Would you like to enjoy the many advantages of an e-city bike in the city? Then compare the different types in this article and discover helpful tips. We explain how to find the right e-bike model for you, which motor is the best and why it is worth paying attention to the quality of the e-bike.

The differences between different types of e-city bikes

In everyday life, the generic term e-bike has become common for all types of bicycles with electric drives, but strictly speaking, not every bike with an electric drive is also an “e-bike”. So what are the differences?

What is hidden behind a Pedelec?

A Pedelec is a bicycle with an engine output of up to 250 watts. The bikes also have an electric drive assistant and drive support of up to 25 kilometers per hour. With a market share of 95%, Pedelecs are the most commonly used e-bikes. You don't have to wear a helmet when riding and you don't need a special driver's license. The use of bike trailers is also permitted and the bike can be ridden on bike paths.

What is an S-Pedelec?

An S-Pedelec has a motor output of up to 500 watts and a drive support of up to 45 kilometers per hour. A driver's license is required to use it. You must also be at least 16 years old and a helmet is compulsory. In addition, it is not permitted to use the usual bike paths in cities. The use of bike trailers is also prohibited.

What is called an e-bike?

An e-bike can best be described as a two-wheeler with a motor. It is not a bicycle in the true sense of the word, but is more like a moped. Therefore, a driving license is required, the minimum age is 16 and a helmet is compulsory. The difference to an S-Pedelec is that the rider is supported when he is not pedaling. As already mentioned at the beginning, the term e-bike is used as a synonym for all pedelecs.

Basically, an e-city bike is powered like a traditional bicycle. You simply pedal and ride off. E-bikes are available with lots of gears and derailleur gears or with a few gears and a hub gear as well as a coaster brake.

The drive assistant is usually controlled via an additional display that is mounted on the handlebars. This shows the current support level of the electric drive as well as many other useful pieces of information. These include the driving speed, the remaining range of the battery and calories burned.

The different support levels determine the power the motor offers and the thrust that the motor contributes to your pedaling movement. There are either three or five different support levels as standard. Otherwise, the battery is charged using the included charger at a standard power outlet, which usually takes between 2 and 8 hours depending on the size and quality of the battery. It should also be noted that a new battery only reaches its full charging capacity after a few charging cycles. It is therefore advisable to fully charge the battery in the first few charging cycles.

The batteries of e-bikes can be attached to the frame or integrated into the frame or built into the luggage rack. Integrated batteries are clearly on the rise here. The advantage of these batteries is that the handling characteristics and the bike's center of gravity are hardly affected. Furthermore, they are protected from external influences and are very unobtrusive.

Various factors play a role in the range, for example the weight of the bike as a whole, the quality of the motor and the battery, and the battery capacity, which is usually 400 or 500 watt hours. The manufacturer can only give approximate information on this, as external factors such as gradients, the selected support level or headwind also influence the range. As a general rule of thumb, however, it can be said that the range increases with increasing capacity and, accordingly, usually also with increasing price.

Are you riding your e-city bike on hilly terrain? Or should your e-city bike also perform well on bumpy routes and uneven paths? Then you should take a closer look at the following types. Each variant has its own advantages and offers plus points in different areas. This means you can choose a model that perfectly suits your needs and your daily routes.

trekking e-bike:

The trekking e-bike is an all-rounder for cycling tours and for the city. It is ideal for carrying luggage and is suitable for both flat and slightly hilly terrain.
Tip: Our trekking e-bikes Nice, Milano and Ibiza are ideal for a variety of applications and offer you a lot of comfort and safety both in the city and on bumpy roads.

cross e-bike:

The Cross-E-Bike is a sporty all-rounder for everyday use and for tours, which does not offer the option of carrying luggage, but is very suitable for off-road routes.

Hardtail e-bike:

The hardtail e-bike offers a stable frame and generally very robust and reliable components, making it a dynamic e-mountain bike.

fully e-bike:

The fully e-bike is suitable for those who want more comfort on uphill routes and more performance on downhill routes. The basic feature is full suspension.

City E-Bike:

The e-city bike is the classic companion for everyday riding in the city. It usually has StVZO equipment and only has a few gears for riding on flat and paved roads.

Tip: The E-Bike Trekking and E-Bike SUV models from myvélo are real all-rounders and are just as at home on the smooth asphalt streets of the city as they are on uneven forest and field paths. With them you get a great E-city bike with additional comfort on long journeys.

Compact e-bike or electric folding bike

The compact e-bike e-folding bike is small and compact. Due to its size, it is very practical for train commuters who want to travel by bike on public transport.

Tip: OurMYVELO Fatbike electric folding bikeshave extra wide tires and thus ensure a safe and comfortable ride.

E-road bike:

The e-racing bike is characterized by a lightweight frame, is designed for performance and is therefore a perfect training device.

Tip: You don't know our MYVELO racing bikes yet? Then you should take a closer look at the Aero racing bike Verona, which is designed for an optimized wind tunnel. TheTourmalet road bike, which is designed for lightness and was developed as a mountain racing bike, is exactly the right model for sporty riders.

E-cargo bike:

The e-cargo bike is the packhorse among e-bikes. It offers a large storage area for luggage and still offers riding fun.

If you are not yet sure which routes you really want to ride with the new bike and you don't want to spend a lot of money, cross e-bikes and hardtail e-bikes are ideal entry-level solutions. There is a large selection of models and the price level is moderate, as these types of bikes are usually produced and delivered in large quantities.

The motors on E-City bikes can also be found on the front wheel hub, on the rear hub or in the middle of the wheel on the bottom bracket. Rear motors are particularly impressive thanks to their direct power transmission to the rear wheel and are very popular in terms of driving dynamics. Nevertheless, not least because of Bosch and its market position, the mid-engine has set itself apart from the others in Germany, as they have proven to be durable, quiet and reliable and have hardly any noticeable effect on driving behavior.

E-bikes with front motors are generally less recommended, as they shift the bike's center of gravity relatively unfavorably to the front and are generally more prone to failure than the other variants mentioned. In general, it is advisable to choose a well-known manufacturer. The components are much more robust and powerful. If you need to buy spare parts for your bike, you should also choose brands from well-known manufacturers. If you save in the wrong places, malfunctions can occur.

As a rule, it is not advisable to take an old, cheap bike and then install a retrofitted motor. Even if this seems attractive at first glance, very few bikes are really suitable for conversion, not to mention that it is not guaranteed that they will be safe to ride on the road. The equation of a good, but classic bike plus a retrofitted motor plus mechanic costs does not add up either, as it is simply not worth it.

In this case, it is better to opt for a real e-bike, where the frame and the individual components have been specifically developed for the electric motor.

A look at our online shop is definitely recommended.

How do I upgrade an e-bike?

It is possible to connect several batteries together. This can sometimes significantly increase the range. For example, it is possible to place another battery on a rail above the down tube and thereby double the battery capacity from 500 watt hours to 1000 watt hours.