Knowledge is precious. Already in ancient Greece, a powerful caste of well educated men established the Oracle of Delphi. They were consulted by authorities and powerful individuals about anything. They were both cultivated and cunning. Once they were asked by a king about the gender of his upcoming baby. Their answer: “Boy no girl”. That craftily encompassed both outcomes. Had it been a girl, they would have claimed: “We guessed it right: boy no, girl”. Had it been a boy, they would have claimed: “We guessed it right: boy, no girl”. The placement of the comma makes the difference. Since the answer was oral, not written, they gamed the king’s question. We can somehow compare artificial intelligence to the Oracle of Delphi, can’t we?
Like the Oracle of Delphi, AI is not what many people think
We would prefer to name AI “virtual knowledge”. Indeed, it’s still not much more than an excellent synthesis of quite reliable information that human beings have already published on the web. The outcome of my ebike related research harnessing artificial intelligence supports the above statement. Of course, I refer to freely accessible basic AI tools, like ChatGPT, free version. Our consideration doesn’t concern more advanced AI tools.
The Oracle of Delphi today
Why not use artificial intelligence to obtain valuable information about ebikes?
We have asked ChatGPT some questions. The answers were satisfying. Sure, the better one knows a subject, the more he can help ChatGPT delve into the matter. One can better focus and formulate his questions. He can discern in the responses what is more accurate and better tailored for his needs and demands.
These are the questions we asked ChatGPT
Hereafter what we asked ChatGPT free version, from a computer based in France. Questions are underlined, ChatGPT’s answers are in italics.
AI advice to select the best fitting ebike: we’d rather choose by ourselves
What ebike should I choose? I am 50, I commute 10 miles to work on a hilly terrain. I am 20 lbs overweight, I can charge the battery at work. I prefer step-through, have a 3500€ budget, must carry 20 lbs of cargo and I have chronic lower back pain.
ChatGPT’s answer: Top picks (step-through)
Giant Explore E+ 2 STA (2025) — best value
Why: Upright fit, torquey Yamaha SyncDrive Sport2 (~70 Nm), 625 Wh battery, full commuter kit. Often well under budget when on promo. Price/examples: Seen at €2,559–€3,472 depending on spec/discount. Our remark: Yamaha SyncDrive Sport2 has 75 Nm of torque, and not 70 Nm. Moreover, 70 Nm is not so torquey, many of the latest torquey motors exceed 85 Nm, a very common torque output since 2020.
Cargo: Stock rear rack supports child seat / MIK HD accessories; blog notes up to 27 kg rack rating on Explore E+ line.
CUBE Kathmandu Hybrid (Pro/One/EX) Easy Entry — hill crusher, super-practical
Why: Bosch Performance Line (some trims CX 85 Nm) + 625–800 Wh, very upright geometry, integrated Carrier 3.0 rack, often bundled suspension seatpost + adjustable stem on higher trims. Usually within budget unless you choose the largest battery.
Price/examples: Pro 625 Easy Entry listed ~€3,499; many trims on promo €2,1k–€3,8k.
Cargo: Carrier 3.0 designed for loads; CUBE docs show 25 kg carrier limits and high system weights.
Gazelle Ultimate C8+ HMB Belt (Low-Step) — lowest maintenance, very back-friendly
Why: Belt + Nexus 8 IGH = quiet, clean, minimal upkeep; famously comfortable Dutch upright posture.
Price: €3,499 new in EU (often discounted or available refurbished).
Cargo: MIK HD rack rated 27 kg — plenty for your 9 kg load; tons of click-on bags.
Then ChatGPT asked me my height and inseam, and whether I rode more path or pavement.
As I answered, “height 184 cm, inseam 84 cm, I ride more pavement”, it replied:
(…) Quick recommendation for you
Since you ride mainly pavement, need 20 lb cargo, and have chronic lower-back pain:
- Gazelle Ultimate C8+ HMB Belt, 57 cm → most upright posture, belt drive (clean, quiet, no derailleur fuss), built-in comfort.
- Backup option: CUBE Kathmandu Hybrid Pro 625 Easy Entry, 56 cm → more hill power if you expect very steep climbs, still very comfy with its suspension kit.
The same question asked from a computer based in Germany produced quite different results, namely: Giant Explore E+ 2 STA – Gazelle Medeo T10 HMB Low-Step – Specialized Turbo Como 4.0 IGH – Trek Allant+ 7 Lowstep (Gen 2) – Cube Kathmandu Hybrid Pro 750 Easy Entry.
That’s because ChatGPT takes into account ebike availability on each market the query comes from.
ChatGPT’s best pick is rather questionable
According to ChatGPT, the best pick, and the only one chosen for both German and French market, is the Gazelle Medeo T10 HMB. That is questionable, because it delivers only 50 Newton meters of torque. If one is 10 lbs, or 9 kilograms overweight and must every day carry 10 lbs, or 9 kilograms cargo for 20 miles to and from work, on a hilly terrain, torque is paramount. He would be much better off with at least 80 Nm. So even as it suggests the 70 Nm Giant Explore E+ 2 STA (2025) as best value, and the 70Nm Specialized Turbo Como 4.0 IGH (for Germany) ChatGPT doesn’t seem smart enough. Overall, it seems to downplay the importance of torque.
ChatGPT can really help ebike spare parts search
Some ebikeparts queries of mines, which obtained correct answers:
Does Mahle X20 e-shifter need an update via the Mahle application?
Yes — the My SmartBike app is essential for updating your X20 system and e-shifter. It lets you easily install firmware updates, even without a charger. And while enhanced performance features are rolling out soon, you’ll need the app to receive them when they’re available.
Is RideControl One ANT+ compatible to Giant Trance E+2 2019?
Yes—based on available information, the RideControl One ANT+ (also known as RideControl One LED type) is compatible with the 2019 Giant Trance E+ 2, but compatibility depends on using the right model variant.
Are the battery covers identical on the 2023 Cube Reaction Hybrid (750 Wh) and Reaction Hybrid Pro (750 Wh)?
Yes — the same battery cover is used for both models in 2023. Cube lists a single spare part for the 750 Wh battery cover that applies to multiple model variants, including both the Reaction Hybrid and the Reaction Hybrid Pro.
Look at this ChatGPT’s harmful ebike part mistakes!
I have a Cube Stereo Hybrid 120 (625 battery) model year 2020. Is there a dual battery solution to increase its range to 100 km?
You’re riding a Cube Stereo Hybrid 120 (2020) with a Bosch PowerTube 625 Wh — great e-MTB! Increasing your range to ~100 km (~62 mi) is feasible, and here’s how to make it happen:
Dual-Battery Options for Bosch
Bosch offers two primary methods to extend your battery capacity:
- PowerMore 250 Range Extender (…)
Here the answer starts with a harmfully erroneous advice. ChatGPT would make you buy a Bosch PowerMore 250 Wh Range extender, which is exclusively compatible with ebikes from model year 2022 onwards, i.e. Smart System. Specialized articles on dual battery like Bosch DualBattery: info about mounting it right | E-Bike Blog can much better advise you.
Another mistake:
Question: What range extender for Focus Jam2 7/8?
If you have a Focus Jam²: use the Focus T.E.C. 378 Wh pack; it’s the original extender for this model.
Too bad: the Jam² 7/8 is equipped with an EP801 motor, which is incompatible. ChatGPT was misled by our English site, which it quotes as the source. In fact, our site specifies that only the E8000 motor is compatible, but it lists the Jam² as compatible when it installs this motor.
These are the highlights, from our point of view:
- ChatGPT works somehow like a Google bot, the tool (both hard- and software) that Google uses to search the web for displaying its SERPS (search engine result pages). Instead of of providing a list of pertinent results, AI delivers comprehensive synthesis of the state-of-the-art of what is to be found on the web.
- Consequently, since the latest technological advances and general innovations haven’t yet got an extensive coverage, they are hardly taken into account by ChatGPT responses. For instance, as I asked what I should choose for commuting, the new Bosch Performance Line PX motor, assuredly one of the very best choices for that purpose, wasn’t even mentioned. Nor did ChatGPT indicated that Bosch Smart System Performance Line CX motors can now deliver 100 Newton meters. See above.
- The responses are punctuated by errors, which can be deceiving. It takes a certain knowledge of the matter to detect them.
- If relevant information on a given topic is not widespread on the web, like the importance of torque, ChatGPT tends to underrate it. Indeed, some ebike reviews hardly mention torque, although lately its importance is often underlined.
- The information ChatGPT delivers is not freshly updated with the latest developments, at least not always.
Conclusion
ChatGPT can provide a broad, almost exhaustive overview to answer ebike related queries. Nevertheless, its responses should be filtered through sound personal knowledge. If the latter is too shallow, the former should be the object of further research on spare parts.
Images: Pixabay.