An e-bike for the city is a good alternative to the car or public transport. The guide shows what a city e-bike should offer and what it can cost.
High prices for petrol and diesel are driving more and more city dwellers to switch to bicycles. An e-bike or pedelec is a convenient way to get to the office, school or university. An electric motor supports people when pedalling. The e-bike accelerates faster and climbs a hill with less muscle power. If you don’t want to arrive at work or the educational institution completely sweaty at high temperatures, you can effectively make your life easier with an electrically assisted bicycle.
After we have devoted numerous tests in our e-bike theme world primarily to e-folding bikes (list of the best) and e-mountain bikes (list of the best) , we are now taking a close look at electric bikes for the city. In this guide, we explain what makes an e-city bike, which technical equipment is possible and how much the electric city bike can cost. To learn more about the subject, we recommend the E-Bike Basics Guide: Drive, Battery, Gears & Co.
When is an e-bike StVZO compliant?
An e-bike for the city must be StVZO-compliant so that riding in traffic does not result in expensive fines. The two-wheeler must be clearly visible at all times in the dark with appropriate lighting and reflectors. Only StVZO-compliant lamps are suitable for this. When buying, you should make sure that the lighting has an appropriate designation.
The front light must shine white and achieve a brightness of at least 10 lux. It must not blink. But it shouldn’t be too bright either, so as not to dazzle other participants. There is no limit here. Since 2017, the light can use a rechargeable battery and be detachable – so a dynamo is no longer a must. A white reflector is also mandatory, but this can also be integrated into the lamp.
The rear light must be 25 cm above the ground and shine red. It may have a brake light function, but not additional flashing. A red reflector is mandatory, this can also be integrated in the lamp. Furthermore, two yellow reflectors are mandatory for each pedal and on the side of the bike – for example in the spokes. We explain more about the topic of suitable lighting in the guide to bicycle lights: Bright light with rechargeable battery or battery from 15 euros .
According to § 64a, a “bright ringing bell” is prescribed as a warning signal in road traffic. However, other acoustic signals are not permitted, which excludes loud horns and wheel arch bells that constantly make noises. Of course, a properly functioning brake system is part of a StVZO-compliant bicycle. According to § 65, this must have two independently acting brakes.
In order for an e-bike to be considered a pedelec, other regulations come into play in Germany. The motor may only have a maximum rated continuous output of 250 watts. In addition, the bike may only offer pedal assistance, which switches itself off from 25 km/h and before that becomes weaker and weaker as the speed increases. It can only drive independently as a starting or pushing aid up to 6 km/h. Strictly speaking, it is then a pedelec.
If the e-bike drives purely electrically without muscle power up to 25 km/h using a throttle grip, for example, it is legally a moped. The same applies if there is an option to increase the maximum speed in the menus. Then you need an insurance license plate and a helmet. Cycle paths may then only be used outside of built-up areas, in built-up areas only with special markings. E-bikes up to 45 km/h are considered motor vehicles and require a class AM driving license in addition to the insurance number plate. This can only be used on one lane for cars, helmets are also compulsory.
Frame shape for the city: Dutch bike, women’s bike or touring bike?
A city bike is primarily characterized by its frame shape. Most of the two-wheelers for the city offer a low entry. The frame tube is strongly bent downwards. This design was made famous by the so-called Dutch bike at the end of the 19th century. This shape is also called a Holland bow or wave frame (derived from the English term for wave). This makes it easier to get on the two-wheeler. The sitting position on the Dutch bike is very upright. The handlebar sits close to the driver and offers a flat steering head angle.
A traditional men’s bicycle has a diamond frame that requires the rider to lift a leg over the top tube. This is easier with a Dutch bike with a wave frame, you only have to step through it with a low entry, not climb over it. This was particularly popular with women in the past, when it was still common for them to wear a skirt or dress. That’s why many refer to this type of bike as a women’s bike.
The curved shape is not ideal from a technical point of view. The forces acting are not distributed between the top and bottom tube as with the diamond frame, but act primarily on the bottom tube. This must therefore be particularly thick and stable. Therefore, such bicycles are often heavier. Thanks to aluminum or carbon, this problem could be reduced better. At higher speeds, this frame offers less driving stability due to the unfavorable weight distribution. A variation of this is the swan frame, in which two tubes are bent downwards. Another alternative is the trapezoidal frame, also known as the Mixte frame. Here the top tube is lowered straight down at a sloping angle. Both solutions offer more stability, but also make boarding easier.
Another form is the touring bike. As a city bike, this also offers an upright position as well as a flat steering and seat angle. This should enable smooth driving behavior. The handlebars are usually wide and curved. While the versions for men are based on a diamond frame, models for women have frames with a low entry, such as the trapezoidal frame. Lights, fenders, a bell and a luggage rack and sometimes a shopping basket are usually standard here.
The trekking bike (or trekking bike) is a bit more robust. This also offers city-friendly, StVZO-compliant equipment, mudguards, a luggage rack and large wheels. It is based on the mountain bike with wider tires and a suspension fork to get along better on unpaved slopes. So it’s a hybrid of mountain bike and city bike.
Type of drive: rear engine, mid-engine or front engine?
There are basically three types of drives on e-bikes: rear motor, middle motor and front motor. Depending on the position of the electric motor, this leads to different driving behavior. The prices vary depending on the engine type.
A front motor in the hub of the front wheel has become rather rare, but can still be found on inexpensive e-bikes. This is usually cheaper. Other advantages include the fact that a front motor can be combined with any circuit and a coaster brake. These are often quieter and lighter than other motors. They are also low-maintenance, but do not offer as much power as a rear or mid-engine.
There are major disadvantages in terms of driving dynamics. The handling is unusual because most of the weight is on the front axle, which puts a load on the fork and makes steering difficult. The driving forces pull at the steering axle. This also increases the risk of slipping. This type of drive often offers a delayed reaction with a large lead or lag of the electric motor. The electronics usually only recognize from the movement of the front wheel whether support should be added. You can get used to this when driving through the city, but it is less suitable off-road or on steep hills.
Rear-wheel drive is mainly found in pedelecs between 1000 and 2000 euros. Here the electric motor sits in the hub of the rear wheel. This offers advantages in terms of driving dynamics, since the high weight at the rear ensures good traction. This prevents the rear wheel from slipping. In addition, rear engines usually start faster and offer smooth running. The front wheel can still be easily removed. But it is more complicated with the rear wheel – one of the major disadvantages. In addition, the bike is set to a derailleur system, a coaster brake is not possible here.
Many modern rear engines also support recuperation. Energy is recovered when coasting and braking and fed back to the battery. This is also possible with front-wheel drive, but not with the mid-engine. Retrofitting is also easier. We explain more on the subject in the guide to retrofitting a bicycle legally to an e-bike: motor and battery from 300 euros .
A mid-motor on an e-bike provides the most natural riding experience. This offers the best weight distribution because it sits low on the bike and in the middle of the bottom bracket. Both wheels can also be replaced relatively easily. The biggest advantage: The drive is directly on the chain and not on one of the wheels. In conjunction with sensors for the torque on the pedals, the power transmission is very precise and immediate. This leads to a natural driving experience, in which the gearshift also influences the response of the electric motor.
The middle motor also has disadvantages: the wear on the bicycle chain and the gears (pinions) is significantly greater than with other solutions. This causes wear and the associated higher maintenance costs. When driving, it is therefore important to downshift before traffic lights. Retrofitting with a mid-motor is more complex, and e-bikes with a mid-motor also need a specially adapted frame.
Many city e-bikes currently offer a mid-motor. You can get corresponding two-wheelers from as little as 1000 euros, otherwise this type of drive is more likely to be found in the higher price segment and is often found on e-mountain bikes (best list) .
Battery: design, capacity and range
The battery is located in a wide variety of places on an e-city bike, but mostly on the frame or under the luggage rack. They are often removable and secured with a lock. One solution within the bicycle frame is becoming increasingly popular. That looks fancier, but doesn’t play a big part in the tech or capacity.
As a standard, the voltage is 36 volts, in some cases also 48 volts. Lithium-ion technology is used almost exclusively. The capacity ranges from 200 Wh to over 600 Wh. The higher the capacity of the battery, the greater the range. Manufacturers like to brag about models for less than 1000 euros with information on a range of over 100 km. How long the battery really lasts depends heavily on the route, the driving style, the weight of the driver and the weather. As a rough guideline, a battery with 400 Wh should offer a range of around 50 km. With 500 Wh, 60 to 70 km are realistic.
Equipment: suspension, brakes, gears, lights and display
As already mentioned above: It is essential for an e-city bike to have equipment that conforms to the StVZO. A bell, a corresponding light at the front and rear as well as reflectors and two independently working braking systems are mandatory here. The battery of the e-bike is usually used as the power source for the lighting.
Other features that are standard are mudguards and a luggage rack. In some cases, a basket is also attached to the handlebars. A disguise as a chain guard also enjoys great popularity. This prevents the pant leg from getting caught in the chain – which can be bad for the pant and for your riding pleasure.
A front suspension fork is not always standard, but it can be found quite often. Even if the city e-bike is not usually used off-road, the suspension helps to soften impacts from curbs or uneven roads. Variants in which the spring deflection can be adapted to your own needs are particularly practical. Unlike an e-mountain bike, the e-city bike does not usually have to master steep inclines. The number of gears is correspondingly lower here. In contrast to the E-MTB, rather simpler variants from Shimano and Co. are used for the gears. The number of gears usually ranges from one to twelve. The most common are seven to nine gears.
A display is now part of a good e-bike. This should at least show the current speed, the battery capacity and the selected support level. Sunlight readability is highly dependent on the individual models. A mileage display is also very practical – but this is not found on every e-bike. Small and simple LED displays can be found on cheaper models. But there are now also LCDs on bikes – even in color.
Bargain: City e-bikes up to 1000 euros
The currently cheapest e-bike for the city in our price comparison is the Prophete Geniesser 21.ESC.30 for 777 euros. The step-through has a front-wheel drive with an output of 250 watts. The Shimano Nexus rear derailleur offers three gears. The lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 374.5 Wh is located on the frame directly in front of the rear wheel and is removable.
Front-wheel drive is the most common type of e-city bike in the cheapest price range. If you are not put off by the disadvantages, you can access them here. The rear and mid-engine offer better driving dynamics. There is a rear-wheel drive model, the Prophete discoverer , with a trapezoidal frame and eight gears. The step-through Telefunken RC865 Multitalent with coaster brake and three gears already has a mid-motor in the bottom bracket for 900 euros. Drives with 250 watts are used here as standard.
Apart from the inexpensive Prohete Geniesser and the Allegro Elegant, all models have a suspension fork. Aluminum is used as the standard frame material. The Wave frame dominates as a design. The most common braking system is the classic V-brake, but there are also some models with disc brakes. The battery capacity here ranges from 350 to 450 Wh.
But is an e-bike up to 1000 euros any good for the city? The answer is yes. This is proven by the Eleglide T1 Step-Thru (test report) . In the test, we were impressed by the roadworthy equipment, the great price-performance ratio and the easy access as a step-through bike. A 250-watt motor in the rear wheel is used as the drive, and the gearbox offers seven gears. At Geekmaxi (purchase link) the pedelec costs 950 euros. However, it won’t be available again until September.
Solid companions: city e-bikes up to 2000 euros
In the price range between 1000 euros and 2000 euros, the range is growing. Fischer is now joining brands such as Telefunken and Prophete. Other manufacturers are Eskute, Asviva and Llobe. As a drive type, almost half of all e-bikes offer a mid-engine, in addition, rear and front drives are used in equal parts. The Ortler Bozen and Kalkhoff Agatu already have a 250-watt motor from Bosch for just under 2000 euros .
Only about two-thirds of all models have springs. The distribution of V-brakes and disc brakes is roughly the same here, and there are also a few e-bikes with coaster brakes. Circuits offer one to ten gears depending on the model. Li-Ion batteries from 250 Wh to 350 Wh are the most common here. However, there are already models with a capacity of up to 550 Wh, such as the Prophete Geniesser 22.ETC.10 with a central motor.
Eskute Polluno – photo series
An example of an e-bike from this price range with a large battery capacity is the Eskute Polluno (test report) . The step-through with rear-wheel drive and seven gears looks good and has a powerful battery with 522 Wh. It currently costs 1300 euros.
