E-bike Buying Guide

Find the Perfect e-Bike To Take Your Cycling to the Next Level

Whether you’re new to cycling, just getting started with exercise or are after a bit of assistance with those steep hills, an electric bicycle might be just the ticket. But with so many options to choose from it can be hard to know where to start in the electric bike market.

Our electric bike buying guide is designed to help you understand how to choose the right bike for you, from bike type to battery size. Simply deciding on looking at electric bikes versus normal bikes is just the beginning.

You’ll have a number of different choices - from the number of gears to the type of brake, and whether the battery has internal or external integration. Electric bikes come in women’s, men’s and unisex models, and the right style for you will depend on your body type, cycling style and the type of journeys you’ll be making. So, read on for our comprehensive buying guide for electric bikes and everything you need to know about choosing the right bike for you.

What is an e-Bike?

An e-bike (electric bike) is sort of what it says on the tin - it’s essentially a conventional bike with an additional boost powered by electricity. A motor and electric battery are added to provide extra help on climbs and more acceleration when you need it.

To comply with UK law, an e-bike motor has a maximum speed limit of 15.5mph (25 kph). That means that if you’re cycling at 15.6mph or higher, you won’t get any electric boost. There’s also a limit on power assistance - your e-bike shouldn’t generate more than 250W in its highest mode. E-bikes also need to have two pedals as the main form of propulsion.

For these reasons, electric bikes are sometimes also called ‘electric assist bikes’ and ‘pedelecs’. Batteries in e-bikes provide assistance, rather than standalone power delivery. Unlike a motorbike or electric scooter, an e-bike battery won’t be engaged until you actually start pedalling.

As with conventional bikes, there are lots of categories to choose from in the world of electric bikes. City dwellers or those travelling on mostly flat terrain might be interested in urban e-bikes or commuter e-bikes. More adventurous types looking for cycling treks in the fresh air might be looking for e-mountain bikes.

Which e-Bike To Buy?

As with choosing any type of bike, it’s important to consider how you’ll be using your e-bike before you decide which type is right for you. There are a number of different types of electric bikes, all boasting power boost and pedal assist.

So, whether you'll be urban riding in the city, are part of a family of keen bikepackers, or are simply looking to improve ride quality and get some pedal assistance, here's how to choose the best electric bicycle for you.

Best Long Range Electric Bikes

The range of an e-bike - how far you can cycle on a single charge - varies between models and depends on things like the terrain, power mode, load and tech capacity. If you’re looking for an electric bike with long range, the Novus Plus is a great choice. The powerful 800Wh battery allows a range of up to 130 miles,

Best Budget Electric Bikes

You’ll find e-bikes available for a variety of prices and with a range of specs. If you’re bike shopping on a bit of a budget but still want to take advantage of the electric pedal assist benefits, there are options on the lower end of the price scale that still provide a host of benefits. The Captus electric bike combines speed, comfort and stability all in one affordable package. The model offers a range of 50 miles plus a 9 speed-gear system and an Bosch LED display for complete control.

Best Electric Commuter Bikes

Designed for zipping past traffic on the way to work, commuter e-bikes mean you can get to the office without breaking a sweat, so arrive ready for the day ahead. Because e-bike motors help propel you forward, you might even be able to shave a few minutes off your morning routine compared to using a standard bike. Find yourself powering away at the traffic lights and using electrical assist to get some help.

For those new to the world of electric bikes, the Raleigh Motus makes for easy riding. The e-bike's range allows you to cycle up to 70 miles on the 500Wh battery, move easily through the gears, and control your speed with a Bosch Purion display.

Looking for the best e-bike for a long commute? You’ll want to think about durability and stability of course, but you also need to prioritise comfort for those longer rides to and from the office. Raleigh Novus e-bikes are ideal for longer commutes that require a bit more comfort. Hydraulic disc brakes and a range of top-of-the-range features guarantee a safe and comfy ride wherever you’re headed.

Hybrid Electric Bikes

Truly combining the best of all worlds, hybrid e-bikes offer the boost of a motor, the control of a road bike and the handling of a mountain bike. For long commutes and handling heavy traffic, an electric hybrid bike is the perfect combination.

For example, the Raleigh Hockley - armed with a Bosch e-bike battery and mid drive motor - provides output for up to 250% of your pedalling, so you’ll cut way down on commute time.

Electric mountain bikes

If you’ll be riding off-road or on hilly terrain, an electric mountain bike (e-MTB) or off-road e-bike is ideal for getting in all the adventure without all the hard work. While the battery means mountain e-bikes are a little heavier than their pedal counterparts, the payoff is extra speed, help over rocky surfaces and hills, and plenty of control.

Choosing the Best e-Bike Components

Though it might sound complicated, an e-bike’s components and mechanics are largely similar to those of a ‘normal’ bike - like a pedal road bike or mountain bike. Understanding a bit about how electric bikes work, and choosing the right parts to suit your bike and riding style is really important - read on for our team’s top tips.

E-bike Batteries

Obviously, the battery is one of the most important parts of any e-bike. In terms of how to choose an e-bike battery, both capacity and quality are important in determining how the motor runs, and how long you’ll be able to cycle on a single charge.

Things like temperature, rider weight, damage (through bumps and knocks) and charge time can all affect battery performance. While you can still use your e-bike when the battery runs out, you won’t be able to use the power-assist functions - it will function as a normal pedal bike, though it will be heavy and difficult to pedal. So, it’s important to choose a powerful enough battery to get you through the journeys you need.

All Raleigh electric bikes are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which offer great capacity and charge in a very lightweight shell. You’ll be able to monitor your battery charge level on your handlebar display, and adjust accordingly. When looking for the right e-bike battery, it’s really important to consider quality, as well as capacity and durability.

Bosch e-bike batteries are renowned for their reliability and performance - for example, the Bosch-equipped Novus Plus can cover up to 112 miles on a single charge! You’ll also be able to use the display to determine when to remove the battery for charging. e-bike batteries are detachable for easy storage and charging, though you can usually charge it while it’s still on the bike if required. Learn more about e-bike batteries and how to look after them in our e-bike battery guide.

E-bike Frames

Choosing an e-bike frame is a very similar process to choosing a frame for a road bike or mountain bike. You’ll need to get the right frame size for your height, and make sure your foot is in a good position on the pedals (and your leg can bend and straighten) when you’re on the seat.

Good quality e-bike frames come in different sizes to suit different riders and make sure you get a comfortable riding position. For example, the Novus range of electric bike come in a variety of sizes across the different frameset varieties: 38/45/50cm lowstep and 40/45/50cm crossbar.

E-bike belt drives vs chains

When it comes to the drivetrain of an e-bike, you’ll likely be looking at a choice between a chain drive and a belt drive. Both options, when you invest in a quality bike, offer a great riding experience.

There are benefits to both drivetrain types - for example, belt drives are quieter and don’t require as much maintenance, while chain drives are more affordable and more efficient. At Raleigh, we use chain drives for their affordability and efficiency, guaranteeing all our e-bikes offer a smooth and accessible experience.

E-Bike Maintenance

Choose the right e-bike and it really will become a member of the family. Ok, maybe not quite, but it will certainly be a prized possession that you want to take really good care of. Read our full guide to e-bike maintenance, and check out a few of our favourite top tips below:

General e-Bike Maintenance

Just like an electric car, it’s important to have your e-bike serviced and checked up to make sure the battery, motor and other parts are all working as they should. To arrange a service, find your local Raleigh electric store here. The specialist will be able to help with everything from checking motor performance and tweaking torque sensors to fixing bumps and realigning the handlebars.

E-bike Battery Maintenance

It’s really important to take care when you’re storing your bike - particularly during hot summer months or over winter. One option is to take the battery off the bike frame and store it safely indoors. Store your bike away on around 30-60% charge - you can monitor charge levels and plan charges by using the handlebar display.

E-bike Motor Maintenance

Because the motor is sealed, you won’t need to regularly maintain or check it. Your local specialist will check that the motor is in good working order when you take your bike in for its routine service.

How to clean an e-bike

All the usual bike cleaning tips like wiping down the frame and keeping the wheels grit-free apply. However, it’s also important to give the connectors a careful clean with an alcohol-based bike cleaner, before spraying with a proper bike lubricant like GT85 to displace water. It’s also a good idea to give your e-bike display a wipe with a dry cloth to remove any dirt or dust.

It’s ok to give a muddy bike a hose, but avoid the electrical components (battery, motor and display screen) and never use a jet or pressure washer.

E-bike Wattage

E-bike battery capacity is measured in watt hours - this measure essentially tells you how many watts the battery can send to the motor per hour. As with many things, when it comes to e-bike battery wattage more isn't necessarily better. It comes down to how you’ll be cycling, how far you’ll be going, and a few other factors. 

400Wh E-Bikes 

The bigger the wattage, the better an e-bike battery will be at powering faster acceleration, tackling steep hill climbs and carrying heavier riders and loads. 

Lots of our electric hybrid models use 400Wh batteries, including the Captus (70 mile range) and the Hockley (64 mile range). As well as an impressive range, these models have super-quiet hub motors that provide plenty of power without being too noisy.

500Wh E-Bikes

Bikes with 500Wh batteries are serious business for serious cyclists. If you’re looking for powerful acceleration and the capability to take on inclines and hills more easily than ever, a 500Wh e-bike might be the one for you. 

Cycling with a load is easier than ever thanks to 500Wh power. Models like the Motus can boost your pedal power by up to 250% for the best ride of your life - whether you’re taking on a race or just a weekend ride to blow off the cobwebs. 

600Wh E-Bikes

For more challenging trails and those looking to take to cross country cycling routes, a powerful 600Wh battery is ideal. 

The Novus, available in hub and derailleur gear options, can accommodate up to 80 miles of pedal assist on a single charge. Accelerate away from a standing start and enjoy rapid speeds over the trickiest of terrains.

Browse our full e-bike range to get started. Then, read our full guides for more information.