Biking is not only a quick and economical way to get around; it is also plain fun! That being said, buying a new bike is still a purchase that deserves careful thought. You may find it difficult to choose between electronic bicycles or traditional bicycles.
Traditional bikes are operated by pedaling and can be a fantastic source of exercise as well as enjoyment. On the other hand, E-bikes can offer some of the same benefits with the added bonus of a motor to aid in acceleration.
In this article, we’ll fully examine the E-Bike versus the traditional bike: which is your perfect bike? This question will be answered by comparing the features that make up each piece of equipment, scoring them on a range of 1-10, and adding these scores up so that you can determine the winner!
E-Bike Vs. Traditional Bike: How We’ll Compare Them
Before we get started, you’ll need to know what each product has in common. These will be listed below and then covered in more detail by comparison!
- Maintenance Needs
- Ease of Use
- Emissions
- Value
Maintenance Needs
E-Bike
When it comes to an E-Bike, the only difference between it and the Traditional bike is its electronic components. Usually, the E-Bike and the traditional bike are constructed on the same principles; you may have to replace breaks or tighten bolts every few years, but maintenance is minimal as long as the bike is kept out of moist conditions and ridden semi-regularly.
However, as previously mentioned, an E-bike does have more parts to deal with than a traditional bike, and experts recommend a tune-up every 6 months. Luckily, however, the motor and electric systems of an E-Bike usually come with a warranty that covers the first year of repairs. Therefore, we’ll give E-bikes a score of 4/10.
Traditional Bike
According to the experts at Trek Bike.com, a traditional bike needs maintenance only once or twice each year; this is because natural wear and tear only becomes problematic at around 25 hours of riding experience. For this reason, we’ll award traditional bikes a score of 6/10.
How They Compare
To sum it up, the traditional bike requires a less frequent tune-up than what experts recommend for E-bikes. In addition, traditional bikes usually need maintenance that can be done at home or by mechanical beginners, whereas E-bikes tend to need a professional’s hand in tune-ups that involve their electric components.
In terms of maintenance needs, traditional bikes are slightly superior.
Read Also: How To Choose The Perfect E-Bike For Your Needs
Ease of Use
E-Bike
An E-bike has the same basic and intuitive operation as a traditional bike; the handlebars are used to steer while pedaling creates forward motion. However, the main difference is that an E-bike comes with an electric motor, which engages during pedaling to ease the exertion of the rider as they speed up.
Some features can be added to an E-bike in order to make the entire experience more comfortable, as well, such as suspension. The rider is also able to control their speed very effectively regardless of their personal energy levels at any given point during the ride. For this reason, we’ll rate the E-Bike at 9/10.
Traditional Bike
A traditional bike has been beloved since its invention in 1817, and this is due, in large part, to its ease of use. In fact, according to studies recorded by the Guardian, the motions needed for riding a traditional bike are actually designed to be just as intuitive and easy to do as walking.
With proper balance and enough energy to keep on pedaling, a traditional bike is very simple to use and has earned a score of 7/10.
How They Compare
Though both the E-Bike and the traditional bike are very simple to operate, especially if you learned how to ride the traditional bike at an early age, it is true that the E-bike is superior when it comes to ease of use.
To put it simply, while the E-bike doesn’t try to improve on the relative perfection of how a traditional bike works in terms of balance, steering, or construction, it does add one huge benefit: less energy spent on pedaling. With the electric motor that speeds an E-bike up during pedaling, the rider has more control and less exhaustion on their ride.
Emissions
E-Bike
An e-bike leaves a very small carbon footprint. In fact, the majority of an E-bike’s effect on the environment occurs not when it is being operated, but during manufacturing. However, the amount of emissions it lowers simply by being an energy-efficient alternative to carbon-emitting vehicles more than makes up for this!
In fact, according to Bike Trek, an E-bike only produces around 21 to 25 grams of CO2 emissions per kilometer of its lifetime. This makes it abundantly energy-efficient and much better for the environment than a gas-powered car. Because of this, the E-bike is awarded a score of 9/10 for emissions.
Traditional Bike
Traditional bikes also only create a carbon footprint by being manufactured in the first place; the rest is measured by the amount of CO2 produced during their lifetime, much like the e-bike. Traditional bikes tend to produce 25 to 35 grams of CO2 emissions by kilometer. The traditional bike scores 8/10 for emissions.
How They Compare
Both traditional bikes and E-bikes are a far superior alternative to high-emission vehicles like cars or motorcycles. However, when it comes to comparing the two, the E-bike is actually a bit more energy efficient than traditional bikes!
Even though a traditional bike does not cause much in the way of emissions, an electric bike causes even less; additionally, because e-bikes can travel at rates of speed and distances comparable to a car, they are even better alternatives to cars themselves.
For these reasons, an E-bike is superior to a traditional bike when it comes to emission considerations.
Read Also:
10 Environmental Advantages of Owning an Electric Bike
The Environmental Impact of E-Bike Use on Air Quality
Value
E-Bike
An E-bike’s cost depends largely on the brand and class of the E-Bike. Class 1 E-Bikes will be the least expensive, usually topping off at around $1,000. Class 3 E-Bikes, on the other hand, can be as expensive as $3,000.
However, as previously mentioned, an E-bike that is well maintained with a motor and battery that are replaced every two to three years can last for as long as ten years. During all that time, you are set to save up to $10,000 by traveling more on an E-bike per year than you might have on a car. Because of this, the E-Bike gets a value score of 10/10.
Traditional Bike
Traditional bikes can cost, on average, anywhere between $100 and over $10,000. As we’ve discussed, the more expensive options are generally better constructed and more durable, and with careful maintenance, they can last a lifetime.
A traditional bike can be cost-effective as a replacement for a car, with some estimates placing the amount of money the rider saves by commuting with a bike at $500 each year. Therefore, the Traditional Bike receives a score of 9/10 for value.
How They Compare
A traditional bike may pay for itself if used as a mode of transportation in place of a car, but it should be noted that it may not be as effective over long commutes. The E-bike can cover more ground at a more efficient rate of speed, making it more likely to save money as a mode of daily transportation for the rider even though it is more expensive to purchase.
For that reason, the E-bike is once again superior to the traditional bike in terms of value.
Read Also: Electric Bike Styles Unveiled – A Comprehensive Comparison for Every Riding Preference
The Breakdown
Now that we’ve finished examining each of the most important factors of a traditional bike and an E-bike, let’s tally up their total scores!
| E-Bike | Traditional Bike | |
| Maintenance Needs | 4/10 | 6/10 |
| Ease of Use | 9/10 | 7/10 |
| Emissions | 9/10 | 8/10 |
| Value | 10/10 | 9/10 |
| Final Score: | 32 | 30 |
The Winner – E-Bike
If it’s a question of E-Bike versus Traditional bike, the score is definitely in favor of the E-Bike! As we’ve learned, the E-Bike may be expensive, but it more than balances out the cost with value in terms of low maintenance needs, few emissions, and, perhaps most importantly, the sheer fun that comes from easy use.
Although both traditional bikes and E-bikes have many benefits in common, it is the E-Bike that makes the perfect bike!
Read Also:
What Are the Differences Between a 36v and a 48v E-Bike?
Electric Bike Styles Unveiled: A Comprehensive Comparison for Every Riding Preference
The Environmental Impact of E-Bike Use on Air Quality
