An electric bike or eBike is a bicycle that features an electric motor powered by a rechargeable battery to assist your pedalling.
Most eBikes also feature a handlebar mounted control system for setting your level of pedal assistance and displaying basic ride information like speed and distance travelled.
eBikes make it easier to ride further and more often. You can go longer distances, get there faster, easily carry more luggage and arrive in a fresher condition when doing it! You still get an exercise benefit and the simple joy of being on a bike, but the experience is less taxing and something you’ll want to repeat daily.
When you consider no parking fees, minimal fuel costs and avoiding crowded public transport - it is easy to see why these bikes are becoming so popular.
To give more riders than ever before the opportunity to get on an eBike, Reid Cycles have partnered with industry leaders to develop our own range of electric bikes. Reid offer a range of systems from affordable hub motors by Bafang and mid-mount Ananda for a premium experience.
Click here to see the full range of Electric Bikes or keep reading to learn how to choose your perfect eBike.
1. Riding type and frame style
You should consider the type of riding you’re most likely to do and choose a frame type designed for that application. Reid offer bikes built for comfort with an upright position, bikes with a more aggressive forward posture built for speed and handling and tough mountain bikes for control over rough terrain.
Riding for comfort & convenience
Whether commuting to work, getting around town or touring on paths over the weekend, Reid offer a great range of eBikes with a more upright posture for improved visibility, comfort and reduced strain on your back and neck.
Built for convenience and everyday use, these bikes also feature mudguards and pannier racks to make riding a breeze.
Carrying a lot or want to take the kids? Consider our Electric Cargo bikes.
Riding for speed and handling
Although still versatile all-round performers, our fast commuter collection is optimised for getting around the city quickly with safe, confident handling. These frames feature a more aggressive forward posture for pedalling efficiency and taking corners at pace.
These bikes feature gearing and disc brakes designed for fast riding, with a mid-mount motor positioning and downtube battery placement for improved handling characteristics.
Riding to handle rough terrain
These bikes are built strong for the rigorous demands of Mountain Biking. Bikes like this have no problem backing up as commuters though and are a popular choice for people wanting a bike to fulfil both duties.
Built around mid-mount motors with downtube battery packs, these bikes all feature powerful hydraulic disc brakes, strong components and suspension forks for comfort and control over broken ground.
2. Motor & Battery Position
Given the weight of the motor and battery pack, the positioning of these units can have a big influence on the handling characteristics (and aesthetics) of your eBike. The guide below will take you through the two main types of motor positions; mid-mount motors and front & rear hub motors.
Mid-Mount Motor
The mid-mount position offers more options in terms of gearing, smoother acceleration and lowers the centre of gravity of the bike giving a more stable ride over broken ground or when cornering. This benefit is really felt when off-road or riding at speed.
Our performance oriented eBikes also position the battery pack on the down tube to further keep the weight low and centred for handling.
Front/Rear Hub Motor
Hub motors offer a more discrete, lighter, and more affordable choice. The major trade off is handling at speed or over broken ground. If you are primarily looking to cruise along roads and river paths though, this will not be an issue.
3. Brand of system
Each brand offers features and benefits you should consider. The guide below will help you to find the balance between performance and price that suits your intended use.
Ananda Electric
Reid have specified Ananda electric bike motors to offer customers a more affordable performance mid-mount choice. The Ananda unit is rated for all-weather use and offers impressive performance at a value price point.
The M100 featured on the E-Trail 2.0 and Sphinx Full-Suspension was chosen for the additional torque (100nm) offered by the unit which really comes in handy on pinch climbs on the trail.
- Model: M80 or M100 (refers to maximum torque)
- Motor position: Mid-mount
Distance on single charge: Up to 100 km+ depending on conditions - Motor weight: 3.7kg (M80) / 4.3kg (M100)
- Charging time: 80% capacity in 2 hours, 100% in 4 hours
Bafang Electric
Bafang are the largest eBike hub motor manufacturer in the world with a huge presence in the Asian, European and US markets. The motor is light and unobtrusive, recharge time is quick and the range is good. Considering how affordable these systems are, a new eBike now makes a lot of sense for more people.
- Model: Bafang 250W
- Motor position: Rear or front hub
- Distance on single charge: Up to 60 km (8.7Ah battery) - 70 km (10.4/11Ah batteries) depending on conditions
- Motor weight: 2.9kg
Charging time: 80% capacity in 2 hours, 100% in 4 hours
Electric Bike FAQs
Thinking of trying an eBike? Read the FAQs below, contact us or speak to our Electric Bike experts.
Q. How fast does an eBike go?
eBikes in Australia are limited to 250w and will assist you up to 25km/hr - going faster than this is up to the effort of the rider. Any motor providing more power will be classified as a motorbike and must be registered and ridden by a licensed rider.
Q. How far can I travel on a full battery charge?
The range you can expect depends on how hard the battery is working and the size of the battery.
How hard the battery works will be affected by factors like the weight of the rider, how much luggage you’re carrying, tyre pressure, hills/terrain, road condition, wind and the level of assistance or power setting you use.
The Ananda system will travel up to 100km+, while the Bafang system will travel up to 60km (8.7Ah battery) or 70km (10.4/11Ah batteries) depending on conditions.
Q. How do I charge an eBike and how long will it take?
Simply plug the charger into a standard wall socket at work or when you get home. To charge the Bafang and Ananda battery from 0% to 80% will take 2 hours, 100% in 4 hours. Most of the time though you’ll just need to top up rather than completely refill.
Q. How much does it cost to charge?
Using a standard 418Wh battery as the example - at 30c/kWh x 0.418kWh = 12.5c for a full charge. Compare this to what it costs to drive a car!
Q. Can I ride in the rain?
Yes, all of these units are sealed and made for all-conditions riding.
Q. Can I switch off the motor and ride i like a normal bike?
Yes. Remove the battery pack and it will feel very much like a normal bike.
Q. What does 'pedelec' mean?
The most popular system in Australia is the pedelec (or pedal assist) system. You ride a pedelec by pedalling as normal, while the electric motor adds power to each pedal stroke - flattening out the hills and getting you up to speed with much less effort.
Electric bikes with a throttle are considered motorbikes for licensing and usage and cannot be ridden on bike paths.
Q. How often should I service my eBike?
We recommend your bike is serviced during the first 3 months of ownership as components bed in. Frequency of servicing after that depends on usage and what maintenance you choose to do yourself in terms of caring for the chain and other basic tasks. A regular rider who does not perform any maintenance may benefit from servicing every 6 months.