The designation of the battery capacity of pedelecs is usually in watt hours (Wh). You are responsible for the range of the electric bike. However, some manufacturers also use the specification of capacity in ampere hours (Ah). To get the actual power from the specified ampere-hours, multiply the ampere-hours by the voltage (volts). We remember: Pedelecs are limited to a battery capacity of 250 Wh, whereas S-Pedeles can have a capacity of up to 450 Wh.
Rediscover the fun of cycling
In our range of bicycles, we also provide you with e-bikes. Get to know the advantages and disadvantages of e-bikes and the difference between e-bikes and pedelecs.
Advantages and disadvantages
You will quickly notice that riding e-bikes is a lot of fun. But the fun doesn't stop there. Electric bikes have many advantages. We have summarized the advantages and disadvantages of e-bikes for you.
Benefits
- Faster goal achievement
- Increase in average speed
- Comfortable, upright and back-friendly sitting position
- Improved mobility
- Less effort
- More fun on longer bike tours
- Environmentally friendly
- Almost noiseless
- Suitable for any age group
Disadvantages
- Upgrading the bike means increasing the weight at the same time
- Initial feeling of getting used to driving
Difference between e-bikes and pedelecs
It makes sense to make a distinction between e-bikes and pedelecs. We would be happy to explain the difference between the two electric bikes so that you know what you are using for your bike tour.
What is a pedelec?
Pedelecs are motorized vehicles that are considered bicycles despite supporting motorization. Pedelec is a so-called suitcase term for "Pedeal Electric Cycle".
How does a pedelec work?
The principle of pedelecs is easy to understand. The motor support is controlled by a motion sensor and only released when you actually pedal. In addition, the degree of support and the speed are controlled by a "throttle grip". This means that thanks to a special electric motor and electronic control, the driver is more or less supported when pedaling. This is determined by sensors. An accumulator generates the necessary energy.
According to EU guidelines, pedelecs can be motor-assisted up to a maximum speed of 25 km/h. If the limit is exceeded, the support switches off automatically.
Experience Germany's most beautiful cycling tours with a pedelec.
What is an e-bike?
An e-bike is an electronic bicycle in which the engine power, like that of a moped, is completely controlled by a twist grip.
How does an e-bike work?
Motorization and muscle power act independently as drive systems on an e-bike. Like pedelecs, electric bikes can be used in mixed operations or as conventional bikes. At the same time, e-bikes can be operated using pure engine power. To ride an e-bike you need an operating permit in Germany. The maximum speed was limited by law to 20 km.
Whether it's an e-bike or a pedelec: we wish you a lot of fun on your cycle tours with these supportive bicycles.
Tips for traveling with e-bikes
We would also be happy to give you a few tips for riding e-bikes. For safety reasons, we therefore recommend that you always wear a helmet when using an electric bicycle or a pedecle. Even if there is no legal obligation to wear a helmet for either of them, we recommend wearing one for safety reasons.
Drive yourself in! The first ride on an electric bike may be unfamiliar to you. Therefore, first do a couple of laps on an e-bike to get used to the feeling of riding. As with conventional bicycles, the seating position on e-bikes must first be adjusted to the body before you go on a bike tour. Allow yourself enough time for this. Under Wheels you will find more information about our range of bicycles.
Experience our group cycle tours with e-bikes. For example along the Mecklenburg Baltic Sea coast with the group tour - Baltic Sea coast with "E-Bikes.
Or discover the northern German islands of Hiddensee, Rügen and Usedom with electric bikes on the 3 islands - group tour with "e-bikes.
The characteristics and components of an e-bike
An e-bike is, by and large, constructed like a conventional bicycle. Three components transform a normal bicycle into an e-bike or pedelec: the electric drive (motor), the traction battery, and the control electronics for the motor. A pedelec also has a special sensor that detects the pedaling motion. This is particularly important because, on most e-bikes, the motor only engages when the rider is actually pedaling.
The controller
It is the link between the driver, the battery, the motor and the sensor. The controller recognizes the signals from the sensor, which in turn provide information about the cyclist's activity. Based on this data, the controller controls the motor of the e-bike.
The e-bike battery
The battery of an e-bike is also known as a traction battery and consists of several battery cells connected together. The drive energy for the electric bike is stored in the battery. The battery is therefore the main factor influencing the electric range of the bicycle.
Stand for e-bikes 4 different battery types to disposal. Lead acid, nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride and lithium ion batteries. Lead-gel batteries are only rarely used. Nowadays, high-quality e-bikes mainly use the Lithium-ion batteries installed, which have the highest performance among all 4 types. In addition to the longer range, the lithium-ion batteries are particularly characterized by their long service life. In addition, with them there is no risk that the so-called Memory effect occurs, which weakens the service life and performance from charge to charge.
The range of an e-bike battery
The following runtimes can be expected with rechargeable batteries:
- Nickel-cadmium batteries: 25-30km
- Nickel-metal hydride batteries: about 45 km
- Lithium-ion batteries: over 50km
The actual range, however, depends not only on the battery cells, but on many other factors. These include: the selected assistance level, shifting behavior, rider and luggage weight, tire pressure, and road surface. With a few tricks, ranges of up to 140 km can be achieved.
- Enough air in the tires
- Shift into an appropriate gear
- Chain and Drivetrain Care
- Streamlined cycling clothing
- Sporty seating position
- Keep baggage to a minimum
- Even driving style with a "round kick"
In general, the batteries should not be run completely empty. Frequent recharging and avoiding deep discharge increase the service life of your battery. Don't be put off by frequent loading. No memory effect can occur with the high-quality lithium-ion batteries. Memory effect means that a voltage drop occurs with frequent partial discharge, ie the usable capacity of the battery decreases. Now you might be wondering about charge cycles. Manufacturers often state a maximum of 1000 charging cycles. That doesn't mean you can only charge your battery halfway 1000 times. 2 charging cycles at 50% are the same as 1 charging cycle at 100%. This means you can do partial charges of 50% a total of 2000 times.
Otherwise, you can only ride with an empty battery if you completely switch off the battery support. Then every e-bike can be used like a normal bicycle.
Before using the device for the first time, please read the manufacturer's instructions carefully. When charging, it is important that you only use the original charger from the manufacturer. Anything else can cause irreparable damage to the battery. When charging, the mains plug should be the last thing to be connected to the socket. Conversely, it is the first thing to be drawn again after loading. This is how you avoid a short circuit.
The performance of a battery decreases over time. If you have reached half of the specified charging cycles, your battery still has around 60-70% of its original capacity. However, frequent recharging and avoiding running empty will extend the life of the battery.
Would you also like to be able to use your e-bike unhindered in winter? Then you should definitely take a look at the user manual. In general, it can be said that rechargeable batteries do not like the cold. However, high-quality branded batteries are generally less susceptible to the cold than discounter goods. The ideal temperature for storing and charging the batteries is around 10°C. In winter, it is advisable to take the battery with you into the apartment and only replace it shortly before you set off on your journey.
After the long tour uphill, you are often rewarded with a rapid descent into the valley. You can rest your legs and you don't have to pedal a lot. How practical would it be to use the relaxed ride downhill to recharge the previously used battery capacity? Some e-bikes now make this possible. However, this is only possible on selected models with hub motors in the front or rear tires. They also turn in pedal breaks and during Bremsen further. Providers of these drive systems, which also serve as generalors, include: Xion, BionX, Greenmover.
Recharging a battery when driving downhill is also referred to as recuperation.
The electric drive of an e-bike
In e-bikes mainly DC motors are installed. AC asynchronous motors, on the other hand, are rarely used. The most commonly used methods to power an e-bike are as follows:
The front wheel drive
The front-wheel drive of an e-bike, as the name suggests, is integrated into the front wheel, or more precisely, into the front wheel hub. Because this design is relatively simple, it's often found on e-bikes in lower price ranges. This electric drive is compatible with any gear system (hub or chain) and coaster brake. Unlike a mid- drive motor, the hub-drive system can be retrofitted relatively easily. So, if you want to convert your regular bicycle into an e-bike, the best way to do this is with either a front-wheel or rear-wheel drive. Since bicycles typically have rear-wheel acceleration, you should be aware that the front-wheel acceleration from the electric drive can take some getting used to.
Advantages and disadvantages of front-wheel drive at a glance:
Benefits
- Traction advantages due to higher weight in the rear wheel
- The engine effect goes directly to the wheel
- Compact design and high efficiency
- A high contact pressure enables sporty driving
- Less noticeable than front-wheel drive
- Insertion of a hub dynamo is possible
- Energy recovery is possible
- Easy replacement of the motor possible
Disadvantages
- Removing the rear wheel is more complicated than removing the front wheel
- Cabling is often cumbersome
- Usually only a combination with derailleur gears is possible
- resignationemse is only possible to a limited extent
The rear wheel drive
This model also uses a hub motor , but it's mounted in the rear wheel . This shifts the e-bike's center of gravity further back, resulting in more stable handling, especially uphill and in wet conditions. A rear-wheel drive is also particularly suitable for cyclists with sporty riding needs. Like the front-wheel drive, the rear-wheel drive can be retrofitted to a regular bicycle, but the process is slightly more complex due to the gear system.
Benefits
- Traction advantages due to higher weight in the rear wheel
- The engine effect goes directly to the wheel
- Compact design and high efficiency
- A high contact pressure enables sporty driving
- Less noticeable than front-wheel drive
- Insertion of a hub dynamo is possible
- Energy recovery is possible
- Easy replacement of the motor possible
Disadvantages
- Traction advantages due to higher weight in the rear wheel
- The engine effect goes directly to the wheel
- Compact design and high efficiency
- A high contact pressure enables sporty driving
- Less noticeable than front-wheel drive
- Insertion of a hub dynamo is possible
- Energy recovery is possible
- Easy replacement of the motor possible
The mid-engine
The mid-drive motor on e-bikes is mounted directly at the bottom bracket , requiring a special frame design. Due to their more complex construction, e-bikes with mid-drive motors are in the mid- to high-price range. You won't find any inexpensive models with mid-drive motors. Together with the rider's pedaling power, the motor drives the chain and thus the bicycle. E-bikes with mid-drive motors offer the closest riding characteristics to regular bicycles and are therefore very popular with many cyclists. This is mainly due to the low center of gravity , which ensures stable handling. On bicycles with suspension, the motor is also located within the suspension system, promising a particularly high level of comfort. For this reason, experts believe mid-drive motors have the greatest long-term potential. Perhaps the strongest argument in favor of a mid-drive motor is its increased efficiency compared to front and rear-wheel drive systems. Higher efficiency means lower power consumption , which is especially important on long rides.
Advantages and disadvantages of the mid-engine at a glance:
Benefits
- Direct transmission of power to the chain
- A low center of gravity and a long wheelbase ensure that the bike runs in a straight line
- Compact cable routing is less prone to failure
- Can be combined with all circuits (hub and chain)
- Changing front and rear wheels is not a problem
- Natural driving experience
Disadvantages
- High price for special frames
- Only a few models with resignationemse
- Higher chain wear due to increased load on the chain and sprocket
- Often only in combination with derailleur gears
- With derailleur gears, only one chain ring is possible at the front
- No energy recovery possible
Retrofit e-bike yourself
Do you already own a good bicycle but would like to upgrade to a motorized version without buying a new one? Then you can convert your old bicycle into an e-bike using a special conversion kit. This involves replacing either the front or rear wheel with an e-bike wheel . If you have experience changing tires, you should be able to install the new kit yourself, although a front-wheel motor is generally easier to install. The gear shifting can be problematic with a rear wheel – so it's best to consult a specialist retailer.
What does an e-bike retrofit kit include?
In addition to the new front or rear wheel, the retrofit kit should contain the following components: holder for the battery, battery (not supplied by all providers), cable, screws, control unit for the energy management.
What do I have to pay attention to when converting?
- the decision between hub motor and central motor: hub motors are usually easier to install because they do not place any special demands on the bicycle frame
- a front wheel hub motor cannot be combined with a hub dynamo
- Rear wheel motors can only be combined with derailleur gears
- the specified performance must correspond to the requirements of the e-bike. If you want to upgrade to a normal pedelec, the motor must not exceed the power of 250 W.
- the bike must have a stable frame; Handlebars, fork and frame must not exhibit any fatigue decisions
- very good brotheremswho can handle the increased weight of the e-bike
Legal regulations
Before you begin converting your bike, you should be aware of some basic legal principles . If you convert your e-bike yourself, the manufacturer's warranty becomes void, as you are now legally considered the manufacturer of the bicycle. Therefore, it is recommended to have the installation carried out by a specialist dealer or workshop. With the installation of the retrofit kit, the dealer becomes the manufacturer with all associated warranty obligations. This means that in the event of an accident caused by a defect in the bicycle, they may be liable for damages. For this reason, many specialist dealers refuse to install retrofit kits altogether.
Another benefit of having an expert install is that they are yours at the same time Check bike for suitability can. Frame, fork and handlebars must not show any signs of fatigue and the Bremsen must function properly. It can often happen that the components of an actually good bicycle are not suitable for use on an e-bike.
If you convert your bicycle into an S-Pedelec, you must also take out liability insurance and have your S-Pedelec inspected by TÜV. A type approval certificate is required for these bicycles.
Before the purchase
You've decided to buy an e-bike and now want to visit your trusted dealer? Then we recommend reading our e-bike buying guide to avoid making any hasty decisions. Don't be afraid to advocate for your needs. Because only an e-bike that perfectly matches your requirements is a good e-bike.
Free purchase advice - How to find the right e-bike
- Print PDF file
- Answering questions
- Show the checklist when buying an e-bike
- Choosing the right e-bike
When buying
After you have prepared for the purchase, you can start. Go to specialist dealer you can trust and let us show you the right e-bike models for your needs. One is particularly important when buying an e-bike extensive test drive. Test different drive systems to test the driving style with front and rear drive and mid-engine. Shift through all gears once and set the Bremsen to the test.
Try out different e-bikes to see which one makes you feel safe and offers the best riding experience . Some retailers even offer extended test rides. This is the only way to make an informed purchase decision. During a test ride, also check if you can easily operate all the controls on the handlebars. Can you clearly see the display and use it with ease? Take your time when making your purchase decision.
After the purchase
Before you set off on your new e-bike, you should have it adjusted by a specialist dealer . The handlebars and saddle must be individually adjusted to your height and riding position. This is the only way to guarantee a comfortable ride. E-bikes with suspension can also be adjusted to the rider's preferences. Your bike dealer will certainly be happy to assist you with this. For new e-bike owners, it is particularly important to read the operating instructions regarding battery handling and e-bike maintenance . Pay special attention to the initial battery charging and recommended charging cycles.
Cost of a good e-bike
Just as there are different price ranges for classic bicycles, the different models of e-bikes also differ in price.
A good entry-level model for city traffic and initial bike tours can be had for around €1000. Consumer protection agencies advise against models costing €600 or more, as the battery and build quality are often inadequate in these lower price ranges.
City bikes are in a higher category . They offer ample space for bags and shopping, and a comfortable seat is a top priority. City e-bikes start at around €1.300, but can easily cost up to €2000.
If you enjoy cycling a lot and go on longer bike tours, you should opt for a touring bike with electric assist . The main focus of these e-bikes is on a long range and high level of comfort. Trekking bikes start at around €1700 and go up from there.
For sporty riding at speeds over 25 km/h, we recommend a sports bike . The materials and motor of these sporty e-bikes are specifically designed to meet the increased demands. However, you'll also have to dig deeper into your pockets. These models often start at €2000 and go up from there.
