What to look for in an electric bike?

Not sure what to look for in an electric bike? It can be challenging to choose the right e-bike for your needs.

Whether you're considering a side gig with food delivery or need the perfect daily commuter, Whizz has you covered.

Here are some tips on what to look for in an electric bike and how to find the one that's right for you.

Consider your needs and budget

Living in New York City comes with its own set of challenges when it comes to getting around—busy streets, crowded subways, and limited storage. Luckily, electric bikes (e-bikes) can make your commute smoother and more convenient. Here are the top three types of e-bikes for NYC riders:

1. Commuter e-bikes

• Why they are great: These e-bikes are designed to help you navigate city streets with ease. They’re built for quick, comfortable rides through traffic, bike lanes, and even on crowded sidewalks.
• Features: Lightweight frame, upright riding position, built-in lights, and racks for carrying groceries or a bag.
• Best For: Daily commuting, running errands, or simply cruising around the city. Whether you're heading from the Bronx to Brooklyn or hopping from the Lower East Side to Midtown, these bikes make getting around quick and easy.

2. Folding e-bikes

• Why they are great: Space is limited in NYC, whether you're on the subway or in a tiny apartment. Folding e-bikes are ideal for riders who need portability without sacrificing power. You can fold them up and take them on the train or stow them under your desk.
• Features: Compact, foldable design, lightweight, and moderate range for city trips.
• Best For: Public transport commuters, apartment dwellers, and anyone who needs a compact, portable bike that doesn’t take up much space.

3. Cargo e-bikes

• Why they're great: If you need to haul groceries, carry packages, or even deliver food, cargo e-bikes can handle the load while still being easy to maneuver in NYC’s busy streets.
• Features: Strong frame, large carrying capacity, with racks or baskets for transporting goods.
• Best For: Food delivery workers, families, or anyone who needs to carry larger items around the city without the hassle of a car or public transport.

How to choose a retailer and what to look for in an e-bike

It’s crucial to choose the proper retailer when shopping for and e-bike and remember you need a warranty and decent equipment.

The retailer needs to provide you with the correct information and offer to fix your electric bicycles should the worst happen. Most importantly, you should avoid retailers with bad reviews.

The retailer doesn’t need to be super well-recognized and there probably is a nice one among the local bike shops in your area.

Remember to do your research to avoid any inconveniences in the future. Luckily, electric bicycles are all the hype, and retailers compete to provide the best service.

Buying an electric bicycle is simple if you have experience. But, this shouldn’t prevent you from asking for more information. Some of your friends are probably advanced riders and will help you choose the right one.

• Test several e-bikes

Once you have decided on your driving style and the tasks you’ll need your bike to complete, go to a bike shop. When it comes to riding an e-bike, size is also important.

Most manufacturers make electric bikes for every height and weight so it shouldn’t be hard to find one that’s perfect for you

It’s also fundamental to check the handlebar, brakes, and overall feeling. Testing a bike should never be done in a fuss.

You need to watch carefully for all details and focus on your feelings as well. Test-drive is always available and do not ignore this, because it’s quite important.

You need to pick up the most powerful bike, so make sure you consider everything vital.

• Warranty

It’s also wise to read the warranty and keep it carefully. Read about warranty cases to prepare for any scenario, and guarantee your customer rights.

• Accessories

Biking in the Big Apple requires some accessories like a U-lock, helmet, pump, phone mount, cycling gloves, grips, light, etc. It should not only look nice but also be as functional as possible. Luckily, every Whizz bike comes with all of these accessories to make sure that your setup makes riding easier.

Should you buy or rent an e-bike

It's obvious that e-bikes are more functional than traditional bikes and the best part is that you can either buy or rent one depending on your needs. Both options are available from Whizz, but we often advise renting first, especially if you are thinking about a food delivery business.

Read Also: Electric bike for Capsule Delivery

Conclusion

Being a courier in New York City is challenging but fascinating at the same time. It’s one of the most touristy and busy cities in the world. No wonder that overall delivery net worth is growing steadily every year.

Regular bikes aren’t enough to do more deliveries, and couriers need more power, and that’s where the bikes in this article come in. You can get one from Whizz at a 30$ discount using the promo code "WOW".

This discount is available for any plan, and you’re more than welcome to pick up a bike and take it for a spin. If you have any questions about our service and maintenance terms, feel free to ask. We’re here to help.