Teros News / ebike

It can be hard to decide where to start when you are looking at ebikes. There is a lot of information, and it is easy to get confused.

However, below are a few questions that you can consider and help you decide which ebike suits your needs.

What kind of riding are you going to do?

The answer to this question will help decide the category of bike you are looking for. Do you want the bike for commuting, touring, carrying kids or cargo, trail bike riding, mountain bike riding or would you prefer a folding bike?

Once you have decided on the type of riding you want to do then consider the ebikes in this category on our website.

What frame type do you prefer?

Bike frames come in many different types and sizes.

Bike frames are made from either alloy, steel or carbon fibre. Currently, more ebikes are made from alloy. Teros only has alloy bike frames.

Bike frames made from carbon fibre are strong and light but they can’t be recycled as carbon fibre is not biodegradable nor photodegradable. 

In the category of ebike that you have selected consider what frame type you prefer. If you have a bike already you may prefer to stick to the same frame style for your ebike as well. In general, there are three main types of frame - the step through with the low bar, a frame with a cross bar, and a frame with a lower cross bar.

How far to you want to go on a normal ride? How far would the furthest ride be?

The distance you want to travel will help determine the size of the battery that you may need. However, the distance you want to travel is also effected by the type of motor the ebike has.

Ebikes have two main types of motors - mid-drive motors (in the pedal crank) and hub motor (in the hub of the wheel). An ebike with a mid-drive motor is about 50% more energy efficient compared to an ebike with a hub motor.

 The battery capacity determines the travelling distance and is measured in either watt hours (Wh) or amp hours (Ah). The most common battery sizes are 400- or 500-watt hour (or 11- or 14-amp hours) batteries.

An ebike with a 400-watt hour battery will go approximately 30-75 km on an ebike with a mid-drive motor or approximately 20-50 km for an ebike with a hub motor.

An ebike with a 500-watt hour battery will go approximately 40-100 km on an ebike with a mid-drive motor or approximately 30-75 km with an ebike with a hub motor. If the terrain is hilly, you are more likely to go the lower end of the range and if the riding is flat, you are more likely to go the higher end of the range.

If you are considering an ebike with a Bosch motor and battery, please go to our website under the cycle tab and select “How far will I go?”. This tool allows you to calculate the distance you can go with different Bosch motors and batteries under different conditions.

How hilly is your regular ride?

The hilliness of the terrain of your rides will help determine the power of the motor that you may need. The power of a motor is the torque of a motor, which is measured in newton meters (Nm). Please don’t confuse this with the electric power consumption of a motor which is measured in watts (W). Described below are the types of riding and the motor power suitable.

Motors with the maximum torque of 40 Nm are suitable for gentle slopes. Our Velectrix, Merida, Kalkhoff and Gazelle brands have bikes with motors in this range. For Bosch powered bikes (Kalkhoff and Gazelle brands) the Active Line motor would be suitable for this type of riding.

Motors with the maximum torque of 50 Nm are suitable for more hilly riding. Our Dyson, Kalkhoff and Tern brands have bikes with motors in this range. For the Bosch powered bikes the Active Line Plus motor is suitable for this type of riding.

Motors with the maximum torque of 60-70 Nm are suitable for this type of riding. Our Kalkhoff, Focus, AVE and Tern brands with the Bosch Performance Line motor are suitable for this type of riding.

Motors with the maximum torque of 80-90 Nm are suitable for this type of riding. Some of our Focus, AVE, Yubba, Benno bikes have the Bosch Performance Line CX motor which would be suitable for this type of riding. 

For each individual bikes we have on the website the torque of the motor is listed under the “Electric Drive System” under the motor section.

The table below summarises the type of motor that maybe suitable for the type of riding that you will be doing.

Would you be regularly lifting or carry your bike upstairs or in/on a vehicle?

Ebikes are heavier than normal bikes so they are harder to lift. Generally, ebikes weigh from 20-30 kg with a battery but are about 3-5 kg lighter when the battery is removed. If you are regularly lifting a bike you could consider a slightly lighter folding bike. The weight of each bike is listed under on the website under the “Frame, Wheels & Components” section.

 For more information and to discuss the ebike options we have available to suit your needs, pop in store or give us a call.

Test rides are available on all our bikes. If you are ready to try riding an ebike, call us to book in a test ride on 03 6292 0555.