2026 buying guide
Which e-bike fits me? The 2026 buying guide
What to look at before buying an e-bike, and which models we currently recommend for daily city riding.
Choosing an e-bike comes down, in practice, to four decisions: how much range you need, how much weight you're willing to lift up a walk-up flat, whether a removable battery is worth it, and your budget. Colour, accessories and brand are secondary next to these four points.
Range: don't just trust the maximum figure
Manufacturers state range under the most favourable conditions (minimum assist, light rider, flat terrain). In real use, with medium assist and a city with some inclines, 60 to 80% of that figure is realistic. If your daily round trip is 10-15 km, a stated range of 60-70 km is usually plenty.
Weight and ease of handling
If you have to carry the bike up a walk-up flat or fit it in a narrow storage space, weight matters as much as range. Bikes with bigger batteries tend to weigh more, a trade-off to weigh against your own situation, not a flaw in the model.
Removable battery: near-essential without a nearby outlet
If you park on the street or in a garage with no power outlet, a battery you can remove and charge indoors is, in practice, the difference between charging comfortably or not.
Mid-drive or hub motor?
A mid-drive motor (at the crank) distributes weight more evenly and feels more natural when pedalling, the most-searched technical feature among Dutch buyers. A hub motor is often cheaper and simpler to maintain, but less balanced on the bike.
Our pick for city riding, right now
- 1
Fafrees F26 LastingView on AmazonLarge battery (roughly 900Wh) with one of the longest stated ranges in the comparison. - 2
Fafrees F26 Lasting (900Wh)View on AmazonThe same F26 Lasting, with a front basket and a clearly stated 900Wh battery. - 3
Stella LivornoSpecificationsRated 'GOOD' by the Kieskeurig e-bike durability test jury. - 4
Touroll J2View on AmazonThe best value for money in the comparison for daily city riding. - 5
ESKUTE C100 PlusView on AmazonOne of the cheapest options with an explicitly stated motor output (250W/45Nm).
Frequently asked questions
How much range do I actually need for daily city riding?
For city trips under 15 km a day, 40-50 km of real range is plenty; the rest is margin so you don't need to charge every night. Look at the real-world range from reviews, not just the manufacturer's maximum figure.
Is a removable battery worth paying extra for?
If you don't have an outlet near where you park the bike: yes, it lets you charge indoors without moving the whole bike. If you always charge in the same spot with an outlet nearby, it matters less.
What range and power are legally allowed in the EU?
Pedelecs (pedal assist) are legally capped at 250W nominal power and 25 km/h assisted speed, that's how the bikes in this comparator are homologated. Speed pedelecs can assist up to 45 km/h but fall under different rules (registration, mandatory helmet).
Mid-drive or hub motor: what's the difference?
A mid-drive motor sits at the crank, distributes weight more evenly across the bike and gives a more natural ride feel, often favoured on higher-end models. A hub motor (front or rear) is typically cheaper and simpler to maintain.