E-Bike Buyer’s Guide – Everything You Need to Know Before You Buy

If you're considering buying your first electric bike—or just want to understand the latest tech—this E-Bike Buyer’s Guide will walk you through everything you need to know. From motors and batteries to sensors and displays, we’ll help you choose the best E-Bike for your lifestyle and riding goals.

Whether you're commuting to work, exploring new routes on the weekend, or simply looking to make cycling a little easier, this guide will give you the confidence to choose the right electric bike.

What Is an E-Bike?

An E-Bike, or is correct technical name an Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle’ (EAPC), is essentially a bicycle with a built-in motor that assists you while pedalling. It doesn’t replace your pedalling effort—it amplifies it. This assistance makes climbing hills, riding into headwinds, or travelling longer distances much easier and more enjoyable.

In the UK, all road-legal E-Bikes, or EPACs, are limited to 250 watts of Continuous Rated Power though the peak power can range much higher than this it’s only for a short period of time.  EPACs are also limited to a top assisted speed of 15.5mph (25km/h). Once you reach that speed, the motor cuts out and you continue pedalling as you would on a traditional bike. Importantly, the motor only activates when you are pedalling.

Every Ridgeback E-bike conforms to these legal requirements, and all are permanently labelled to illustrate compliance to the EN15194 standard.

For most riders, that 250 watts is more than enough to take the strain out of the ride—especially on steep inclines or stop-start commutes.

Key Components of an E-Bike

Electric bikes might look similar to traditional bikes, but there are a few key components that set them apart and make the magic happen. In this section of our E-Bike Buyer’s Guide, we’ll explain how motors, batteries, sensors, and displays all work together.

 

Motor: The Power Behind the Pedals

The motor is what gives an E-Bike its boost. There are three main types used on electric bikes:

• Front hub motors, mounted in the front wheel, are typically found on more affordable models and are easy to maintain.
• Rear hub motors are positioned in the back wheel and offer a more natural “push” feeling while riding.
• Mid-drive motors are mounted at the bottom bracket, between the pedals, and offer a more responsive and engaging ride—riders tend to find these the most natural feeling.

At Ridgeback, many of our E-Bikes use trusted systems like Shimano STEPS or SportDrive, which are known for smooth delivery and reliability on the road.

Battery: Range and Charging

The battery is your power source. Most modern E-Bikes use high-quality Lithium-Ion batteries, with capacities ranging between 300Wh and 500Wh. Generally, the higher the capacity, the further you can ride on a single charge.

Ultimate range will vary depending on individual use, weight, terrain even the temperature, but as a rough guide you will use 15Wh per mile on a flat route. Many of our bikes feature removable batteries, allowing you to charge them on or off the bike—handy if you live in a flat or want to keep a spare battery charging while you ride.

Every Ridgeback E-Bike comes with a compatible charger and charging hardware, ensuring safe and efficient charging.

 

Sensor: Smart, Responsive Assistance

The sensor is a small but crucial part of an E-Bike’s system. It tells the motor when to activate based on your pedalling. Some systems use motion sensors, which simply detect that the bike is in motion. Others use torque sensors, which measure how hard you're pedalling and adjust the motor's assistance to match.

Torque sensors, like those in Shimano STEPS systems, offer a more responsive and intuitive riding experience. You’ll feel like the bike is working with you, rather than just giving you a fixed level of support.

 

Display: Stay Informed While You Ride

All Ridgeback E-Bikes include an integrated display that shows useful riding information—such as your current speed, battery level, and which assist mode you're using. Some systems, like Shimano STEPS, even allow your smartphone to function as the display, helping you reduce handlebar clutter and integrate your ride data more easily.

These displays often feature simple controls for toggling between different levels of assistance, allowing you to adjust power delivery on the fly.

 

How to Choose the Right E-Bike for You

Now that you understand how E-Bikes work, how do you choose the one that best suits your needs?

Start by thinking about where and how you plan to ride. For city commuting and flat routes, a model with a rear hub motor and moderate battery range might be ideal. If you're tackling hilly terrain or carrying heavier loads, a mid-drive motor and higher-capacity battery will give you more torque and more range. Also consider the frame style. A step-through frame offers easier access and is popular among urban riders, while traditional diamond frames provide a more familiar fit for seasoned cyclists. Need to charge at work or home? Go for a removable battery. Planning longer rides? Opt for a model with a larger battery capacity.

 

Maintaining Your E-Bike

Electric bikes are surprisingly low maintenance. The motor and battery system are sealed, so you don’t need to worry about servicing them regularly. Just keep your battery charged and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

As for the rest of the bike, standard care applies - keep the chain lubricated, check your brakes and tyre pressure regularly, and make sure everything is adjusted properly. When it’s time for servicing or repairs, any Ridgeback-approved E-Bike retailer or certified mechanic will be able to help. We recommend your E-bike is serviced at least once a year by a qualified bicycle mechanic.

 

Ready to Ride? Explore Our E-Bike Range

We hope this E-Bike Buyer’s Guide has helped demystify the world of electric bikes. With the right knowledge, you're ready to choose the best E-Bike for your needs—whether that’s for commuting, leisure, or simply making your ride a little easier.