Investing in an electric bike can be an excellent way to improve your physical fitness and mental wellbeing, while also cutting costs and reducing your carbon footprint.
Everyone has their own needs and individual motivations for taking up cycling. This means that just like pushbikes, there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to finding an electric bike. Thankfully, whether you’re looking to boost your fitness, simplify your daily commute, run errands with ease, or explore the great British countryside on your next staycation, there’s an e-bike out there made just for you.
But with such an array of styles available, it’s important to do your research before settling on an option. This guide will introduce seven of the most popular types of e-bikes on the market in 2024 to help you come to an informed decision.
7 Types of Electric Bike: Which is Best for Your Needs?
Cargo Electric Bikes
Featuring a steady and agile design, cargo electric bikes will make your daily urban trips a breeze. If you're heading into town to run errands, these sturdy e-bikes have ample room to store shopping. Some models also feature safe and comfortable space for passengers (even up to as many as six children!) This means they can also be a convenient and eco-friendly mode of transport for the school run.
Great for: Errands, school runs, urban cycling.
Crossbar Electric Bikes
Thanks to their rigid frame, crossbar e-bikes offer a smoother and more stable ride. This makes them a great confidence-builder for beginners. And with an athletic look similar to that of a traditional pushbike, crossbar e-bikes are ideal for those looking for a sporty and versatile choice suitable for year-round use.
Great for: A more athletic aesthetic, beginners, traditional pushbike lovers.
Fat Tyre Electric Bikes
Featuring thicker than average tyres, these e-bikes deliver enhanced steadiness and grip on a variety of surfaces for a more comfortable ride. Most fat tyre e-bikes have 4”-4.8” width tyres (up to double that of a regular e-bike). With these thicker and more puncture resistant tyres, fat tyre electric bikes can typically be used in both urban areas and on rural trails. They’re also great for use in all weather, so you can say goodbye to unpredictable conditions ruining your cycling experience. In fact, these electric bikes can even perform well in snow and mud.
Great for: Enhanced comfort, durability, harsh conditions.
Folding Electric Bikes
Boasting an easily foldable and lightweight compact design, these e-bikes are a smart choice for those who wish to combine cycling with public transport for an eco-friendlier daily commute. What’s more, many foldable electric bikes can easily fit into a standard sized car boot. So, if you love the idea of taking your e-bike on holiday, this design could be the one for you!
Great for: Commuting, beginners, staycations, travel.
Mountain Electric Bikes
Combining high power, a sturdy frame and enhanced shock absorbency and traction, mountain e-bikes are ideal for off-road adventures and commuting alike. These styles often include fat, puncture-resistant tyres and better water-resistance. These features make them impressively durable, and more reliable for use in extreme weather conditions or on harsher terrain.
Great for: Off-roading, poor weather conditions, changing terrain.
Hybrid Electric Bikes
Carefully combining all the benefits of mountain and road electric bikes, hybrid e-bikes really offer the best of both worlds. These e-bikes can be used for both off-roading and urban cycling, making them the perfect companion for those who like to cycle everywhere! Whether you’re commuting, running errands or exploring rough terrain in challenging conditions, a hybrid e-bike will be a reliable companion. These e-bikes are usually more lightweight than mountain e-bikes, too, with highly adjustable seat height to adapt to different types of ride.
Great for: Versatility, all-rounder.
Step Through Electric Bikes
The lowered frame of a step through electric bike is designed to make mounting and dismounting a breeze. This feature makes them an ideal choice for riders with reduced mobility, or those looking for a more ergonomic commuting option. Step through e-bikes are special in their ability to accommodate many of those who wouldn’t otherwise be able to experience the joys of cycling.
Great for: Easy mounting and dismounting, commuting, seniors, cyclists with reduced mobility.
Combining Electric Bike Styles
Many e-bikes boast a combination of the above styles, too. This means you can tailor your cycling experience even further by marrying the unique benefits of two or more excellent electric bike styles.
For example:
E-movement Panther V4.2: Fat tyre + folding e-bike.
Mark2 X-Cross 450: Step through + hybrid e-bike.
E-movement Aries: Mountain + fat tyre e-bike.
The Bottom Line
In summary, the best style of e-bike depends on what you want to use it for. While some styles are perfect for commuting and urban cycling, others come into their own on trickier terrain. Speaking to an expert is the best way to find an e-bike that ticks all your boxes.
As a starting point, we recommend the following as first-line options for:
Commuting: Folding e-bikes.
Running Errands: Cargo e-bikes.
Seniors: Step through e-bikes.
Off-roading: Mountain e-bikes.
All-rounder: Hybrid e-bikes.
Call in to Find Your Perfect Electric Bike
Choosing a style of e-bike designed for your needs will drastically elevate your electric biking experience. E-Bikes Express stock a variety of electric bikes for a range of riders with differing needs and goals. Browse our collection online or call us today for tailored advice on finding the right e-bike for your unique needs and budget.
