Is it for commuting to work or school, pushing yourself to the limit, for enjoyment, as a hobby, or for an expedition?

Everyone has different reasons, I believe.

Amidst this, a friend asked me, "Which electric bicycle would be good for my grandfather?"

If you're reading this page, you're likely choosing a sports bike, but there are common points to consider.

I hope this information helps you when choosing an electric bicycle.

■Electric Bicycles Are Heavy

There's a common misconception many people have when considering electric bicycles.

They think that an electric bicycle with a dead battery is just a regular bicycle.

Actually, this is wrong.

Electric bicycles are heavy due to the battery acting as a weight, and their frames are designed to be thicker to withstand certain speeds.

That's why they are heavy.

In other words, an electric bicycle with a dead battery is slow.

For some city-cycle (mamachari) type electric bicycles, it's virtually impossible to ride normally once the battery dies.

Discard the idea that "if the battery dies, I'll just pedal it."

■Replacement Battery Is Key

If asked what to check when buying an electric bicycle, I would answer, "the availability of replacement batteries."

To be frank, cheap electric bicycles are sold on both Amazon and Rakuten.

It's not just electric bicycles; unknown brands are usually cheaper.

If you buy a cheap electric bicycle just to ride it, you probably won't regret it after a month or two.

However, depending on the distance and frequency of use, the battery will start to degrade after one to two years.

Even if it initially ran 20km on a full charge, that might drop to 15km, then 10km, then 8km...

For example, if you commute 5km one way, you won't be able to continue riding unless you have a place to charge at your destination.

Considering this, you'll want to replace the battery.

However, for bicycles from unknown brands, suitable batteries may already be discontinued, or in severe cases, the store itself might have closed down.

In such a scenario, you'll face the unfortunate outcome of being unable to ride your bike due to battery issues, even though the bike itself is fine.

In that sense, if you're buying a complete bike, I recommend a well-known brand.

Their performance and quality are certainly above a certain standard, but the main reason is the assured availability of replacement batteries.

For sports bikes, it's more advantageous if the electric components are separate.

This is because the possibility of replacement batteries being discontinued is lower.

Writing this way might give the wrong impression that electric bicycles have many disadvantages.

So, from here on, I'd also like to highlight the attractions of electric bicycles.

■Match Your Purpose

This isn't limited to electric bicycles, but clarify your purpose before purchasing.

By clearly defining your purpose, whether it's for commuting to work/school or for an expedition, you can determine the distance you need to cover on a single charge.

Based on that, you can choose the appropriate battery capacity and power.

As an extreme example, if you want to ride 30km on one charge but buy an electric bicycle that only goes 20km on a full charge, you'll need to charge or replace the battery somewhere along the way.

Some electric bicycles have built-in batteries, so choosing one of these can leave you stranded.

The range specified in the specifications isn't guaranteed, and in most cases, you should expect it to be less.

Considering battery degradation and other factors, if you aim for about half of the specified range, you probably won't be too disappointed.

■Long Distances Are Easy

With an electric bicycle, long distances are no trouble at all.

Recently, advancements in lithium-ion batteries have made them considerably lighter.

Therefore, one option is to carry a spare battery in your bag.

This is very advantageous for long-distance overnight trips.

You can simply recharge at your hotel and start the next day with a full battery.

There's also a trick for the return journey: send dirty laundry or unused items, along with any unwanted batteries, via courier service.

Depending on how you use it, it can be suitable for daily use or long-distance expeditions.

Especially for expeditions, if you're a beginner following experienced riders, an electric bicycle provides peace of mind.

Everyone slows down when tired, but with an electric bicycle, you can maintain a very stable pace.

■Hills Are No Longer a Struggle

This is quite revolutionary: you can ascend uphill easily without any difficulty.

For those training for hill climbs, it might seem like cheating, but as someone who isn't a serious competitor, I'm just happy to be able to climb hills with ease.

It's especially recommended for commuting to work or school, as uphill climbs become effortless.

How was that?

This information is based on my personal experience, having ridden various electric bicycles from inexpensive to high-end models.

I hope it helps you in choosing your bicycle.

External Writer: Koichi Okuno