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Buying Your First E-Bike

What You Need to Know Before You Spend a Dollar

You don't need to know motors, batteries, or bike geometry to get started. You just need to know what questions to ask.

I get asked this question quite a bit:

“I’m thinking about getting an e-bike, but I don’t know anything about them. Where do I even start?”

Usually it comes from someone around my age who hasn’t ridden much in years. The kids are older, life is changing a little, and they’re looking for something they can enjoy alone, with their spouse, or with friends.

That’s pretty much the audience Fun Midlife Cycles was created for.

The first thing I tell people is don’t start by picking a brand.

Before worrying about motor wattage, battery size, tire size, or whether one brand is better than another, figure out how you actually want to use the bike.

There isn’t one perfect e-bike. The bike that’s perfect for someone cruising paved trails on Saturday afternoons may not be the bike I’d recommend for someone riding gravel, sand, hills, or rough trails.

And if possible, ride a few before you buy anything.

WHERE WILL YOU RIDE?

  • Paved recreational trails
  • Crushed limestone
  • Packed gravel
  • Gravel roads
  • Dirt trails
  • Sand or loose terrain
  • Streets and neighborhoods
  • A little bit of everything

WHY IT MATTERS

Your riding surface helps determine what kind of bike makes sense. Wheel size, tire width, tread, suspension and even riding position can make a big difference in how comfortable and confident you feel.

Then maybe finish with a bold line:

You don’t need to know every trail you’ll ever ride. Just think about where you’ll probably spend most of your time.

DON'T IGNORE WEIGHT CAPACITY

This is especially important for bigger riders, and it’s something people sometimes feel uncomfortable asking about. Don’t be.

Every e-bike has a maximum weight or payload rating. When you’re comparing bikes, make sure you’re looking at the rating for the specific model, not just assuming every bike from that manufacturer is the same.

And remember, payload isn’t necessarily just you. Depending on how the manufacturer defines its rating, you may also need to account for anything you’re carrying, such as bags, locks, tools, water, groceries, or other gear.

DON'T SHOP RIGHT AT THE LIMIT

If you’re close to a bike’s maximum rated capacity, I’d personally look for a model with some additional room rather than choosing one where you’re right at the maximum.

WHEEL SIZE AND TIRE SIZE ARE NOT THE SAME THING

When you start shopping for e-bikes, you’ll see numbers like 20″, 24″, 26″, and 27.5″ used to describe wheel size. Then you’ll see another number describing the width of the tire. Those are two different things, and both can affect how the bike feels.

Larger-diameter wheels generally roll over bumps, rocks, and uneven surfaces more smoothly. Smaller-diameter wheels can make a bike more compact, lower to the ground, and easier for some riders to handle.

Tire width matters too. Wider tires can provide more stability, cushioning, and traction on loose or uneven surfaces, while narrower tires generally feel lighter and more efficient on smooth pavement.

Fat-tire e-bikes commonly use tires around 4 inches wide, which is why you’ll see sizes such as 20×4, 24×4, and 26×4.

I ride a 26×4 fat-tire bike, but among my family and friends we ride everything from 20×4 to 26×4 bikes. They all feel different, and each rider has their own preference.

DON’T PICK A BIKE BASED ON WHEEL SIZE ALONE

Wheel diameter, tire width, tread, tire pressure, suspension, frame design, and your own comfort all contribute to how a bike handles.

This is another reason I recommend riding several different sizes before buying. What sounds best on paper may not be what feels best once you’re actually on the bike.

THINK ABOUT GETTING ON AND OFF THE BIKE

This is something that’s easy to overlook when you’re shopping online, but it can make a huge difference once you actually own the bike.

Traditional step-over frames require you to swing your leg over the bike. A step-through frame has a much lower opening, making it easier to get on and off without having to lift your leg as high.

And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with choosing a bike simply because it’s easier and more comfortable to get on and off.

For many of us getting back into riding later in life, flexibility, balance, old injuries, or just not moving quite like we did at 20 can make a step-through frame much more comfortable.

Also pay attention to the bike’s standover height and seat height. Being able to confidently support yourself when you stop can matter just as much as how comfortable the bike feels while you’re moving.

COMFORT BUILDS CONFIDENCE

If getting on the bike feels awkward every time you ride, you’re probably going to ride less.

Choose the frame and size that makes you feel comfortable and confident. Don’t worry about what someone else thinks your bike is supposed to look like.

The right bike is the one you actually want to get on and ride.

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MIDLIFE CYCLES TIP

Don’t worry about finding the “perfect” e-bike. Find the bike that fits you, feels comfortable, and makes you want to get out and ride.