How Do You Get?

Here's a collection of some of basic advice for ebike buyers, particularly aimed at NZ commuters, particularly in Auckland.

Find a brand and store that you trust

Most bike shops will only service brands that they sell (and in some cases only if you bought from them), so my main advice is to buy from a shop that you trust.

Consider what you want to use it for

This guide is aimed at commuters, but if you're thinking you also want to use the bike for trails or even mountain biking, that will change your needs a lot.

Also if you want to transport heavy loads or children (or even adults), you probably some sort of cargo bike, which is out of scope of my knowledge and this guide.

Consider what functions you want

• Do you want a throttle?
• What speed do you want?
  • In NZ, lower-end ebikes tend to go to about 32-36kph
  • More powerful bikes can assist up to about 45kph
• What range do you need?
  • Assume you'll be riding at maximum assist - be wary of ranges quoted based on lower assist.

For myself:

• I wanted a throttle, so I can start easily at lights.
• I wanted to assist up to about 45kph. The main reason is so I don't have impatient drivers trying to overtake - traffic rarely gets above 40kph on my commute route.
• I always ride with maximum power
• My commute is 20km return, so the range of 40km on my bike is plenty (I recharge every night, but if I forget I've got at least enough to get to work, remove the battery and charge in the office if I need to).

Hub-drive vs Mid-drive

A major point to consider is if you want a hub-drive or mid-drive motor.

Hub-drive is where the motor is in the hub of one of the wheels (usually the rear), and the motor is triggered in a simple way as the pedal turns (a cadence sensor), this means the power is on or of, and they can give somewhat jerky ride. Hub-drive is a simpler technology, so is common on cheaper bikes, but it works well for commuter bikes. It's common to have a throttle on hub-drive bikes.

Mid-drive is where the motor is in the middle of the frame of the bike - the pedals directly attach to it. The motor is triggered by a torque sensor in the pedals, and multiplies the power you put into the pedals. This can give more smooth and natural feeling power.

But, throttles are much less common on Mid-drive bikes. This is largely because mid-drive bikes are often European brands, and because EU regulations don't allow throttles.

Another issue is that chain wear can be faster on mid-drive bikes because the motor power is going through the chain. But it's much easier to remove the weeks on mid-drive bikes (and change tires) because there's no cabling going to the wheel.

In summary:

Lower-end bikes

• Hub drive
• Cadence sensor (can be jerky)
• Usually will have a throttle

Mid & high-end bikes (usually)

• Mid drive
• Torque sensor (smoother and more natural power)
• Often won't have a throttle

You get what you pay for

While there are now ebikes available new for around NZ$1,000, I'd strongly recommend a minimum spend of around NZ$2,500 on the bike itself, and there's a lot more around NZ$3,500, including some mid-drive options.

That's a lot of money, but if means you're not taking the bus, it'll pay for itself in about 18 months (based on the current Auckland 2 zone one way fare of $4.90).

If your budget doesn't stretch that far, consider looking second hand, though buyer beware on Facebook Marketplace or TradeMe. Some bike shops do second-hand sales of trade-ins (e.g. Electric Bike team).

Don't forget accessories

Helmet

At the minimum you legally need a helmet in NZ, get a good one & replace if it's old or damaged.

Locks

The usual advice is spend 10% of the value of the bike on locks. Ebike theft is a big issue.

A heavy D-lock is a good option, and consider the newer angle-grinder proof ones.

Lights

A lot of bikes have built-in lights but they might not be very bright on lower-end bikes.

Bags

Consider if you need pannier bags or a basket.

Mirror

A wing mirror is my top recommendation for making riding in traffic more comfortable. It allows you to see when cars are coming up behind you, and to make way if needed, and to hold the lane otherwise (and avoid the car door zone) when it's not safe for them to pass.

I use the Blackburn "Mountain" mirror , which has a velcro strap that means it's easy to fit or remove.

Shop Recommendations

• Electric Bike Team on K-Road are excellent, particularly for more premium bikes including cargo bikes. They don't tend to stock many bikes with throttles.
• I've had good experiences with Electrify, though they are a franchise, so YMMV

Bikes to Consider

This will probably age quickly, but some bikes to consider that match all or most of my criteria.

• Wattwheels Bighorn
  • Mid-drive + Throttle
  • Assist up to 45kph
  • List price NZ$4,999, but currently on sale ~NZ$4,000
• SmartMotion XCity Pro
  • Mid-drive + Throttle
  • Not sure on the assist on this one? Maybe can unlock 40kph?
  • Currently on sale ~NZ$4,000