How to choose a bike and ebike and what features to look for？

There are many bicycles and electric bikes on the market. Electric bikes are increasingly popular. They look and feel like traditional bikes, but they have a built-in motor that propels you forward as you peddle, making them a popular choice for both recreation and commuting. 

Bikes and electric bikes come in a wide range of styles and configurations. Unfortunately, they are also not the easiest things to shop for. If you'd like to buy a new bike or ebike, here's what to look for.

1. Type of Bike and Ebike

Bicycles and electric bikes are also categorized according to their overall design and suitability for different terrains. While the exact names vary depending on the manufacturer, most Bikes fall into one of the following four categories:

• Road Bikes: These bikes are designed for use in urban areas. They aren't suitable for going off-road, but they are light and easy to handle. They are also the cheapest option.
• Mountain Bikes: These bikes are designed for rough terrain. They are much more versatile and have better suspension (front suspension and rear suspension). The downside is that they are heavier and often more expensive.
• Hybrid Bikes: Hybrid bikes are suitable for both urban and off-road riders. They are usually lighter than mountain bikes but still suitable for rough terrain.
• Gravel Bikes: Combining the all-terrain accessibility of a mountain bike with the long-distance cycling experience of a road bike. They usually have a wider mounting capacity. Particularly suitable for road trips.
• Folding Bikes: Designed to be folded and carried onto trains/into apartments. They are ideal for commuting but often have smaller batteries.
• Trikes: Designed for seniors or people with poor balance, suitable for cities and hills. They are usually available with a rear basket. Have more cargo capacity, the downside is that they are slow and difficult to install.

2. Class

According to your state's laws, ebikes can be designated as Class 1, 2, or 3. That determines what you can ride and where.

• Class 1 ebikes are limited to a top speed of 20 miles per hour, and the electric motor works only when the rider is pedaling. Class 1 ebikes are allowed on bike paths and bike lanes that are shared with traditional, nonassisted bikes—what we've started to call analog bikes.
• Class 2 ebikes are also limited to a top speed of 20 miles per hour, but they have throttles that work when you're not pedaling. Most Class 2 ebikes offer electrically assisted pedaling alongside throttles. As with Class 1 ebikes, you can generally ride them the same places as an analog bike.
• Class 3 ebikes can go up to 28 miles per hour and must have a speedometer, but may or may not have a throttle. It depends on the state writing the rules. California, for example, doesn't allow Class 3 ebikes can go up to 28 miles per hour and must have a speedometer, but may or may not have a throttle. It depends on the state writing the rules. California, for example, doesn't allow Class 3 ebikes to have throttles at all. In other states, throttles are allowed as long as they only work up to 20 miles per hour, while pedal-assisted electric power continues up to 28 miles per hour. Most states let you take a Class 3 ebike into road lanes or a bike-only lane in the shoulder of the road (so-called curb-to-curb). But you can't take them on bike paths that exist outside of the road or on multiuse trails shared with pedestrians, like in a park.

 

3. What to look for when shopping for bike

3.1 Road bikes, $200-$1500

• Pros: No need to worry about running out of energy or not being able to parking, light weight, usually between 5kg-13kg
• Cons: back will get sore after a long ride
• Road conditions: urban roads
• Purposes: outdoor adventure, urban commuting
• Distances: short, medium and long distances
• Groups: students, commuters, professional cyclists, fitness enthusiasts, body management
• Available brands: Specialized, Trek, Decathlon, Cannondale, etc.

3.2. Mountain bike, $300-1500

• Pros: Don't worry about the lack of electricity and can't stop the problem, light weight, general weight in 8kg-23kg
• Cons: difficult to climb
• Road: all-terrain
• Use: outdoor adventure, urban commuting
• Distance: short distance
• Crowd: students, workers, professional athletes, fitness enthusiasts, body management
• Selectable brands: Specialized, Trek, Giant brands more professional, more expensive, more suitable for professional athletes or professionals with outdoor cycling experience. If you are usually riding exercise, go to work more environmentally friendly, choose Viribus. Viribus cost-effective, more suitable for common people to cycle. Choose Panther, configured with a removable battery, if you want to exercise, remove the battery, reduce weight, it is an ordinary mountain bike. Equipped with 21-speed Shimano transmission, the frame is made of high-strength 6061 aluminum, lighter weight.

3.3 Hybrid bikes, cruiser bike, $300-1500

• Pros: Don't worry about running out of energy and not being able to parking, light weight, generally weighing 8kg-23kg, more comfy to cycle compared to mountain bikes and road bikes
• Cons: slow speed, poor shock absorbency.
• Road: city roads, trails, hills
• Use: outdoor adventure, urban commuting, shopping, leisure
• Distance: short distance, medium distance
• Groups: students, workers, seniors, women, fitness enthusiasts, body management
• Selectable brands: Viribus, Schwinn

3.4 Gravel bikes, $300-1500

• Pros: stronger loading capacity, handlebars, seat riser, frame, front basket rear rack can hang bags
• Cons: poor shock absorption.
• Road surface: city roads, trails, hills
• Use: Outdoor adventure, urban commuting, shopping, leisure
• Distance: short distance, medium distance, long distance
• Crowd: students, workers, seniors, women, health and fitness

3.5 Folding bike, cruiser bike, $300-1500

• Pros: Can be carried on the subway, trunk, can be put into the room and office, light weight, generally weighing 5kg-14kg, space-saving, high safety factor.
• Cons: Poor shock absorption.
• Road: city roads, trails
• Use: outdoor adventure, urban commuting, shopping, leisure
• Distance: short distance, medium distance
• Groups: students, workers, seniors, women, fitness enthusiasts, body management

3.6 Tricycle, cruiser bike, $200-600

• Pros: low balance requirements, high stability
• Cons: slow speed
• Road type: road, trail
• Use: Cargo, passenger, picnic, shopping, fishing
• Distance: short distance
• Crowd: seniors, adults with balance problems
• Available brands: Viribus, Schwinn, Vavor

There are two types of Shimano 7-speed and single-speed models. If you live in hilly areas, it is recommended to choose the 7-speed; the single-speed model is recommended for flat roads. The Shimano 7-speed model of Viribus with upgraded installation. With a double chain drive, customers no longer need to mediate the brakes during assembly. Viribus is configured with two baskets, front and rear, The wire basket has plenty of room to hold cargo securely as you ride.

4. How to Choose an eBike

4.1 Electric mountain bikes, according to the location of the motor is divided into two categories: mid-motor and rear motor.

4.1.1 The mid motor is configured with a torque sensor. $1500-4000

• Pros: The strength of the assist is related to the work you do, the higher the work you do, the stronger the assist. Long distance range
• Cons: High price and high maintenance costs.
• Road: all-terrain
• Use: adventure, urban commuting
• Distance: medium distance, long distance
• Groups: students, police, seniors, women, people with back problems or leg problems not suitable for cycling
• Available brands: Specialized, Giant

 

4.1.2 The rear motor is configured with speed sensor. $500-2000

• Pros: the motor is integrated with the rear wheel, the power output is more direct, more powerful, need to learn how to control the bike. Low maintenance prices; fast speed, long range
• Cons: The power is changed according to the frequency of pedaling, the faster you stare, the stronger the assist, the faster the speed.
• Road: all-terrain
• Use: adventure, urban commuting
• Distance: medium distance, long distance
• Groups: students, police, seniors, women, people with back problems or leg problems not suitable for cycling
• Available brands: Viribus, Nireeka

Note: the larger the motor, the faster the energy consumption, the shorter the range. It is recommended to choose 350W, 500W and 750W motors, the power to meet most of the cycling road conditions, range farther, the price is also cheaper.

Viribus Panther Electric Mountain Bike 

Motor: 650W Peak Power

Battery: 499 Wh

Range: 37 Miles

Color：Black

Price: $799

SHOP NOW

There are many brands on the market, some of which have not gone out of business for a year; Viribus is an American company that offers a two-year warranty and parts replacement, and we provide 24H online service. Choose Viribus

 

4.2 Electric fat tire mountain bike. $800-1999

• Road: all-terrain
• Use: adventure, urban commuting
• Distance: medium distance, long distance
• Groups: students, police, seniors, women, adults

 In general, fat tire electric bikes are configured with 4" wide fat tires and are all-terrain electric bikes. Fat tires have higher resistance and higher energy consumption compared to the normal 1.75" and 2" mountain tires. 

Selectable brands: Radpower, Aventon, Viribus, Pedego

The Chubby Electric Fat Tire Bike

Motor: 1000W Peak Power

Battery: 624 Wh

Range: 65 Miles

Color: Black / Blue

Price: $1199

SHOP NOW

Viribus Chubby electric fat tire bike is equipped with a 500W rear motor, which is powerful and meets the off-road requirements of all-terrain. At the same time, it is equipped with a 624Wh Li-ion battery, which ensures a long electric range of 65 miles.

 

4.3 Electric folding bike, cruiser cycling.

• Pros: can be folded and taken into the room, anti-theft security high
• Cons: compact model, in order to fold the space and weight, small battery capacity, short range.
• Road: all-terrain
• Use: adventure, urban commuting
• Distance: short distance, medium distance
• Groups: students, seniors, women, adults

The Donkey Electric Folding Bike

Motor: 500W (Peak 1000W) motor

Battery: 576 Wh

Range: 50 Miles

Price: $999

Viribus Donkey electric folding bike configuration 500W (peak 1000W) powerful motor and 576wh lithium battery, the load capacity of 400lbs, 10s fast folding, 4 inch all-terrain fat tires, you can ride on the beach, trails.

 

4.4 Electric tricycle, cruiser cycling.

• Pros: can be assembled with front and rear baskets, is the most capable of carrying cargo inside all models, balance is also the best, especially suitable for adults with poor balance, women and people with back disease or leg disease not suitable for cycling
• Cons: slow, heavy weight, installation is the most difficult inside the model, it takes about 2-6 hours for normal people to install, and about 2 hours for those who have some experience in bicycle installation.
• Road: all-terrain
• Use: Adventure, urban commuting
• Distance: short distance, medium distance
• Groups: students, seniors, women, adults

The Trio Electric Tricycle 

Motor: 250W (Peak 500W) motor

Battery: 365 Wh

Range: 21 Miles

Price: $1199

SHOP NOW

Viribus Trio is configured with front and rear baskets and is equipped with a 250W motor and 365wh lithium battery with a range of 21 miles. The electric trike seeks stability and does not need a high power motor, and for safety, the speed cannot exceed 15mph. a 750W motor like Radpower's RadTrike configuration is not necessary. There are two reasons, first, the speed of electric tricycle is too fast will affect the safety of riding, especially turning; Second, the electric tricycle needs to go farther, the bigger the motor, the less the range. It is recommended to choose Viribus Trio, which is available in two models.