E-Bike Racing Bike
Buying advice for an Race & Triathlon Racing Bike
Frame material
Aluminium is a popular material for e-bike road bike frames due to its lightness, stiffness and resistance to corrosion. Aluminium frames offer a good combination of strength and comfort and are often found in lower priced e-bike road bike models. Carbon fibre is a state-of-the-art material known for its lightness and stiffness. Carbon fibre frames offer excellent ride quality, vibration damping and aerodynamics. They are often found in high-end and performance-oriented e-bike road bike models, but are usually more expensive than aluminium frames. Steel frames have a long tradition in road cycling and are known for their smooth ride quality and durability. Steel frames offer a comfortable and stable ride and often have a classic aesthetic. However, they tend to be heavier than aluminium and carbon frames, but can still be found in some e-bike road bikes.
Chassis
On an e-bike road bike, the suspension is usually kept to a minimum, as this type of bike is generally designed for use on tarmac roads or smooth surfaces. Unlike mountain bikes or other off-road bikes, which require suspension to cope with bumps on trails, e-bike road bikes usually have no or only minimal suspension components. A typical e-bike road bike has a rigid fork (without suspension) at the front and a stiff frame designed for optimal power transfer and performance on the road. The wheels are usually fitted with thin, smooth tyres to minimise rolling resistance and maximise efficiency.
Wheels
The common wheel size for e-road bikes is usually 700C, which has a diameter of around 622 mm. This is the standard size for road bikes and offers a good balance between rolling resistance, aerodynamics and handling. The rims can be made of aluminium or carbon fibre. Aluminium rims are durable, lightweight and offer good braking performance. Carbon fibre rims are even lighter and often offer improved stiffness and aerodynamics, but are generally more expensive.
Tyres
The tyre size for e-bike road bikes is usually standardised and is 700C. This tyre size offers a good balance between rolling resistance, weight and handling and is the most commonly used size for road bikes. The width of the tyres can vary and often depends on the individual preferences of the rider and the conditions of use. For e-bike road bikes, narrow tyres with a width of 23 mm to 28 mm are generally used to minimise rolling resistance and maximise speed. However, wider tyres can offer improved comfort and traction, especially on uneven roads.
Brakes
The brakes are one of the most important components of an e-bike road bike and play a crucial role in the safety and control of the bike. Rim brakes, or dual pivot brakes, are a common choice for e-bike road bikes. They are lightweight, easy to maintain and offer good braking performance. Disc brakes are an increasingly popular option for e-bike road bikes. These brakes use brake discs that are mounted on the hub of the bike and are clamped by brake pads to stop the bike. Disc brakes offer improved braking performance, regardless of the conditions, and are particularly effective in wet or muddy conditions. Both rim and disc brakes can be hydraulically operated, which means that the braking force is transmitted by hydraulic fluid.
Battery motor
Road bike e-bikes are equipped with powerful motors that usually offer an output of 250 to 750 watts. They are designed to provide fast acceleration and efficient assistance when riding. Together with a lightweight and powerful battery, they provide a reliable power supply for longer journeys and demanding routes. Depending on the model and configuration, speeds of up to 25 km/h or 45 km/h can be achieved.