Have you ever seen a bike that can fold into itself or one that actively works to reduce your fatigue? Electric bikes have become very popular and innovative since the early to mid-2000s. They have also seen a massive increase in their demand.

Increased battery efficiency and small but much more powerful electric motors have created a constant flurry of ebike options in the market. This has also led to the development of niche ebikes that were unheard of before.

It can be difficult to keep track of the wealth of options and amazing innovations in the ebike world. That is why we have created this electric bike buying guide for you.

This guide will help you understand the major ebike categories and parts. It will also highlight your options.

The Best Electric Bike Types for You

Different ebike categories may offer different motor types, battery capacities, and frame styles, and even accessories. For example, electric mountain bikes generally come with a mid-drive motor installed. A mid-drive motor is positioned near the ebike’s bottom bracket.

From there, they improve your torque for tough uphill climbs, which is possible because of the improved weight distribution of the ebike thanks to the motor's placement. Their battery range is generally from 400Wh to 800Wh. This range is vastly different when compared to the 500Wh to 1,000Wh range of some specialty ebikes.

Specialty ebikes, as the name would suggest, are for those who need a bike for specific tasks. A great example would be a hunting ebike. Hunting ebikes typically have very durable frames that can withstand the load of a cargo trailer, should you need to attach one. 

Electric trikes also have cargo frame options. However, due to their heavier builds, you can expect a battery capacity of around 400Wh to 800Wh. The same as a typical electric mountain ebike. There are many more subcategories to choose from, let’s go over some ebikes that fall under these groups.

Electric Mountain Bikes

The most succinct way to describe an electric mountain bike is to picture a traditional mountain but with the added benefit of electrical riding assistance. We touched on this in the previous section but due to the placement of their motors, these ebikes offer significant torque for going uphill.

They are great off-road rides that can perform well in a general range of technical trails and environments. The most prominent subcategory of electric mountain bikes is fat-tire electric mountain bikes.

Aostirmotor S07-B 48V/13Ah 750W Fat Tire Electric Mountain Bike

The Aostirmotor S07-B Fat Tire Electric Mountain Bike comes equipped with wide fat tires. These tires aren’t just for show, their wider surface area grants them a better grip than regular bike tires. This increased traction is especially useful when moving through wet or uneven terrain. 

 

While a mid-drive motor has that extra torque power needed to climb uphill, fat tires can also help in this regard thanks to their enhanced grip.

 

Should you ever feel as if you are going too fast or need to slow down due to terrain conditions, you can trust the hydraulic disc brakes of the S07-B. They can bring you to a stop even when moving downhill.

Ecotric Seagull 48V/13Ah 1000W Electric Mountain Bike

Hardtail ebikes are different from traditional mountain ebikes because they lack rear suspension. In case you are unaware, suspension in an ebike is what provides you with a comfortable ride that handles well.

 

With that in mind, how is it that the Ecotric Seagull Electric Mountain Bike managed to turn its lack of rear suspension into an advantage? Well, the benefit of having no rear suspension is that this ebike is a lot more efficient with its motor and battery life. 

 

When you are traveling across smooth or non-technical terrain, the absence of rear suspension means that no energy is lost by having to compress and rebound the rear shock. With this ebike, you get a smooth and powerful ride.

Aostirmotor S18 48V/15Ah 750W All Terrain Fat Tire Electric Mountain Bike

The Ecotric Seagull we just looked at has no rear suspension. In contrast, Aostirmotor S18 All-Terrain Electric Mountain Bike is a dual-suspension offering that has a much different design. With the smooth slope in its frame, this ebike does well to position itself as a stylish offering.

 

In addition to its good looks the benefits of a dual suspension ebike are aplenty. For one, you can expect a very comfortable ride, regardless of the terrain. This is because having suspension in both the front and rear of the ebike allows shocks and vibrations to be absorbed from both sides.

 

When traveling at higher speeds, this is especially important because it grants you much more control over your ebike.

Ecotric Fat Tire 36V/12.5Ah 500W UL Certified Folding Electric Bike

Having a ride that is powerful enough to get you to where you need to go but small enough to store wherever you like sounds like nothing but a dream. However, that’s exactly what the Ecotric Fat Tire Certified Folding Electric Bike is.

 

This ebike offers you a 500W gear motor, that is both powerful and lightweight. Its small size generates less noise as you zip around and it makes for far smoother rides.

 

The lithium battery packed into this folding ebike is removable, which should make it easy for you to charge. When used extensively, in high energy mode, you can expect a solid 19 to 21 miles per charge.

Speciality Electric Bikes

Specialty ebikes are designed for specific purposes. Now these specific purposes can range from hunting to just regular cruising. The key takeaway here is that unlike other ebike categories, which offer similar builds and benefits, specialty hunting ebikes can be wildly different from one another.

 

For anyone who has a strong affinity for an outdoor hobby, whether it be fishing or something else, you should start with this ebike category to find your ride.

Ecotric Tornado Full Suspension Electric Bike

Ebike enthusiasts can find it difficult to choose between a road bike and a mountain bike. Since both rides are specialized for their respective terrains, having to sacrifice one set of benefits for another is not an easy decision. 

 

Fortunately, thanks to specialty bikes like the Ecotric Tornado Full Suspension Electric Bike, riders can finally enjoy the best of both worlds. As a hybrid ebike, the Ecotric Tornado features a more upright riding position. It’s comfortable and ergonomic.

 

Its riding position also makes for more efficient pedaling, which in turn means that the Ecotric Tornado is more geared toward long rides and commutes.

Rambo Pursuit 48V/14Ah 750W Fat Tire Electric Hunting Bike

The Rambo Pursuit Fat Tire Electric Hunting Bike is the perfect companion for outdoor riding and hunts because its 750W motor is fine-tuned for intense chases and silent treks. Its motor was specially made to make as little noise as possible. 

 

It’s one of those features that takes your breath away once you see it in action. What helps the Rambo Pursuit keep its sound down is its lightweight frame. While still sturdy, the low weight of this frame helps it move more silently while still carrying heavy loads.

 

The riding seat is adjustable and for longer rides, it would be advised to adjust the seat a couple of times in between for your comfort.

Diverse Ebikes

Diverse ebikes? That sounds similar to specialty ebikes, so what separates the two? Specialty ebikes are for rough outdoor terrain and hobbies. Diverse ebikes tend to be better suited for niche riding through city streets or quiet suburbs.

 

Within this category, rather than cargo or hunting ebikes, you’ll find tandem ebikes - which let you ride with a partner - and step-thru ebikes, which are easy to mount and dismount from. Let’s take an in-depth look at two options.

Micargi Raiatea 48V/10.4Ah 500W Tandem Electric Bike

The Micargi Raiatea Tandem Electric Bike is perhaps one of the most unique rides on this list because it gives two people the opportunity to ride on top of an electric bike at the same time. Providing rider support for two people at once requires a strong motor.

 

This is why the Micargi Raiatea Tandem has been outfitted with a 500W hub motor. The advantage of having a hub motor is that it is integrated in between the two riders. Providing ample assistance to both of them.

 

This tandem ebike also has large rims and wide tires that help create a smooth ride despite the additional weight of another person.

Nakto Elegance 36V/10Ah 250W Cruiser Electric Bike With Plastic Basket

Step-thru ebikes are all about convenience. Their unique design makes it easy to mount and dismount regardless of your age or mobility. 

 

Even if you are fully capable of mounting a traditional ebike, with a step-thru ebike like the Nakto Elegance Cruiser Electric Bike, you won’t have to awkwardly hold your bike in place as you begin mounting it.

 

This ebike also comes with a basket attached for convenient front storage and a 250W motor that doesn’t take long to charge. So you can completely expect to ride this regularly and use it for daily commutes if needed. It’s compact, convenient, and not demanding, a truly perfect cruiser.

Electric Trikes

Electric trikes have one huge design choice that separates them from all other ebike types. This is because, as the name would suggest, they have three wheels, not two. Electric trikes shouldn’t be your first option for riding through technical trails, they shouldn’t be your second or third either.

 

This ebike type was made for city and small-town dwellers who prefer an ebike that maximizes stability at the cost of speed. In addition to this, electric trikes are easily capable of hauling around a small storage unit if needed.

Emojo Caddy Pro 48V/15Ah 500W Fat Tire Electric Trike

While all electric trikes feature the same three-wheel design that is known for its stability and traction, the Emojo Caddy Pro Fat Tire Electric Trike takes it one step further by coming with a powerful motor installed.

Its 500W motor can easily reach speeds of up to 20 miles! Thanks to its aluminum 6061 frame, much unnecessary weight was shed and as a result, higher speeds became obtainable. Per charge, its battery will take you a solid 35 miles before needing to be recharged. 

Electric trikes don’t typically come with this much functionality. The Emojo Caddy Pro stands alone not just as a stable ride but as a powerful one.

How to Choose the Best Electric Bike

Any ebike in Electric Bike Paradise’s collections will allow you to go farther and see more. However, there are several different kinds of fat tire ebikes and certain designs are tailor-made for specific kinds of travel and needs. 

Selecting the right ebike will require two things, you’ve got to consider your needs and then know your options. Will you be using this ebike mostly for commuting to work or school, with the occasional ride through town or are you looking for the perfect companion for your outdoor travels?

Think long and hard about what you’ll be using your ebike for. 

Hunting ebikes are typically designed to create as little sound as possible with additional off-roading capabilities. These are features you won’t find in a step-through ebike, which is designed for those that have trouble mounting a regular ebike.

Generally, you can group Electric Bike Paradise’s ebikes into four categories. They are as follows:

• Electric mountain bikes
• Specialty electric bikes
• Diverse ebikes
• Electric trikes

Keep in mind that for general riding to work, school, or just running errands through town any ebike will do. This is why you’ve got to think deeper about what features you would need pertaining to you and your excursions. 

Electric Bike Components

Electric bikes are complex rides that require many working parts to offer you the versatility and reliability that have made them famous. However, their builds revolve around three key parts. Those three parts are the following:

Tires

The tires of an ebike have to be reliable above all else. This is because ebikes are generally put to the test in all kinds of vulnerable terrain. This is why tires like the Rambo Kenda Krusader Anti Puncture Tire are absolutely necessary for any frequent ebike rider.

This tire is puncture-resistant, a feature that is possible thanks to its Kevlar-lined interior. Aside from its Kevlar interior, this wheel has 30 threads per inch casing. In other words, nothing is bringing this tire, or your ride, to a halt.

Motor, Battery, and Controller

The motor in an ebike is the electric component responsible for providing power and assistance to the rider. In short, it propels the bike forward.

The battery in an ebike serves as the energy storage unit, supplying power to the motor and allowing the bike to travel a certain distance on a single charge. A great spare battery to have on hand, which is compatible with both electric bikes and electric trikes, is the Emojo 48V/15Ah Spare Electric Bike/Trike Battery.

As for the controller in an ebike, it’s in charge of managing and regulating the flow of electrical energy between the battery and the motor. This allows you to control the speed, power, and output of your motor.

Conversion kits like the Waterproof Electric Bike 48V 1200W 700C Conversion Kit, come with everything you need to transform a regular mountain bike into a powerful and reliable ebike.

Electric Bike Buying Guide FAQs

Electric bikes are incredibly versatile and reliable but these same benefits require a degree of complexity. With so much on offer, it’s understandable that some would have questions in regard to ebikes as a whole. Below we’ve answered some commonly asked ebike questions.

How Heavy Are Electric Bikes?

The weight of an electric bike can vary depending on the type, design, and components. On average, ebikes weigh between 40 to 70 pounds. 

The weight is influenced by factors such as:

• frame material
• battery size
• motor type
• and other additional features

Some ebikes are designed to be lightweight for easy maneuverability, while others, like cargo ebikes, may be heavier due to their purpose.

Can I Ride an Electric Bike in the Rain?

Yes, electric bikes are generally designed to withstand normal weather conditions, including rain. However, it's advisable to check the manufacturer's guidelines for specific water resistance ratings. 

Most ebikes are built to be water-resistant, but submerging them or exposing them to heavy rain for prolonged periods may affect their performance. It's also recommended to dry the bike and components thoroughly after riding in wet conditions.

How Far Can an Electric Bike Travel on a Single Charge?

The range of an electric bike depends on factors such as the capacity of the battery, the level of assistance used, terrain, rider weight, and weather conditions. 

On average, e-bikes can travel between 20 to 50 miles on a single charge. High-capacity batteries and efficient motors can extend the range, while using higher levels of assistance may reduce it.

Get The Best With Our Electric Bike Buying Guide

You can trust the powerful motor and quality tires of any ebike you choose to ride on the road. An ebike gives you a reliable and convenient way to travel to places that you could not reach before.

You can commute to work in the morning and then enjoy the forest trails on a cool afternoon with an ebike. An ebike makes it all possible. Contact us to improve your mobility, go further, and explore more.