Here's my conclusion from my experience with bicycles, mountainbikes and pedelecs:
- Frame: depends on the road surface (quality), average speed and personal preference of comfort and the will to spend at least 50% more for full suspension compared to hardtail. Frame material isn't a matter, as long as you're okay with an overall weight of the bicycle around 24kg/53pound.
- Motor: Bosch, Yamaha, Brose, BionX and Panasonic are the names to mention (in this order) for ready to drive bicycles. Middle frame motors gives the bicycle a better center of mass than rear hub motors.
- Batteries: depends on the range you need and amount of support you want. 75km/45miles are possible with 500Wh and 300% support of the own pedal power.
bosch-ebike.com/en/service/range-assistant/
- Gear: depends on your choice between cheaper derailleurs meaning more service effort and replacement every 5.000km or an hub gear with much longer runtime chain/toothed belt for hassle free continuously variable transmission.
Harmony H|Sync - Products - nuvincicyling.com
rohloff.de/en/products/speedhub/e-14/
Carbon Drive Belts for eBikes | Gates Carbon Drive
- Wheel size: Mostly you can choose between 27.5" and 29". Smaller diameter gives you more control over the bicycle and lower center of mass than 29".
- Tyre width: Since friction loss isn't a matter on an ebike, it depends on the tire tread you need/want. MTB profile gives more grip on most surfaces and are to be preferred for safety reasons. So you'll end in a range between 1.75 and 2.5. But consider if you want fenders/mudguards, they mostly are available unly upon 80mm/2.6".
- Tyre type: Always a compromise wtween rolling comfort, on/offroad grip, puncture protection and service life. Weight isn't a relevant factor anymore on pedelecs.
So for average use Schwalbe Marathon Plus MTB are the choice.
schwalbe.com/en/offroad-reader/marathon-plus-mtb.html
- Seat, pedals, handlebars: You probably will go for longer rides than before with an pedelec, so it's about comfort and safety. There are even first pedelec seats. Pedals should have pins to give enough grip and control even when it's wet outside. Handlebars should be very straight to give a direct control in every situation, so stick with straigh or riser bars.
selleroyal.com/en/ezone
google.com/shopping/product/12642479932610972099?prds=scoring:tps
citybicycleco.com/blogs/places-and-spaces/45179589-the-ultimate-guide-to-bike-handlebars
Lights: The Supernova M99 Pro get's you at the same level as car headlights (1.600lm). If it's worth you $500, go for it! For less money you'll also get good lights like the B&M IQ-X E or Lupine SL.
20170822_Supernova_Kompatibilit%C3%A4tsliste-E-Bike-Antriebe.pdf
https://www.bumm.de/en/products/e-bike-beleuchtung/parent/164/produkt/164r60ts7-01.html
- Mudguards: Install them. There's no bike where the mudguards don't fit, though as you go with fatter tyres, it becomes more and more tricky.
These are the widest fenders available (80mm/3.15"):
pletscher.ch/images/content/products/fenders/en/Aluminiumschutzblech-R80.pdf
pletscher.ch/index.php/en/products-en/fenders-en/fenders-en
- Rack: The only question is which rack system, not if you should get one. Topeak MTX system is great, gives you plenty of options for mounting basket, waterproof bag, travel bag with panniers, trolley bag and even an suitcase/notebook bag has been out there. Pletscher is also nice.
topeak.com/global/en/products/rear-rack-bags/122-mtx-trunkbag-dxp
pletscher.ch/index.php/en/products-en/accessories-en
Last edited by angerdan; 11-25-17 at 06:38 PM.