Welcome to the wild and wonderful world of e-bikes. If you’re here, it probably means you’ve been thinking about purchasing one. Obviously, we’d say that’s a very, very good decision. But we also understand that it is no small investment. Before you take the plunge, you might want to know exactly what it is you’re getting into.

Which is why we’ve put together this little list. There are many things you should know before purchasing an e-bike. If nothing else, you’ll come away with a better understanding of what they’re all about.



1. They’re super fun!

What better reason to buy something, than simply because it is a whole lot of fun?

Interestingly, many first time e-bike riders are surprised at just how much fun their new purchase is. This is because the motorisation component is often viewed as something that is purely functional - they don’t consider that it’s actually something to be enjoyed.

But once they kick it into high drive, and start reaching speeds of 30 - 40km/h, they experience a rare thrill. It’s an adrenaline kick that’s hard to replicate, and it’s a feeling that will keep you coming back for more. 

The most fun time of all, perhaps, is whenever you go up a hill. No doubt you’ve ridden a regular bicycle up a steep hill before - you know how exhaustingly hard it can be. But with an e-bike, it’s totally different. You can conquer them without breaking a sweat. You become the hill’s boss.

Up is the new down. 



2. They’re great for fitness

Sure, you’ve got electric assistance - but it doesn’t prevent you from getting a good workout. 

For one thing, you still have to peddle, which will always burn calories regardless of how much motor power you’re using. 

You can adjust how much electrical assistance you want at any given time by using what’s called the energy management system. Adjusting this is as easy as changing gears. You could have it on a low setting when you’re on the flats, and then crank it up to help you climb a hill. 

It’s the best of both worlds: you’re exercising with little to no risk of over-exertion. 



3. They’re multi-purpose

Only interested in riding the roads? Great, e-bikes (WΛU bikes in particular) are perfect for street-cycling. Fancy some trail riding? Awesome, we’ve got some suspension, so let’s go rip up some tracks. Mountain biking more your thing? Well, going uphill is now just as fun as going downhill, so let’s head for the mountains!

Granted, some e-bikes are better suited to trail riding, while others are better suited to roads. But the point is, with the dynamic power of electric assistance, you can pretty much go wherever and do whatever you want.



4. Not all batteries are created equal



One of the most important things to consider when purchasing an e-bike is how long the battery lasts on a single charge. There’s a scary amount of badly made batteries out there, and most of them can be found on budget e-bikes. The manufacturers will make bold promises about them being capable of lasting 50+ miles, when in reality, they struggle to hit the 30 mile mark. 

Superior, high-quality batteries - the kind that are found on a WΛU bike - are in a whole different league. They can easily last for 100 miles. Compared with low quality batteries, this will completely transform your e-bike experience. The freedom to go further should always be at the core of e-bike design.



5. You have to pedal to get the power

This may seem obvious to the experienced e-bike rider, but to the uninitiated, it’s something that might not have been considered.

You’ll get no electric assistance until you pedal. If you don’t pedal, you don’t move - no matter how big and shiny the motor. 

In other words, the ‘e’ doesn’t overrule the ‘bike’. They’re equals. Otherwise, it would basically be a motor bike.



6. They’re the BEST way to commute

According to a Moneybarn survey, the average round-trip commute for UK workers is 23 miles. As you’d expect, most people embark on such a commute via car, bus or train. Taking on that kind of distance with a regular bicycle is kind of a big ask.

But throw in a touch of electric assistance, and it’s an entirely different kettle of fish. You can make short and easy work of 23 miles. You can skip the traffic, the hustle, the stress. You can start your day right: with a blast of fresh air, and an invigorating dose of non strenuous exercise. Plus, you won’t have to pay for train/bus tickets, or petrol, or parking, so you can save a decent amount of money in the long run. Not to mention you’ll be doing your bit for the environment.

So maybe we’re biased. But honestly, can you think of a better way to commute to work and tour than on an e-bike.



7. They’re quiet

Quiet as a mouse. Well, maybe not that quiet. But compared to other motorised vehicles, such as motorbikes, e-bikes make basically no sound at all. 

In fact, in terms of noise, an e-bike is really no different from a regular bicycle. The motor doesn’t whir, or churn, or… whatever motors normally do. So if you’re worried about drawing unnecessary attention to yourself due to the sound of your e-bike, then don’t! You can slip by unnoticed - and twice as fast as normal. 



8. They look cool. TOO cool...



Yes, e-bikes tend to attract a lot of attention on account of their flashy looks. And yes, some of that attention, inevitably, comes from thieves.

Bike theft is nothing new. It’s been a scourge of the riding community since long before e-bikes came along. For a regular bicycle, all it takes is an opportunistic hoodlum with a pair of heavy duty bolt cutters to commit the crime. And once the bike’s been stolen, there is very little chance of recovery. The same goes for budget e-bikes: practically no security to speak of, giving the owner little to no hope of protecting it from a determined thief.

But fear not! WΛU bikes are different. They come fully equipped with comprehensive security features, including GPS tracking, Geo-fence technology, and an anti-tamper alarm system. Should the worst happen, you’ll have every chance of getting your e-bike back. 



9. You can charge your phone with it!

Well, this one’s actually pretty exclusive to WΛU bikes. With the upgraded LED colour display, you get a USB port which allows you to charge your phone on the go. This has proven valuable to those who are constantly on the move. It uses the bike’s battery, so there’s no need to micromanage separate power supplies. 

Quite simply, we are embracing the power of electricity, and making the most of it. E-bikes are all about quality of life!



10. They’re hardly more expensive than regular bicycles

Seriously, the price of high-quality bicycles has rocketed in recent years. Whether it’s justified or not, you can easily spend £5,000+ on a non-electric bike.

You can get an amazing e-bike for less than half of that. And better yet, you get to zoom past those guys - who have probably spent a lot more than you - with a fraction of the effort. 



Activate e-bike smug mode.