It’s time to buy an e-bike
Tired of running errands by car? Craving the wind in your hair but intimidated by steep hills? Want to speed up your ride and go further? No worries – electric bikes are here to save the day.
It’s time to buy an e-bike
Tired of running errands by car? Craving the wind in your hair but intimidated by steep hills? Want to speed up your ride and go further? No worries – electric bikes are here to save the day.
1. Bike frame
Just like a traditional bike, e-bikes all start out with a base bike frame with similar features and functions as their non-powered partners. E-bike frames are typically designed slightly differently from non-electric frames to optimise battery and motor placement.
2. Motor
The motor of your electric bike is what houses the moving parts that give you a boost of assistance when you pedal. Just like a car engine, some e-bike motors can be more powerful, lighter weight or more efficient than others. While many brands offer e-bike motors, there are just two popular styles of motors on most e-bikes – mid-drive or hub-drive.
3. Battery
Every e-bike motor is powered by a battery. However, batteries vary greatly in size, shape, location and wattage. How many watt-hours a battery holds directly impacts how fast and how far you can ride assisted.
4. Controller
The controller is your interface with the e-bike system. It features buttons that allow you to power on and off your system, change your assistance mode or toggle through the screen of your e-bike display. Depending on the e-bike system, you may have more control features, like a battery indicator, light control, extra metrics like ride data or an integrated display.
5. Display
Your display is like the dashboard of your e-bike. It’s standard for the display to show your battery life and currently selected mode, but many offer additional features, like speedometer, ride metrics, activity tracking and route mapping. Your display may be integrated with your controller, be its own separate unit or you may even use your smartphone as a display.
Bosch Flow app
The eBike Flow app is fully integrated into your bike’s smart system so you can record your route, customise your ride mode and update your e-bike over the air.
Trek Central app
Completely adjust your tune settings to enjoy even longer range, map out your perfect ride, track your ride stats and so much more on the Trek Central app.
E-bike FAQs
Q: What's the average lifespan of an e-bike?
A: It depends on the electric bike, how often you service it, and how much you use it. Service is key to e-bike longevity. With software updates, regular maintenance, and support, your e-bike can stay on the road for a long time. Trek and Electra have a robust network of dealers who can service and support your electric bike. When you're buying an e-bike, always consider where you will service it to get the most lifespan out of it.
Q: What’s the difference between a Trek e-bike and other brands?
A: Trek and Electra only make high quality electric bikes that are designed to deliver on performance, are built with quality e-systems like Bosch, TQ, and Hyena, and are compliant to UL 2849 standards for safe charging and storage. Plus, our e-bike motors and batteries are warrantied for two years, and our Trek bike frames are warrantied for life. Better yet, you have 30 days to fall in love with your e-bike. If you decide it’s not for you, we’ll take it back.
Q: Are electric bikes worth buying?
A:Yes! E-bikes allow you to ride farther and explore more. Whether you are looking to ride to work, keep up on the group ride, climb those steep hills, or just have fun — e-bikes are the answer. Don't just take our word for it, check out our e-bike reviews to see why our customers love riding their electric bikes every day.
Q: Is it hard to pedal an e-bike?
A:Not at all! E-bikes pedal just like a traditional bike and when you have your e-system on, they are even easier to pedal with an electric boost.
Q: Do you need insurance on an electric bike?
A:Right now, e-bikes are classified with regular bicycles and do not require insurance. That said, always check your local state and city laws or reach out to your local Trek or Electra retailer for more information.