How to Choose Your First E-Bike: What to Look Out For

How to Choose Your First E-Bike: What to Look Out For

Thinking about buying your first electric bike? You’re not alone. E-bikes are transforming the way people commute, shop, and enjoy leisure rides in the UK.
But with so many models, styles, and features on the market, how do you know which one is right for you?
Here’s a simple guide to help you choose your first e-bike with confidence.

✅ 1. Define Your Main Use
Before looking at specific models, think about how you’ll use your e-bike:
⦁    Commuting: Will you be riding to work daily?
⦁    School runs or shopping: Do you need extra space for children or cargo?
⦁    Leisure rides: Are you planning countryside trips or weekend adventures?
⦁    Fitness: Do you want a bit of extra help on hills but still pedal for exercise?
Your primary use will guide you towards the right style of e-bike.

✅ 2. Choose the Right E-Bike Type
Here are the most common e-bike styles:
⦁    Step-through e-bikes (like the Roxform Stride): Perfect for city commuting and easy to get on and off.
⦁    Cargo e-bikes (like the Roxform Porto): Ideal for carrying children, shopping, or extra loads.
⦁    Folding e-bikes: Great for mixed travel (e.g. bike + train) or limited storage space.
⦁    E-MTBs (mountain e-bikes): Built for off-road trails and rural adventures.

✅ 3. Understand the Battery and Range
Battery life is one of the most important factors. Ask yourself:
⦁    How far will you ride on a typical day?
⦁    Do you have steep hills or mostly flat routes?
⦁    Will you need to charge daily, or only a few times per week?
For most city commutes, a range of 30–60 miles on a single charge is more than enough.

✅ 4. Consider Comfort and Fit
You’ll enjoy your e-bike much more if it feels comfortable and easy to ride.
⦁    Test the saddle height, handlebar position, and frame size
⦁    Check if the bike feels stable, especially when carrying extra weight
⦁    Look for features like suspension forks or wide tyres for added comfort

✅ 5. Look at the Motor and Assistance Levels
In the UK, legal e-bikes have a motor with a maximum power output of 250W and assist you only when pedalling (up to 15.5mph).
Some motors are on the rear wheel, while others are mid-drive for better balance and hill-climbing power.
Choose a motor that matches your terrain – if you have lots of hills, you’ll appreciate a stronger torque.

✅ 6. Think About Practical Extras
⦁    Integrated lights and mudguards for everyday commuting
⦁    Racks or baskets for carrying shopping or bags
⦁    Child seats or cargo boxes if you’re doing school runs
⦁    Security features like wheel locks or removable batteries

✅ 7. Test Ride Before You Decide
Nothing beats a test ride. It helps you feel the difference in weight, handling, and assistance levels.
Roxform offers dealer test rides, so you can experience the Stride, Porto, or any other model before buying.

✅ 8. Set a Realistic Budget
Remember, an e-bike is an investment. A good-quality e-bike may cost more upfront, but it will save you money on fuel, parking, and public transport over time.

Roxform: The Easy Way to Start
⦁    The Stride is a step-through e-bike, perfect for commuting and city rides
⦁    The Porto cargo e-bike makes it easy to carry children or shopping
⦁    Long-range batteries and UK-compliant motors mean no licence or tax required
Whether you’re looking for convenience, comfort, or family-friendly transport, Roxform has a model designed for your needs.

Ready to Find Your First E-Bike?
Choosing your first e-bike doesn’t have to be complicated. Start by thinking about your daily routine – and let Roxform make the rest easy.