If you’re thinking about purchasing an electric bike for you or one of your family members, you must know that just like any other vehicle on the market, these ones come with price tags that go from incredibly affordable to shockingly costly. That variation in the price will rely on a wide range of things, which is why you must carefully consider what features you’ll actually need.
However, if you never purchased such a bike before, you may be wondering – what are the main differences between these options? Luckily for all people that are searching for an answer to the same question, the article below might assist you. Before we look at the differences, let’s first look at the classification by value:
The Classification by Price
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Before you can learn more about the variations, you must first learn the price classification that you might come across when browsing different stores for an E-bike. The cost categories that you might come across include:
- Under 1000 dollars – these are referred to as ‘low-end’ models. They’ll function well if you’ll only make occasional rides, as well as ones that are on flat terrain without different obstacles.
- From 1000 to 3000 dollars – these are referred to as ‘mid-range’ models. They are a good option if you’ll frequently use them for commuting to school or work or if you need to ride them for a long time.
- More than 3000 dollars – these are referred to as ‘high-end’ models and if you’re planning on taking longer rides on difficult terrain, this might be the best option for you.
Now that you understand that there is a clear difference in the prices and vehicles you could opt for getting, you can learn more about all the differences between the options, all of which will assist you with making a better decision in the end. The differences between costly and affordable electric bikes are:
1. The Battery Will Influence The Value
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The battery on the model you’re looking at is the most important component – besides the engine – and without it, your vehicle won’t be capable of running. This is why you should know that it is the most expensive part of any electronic bike out there. When researching the battery, you should know that the capacity and the company that produces it will influence the cost of it quite a lot.
More affordable models regularly come with generic batteries that can be purchase for about 15 to 20 dollars. Now, even if a high-end model utilizes a battery that has the identical capacity as a more affordable one, the brand can easily increase the cost. If a company such as LG or Bosche made it, you should expect to pay anywhere from 50 to 250 dollars – and at times, even more.
2. The Engine is Important as Well
Yet another valuable element is the motor. The performance and energy will influence the expenses you’ll gain, and naturally, a stronger motor will demonstrate quality right away, meaning that it has a higher worth. No matter if you’ll utilize a hub or mid-drive engine, its strength and the label that produced it will decree the cost.
There are options that are as low as 10 dollars, however, they’ll still be capable of suiting your needs. Some Chinese brands offer motors that have a traditional price of less or more than 150 dollars, while some well-known companies such as Panasonic offer people motors that come at 200 dollars and up.
3. The Frame is Important Too
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As you already know, the frame is the biggest element of an electric bike – and there is a good reason why it’s like this. It’s basically what keeps all the components together. According to the experts from Scooteretti, the heavier it is, the more inferior quality of the entire vehicle is. After all, heavier frames are quite fragile, hence, cheaper models will probably feature them.
On the other hand, lighter materials are manufactured from metal alloys that are produced to be durable and strong. Affordable frames will go from 100 to 200 dollars, and they’re frequently made from aluminum or iron. The better frames come with price tags going from 500 to 1000 dollars, and you’ll notice that they’re made from carbon or titanium.
4. What About Electronics?
Besides the aforementioned components, electronics are also an important part of any E-bike. Things such as an LCD display, circuit breakers, and wires all components of the electronics system. Cheaper wires that are usually made from aluminum-cooper can be found for 40 to 50 cents, however, if you choose cooper wires, you should expect to pay at least 6 dollars.
When it comes to the circuit breakers, individuals most commonly obtain them for about 25 dollars, however, for people that are on a tighter budget, they could get them for about $10. The displays are quite inconsistent mostly because their features will influence the cost. Some cheap ones can be found for $20, while the more expensive ones come at $65 and above.
5. The Breaks Are Crucial
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Although the breaks are cheaper than all the parts we mentioned in this list, they are no less important for some quite logical reasons. Just like the frame, you must pay close attention to the material of the breaks. Cheaper options will definitely be made from plastics that are low in quality, thin rotors, and pads that aren’t suitable, which is why they cost less than a dollar.
If you choose some mid-quality options, you’ll pay approximately $10 for them, and if you want something that is high-quality, durable, comfortable, and suitable for you, most online stores will offer breaks that have a price tag of $25 or $30. They’re more expensive since they have a hall-effect sensor that comes with a magnet that’ll allow better performance.
Conclusion
When it comes to the cost of an electric bike, there are various things that can influence it, which means that you’ll carefully need to browse through your options in order to see what does a particular vehicle offer. This is why you must look at all the elements and determine what might suit you best.
So, now that you have learned the main differences between a cheaper and expensive E-bike model, you might not want to lose any more of your time. Instead, you should open p a new search tab and start browsing different stores in order to find a vehicle that will suit your needs, but more importantly, your budget.