Last updated: 20 July 2026
The best electric bike depends on how you ride: a light, comfortable model for daily city trips, a big-battery trekking bike for longer rides, and a wide-tyre fatbike for rougher surfaces. Class matters too: a bike with up to a 250 W assist motor counts as a regular bicycle under Estonian law, while more powerful models fall into other classes.
The short version
- Choose by riding style: city, long-distance and off-road each call for a different frame, battery and tyres.
- An e-bike with up to 250 W of assist that cuts out at 25 km/h is legally a bicycle. More powerful models fall into the light-moped or moped class.
- Battery capacity (Wh) determines real-world range more than advertised kilometres.
- Among our buyers, the clear favourite is the Duotts C29 Pro.
- A folding frame is a big plus in an apartment building or on public transport, but usually adds weight over a rigid frame of the same class.
How to choose an electric bike?
Start with the same questions as with any bike: how long are your rides, what surface do you ride on, and where will you store it. With an e-bike, three more things come in: battery capacity, motor power, and which legal class the bike belongs to.
In the city a lighter model whose battery covers your daily trips with margin is usually enough. Long-distance riders should prioritise battery size and a comfortable position; off-road, wider tyres and suspension. Browse the full range in our electric bike collection, and folding models separately in the folding bike selection.
Which class does an e-bike belong to?
Under the Estonian Traffic Act, a bike with an electric assist motor still counts as a bicycle if the motor's power does not exceed 250 watts and the assist cuts out at 25 km/h. You ride it under the same rules as a regular bicycle.
If the electric motor's continuous power is up to 1 kilowatt and the design speed up to 25 km/h, the vehicle counts as a light moped (pisimopeed). More powerful models, up to 4 kW and 45 km/h, fall into the moped class, which brings age, licence and helmet requirements. Many powerful models can be software-limited, but the class is set by the manufacturer's stated power and speed. If you are unsure about a specific model's class, ask us before buying.
Motor and drivetrain: what the numbers mean
An electric bike's motor is either a mid-drive (at the pedals) or a hub motor (inside the wheel). A mid-drive keeps the centre of gravity low, uses the bike's own gears and works more efficiently on climbs and with heavy loads, but adds noticeably to the price. A hub motor is simpler and cheaper, and entirely sufficient for flat city riding. Most budget and mid-range bikes, including much of our range, use hub motors.
A motor's real pulling power is described by torque in newton metres (Nm), not just watts. A rough rule of thumb: about 40 Nm is enough for flat city riding, 50 to 70 Nm suits daily riding with climbs, and 80 Nm or more helps with cargo and heavy loads. Budget manufacturers do not always publish torque; in that case judge the bike by battery capacity (Wh), motor power and a test ride.
The same logic applies to gears and brakes: a regular chain derailleur is lighter and cheaper to service, while internal hub gears are more convenient and lower-maintenance in the city. Hydraulic disc brakes need less finger force and cost more; mechanical disc brakes are dependable but need adjusting a little more often.
Best electric bikes by use case
| Use case | Recommendation | Key numbers | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Longer rides and daily commuting | Duotts C29 Pro | 750 W, 48V 15Ah, up to 70 km with assist, 29-inch wheels | Our buyers' favourite: clearly our best-selling e-bike in recent months. Its power puts it above the bicycle class, see the class guide above |
| Compact city riding and younger riders | KOOLUX X9 Mini | 250 W nominal, assist up to 25 km/h, 16-inch wide tyres | Bicycle class: rides in public traffic under regular bicycle rules |
| Folding bike for an apartment or car boot | folding bike selection | 20-inch wheels, folding frame | The popular Fafrees F20 series lives here; stock rotates quickly, so check the current selection |
| Powerful long-range fatbikes | Fafrees range | Big batteries, wide tyres | Most models in this class exceed the bicycle-class limits |
Battery and real-world range
The battery's real capacity in watt-hours (voltage times amp-hours) is the most reliable number. A 48V 15Ah battery is 720 Wh, which typically covers 50 to 70 kilometres in assist mode. Manufacturer maximums assume ideal conditions and the lowest assist level.
Cold weather, headwind, climbs and higher assist levels cut range noticeably. If your daily trip is 20 km, choose a battery with an advertised range at least twice that, so it still covers you in winter and as the battery ages.
What do the price classes buy you?
- Budget (under 900 euros): enough battery for city riding, simpler equipment. A good first e-bike.
- Mid-range (about 900 to 1500 euros): bigger battery, better suspension and brakes, folding and fatbike models.
- Premium (over 1500 euros): large dual batteries, long-distance equipment and special types such as cargo bikes.
Maintenance and winter storage
An electric bike needs the same maintenance as a regular bicycle, plus care for the battery. Once a year, in spring before the season or in autumn after it, check the brakes, gears, chain lubrication and tyre pressure. Correct tyre pressure also reduces battery drain.
For winter, store the battery indoors and roughly half charged (about 30 to 60 percent), neither full nor empty: that is how a lithium battery ages slowest. Check the charge a couple of times over winter and top it up a little if needed. Before the new season, check tyre pressure, brakes and bolt tightness. Locks, helmets and everything else are in our accessories collection.
FAQ
How much does an electric bike cost?
Our range starts at a few hundred euros and goes above two thousand. Most buyers find their model between 800 and 1600 euros, where batteries and equipment are already solid.
Do you need a licence to ride an e-bike?
Not for a bicycle-class model (up to 250 W, assist up to 25 km/h). Light-moped and moped class models carry age and licence requirements, so check the class before buying.
Is a helmet mandatory?
For cyclists under 16, yes; for everyone else it is strongly recommended. Helmets are in our accessories collection.
Can you ride an e-bike in winter?
Yes, and a wide-tyre fatbike is actually a good winter choice. Battery output drops in the cold, so store the battery indoors and expect shorter range.
Which electric bike suits a child?
A child needs a lower frame and limited speed, for example a compact model with 16-inch wheels. See our wider guide to kids' electric rides.
If you already know what type you are after, compare models in our electric bike collection: you can filter by battery, price and tyre type.
