out the decision for you. 

On the left of each response is a point value. Add up the total of your five selections, then consult our legend at the bottom to find out what you got. Then be sure to let us know!

The star-studded Tour bikes of Lidl-Trek.

Q1: What one word best describes you?

• Adventurous
• Sophisticated

Q2. What is your ideal night out?

• A bonfire cookout and jam sesh with friends
• Dinner party with good wine, good music and better conversation
• Dive bar with the best jukebox in town
• Dancing. All. Night. Long. 
• A tucked away cocktail bar, then an incredible small plates dinner

Q3. What luminary Trek athlete would you most like to ride with?

• Kiel Reijnen – Former roadie turned gravel adventure extraordinaire
• Evie Richards – XC MTB World Champion and absolute dynamo
• Reece Wilson – DH MTB World Champion and real charmer
• Mads Pedersen – Road World Champion and certified goofball
• Elisa Longo Borghini – Two-time Olympic bronze medalist, Paris-Roubaix Femmes winner, and unbelievably cool

They look good AND ride fast.

Q4. What is your ideal vacation?

• Camping in the woods, no one around for miles. Just you and the stars.
• Soaking up the culture in a big city — the lights, the museums, the shows, the works.
• Road trip with no itinerary. Just seeing where the road takes you and discovering new places.
• Mediterranean resort stay — sunshine, loungers and mimosas for days.
• A tour through wine country, eating and drinking only the absolute finest things.

Q5. If you could be any of these animals, which would you choose?

• River otter

All done? Time to find out which Project One ICON colorway you are!

5-8 points - Tie Dye, for those who love to have fun, find adventure, and occasionally just chill.

9-12 points - Chroma Ultra-Iridescent, for those who love nature, and have a bit of an artistic streak.

Made using a process we can't even tell you about. Seriously.

It's also already a winner. Mads Pedersen won Stage 8 of the Tour de France on this ride.

13-16 points - Real Smoke, for the ultra cool. We've probably never heard of your favorite band.

The smoke pattern is made using real flames. We're not kidding.

Literally no two Real Smoke paint jobs are the same.

17-20 - Chroma Diamond Flake, for those who LOVE to stand out in the crowd.

Millions of microscopic chrome flakes make this bike shine from every angle.

It's also limited edition, so better act if you want to get your hands on it.

21-25 - Crystalline, for those who really enjoy the finer things in life.

One of our most intricate paint schemes ever, incorporating millions of crystals for a pattern unlike any other.

You've never seen anything like it.

Make it yours

Discover more.

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Electric Bikes

Which Electric Bike Should I Get? (10-Second E-Bike Quiz)

By Lawrence Bywater

Updated Aug 28, 2023

This post may contain affiliate links, which help to keep Discerning Cyclist rolling. Learn more .

Choosing an electric bike can be difficult. And with so many different considerations to make, it’s not surprising that it’s so overwhelming.

But we want to make this process easier for you.

So, if you’re stuck thinking “ which electric bike should I buy? ” this quiz is here to help you.

Answer up to six questions below and we’ll figure out what type of bike you should get.

PICTURED: Bicycle Anatomy 101 Mug (Limited Edition)

Do the Quiz ⬇️

Understanding your riding needs.

“Where, how far and how often do you intend to ride your electric bike?” This might sound like a basic question, but before buying an electric bike we’d recommend taking a moment to think it through.

You might want to ride an electric bike to get fit (spoiler alert, they can and in most cases they aren’t cheating ), explore further afield or use the assistance to make riding to work easier or more enjoyable.

Although you could use a knife to eat your morning cereal, it’s probably not the best decision. It’s the same with electric bikes. You can ride an electric road bike off-road but it’s probably not the wisest decision.

Understanding your riding needs will also help you further down your buying journey. It’ll help you navigate the world of electric bike numbers and other frequently asked questions like “Do electric bikes charge while pedalling?”

Key Things to Consider When Buying an E-Bike

These days there are numerous electric bikes out there to choose from. When picking your favourite from a shortlist, here are some features to consider.

Type of Electric Bike

Perhaps the clearest way to define electric bikes is by using their type or sub-discipline. Like normal bikes, the main electric bike types include electric hybrid bikes, electric mountain bikes, electric road bikes and electric folding bikes – each is suited to different riding needs, tastes and styles.

Electric hybrid bikes are good all-rounders and electric mountain bikes are great for tackling tough rides off-road. Electric road bikes put more zip into long rides on the tarmac, whilst electric folding bikes are ideal for commuters or those tight on storage space.

E-Bike Brands

From large, worldwide brands which produce electric bikes of all types to smaller manufacturers that focus on specific types, every man and his dog makes an e-bike these days.

Some e-bike brands sell via a traditional dealer model, whilst others sell directly to you via their website. This choice is only good for one person, that’s you the future e-bike rider!

E-Bike Brands We Recommend:

Premium E-Bike Brands :

• Rad Power Bikes

Budget E-Bike Brands :

E-Bike Cost

Here’s a big one. The cost of an electric bike is the consideration for most people. In our experience, most electric bikes cost £1500/$1500 or more.

That’s not to say there aren’t electric bikes available under £1000/$1000 though. Certainly, as the electric bike market has developed there are more and more e-bikes below four figures. Usually, cheaper e-bikes use motors placed in the hub of the rear wheel.

Pricer e-bikes tend to have their mid-mount motors, that’s one placed at the crank of the bike, between the pedal. At the very top end, electric bikes can easily top £15,000/$15,000.

Here’s a confusing statement. Electric bikes which meet the various legal requirements (this is usually a maximum assistance speed and motor power) should all have the same maximum top speed.

That’s not to say that you can’t ride faster than the quoted top speed, indeed that figure is just the speed at which the motor will cut out. Pedal faster or head off down that steep local hill and your speedo will still rise.

Where e-bikes can differ wildly is in their wattage specification. Although motor wattage is a complex beast, in simple terms, the more watts an e-bike has, the faster its acceleration will be. It will also offer better hill climbing performance and a greater ability to carry heavy loads.

It is worth noting that in the UK, electric bikes sold as legal to ride on roads and other public places, shouldn’t output more than 250W. In the USA (there are different rules in different states), this figure rises to 750W.

Battery Capacity

An electric bike’s battery capacity determines how far it can be ridden before it needs recharging.

E-bike batteries are measured in watt-hours or Wh. Typical iterations of battery size include 300Wh, 400Wh, 500Wh and 750Wh.

Often forgotten about, gearing is an important specification on every electric bike, especially in pedal assistance mode.

Extra gears can often mean smaller increments between individual gears, that way it’s easier to match the gear to your pedalling.

Unlike in the UK, where a throttle is an illegal component on road-legal e-bikes, Americans can enjoy the freedom and versatility a throttle brings to an electric bike. Unlike pedal assist mode, where the rider has to pedal for the motor to offer power, a throttle can provide assistance with a quick twist or push.

Suspension and Tires

Amongst other all the other buying considerations, an electric bike’s suspension and tires might seem a tad dull, but give them some attention and it’ll pay off in the long run.

Suspension can deliver riding performance or comfort and the right set of tires can be the difference between a bike ride filled with frustration and one filled with joy.

Types of Electric Bikes

Most electric bikes can be classified into one of ten different sub-categories. Here’s the lowdown on each of those.

Electric Hybrid Bike

An electric hybrid bike , sometimes known as a hybrid e-bike, combines the on-road performance of a road bike, with the ruggedness and utility of a mountain bike.

If you are looking for a versatile e-bike that can take on all kinds of rides then this is it. A hybrid e-bike is an ideal choice for riding to work during the week, before heading away from the hubbub at the weekend.

Common features that earmark an electric hybrid bike include a front suspension fork, flat handlebars, wide-ish tires and extra equipment such as fenders, a pannier rack and lights.

Some electric hybrid bikes will be more suited to fast road riding, while others will perform better out in the hills, off-road. Which type suits you depends on what kind of riding you like to do.

Electric Mountain Bike

Due to the demands of riding off-road (tricky terrain and steep gradients), the assistance of an electric bike has been welcomed with open arms by mountain bikers.

An E-MTB, to give them their acronym, are for sloshing about in the mud off-road. Whether that’s at a dedicated mountain bike park or something simpler, but equally as fun, closer to home. The assistance or throttle means riders can spend less time slogging up hills and more time flying down the other side.

Electric mountain bikes , like standard mountain bikes, feature either front suspension (hardtail) or front and rear suspension (full suspension). The ins and outs of each type aren’t for this article, but essentially full suspension electric mountain bikes are for the more extreme end of mountain biking.

Electric Fat Bike

Even though electric fat bikes come in all shapes and sizes, they’ll all have super wide, 4″ tires. By having extra contact with the riding surface, electric fat bikes can plough through deep mud, sand and even snow. For this reason, electric fat bikes are the ideal e-bike for reaching beyond traditional cycle routes and into lesser-explored areas.

Don’t think that electric fat bikes are solely for off-road use. The comfort and traction offered by these extra-wide tyres promote riding confidence on easier surfaces like tarmac and gravel. This stable riding base makes e-fat bikes appealing to occasional riders or those getting back into riding after a break.

Almost all electric fat bikes have suspension to give them extra versatility.

Electric Road Bike

Sticking to the tarmac and aiming to put the hammer down or put in a good shift in the saddle? An electric road bike is for you.

To chime in with the demands of riding fast, electric road bike systems tend to be lighter and less powerful than those found on electric hybrid bikes or electric mountain bikes. Almost all electric road bikes have motors in the rear wheel rather than at the crank.

Batteries and controllers tend to be equally discrete, as manufacturers look to keep their e-road bikes looking and feeling svelte to ride.

Electric Gravel Bike

Gravel bikes are a hodge-podge of features drawn from road bikes, mountain bikes and cyclocross bikes. They are designed to be ridden fast off-road, but when the tarmac appears again, they shouldn’t slow down.

Unlike electric hybrid bikes, their drop-handlebar design means they are for riding fast off-road. Think of electric gravel bikes then as a best-hits version of electric mountain bikes and electric road bikes.

Electric gravel bikes make a great option for a fitness rider who doesn’t like sticking to one type of riding surface. They’ll induce a smile when tackling fast-flowing singletrack, but also keep up with the pace during a road ride with friends.

Electric City Bike

Typified by a super comfortable, upright riding position, electric city bikes are for those looking to pootle from A to B in towns and cities across the world. Their specification is such that they aren’t designed for speeding across town, more

The best electric city bikes should include all other important features, like lights, a pannier rack, puncture-proof, reflective tires and even an integrated lock.

Looking at them on your computer screen, you could argue that electric city bikes are a further sub-discipline of electric hybrid bikes, but their ubiquity and popularity mean we think they deserve a category of their own.

Electric Single Speed Bike

With either pedal assistance or throttle to provide momentum, some e-bike riders like to do away with gears and ride an electric single-speed bike.

This kind of e-bike is an ideal choice if you live in flatter areas, but obviously without the gears, an electric single speed bike is really limited in its riding scope.

Removing the complexity helps reduce maintenance, but it also means that this type of e-bike can be much cheaper than a standard electric hybrid bike. Something to think about if you are on a budget.

Electric Belt Driven Bike

Belt drive bikes use a toothed belt rather than a metal chain to provide power to the rear wheels. Standard belt drive bikes have found favour with commuter, city and long-distance riders who laud the system for being long-lasting, quiet and clean.

Although they up the price of the bike, a belt drive system is a worthy addition to an electric bike. Electric bikes are there to help you ride more often and more frequently so with a tough, maintenance-free belt fitted you can pedal safe in the knowledge that you will arrive at your destination or return home with a smile on your face.

Electric Folding Bike

With their concertina design and fun-filled assistance, electric folding bikes really are a marvel of modern technology. With some folding electric bikes weighing under 15kg, they’re a great tool if you commute to work via different modes of transport.

To keep the weight of electric folding bikes down, most use smaller-capacity batteries and hub-based motors.

The growth in folding e-bikes has seen a further sub-category blossom. Electric mini bikes , take the smallest folding e-bikes and aim to further reduce their folded footprint. Usually, this is done by reducing the wheel size used on the bike. If you have a very limited space at home, then take a look at these bikes.

Electric Bike Brands

The electric bike market is a competitive space. From specific online stores to traditional bike shops which also sell e-bikes and consumer-direct brands, there is plenty of variety and choice out there.

Trek, Specialized and Cannondale are three of the stalwarts of the bike industry that sell all kinds of electric bikes. Brands like these sell their wares via traditional bike dealers although it’s becoming increasingly common for them to sell directly to you via their website too.

Don’t discount newer brands though. Many only produce electric bikes and thus put all of their design efforts into manufacturing the best e-bike they can. VanMoof, Cowboy and Cyrusher are brands like this that spring to mind.

Don’t just take note of the bike manufacturer either. More often than not, bike brands fit electric components from other brands into their e-bikes. Brands like Bosch, Shimano, Ebikemotion and Bafang are some of the most well-known.

Bosch is perhaps the leader in the field thanks to its experience in electrical devices of all kinds. It’s also worth looking out for Shimano e-bike systems thanks to the brand’s vast knowledge of bicycles and their components.

How Much to Spend on an Electric Bike?

A budget for an e-bike will obviously vary greatly, but it’s worth spending some time considering how much your budget for an e-bike should be.

Clearly, electric bikes are more expensive than regular bikes, but for something that could potentially be ridden every day, is there a price that’s too much?

Electric Bike Cost

As electric bikes have grown in popularity so has the variety of price points, but how much do electric bikes actually cost ?

In our experience at current prices, a low price for an e-bike could be considered around the £/$1000 mark. On average most e-bike riders spend around £/$3000 for their bike.

Those spending big on their e-bike will be dropping £/$6000 or more. Today it’s not unusual to find the very top-end electric bikes, especially electric mountain bikes, electric road bikes or electric gravel bikes retailing for five figures and over – that’s £/$10,000 plus!

Are E-Bikes Expensive?

Clearly, you could buy yourself a very, very nice standard bike for the price of an average electric bike. But in the grand scheme of things, even a high-priced electric bike isn’t a vastly expensive object.

Consider that an electric bike could replace your car and it’s not hard to see that buying an e-bike could be a wise decision financially.

Cheapest Electric Bikes

Shoppers in both the USA and the UK are well-catered when it comes to finding cheap electric bikes. Larger retailers like Decathlon and Halfords, as well as new entrants like Engwe, have seen the popularity of electric bikes rise and produced low-priced models as a result.

The choice below the £/$1000 mark becomes a bit patchy, especially if you are looking for something really specific, but there are still plenty of cheap electric bikes out there to choose from.

Electric Bike Speed

In the UK, legal e-bikes shouldn’t exceed 15.5mph. That’s the speed an e-bike will help take you up to before its motor cuts out. You can ride faster , but at speeds great than this, it will all be down to you!

It’s slightly different in the US and to confuse matters further e-bike speed rulings can vary from state to state. But in general, Class 1 e-bikes have a maximum speed of 20mph . Class 2 e-bikes have the same maximum speed but allow the use of a throttle. Those electric bikes in Class 3 are the fastest electric bikes – they have a maximum assisted speed of 28mph.

Wattage: What Size E-Bike Motor Do I Need?

A key consideration with many electric bike shoppers is the size of the motor on their chosen bike. The size is expressed as watts, or W for short. The majority of e-bike motors on the market today – from the likes of Bosch – are rated at 250W. But what is this rating and is a higher number necessarily better?

What is Wattage?

Electric bike wattage refers to the power output of the motor on the bike. Its exact rating refers to the calculation of the power leaving the onboard battery at the maximum rate set by the controller on the e-bike.

Does Size Matter?

Common variations of e-bike motor wattage include 250W , 500W , 750W and 1000W . Size does matter to some extent and ultimately more power is more power.

Is More Better?

There are a number of circumstances where more watts might be better. If you’re a heavier rider than the average, you’re looking for an e-bike with rapid acceleration or one with excellent ability at riding up steep gradients, then an e-bike motor with a higher watt rating is for you.

That said, more watts aren’t always better. A higher-powered motor will have greater battery demands than one with less power so it might require a larger (and heavier) capacity battery to run it.

Another figure you can look for in relation to watts is motor torque. This figure is essentially how the motor delivers the power rather than the exact amount. Some motors can have the same number of watts but different levels of torque.

What E-Bike Wattage Do I Need?

The exact e-bike wattage you need on an e-bike will be personal to you. Whilst some riders wouldn’t dream of riding an e-bike with a 250W motor, for most of us and particularly those riding an e-bike for the first time, a motor with a 250W rating will be more than enough.

Battery Capacity: How Far Can an E-Bike Go?

A large capacity e-bike battery is like having an extra large fuel tank in your car – it will take you further on one charge than an e-bike with a smaller capacity battery.

The exact range of an e-bike depends on your chosen model and a whole host of other factors. From your weight and aerodynamics to the weather, the terrain and the rolling resistance of your tyres there are many factors that can reduce or extend the e-bike battery range.

Typically most electric bikes will have a range of around 20-50 miles or 50km. Electric bikes with the longest range will typically top over 100 miles or 200km before they need a recharge.

What E-Bike Battery Size Do I Need?

Electric bike batteries are usually tailored to the size of the onboard motor and the overall requirements of the e-bike in question.

Just keep in mind that costs to charge an e-bike are almost unnoticeable at best and negligible at worst.

Is a Bigger E-Bike Battery Better?

No. Small batteries are fine if you ride short, regular distances – like a commute to work – when a plug socket is always nearby. Plus, large-capacity batteries are heavy, can be unwieldy and are expensive to replace should they break or get stolen.

How Often Do E-Bike Batteries Need Replacing

Different e-bike batteries have different lifecycles, but to quote one figure, most will last around 1000 charge cycles before they start to empty faster or dispate their energy between rides.

Electric bike batteries are a valuable part of any e-bike and can be expensive to replace at the end of their lifespan so it’s a good idea to take care of them.

By following manufacturer advice on caring for an e-bike battery, you can extend the life of a battery and get the most out of it.

Do I Need Gears on an Electric Bike?

Whilst some electric bikes can be single-speed (1 gear) most will have at least 7 gears or more on board. Each gear (along with the assistance level) will help you tackle different riding circumstances on your e-bike. Occasions like riding from stationary, summiting a hill or riding fast.

E-Bike: Throttle or No Throttle?

Although vilified by some as cheating, throttles on electric bikes make sense, particularly for those riders looking to use an e-bike to replace their car, those commuting to work on an e-bike or those getting back into bike riding after a hiatus.

99% of electric bikes that feature a throttle also have a pedal assistance setting too, so that way you can spin your way to fitness, freedom or fresh air.

Suspension and Tires Choices

Suspension, whether at the front or front and rear, helps an e-bike find traction, particularly when it’s off-road. This is especially important for high-wattage electric bikes.

Plan on keeping your electric bike rides to the tarmac? Don’t dismiss an e-bike with suspension. Smaller amounts of travel (that’s how much squish the suspension has) provide gentle cushioning on rough, pitted roads or when negotiating speeds humps and curbs.

Tires are an important aspect of any bike, let alone an electric bike. Typically manufacturers will match the tire to the bike type, with wide, knobbly tires suited to electric mountain bikes, and slick, narrow tires paired with e-road bikes.

Take note of extra tire features like puncture protection or reflectivity – these will definitely come in handy on a feature bike ride we assure you.

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