There it is at last – your very first ebike. It wasn’t easy to choose from the wide range of models. You may even have sought professional advice before buying. But now it’s fully assembled, the battery is charged, and the first ride can begin.
If you’ve previously owned a bike without an electric motor, this may be the moment when you finally realise that a few things will change with an ebike. We’ve put together a handy summary of what these are and which new accessories could prove useful in the future.
1. How do I charge my ebike’s battery?
2. What lock should I use to secure my ebike?
3. Where is the best place to park my ebike in everyday life?
4. Is it worth taking out an ebike insurance?
5. How do I transport my ebike by car?
6. How do I transport my ebike by other means of transport?
7. Can I ride my ebike in rain, wind and all kinds of weather?
8. How often does my ebike need to be serviced?
9. What can I do with my ebike app?
10. What kind of riding experience can I expect on my first ebike?
1. How do I charge my ebike’s battery?
The biggest difference between a regular bike and an ebike is, of course, the motor. Obviously. The additional support was probably the deciding factor for a change. In an ebike, usually the motor is mostly protected by the frame and a motor cover. Normally, it is therefore hardly ever subject to mechanical damage. And any other possible defects are a matter for a specialist workshop in collaboration with the manufacturer of the ebike system.
The motor needs power to work, and this is supplied by the ebike’s battery. Or the built-in batteries, if you have bought a model that uses two energy stores at the same time. In any case, you come into play when charging the battery. If the battery can be removed from the ebike, it is advisable to choose a place as a standard place for charging. Ideally, this should be a dry, clean, dust-free environment where you can charge the battery at room temperature while protecting it from direct sunlight. Cellar, workshop, hallway, garage, hobby room, apartment – you are sure to find a suitable place.
If the battery is permanently integrated into the ebike by the bike manufacturer, you will need to charge it directly on the bike via the charging socket. To do this, the ebike should be placed in an environment that meets the same requirements as the battery charging station. Perhaps it doesn’t have to be quite as clean. After all, the bike frame effectively protects it from dirt and moisture. If the room temperature is consistently above 10 degrees Celsius, the battery will also thank you for this option. The battery cells feel most comfortable in this range, up to 25 degrees Celsius. This ensures that the charging process is as short as possible and extends the lifespan of the cells.
The right balance when charging
When charging, please note that only a new battery requires a full charge. Bosch, for example, recommends that you use the first five or six charging cycles almost to the full, i.e. charge the battery to 100 per cent and then discharge it to around ten per cent. This way, the battery is ‘woken up’, so to speak, and retains its full capacity. Later on, it is sufficient to avoid deep discharges. When charging, you can protect the cells by stopping the process at 80 or 90 per cent. The final ten per cent in particular always place a great deal of stress on the battery. Incidentally, short charging processes of just 20 or 30 minutes are not a problem for the battery. The only important thing is to disconnect the charger from the battery afterwards. This also explains why you shouldn’t charge your ebike battery overnight.
Nowadays, you often have the option of charging your ebike at work. Some employers have set up special charging stations in the company. Others simply accept the process itself. Therefore, it may be worth placing a second charger at work to take advantage of this service. Some of you may even be able to get by charging the battery exclusively at work. In that case, of course, one charger is enough.
2. What lock should I use to secure my ebike?
According to the German bicycle industry association ZIV, people in Germany spent an average of 2,950 euros on a new ebike in 2023. For a bicycle without an electric drive, the sum was only 470 euros. Figures like these make it clear that the new bike needs to be better protected against theft. After all, criminals realised a long time ago that there’s more money to be made from stolen ebikes. The ten per cent mark has always served as a rough guide. This means investing around ten per cent of the purchase price of the ebike in its security.
Additional digital protection
These days, this doesn’t necessarily have to be limited to a conventional bike lock. You can add a digital component to the protection. Solutions such as the GPS trackers from Bikefinder, Powunity, It’s my Bike and others ensure that even a stolen ebike can be located and its location data passed on to the investigating authorities. Apart from that, many of these solutions also feature an acoustic alarm that can deter thieves from their plans even as they attempt the theft. With its Bosch ConnectModule, market leader Bosch offers a comparable variant that is sometimes already integrated by the bicycle manufacturer and can be used later for a monthly or annual fee.
When locking an ebike with a bike lock, it is always advisable to attach it to a solid, firmly anchored object, whether at home or on the road. Security in your home or in your building’s bike cellar can be further increased with a particularly burglar-proof door lock and a solid door.
3. Where is the best place to park my ebike in everyday life?
In connection with safe parking, another question may arise: Where is the best place to park my new ebike in the first place? To get to your previous parking space, you may have had to carry the bike part of the way or all the way. Due to the greater weight, this option may no longer be available. Fortunately, ebikes can also be pushed up stairs relatively comfortably. At least this applies to ebikes whose drive offers a walk assist. And that works as follows:
- activate the walk assist
- motor pushes the ebike at a speed of usually five or six kilometres per hour
- holding the ebike with both hands on the handlebars as going up the stairs
- due to constant support of the motor pedals rotate continuously
- actual forward movement is only triggered when starting to walk up the steps with the ebike
- if necessary, stop occasionally to correct grip on the handlebars and position in relation to the ebike
- if necessary, shifting body weight slightly backwards for better traction of the ebike
- deactivate the walk assist function when reaching the bottom of the stairs
It also takes a little practice to descend stairs safely. However, you do not need the walk assist function for this.
- stand securely next to the ebike
- grasp the handlebars of the ebike with both hands
- apply both brakes firmly
- slightly loosen the front brake lever and carefully let the front wheel roll down the first step
- step down step by step, parallel to the ebike
- shift body weight backwards for additional control
- apply both brakes firmly when stopping temporarily is needed
If you can use a lift instead of stairs, you should check beforehand whether the ebike will actually fit in it. If the only option is to park the ebike outside at ground level, it is worth buying a foldable bike garage. This not only protects it from the weather but also ensures that the ebike is not parked in an absolutely obvious and visible way.
4. Is it worth taking out an ebike insurance?
Safety for the new ebike is an important topic. In this context, it is also worth considering insurance. As I said, it is quite likely that you have purchased a valuable asset that you may want to use very often. It would be all the more annoying if, after a theft or even an unforeseeable damage, it were not possible to use it or it cost you a lot of money again.
Weighing up home contents insurance and separate bicycle insurance
If you decide to take out bicycle insurance for your ebike, there are two ways of doing so in Germany. Either you add the new bike to an existing home contents insurance policy or you take out separate bicycle insurance. Depending on how the total sum insured is calculated, the former can quickly reach certain limits. Often, the protection for ebikes in such insurance is only one per cent of the total amount. Since an ebike can quickly cost 3,000, 4,000 or 5,000 euros, it quickly becomes tight if the one per cent is supposed to really cover the entire purchase price of the bike. Not to mention that perhaps two ebikes are to be covered in full. Therefore, this seems to be more of a solution for those who consider the risk of theft to be rather low and for whom replacing part of the damage would suffice.
Separate bike insurance offers more options, covers more events for possible damage and offers significantly more flexibility with monthly and annual billing models. The final amount depends on the value and number of eBikes insured, as well as the insurance cover selected. There are countless options here:
- Does the policy only cover the theft of the entire ebike or also the theft of individual components?
- What about breakdowns?
- Should the insurance even include participation in sporting events?
- Should there be an excess?
Depending on the answers to these and similar questions, the sum insured can be three euros per month or several hundred euros per year.
5. How do I transport my ebike by car?
Ebikes open up new possibilities. Perhaps you would like to take it with you on holiday in the future, where previously you only went hiking. Thanks to the motor, some difficulties now seem only half as big. But how do you take your ebike with you on holiday? Well, basically the same as a regular bike.
If you are travelling by car, you can transport the ebike on a suitable bike rack at the rear or on the roof. The only condition is that the bike rack must be permitted for the corresponding weight of the ebike. So check whether the load capacity of the previous carrier guarantees this. If not, you will need to get a new one.
Ebike battery in the car or on the ebike?
Many e-bike manufacturers recommend removing the battery from the ebike when travelling by car. This is mainly to prevent it from coming loose and getting lost due to vibrations. The case of ebikes with a fixed battery shows that you can basically leave the battery on the ebike. If you do remove it and put it in the boot of your car, remember to cover the battery slot on the bike to protect it from dirt and moisture. Either use a dummy battery or wrap the part of the frame securely, for example with plastic wrap and a strong tape.
6. How do I transport my ebike by other means of transport?
When transporting your ebike by train in Germany, the battery must remain firmly attached to the ebike at all times. You are also not allowed to charge it there. Most local transport operators, i.e. suburban railways, trams, buses and underground railways, allow you to take an ebike with you. Sometimes special rush-hour times are excluded.
It becomes problematic if you want to transport an ebike by plane. The airlines have no objection to the actual ebike. Packed in a bicycle box, you can check it in as cargo. However, for safety reasons, lithium-ion batteries the size of an ebike battery are generally not allowed. Even range extenders usually exceed the permitted capacity of 100 watt hours. If you still want to take your ebike on a flight, you could rent a battery at your destination.
7. Can I ride my ebike in rain, wind and all kinds of weather?
When you get on a regular bike, the only thing you need to think about is whether you’re dressed appropriately for the weather. As ebike newbies, you may wonder whether your new bike is just as weatherproof as you are. With a few minor restrictions, the answer is yes.
Your ebike likes nice weather just as much as you do. But you do need to be careful when it’s too nice. On a warm summer’s day, you should not leave your ebike, and especially a battery mounted on the outside of the frame or on the rear rack, in direct sunlight for hours on end. This can cause irreparable damage. If the battery has been damaged before, there is even a risk of explosion in extreme cases. Therefore, it is always advisable to store the battery in the shade during warm weather and when it is not in use for longer periods.
No problem in cold and wet conditions
The other extreme, i.e. very low temperatures, is also not good for the ebike battery. When riding in winter at temperatures below zero degrees Celsius, its range decreases. Under these conditions, the cells work at a lower level. You can minimise the effect by charging and storing the battery at room temperature and only inserting it into the ebike shortly before you set off. Covers made of neoprene provide additional protection against the cold.
In contrast, you don’t need to worry about rain. Ebikes and batteries can handle this form of wetness with ease. After all, bicycles with motor assistance are designed as all-weather vehicles. It would be strange if a rain shower could stop the traffic turnaround, wouldn’t it? 😉
8. How often does my ebike need to be serviced?
To come straight to the point: There is no obligation to have an ebike regularly inspected by a bicycle repair shop. This is not required by an insurance company or the ebike manufacturer. Nevertheless, it is always a good idea to check the current technical condition of the ebike at certain intervals. After all, the kilometres ridden do not pass without leaving a trace, even if the motor is a great help.
Focus on the drivetrain and brakes
You will first encounter wear and tear on the components that were most affected first on a regular bike, too. Usually, these are the brakes and the drivetrain with the chain, chainring and cassette. With a chain gauge and vernier caliper, you can easily check the condition of the chain and the thickness of the brake discs, for example. How often you do this depends on how intensively you use the ebike. A check every 500 kilometres or two months should suffice.
Otherwise, a similar procedure to the one you may have already followed is recommended. The first comprehensive inspection at the beginning of spring to ensure that you start the season with an ebike in top condition. A second major inspection before the onset of the dark season, when snow and road salt present additional challenges for all parts and components. And in between, take a critical look at your ebike every now and then. If you want, you can easily do most of the work yourself. If you have less time or expertise, take your bike to a nearby bike repair shop.
9. What can I do with my ebike app?
Yes, a pedelec with motor assistance up to a speed of 25 kilometres per hour is still a bicycle. This is one of the reasons why the law treats it exactly like a conventional bicycle in Germany. The situation is different for speed pedelecs with assistance up to 45 kilometres per hour, which is why, for example, a number plate is mandatory and riding on the road is specified.
At the same time, the pedelec has an electronic element in addition to the mechanical one. This is evident from the fact that your ebike comes with an app. This has numerous advantages. If you want to benefit from them, it is advisable to take a closer look at the app. There are some major differences between the apps of the various eBike systems. This applies above all to the range of functions and usability. Nowadays, for example, you can do the following with the help of the app:
- change the characteristics of the individual riding modes
- create your own riding modes
- change the screen displays
- create your own screen displays
- switch the electronic motor lock on and off
- check the current location of the ebike
- check the battery charge level, even during charging in some cases
- plan trips or transfer planned trips from other apps
- navigation while riding
- over-the-air updates to the ebike system
- etc.
This list could easily be continued. It should make it clear that you are riding an electronic device and that this opens up options that you already know from other electronic devices and might not have expected on an ebike.
10. What kind of riding experience can I expect on my first ebike?
Switching from a regular bike to an ebike will change your riding experience somewhat. This is primarily due to the motor. Thanks to it, you will probably reach higher average speeds. Depending on the selected assistance level, you will also ride much more dynamically. In addition, you may approach distinctive points on a familiar route, such as bends, at a higher speed. You should prepare for this both mentally and in terms of your riding skills.
Experience has shown that a good place to start is to get to know your new bike and how it handles in a place with little traffic. This could be a nearby park, an empty car park at the weekend or a road with little through traffic. Take your time to test how riding changes when you switch between riding modes, how the brakes react and gradually get used to the additional push from the motor. If your ebike weighs 19, 20 or more kilograms, you will also notice that it steers and brakes differently than your previous bike.
Riding safety training as an alternative
If you would like professional support, you can take part in special ebike riding training. Associations such as the German Cyclists’ Federation (ADFC), the Deutsche Verkehrswacht road safety organisation and others offer suitable courses in many places – sometimes even free of charge.
ADFC research has shown that ebike riders travel longer distances than people with regular bikes. So they spend more time on their ebike at a stretch. From our point of view, this is a good argument for getting a bicycle helmet from that point on. The higher average speeds have already been mentioned and also speak in favour of this. Some car drivers underestimate the speed of people on bicycles, especially in city traffic, especially if they appear a little older. The fact that they are often at least as fast as younger people thanks to the motor is often overlooked. Unfortunately, this increases the risk of accidents. A third reason why wearing a bicycle helmet on an ebike is a good idea.
Products mentioned in the article
Pictures: Bikefinder AS; Bosch eBike Systems; Diamant Fahrradwerke GmbH; F.I.V. E. Bianchi S.p.A. (Grimaldi Industri AB); KTM Fahrrad GmbH; Mobility Holdings, Ltd.; Moustache Bikes SAS Cycle Me; Pressedienst Fahrrad / Luka Gorjup; Pender UG; Schäfer Shop GmbH; Sebastian Albert; Supernova Design GmbH; Winora-Staiger GmbH