If you are new to the world of e-biking and considering your first purchase, the advantages vs disadvantages of e-bikes is an important topic. What disadvantages will be experienced if I choose to get an ebike rather than a “”normal” bike? The positives are many…more efficient exercise, hill-climbing power, plus great speed for crossing busy intersection. And don’t forget ease of use for people who suffer with arthritic knees, sore backs, degrading hips, etc. But what about the negatives?

Advantages vs Disadvantages of E-bikes

Most e-bike riders are enthusiastic about the advantages of their electric vehicles. It’s also important to be aware of the disadvantages. Let’s take a closer look at those disadvantages worth mentioning–weight, price, range, and maintenance.

 

Weight

They are big and beautiful, and in general, e-bikes are heavier than conventional bicycles of the same size. A full-size 26″ e-bike like the Magicycle Step-Thru Cruiser pictured above can weigh upwards of 70 pounds,. Some e-bikes weigh as much as 90 pounds! If handling that much weight is difficult for you, then you might have to get creative with some details of e-biking. For example, how to mount your e-bike or how to get it on a bike rack for transport. Alternatively, you could select a smaller and lighter e-bike, such as a 20″ model or a folding model. 

Magicycle has recognized the need some riders have for smaller and lighter e-bikes, Within the next 3 to 12 months, a 20″ model and a folding e-bike will be released by Magicycle. This will provide Magicycle customers with an excellent variety of choices.

On the other hand, it is possible to find a full-size 26″ e-bike weighing as little as 35 pounds. Unfortunately, this type of e-bike normally has much less motor power and a less capable battery. Also, it is often more expensive. Greater stability, traction, and comfort. That additional comfort and safety means greater weight is a necessity. You can’t have the combination of a sturdy frame, powerful motor, and long-lasting battery without the accompanying weight.

Price

The ancient adage “you get what you pay for” can certainly be applied to e-bikes. To get all the advantages that come with a high-powered motor, strong battery, and comfortable fat tires — well, we have to dig a little deeper into the wallet. The very things that we love the most about e-bikes, including the amazing fuel economy, are the same things that add substantially to the price!

     The Big Bucks Components

• Motor
• Battery
• Brakes

These three items account for a significant portion of the increase in price as compared to buying a conventional bicycle. The electric motor, preferably at least 750 watts, ads $350 – $500 to the price you pay for your e-bike. A decent battery adds $500-$900, varying with size, quality, volts and amp hours. The heavier weight of an e-bike makes mechanical or hydraulic disk brakes very advisable. And that will add another $50 – $250 to the cost of your e-bike.

A little quick addition tells you an e-bike can easily cost $1000 more than a conventional bicycle of similar quality. But what a difference! That $1000 expense makes cycling possible for many people to ride again. People who could never consider it without the assistance of a motorized bicycle.

Range

Naturally, everyone wants an e-bike that can handle a long ride. Technology will eventually catch up with demand. Sadly, at the moment we must be satisfied with lesser ranges. It is possible to configure your e-bike for carrying two batteries (also more expensive). Without that, you can forget about riding more than 50 miles on a single battery charge.

Thus, if you are not content with a 50-mile range, then range must be considered a disadvantage. On the positive side, many riders find that they rarely have the need or desire to travel more than 25-40 miles on one ride. On average, with light-medium pedaling, most e-bikes can achieve a range of at least 30-55 miles. Also of real importance, range is vastly affected by terrain, wind, and rider weight.

If you are a commuter, an e-bike may well be a viable solution to rising fuel prices. A 30-mile round trip could cost you $3-$6 in gasoline. The same trip will require only 4 cents in electrical costs for riding your e-bike. Every time you make a quick trip to the local grocer, that’s another $3 saved in fuel expense.

Maintenance

Owning an e-bike is a substantial investment in health, exercise, and enjoyment. Certainly, it follows that good maintenance is important. As noted above, motors can be expensive, and so can motor repair. Tires, battery, chain, frame, brakes…it all requires good maintenance habits.

Indeed, an annual trip to a local bike shop is a good idea, just to ensure you haven’t overlooked anything. Perhaps the most important consideration for your e-bike is safety–your personal safety as a rider. Of course, that makes regular and careful maintenance a priority for every e-bike owner.

So there you have it–weight, price, range, and maintenance. All four are very important, and all for require extra expense for both the manufacturer and the consumer. Taking all that into consideration, here’s the big question:

All in All, do I Want an E-bike?

For most riders, the answer is an unequivocal “Yes!” The pleasures of e-biking are phenomenal, and the fuel savings are quite significant, accumulating quickly. Then, when you consider the health benefits, the pendulum swings far in favor of e-biking. Additionally, many physically challenged people find that an e-bike makes all the difference. Suddenly, they can once again enjoy outdoor cycling, even as they gain in strength and flexibility. Senior adults who thought they would never enjoy any sport again are now riding e-bikes daily!

Lowering the Price Barrier

Magicycle has a strong commitment to customer support. That commitment includes providing a high-quality electric bike at the lowest possible price point. In fact, no other e-bike company in a competitive price range can match the low cost of a Magicycle. A big factor in that combination of high quality and low pricing is extremely important. It is the fact that Magicycle owns the factory that manufactures their e-bikes. That is not the case for most e-bike brands. Owning the factory means Magicycle has complete control of quality at every step along the way, from design to production to shipping. Get yours now while sale pricing is still available.