How to Buy an E-Bike

Experience the E-Bike Smile

E-Bikes Are for Everyone

Whether you are new to cycling or a seasoned cyclist, electric bikes offer an expanded riding experience allowing you to see more sites, explore more terrain, and get where you’re going with less effort and more fun.

E-Bikes allow you to go farther faster. Most importantly, E-Bikes are a lot of fun!

It’s impossible not to smile when you ride one.

Understanding the Basics

How Do I Start My E-Bike Search?

Types of E-Bikes

Almost every type of "regular", "traditional", "analog", or "person-powered" bike has an E-Bike equivalent now.

When starting your E-Bike journey, think about what form of "regular" bike might fit your needs, and then imagine it with a bit of extra power to help you negotiate inclines, distances, or carrying cargo more easily.

Here are the categories of E-Bikes that you'll find at Bingham Cyclery:

Frame Styles

Finding a bike that fits your needs as well as your height and mobility is important. E-Bikes can also be a bit heavier than their non-motorized counterparts.

Many Urban E-Bikes offer frame styles that allow you to choose what feels most comfortable, while providing the performance you seek.

Low Step or Step-Through frames are designed for smaller riders, those with limited mobility, those who may ride in work clothes, and/or those who may load their bikes with more cargo.

High Step or Step-Over frames are designed for taller riders, those with greater mobility, or those seeking a more high-performance riding experience.

Not sure which style is best for you? Come test ride a few!

E-Bikes with Step-Through Frames

E-Bikes with Step-Over Frames

E-Bike Classifications

E-Bikes are categorized into 3 classes according to Utah law and the People for Bikes model.

We can help you decide which class of bike is best for you, and you can test ride different classes to feel the performance.

Class 1 : Pedal Assist to 20mph

Class 2 : Pedal or Throttle Assist to 20mph

Class 3: Pedal Assist to 28mph

Definition of an E-Bike:

Has a power output of not more than 750 watts.
Has fully operable pedals.
Has permanently affixed cranks that were installed at the time of the original manufacture.
Is fully operable as a bicycle without the use of an electric motor.

Class 1 - equipped with a motor or electronics that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 MPH.

Class 2 - equipped with a motor or electronics that provides assistance when the rider is pedaling and/or when the rider uses the throttle, and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 MPH.

Class 3 - equipped with a motor or electronics that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 MPH.

Types of E-Bikes

Urban E-Bikes

Best for recreation and commuting, urban E-Bikes come in an array of different styles. Accessorize and customize to meet your needs!

See the E-Bikes

E-MTBs

Electric mountain bikes are riders who want to ride farther and faster, exploring new trails while riding with buddies and enjoying all of the benefits of the descent.

See the E-MTBS

E-Cargo

A nimble option for riding through life. Carry the kids, ride errands while you commute. You could ditch the minivan and enjoy the ride!

See the E-Cargos

E-Trikes

Bingham Cyclery proudly carries Catrike adult electric tricycles to ensure that everyone who wants to ride can get out and go.

See the E-Trikes

Frame Styles

Low Step or Step Through

Easy to get onto and off of, no matter what you are wearing or how much you are carrying on the bike. Ride stress-free!

See These E-Bikes

Frame Styles

High Step or Step Over

Most Class 3 (28mph) E-Bikes feature these frames, but they are also ideal for taller riders and those who like a more performance-style seating position.

See These E-Bikes

E-Bikes By Class

Class 1 (20mph)

Class 2 (20MPH/Throttle)

Class 3 (28MPH)

There is always more to learn

E-Bike FAQs

What Should I Know About Motors?

The motor is the central nervous system of any electric bike and its placement on the bike can affect the way that the bike rides, corners and handles.

The best bike manufacturers design the motor to fit into the geometry of the frame, typically as replacement of the bottom bracket. This allows for the center of gravity to stay directly below the rider. The highest quality motors on the market are made by Bosch and Shimano.

MID- VS HUB-MOUNTED MOTORS

Motors mounted at the bottom bracket, or mid-mounted, provide balanced, powerful propulsion that allows the bike to handle naturally and predictably.

Hub-mounted motors may be placed at the front or rear hub. These motors are effective, but can often result in a bike feeling unbalanced or cause difficulty when fixing a flat.

If you aren't sure which motor is best for you, come test ride the different styles!

What Should I Know about Batteries?

Most electric bikes come with lithium ion batteries that charge quickly and can be plugged into any 110v outlet.

Charge times range from 3-5 hours depending on the battery and how depleted it is.

Battery life (the number of times you can charge and fully discharge the battery before it needs to be replaced) lasts anywhere from 3-5 years depending on the size of the battery and the amount of usage.

BATTERY BEST PRACTICES

E-Bikes and the batteries that power them are safe when properly used and maintained. Make sure you have the Owner’s Manual and any additional literature supplied with the e-bike. In coordination with the National Bicycle Dealers Association, we encourage adherence to the following guidelines to ensure maximum safety, utility, and life of your new e-bike and its amazing power pack.

Learn more about Caring for Your E-Bike.

How Much Do E-Bikes Weigh?

E-Bike weights can vary a considerable amount depending on bike model and battery capacity.

Most electric bikes are around 45Ibs but they can vary in weight from 30Ibs to more than 60Ibs.

Cargo bikes tend to be heavier due to carrying capacity. Some batteries are removable, making it easier to lift the bike for storage and transportation.

Remember to consider an appropriate car rack when purchasing--we recommend a receiver hitch rack.

What about Range?

Range refers to the length of distance a rider can get on a fully charged battery. Many factors impact range including size of motor and battery, weight of rider, elevation gains/losses, wind direction and more.

For example, a 500wh battery will give you an additional 50% of distance than a 250wh battery.

It is important to plan your bike ride based on the amount of mileage you can get out of the battery. Range anxiety happens when you are near the end of your battery’s charge yet you still have a noticeable distance to travel to get to your destination.

What Should I Do With an Old Battery?

Like most components on your bike, an electric bike battery will eventually wear out, not hold a charge, and need to be replaced. It's important to properly dispose of your old battery, and that's why we work with Call2Recycle to safely and responsibly recycle batteries!

When you purchase any new e-bike from us, we charge a $15 battery recycling fee to encourage you to return that battery back at the end of its life. You can also recycle batteries from bikes you didn't purchase from us for $15 each. This fee covers the safe packaging, shipping, and processing of your battery.

From fit adjustments to E-Bike Battery Health to Flat Tire Prevention, We're Here to Help