eBike advisor: Which eBike is right for you?

Launching the eBike advisor

The electric bike market is as diverse as your life and each eBike as individual as your requirements. Which eBike suits you best? What equipment is important to you? We'll familiarize you with the basics, show you what makes an eBike an eBike, and tell you everything else you need to know: from the drive unit to the display, from eCity to eCargo, from on-road to trail. With the interactive eBike advisor, in just a few clicks you can find out which eBike type you are and get an initial idea of your perfect eBike.

What is an eBike?

Electric bikes help you get around better in the city, with your family or up a mountain. It gives you a power boost when you need it and makes you independent of schedules or parking spaces. The eBike takes up little space and produces neither noise or exhaust fumes. In return, the focus is on the fun--even on longer routes. And, of course, an incomparable riding experience.

No wonder electric bikes are booming. Its advantages are both fascinating and convincing. However, understanding the variety of eBikes can be a challenge. The quality, capabilities and serviceability vary greatly. But don't worry: We'll explain everything you need to know about eBikes here.

You enjoy the ride

The drive provides support on challenging climbs and conserves energy on long rides.

You're improving your health

Regular exercise keeps you fit and puts you in a good mood. Studies have found that eBikers get on their bikes more often and cover much longer distances than conventional cyclists.

You're saving the environment

With an eBike, traffic can be relieved just as much as the climate. It often makes the car redundant.

You can all ride together

The electric support compensates for differences in rider performance and makes the ride a shared experience.

You save time

On a distance of up to 10 kilometres, the eBike is the fastest means of transport in the city.

Don't get confused: Everyone talks about eBikes, but there are actually three types of electric bikes. The generic term "eBike" has become established, but conceals the differences between the variants. They lie in the motor power, the type of support and the legal requirements. To keep it simple, we also speak of the "eBike" - always as a synonym for a pedelec.

eBike

With eBikes in general, you don't control the motor through your pedaling frequency or intensity, but through a twist grip or shift knob. You don't have to pedal for motor support. This makes them fundamentally different from bicycles and pedelecs, and there is mandatory insurance and a helmet must be worn.

Pedelec

Strictly speaking, most eBikes are pedelecs ("Pedal Electric Cycle") – i.e. a bicycle with an electric supporting motor. It supports you with a maximum permissible rated continuous output of 250 watts when you pedal. Up to a maximum speed of 25 km/h. If you want it to go even faster, you have to do it with pure muscle power. As a result, pedelecs are legally considered bicycles. You don't need a license or insurance to ride them.

The drive unit, display and battery are the components that make an eBike an eBike. These are supplemented by digital services and apps. All these components are most effective when thought of as a single unit and designed as a system. This way, they work together in harmony. The result is maximum efficiency and comfort – and a one-of-a-kind riding sensation.

Display

Important information where you need it

The display is the control center on the handlebar. It allows you to display various information such as range or selected riding mode and gives you the opportunity to change the support levels. Displays are available in many variants and with different functions.

Battery

The energy source

The eBike motor draws the energy to power you everywhere from the eBike battery. It supplies the eBike motor with power and decisively influences the range. Therefore, there are eBike batteries for different requirements as well as for different installation and mounting variants.

Drive unit

The (mid-drive) motor of your eBike

Many of the most premium electric bikes use mid-drive motors. There's a good reason for this: It sits at the bottom bracket in the middle of the bike, which lowers the center of gravity and leads to balanced weight distribution. Both of these factors make handling easier, and the direct power transmission to the chain also conveys a natural ride-feel. And because the Bosch eBike motors measure important riding data over 1,000 times per second with their sensors, they always provide you with the optimum performance.

Apps & portal

Digital extensions

Apps enhance your eBike experience with a wealth of digital features. Navigation or route planning, range information or important training data: you get pure riding enjoyment and also arrive at your destination in good shape. Elevation or pulse, speed or cadence – various apps can automatically record and analyze your performance. You can monitor your training performance at all times and easily share it with friends using your favorite apps such as Strava, komoot, Apple Health or Google Fit.

Commuting to work or an adventure in the country, from transport to trail, from clean to functional: a wide range of eBikes is available. We show you the most common types here.

City eBike

City eBikes are the perfect way to avoid traffic jams in a congested city.

Touring eBike

Touring bikes with electric drives are the perfect choice for recreational cyclists and adventurers.

Mountain eBike (eMTB)

With high torque and sporty performance, mountain bikes are specifically designed for off-road cycling.

Cargo eBike

Whether picking up the kids or carrying groceries, cargo bikes are an ideal alternative to the car.

Urban eBike

Urban eBikes are stylish eBikes that take you safely through the urban jungle – perfectly connected to the digital world.

Hybrid eBike

Hybrid eBikes or crossover eBikes are sporty all-rounders that feel just as comfortable on the road as off it.

Gravel eBike

Gravel eBikes are the off-road version of the eRoad bike: the wide tires provide plenty of comfort even for sporty riding.

Road eBike

Road eBikes are the racing bikes among the eBikes and your perfect coaching partner for longer and sportier on-road trips.

Range

What is the range of a single battery charge? This is a common question for many riders. There is a vast number of factors that have an effect on the range. Sometimes a single battery charge will take you less than 50 kilometres, while at other times it will take you much farther than 100 kilometres.

Range is influenced by the rider and the chosen support mode, as well as the drive unit or battery installed in the eBike. Environmental factors such as temperature, wind conditions and riding surface also play a key role in how far you can get on a battery charge. Our range calculator tool makes it possible to estimate typical range under various parameters.

To the Range calculator

Support levels

The eBike expands your muscle power with motor power. You decide how much extra power it provides simply by using your own power and selecting the assistance level. Whether you want to work up a full sweat or arrive at the office without breaking a sweat - your eBike will help you have limitless fun!

More about support levels

Safety

We care about your safety. Only when you feel safe on your eBike can you really enjoy the flow. That is why we are dedicated to the issue with full commitment and from all angles. Because how safe you feel is influenced by many different factors: A safety-conscious and responsible driving style, structural conditions such as the cycle path network and infrastructure and, last but not least, appropriate product solutions.

Every day we work passionately to develop innovative and inspiring products and are committed to safer infrastructure and responsible eBiking. So that you can ride in a relaxed, sustainable and, above all, safe way.

More about eBike safety

Connectivity

Whether you're using a connected computer or a smartphone, Bosch has intelligent solutions to connect you to the digital world when you're riding your eBike. This opens up a whole new range of options for eBiking - whether for navigation, fitness, communication or entertainment.

Thanks to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi in combination with smart features such as navigation, route planning, fitness and environmental conditions, you are now even better informed. Performance data such as altitude, speed, cadence and heart rate profiles can be recorded and evaluated. You can share information and stay in touch with friends on the go - that's what online services like Strava and komoot are all about.

More about connectivity

Sustainability

Sustainability is a joint project. Everyone can contribute to protecting resources and reducing emissions - out of respect for nature and the next generation. Especially in traffic: Our mobility causes more than one fifth of all CO₂ emissions worldwide. Riding an eBike helps to lower this value.

Because it can provide relief for traffic as well as for the climate. An eBike makes the way to work more relaxed and the car often dispensable, whether for transporting people or loads. It takes up little space and doesn't cause noise or exhaust fumes. The switch is a win for the environment. And therefore for all of us.

More about sustainability

Health

Physical activity is good for you. The World Health Organization recommends 150 minutes of exercise each week to strengthen the cardiovascular system and prevent disease. This doesn't necessarily mean having to work up a sweat. Moderate exercise is enough to promote health. Anyone riding an eBike is not just keeping the body and mind active but also having plenty of fun.

… a perfectly harmonized system
The drive unit, battery and display are designed as one system and work together in harmony. The result is maximum efficiency and comfort – and a one-of-a-kind riding sensation.

...custom combinations
With a modular product portfolio, Bosch offers riders the optimum drive system for every requirement.

...innovative solutions
The first production-ready ABS for eBikes, the first fully connected computer in the bicycle industry or the dynamic Performance Line CX: we develop solutions that enhance our customers' mobility.

… connected Biking
Our connectivity products add a digital dimension to the eBiking experience, making it even more comfortable, action-packed, and individual.

...unbeatable reliability
Our products are synonymous with maximum quality and reliability.

... an extensive range of services
Every product is only as good as its service. Bosch eBike Systems therefore provides eBike dealers with intensive training to turn them into eBike specialists.

... a wide choice of manufacturers
More than 100 well-known bicycle brands trust "Bosch ePowered" products and install our drives in their portfolio.

Our interactive eBike advisor helps you find the right eBike for your needs. Try it out now!

Launching the eBike advisor