Which speed pedelec to choose? Six tips for your first speed pedelec
Can you lease a bicycle through your employer? Then leasing a speed pedelec is a good idea: as it is up to 40% cheaper than a private purchase. That makes these expensive speed pedelecs much more affordable via leasing! Want to know which speed pedelec to choose? In this blog, we provide 6 tips for choosing your first speed pedelec. That way you can make the right choice, regardless of your technical cycling knowledge!
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1. Choose a belt drive
A belt drive is the ideal choice for those who want a low-maintenance speed pedelec that also doesn't make too much noise. A belt lasts so much longer than a normal chain because a belt doesn't have any metals that affect each other, leading to wear and tear. A belt like that also means you don't have to worry about any chain grease on your trousers!
A belt drive is often quite a bit more expensive than a classical bicycle chain, though. In the long term, however, it's still a smart choice. Because if you use your speed pedelec regularly, you'll need to replace a classical chain up to twice a year. That will cost you around 150 euros every year – a cost you don't have if you choose a belt drive.
Are you nonetheless going for a classical chain? Then make your bicycle lower-maintenance by choosing a hub gear. Do note: for sporting cyclists, a cassette in combination with a derailleur is a more beneficial option for high performance and high acceleration.
2. Go for a rear-wheel drive
What engine should you choose for a speed pedelec? A rear-wheel drive always makes for higher performance. This is because the drive for speed pedelecs with a rear-wheel drive runs via the rear wheel (shocker), meaning you don't lose any power, so you can cycle more efficiently. Put simply: with a speed pedelec with a rear-wheel drive, you'll achieve higher speeds than with a speed pedelec with a mid-drive, owing to losing less power.
Are you still not sure what speed pedelec you want to lease? Then be sure to take a look at our speed pedelec overview page and discover which brand is best suited to you!
3. Choose the right battery capacity
So what is the right battery capacity? The answer to this question depends on how many kilometres your commute involves. The standard capacity of most speed pedelec batteries is around 500 to 1,150 kWh. But still, those figures probably tell you little about how far you can cycle with a speed pedelec.
That's why we'll give you the average distance you can cycle with a specific capacity:
- With a 671 kWh battery, you can ride for 44 km with a full battery.
- With a 880 kWh battery, you can ride for 58 km with a full battery.
When choosing the battery capacity, also bear in mind the charging opportunities between rides and the charging time. For example, for a 500 kWh battery, it's best to assume a charging time of 2.5 to 4 hours. Do you not have many charging opportunities between rides? Then choose a higher-capacity battery or go for an extra battery.
Would you like some further reading on this? You can find more information on this website about the speed pedelec evolution!
4. Go for disc brakes
With a speed pedelec, you can ride at up to 45 kph, so then you'll want to have some properly working brakes for your own safety. The highest-quality, most reliable and accurate brakes for your speed pedelec are disc brakes. Moreover, these brakes are also more maintenance friendly. With disc brakes, you have a great deal more braking power, including in challenging circumstances such as mud and rain.
Whatever type of speed pedelec you choose, stay safe when you hit the road with this rapid e-bike and read our tips in the blog ‘Cycling safely with a speed pedelec’.
Find your speed pedelec at your bicycle dealer
With these tips, easily tell your bicycle dealer which speed pedelec you are looking for, and make sure you choose a model that suits your needs. Visit your local bicycle dealer or request an online quote via your myo2o Biker account.
5. Go for thicker tyres
Thicker tyres for your speed pedelec are always a smart choice. This is because they give you more grip on the road, better damping and better road positioning. With such thick tyres, you also run less chance of a flat tyre. Do note: the thicker your tyres, the less the extent to which you need to pump them up.
But what are thick tyres, then? We would give a thickness of around 45 mm as a guideline here. You can even fit winter tyres to your bicycle and ride around with them on all year round (yes, even in the summer). These tyres have a larger groove, which gives them even greater grip in snow and rain. The disadvantage? You'll have a bit more resistance.
Ready to choose? You can find a great many brands offering speed pedelecs on our speed pedelec page.
6. Don't get too worked up over the suspension
With a mountain bike or city bike, having some suspension gives a huge boost to riding comfort. With a speed pedelec, this is less relevant, as the thicker tyres automatically provide better damping. Moreover, most speed pedelecs are supplied without any suspension as standard. If you never go cycling for sport and want maximum comfort, then you're best off choosing extra suspension in the front fork.
The road to your ideal speed pedelec
The ideal speed pedelec looks different for everyone. But the road to leasing it is always the same:
- Use our bicycle guide and find the speed pedelec that suits you in no time.
- Simulate the lease price of the speed pedelec you are interested in.
- Test the speed pedelec at your local bicycle shop, so you know if it's really for you.
- Do you know which speed pedelec you want? It's time to order it via your myo2o Biker account.
Could you use a bit more inspiration to find out which speed pedelec to choose? Check out our article ‘The most famous bicycle brands with o2o in 2023’. And do be sure to go along to your favourite bicycle dealer for some extra advice and a test ride. Have fun on the road!
