E-bikes: how to choose the right electric bike

Updated on 22 October 2026. The recommended products are available at the time of this update.

To choose the right electric bike, start with your routes: an e-city bike for everyday journeys, an e-MTB for trails, or an e-gravel bike for a mix of tarmac and smooth tracks. Then compare riding position, motor, torque and battery capacity, without treating the claimed range as a promise. For normal use as a bicycle, choose a pedelec with assistance up to 25 km/h.

How to choose

Before comparing electric bike specifications, be clear about how you will actually use yours. Your most frequent journey matters more than the ride you imagine taking once a year.

• Route: how many kilometres do you ride, how many climbs do you encounter and what surfaces do you ride on?
• Charging: do you have a socket near the bike, or do you need to take the battery indoors?
• Transport: will you need to carry it up stairs, load it into a car or store it in a small space? Check its actual weight and dimensions.
• Riding position: check the size, reach to the handlebar and ease of getting on and off. Wheel diameter alone does not determine the right size.
• Load: consider bags and shopping, checking the rack's load capacity and the maximum system weight where stated.
• Servicing: consider maintenance, electrical system diagnostics and spare parts availability alongside the bike's specification.

E-city, e-MTB or e-gravel?

• E-city: suitable for commuting, errands and leisure rides. Lights, mudguards, a rack and a frame that is easy to step through can be more useful than high torque.
• E-MTB: designed for off-road riding. A hardtail has front suspension; a full-suspension bike adds rear suspension, which is useful on rougher terrain. Choose travel, tyres and brakes to suit the trails and your experience.
• E-gravel: suited to tarmac and gravel roads, generally with a sportier riding position. Check the riding position, gearing, tyres and options for fitting bags if you want to tour.
• Electric road bike: prioritises riding on tarmac and a sporty riding position. It should not be confused with an e-gravel bike simply because both may have drop handlebars.

A folding bike can solve a storage problem, but also check how practical it is to lift and move when folded. Fat tyres alone do not make a bike suitable for technical trails.

Mid-drive motors and torque: what difference do they make?

A mid-drive motor sits near the pedals and delivers power through the drivetrain. By using the bike's gears, it offers an appealing solution for frequent climbs and mountain routes: you still need to choose a suitable gear and keep pedalling.

A hub motor drives the front or rear wheel. It can be a sensible choice for urban journeys: assess its response when setting off and climbing with a test ride.

• Watts: indicate power. On standard pedelecs, the continuous rated power limit is 250 W; this should not be confused with peak power.
• Newton metres, Nm: express the motor's torque. Higher torque can help on gradients, but it does not describe the quality of assistance on its own.
• Power delivery: sensors, software, gearing and cadence influence how the pedals feel. Two motors with the same Nm can behave differently.

For flat city riding, there is no need to chase the highest figure. If you frequently tackle steep climbs, compare torque and available gearing, and test the bike on a gradient similar to your usual one.

Battery and range: how many kilometres can you ride?

Capacity is compared in Wh, or watt-hours. If only voltage and capacity in amp-hours are stated, the calculation is V × Ah: a 36 V, 10 Ah battery stores approximately 360 Wh.

Under the same conditions, more Wh means more energy available. Actual range, however, depends on elevation gain, the selected assistance level, total weight, temperature, surface, tyre pressure and the rider's contribution.

• Treat the claimed distance as a guide tied to the test conditions.
• Allow a margin for your usual route, especially with climbs and high assistance levels.
• If you cannot charge near the bike, check that the battery is removable.
• Also compare battery weight, ease of removal and the availability of a compatible replacement.

Pedelecs and speed pedelecs: be aware of the difference

A standard pedelec provides assistance while you pedal, has a maximum continuous rated power of 250 W and progressively cuts assistance by 25 km/h, or when you stop pedalling. In this configuration, it is a bicycle: it does not require a number plate or compulsory RC insurance for road use.

A speed pedelec can provide assistance up to 45 km/h and normally falls into the moped category. For road use in Italy, type approval, a number plate, RC insurance, an approved helmet and an appropriate driving licence are required; moped traffic rules also apply.

The 25 km/h limit applies to assistance, not to the speed you can reach under your own power or downhill. Derestricting the motor does not turn a pedelec into a properly type-approved speed pedelec.

Our recommendations, available now

Here are six options from our collection of electric bikes to compare according to how you plan to use them.

Via Veneto E-Lite Lady City E-Bike with Mid-Drive Motor

It is suitable for everyday journeys and leisure rides, including on country roads. It combines an Oli Sport One mid-drive motor with 60 Nm of torque, a 360 Wh battery, a Shimano Acera 7-speed rear derailleur and Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc brakes.

Myland Handy 27.5 City E-Bike

It is designed for those who alternate between urban roads and unpaved country tracks, with larger luggage racks for panniers or baskets. It has a hub motor with 40 Nm of torque, an integrated, removable 540 Wh battery and a suspension fork; it is available in size 46.

Fantic Living City City E-Bike

It is an option for urban travel with a low step-through frame and a suspension seatpost. The Yamaha PW S2 motor delivers 75 Nm of torque and automatic assistance, paired with a 630 Wh battery and hydraulic disc brakes.

Torpado Ares MTB 29'' 9-speed Oli E-Bike

An option to consider for those looking for an electric MTB with a 100 mm air suspension fork. Equipment includes a OLI Sport Plus motor with 85 Nm of torque, an integrated 630 Wh battery, a Shimano Alivio 9-speed rear derailleur and two-piston hydraulic brakes.

Trek Rail+ 5 Gen 5 2027 MTB Full-Suspension E-Bike Bosch Performance Line CX

It is an enduro e-MTB for those who want to tackle demanding climbs and descents, with 160 mm of front and rear travel. It offers a Bosch Performance Line CX motor with 85 Nm of torque, an integrated, removable 800 Wh battery, 12-speed gearing and Shimano four-piston hydraulic brakes.

Torpado Explorer T350 Folding E-Bike

It is designed for those travelling around town who want a folding aluminium frame with 20-inch wheels. It has a 250 W rear motor, a removable 360 Wh battery, five assistance levels and a Shimano 6-speed rear derailleur.

Buying and spare parts: what to check

When comparing models online or Italian brands, consider equipment, warranty, support and access to spare parts. For chainrings and crank arms, the “e-bike” label alone is not enough: check the mounting interface, motor compatibility, chainline, tooth count and drivetrain.

For shipping terms, see the dedicated shipping page.

We look forward to welcoming you to Casapulla

Evolution Bikes has been a family-run shop in Casapulla, in the province of Caserta, since 1974 and is now in its third generation. Visit us to discuss a test ride or have your bike adjusted with support from our workshop, bike fitting service and e-bike support, or ask us for advice.

Frequently asked questions

How many Nm does an electric bike need?

It depends on the gradients and load: for riding around a flat city, there is no need to chase maximum torque. For frequent climbs, consider Nm, motor position and gear ratios together, ideally with a test ride.

How many kilometres can an e-bike travel on one charge?

There is no single figure that applies to every bike: battery capacity in Wh, elevation gain, assistance, weight and temperature all matter. Use the stated range as a guide and allow a margin for your route.

Does an electric bike need a registration plate and insurance?

A compliant pedelec with a maximum continuous rated power of 250 W and assistance up to 25 km/h does not require a registration plate or compulsory RC for road use. A speed pedelec with assistance up to 45 km/h requires type approval, a registration plate and insurance, along with the other requirements for mopeds.

Is a mid-drive motor or a hub motor better?

A mid-drive motor uses the drivetrain's gear ratios and is an option worth considering for frequent climbs and mountain riding. A hub motor may suit urban use: the choice depends on your route and the pedalling response you prefer.