Bosch eBike advisor | Find your eBike type & components

Launching the eBike advisor

The electric bike market is as diverse as your life and each eBike as individual as your requirements. Which eBike suits you best? What equipment is important to you? We'll familiarize you with the basics, show you what makes an eBike an eBike, and tell you everything else you need to know: from the drive unit to the display, from eCity to eCargo, from on-road to trail. With the interactive eBike advisor, in just a few clicks you can find out which eBike type you are and get an initial idea of your perfect eBike.

What is an eBike?

Electric bikes help you get around better in the city, with your family or up a mountain. It gives you a power boost when you need it and makes you independent of schedules or parking spaces. The eBike takes up little space and produces neither noise or exhaust fumes. In return, the focus is on the fun--even on longer routes. And, of course, an incomparable riding experience.

No wonder electric bikes are booming. Its advantages are both fascinating and convincing. However, understanding the variety of eBikes can be a challenge. The quality, capabilities and serviceability vary greatly. But don't worry: We'll explain everything you need to know about eBikes here.

Two eBike riders on their eBikes in the mountains, each with hiking backpacks.

You enjoy the ride

The drive provides support on challenging climbs and conserves energy on long rides.

You're improving your health

Regular exercise keeps you fit and puts you in a good mood. Studies have found that eBikers get on their bikes more often and cover much longer distances than conventional cyclists.

A man approaches a busy intersection on his eBike.

You're saving the environment

With an eBike, traffic can be relieved just as much as the climate. It often makes the car redundant.

Two people are riding eBikes through a rural landscape with vineyards. One is wearing a blue jacket and a white helmet, while the other is dressed in an orange jacket and a black helmet. In the background, you can see a large building with red roofs surrounded by green trees.

You can all ride together

The electric support compensates for differences in rider performance and makes the ride a shared experience.

The eBiker rides along a cobblestone path in the city.

You save time

On a distance of up to 10 kilometres, the eBike is the fastest means of transport in the city.

Don't get confused: Everyone talks about eBikes, but there are actually three types of electric bikes. The generic term "eBike" has become established, but conceals the differences between the variants. They lie in the motor power, the type of support and the legal requirements. To keep it simple, we also speak of the "eBike" - always as a synonym for a pedelec.

An eBiker wearing a helmet rides along an asphalt path beside the façade of a large, modern building.

Pedelec

Strictly speaking, most eBikes are pedelecs ("Pedal Electric Cycle") – i.e. a bicycle with an electric supporting motor. It supports you with a maximum permissible rated continuous output of 250 watts when you pedal. Up to a maximum speed of 25 km/h. If you want it to go even faster, you have to do it with pure muscle power. As a result, pedelecs are legally considered bicycles. You don't need a license or insurance to ride them.

eBike

With eBikes in general, you don't control the motor through your pedaling frequency or intensity, but through a twist grip or shift knob. You don't have to pedal for motor support. This makes them fundamentally different from bicycles and pedelecs, and there is mandatory insurance and a helmet must be worn.

The drive unit, display and battery are the components that make an eBike an eBike. These are supplemented by digital services and apps. All these components are most effective when thought of as a single unit and designed as a system. This way, they work together in harmony. The result is maximum efficiency and comfort – and a one-of-a-kind riding sensation.

Display

Important information where you need it

The display is the control center on the handlebar. It allows you to display various information such as range or selected riding mode and gives you the opportunity to change the support levels. Displays are available in many variants and with different functions.

Battery

The energy source

The eBike motor draws the energy to power you everywhere from the eBike battery. It supplies the eBike motor with power and decisively influences the range. Therefore, there are eBike batteries for different requirements as well as for different installation and mounting variants.

Drive unit

The (mid-drive) motor of your eBike

Many of the most premium electric bikes use mid-drive motors. There's a good reason for this: It sits at the bottom bracket in the middle of the bike, which lowers the center of gravity and leads to balanced weight distribution. Both of these factors make handling easier, and the direct power transmission to the chain also conveys a natural ride-feel. And because the Bosch eBike motors measure important riding data over 1,000 times per second with their sensors, they always provide you with the optimum performance.

Apps & portal

Digital extensions

Apps enhance your eBike experience with a wealth of digital features. Navigation or route planning, range information or important training data: you get pure riding enjoyment and also arrive at your destination in good shape. Elevation or pulse, speed or cadence – various apps can automatically record and analyze your performance. You can monitor your training performance at all times and easily share it with friends using your favorite apps such as Strava, komoot, Apple Health or Google Fit.

Commuting to work or an adventure in the country, from transport to trail, from clean to functional: a wide range of eBikes is available. We show you the most common types here.

A woman enjoys a ride on her e-bike along a riverside bike path, with the Frankfurt skyline in the background.

City eBike

City eBikes are the perfect way to avoid traffic jams in a congested city.

The eBike rider drives around the bend on a path in the forest.

Touring eBike

Touring bikes with electric drives are the perfect choice for recreational cyclists and adventurers.

Two eMountain bike riders ride down an earthy path between bushes, in the background you can see mountains.

Mountain eBike (eMTB)

With high torque and sporty performance, mountain bikes are specifically designed for off-road cycling.

Cargo eBike

Whether picking up the kids or carrying groceries, cargo bikes are an ideal alternative to the car.

eBike rider drives up a mountain, you can see buildings in the background.

Urban eBike

Urban eBikes are stylish eBikes that take you safely through the urban jungle – perfectly connected to the digital world.

eBike rider drives on a paved pathlong, with a gray wall in the background.

Hybrid eBike

Hybrid eBikes or crossover eBikes are sporty all-rounders that feel just as comfortable on the road as off it.

Two eBike riders riding on a road, with trees in the background.

Gravel eBike

Gravel eBikes are the off-road version of the eRoad bike: the wide tires provide plenty of comfort even for sporty riding.

An eBike rider drives up a dirt road, in the background you can see fields and a village.

Road eBike

Road eBikes are the racing bikes among the eBikes and your perfect coaching partner for longer and sportier on-road trips.

Close-up of a PowerPack 400 attached to a white eBike.

Range

What is the range of a single battery charge? This is a common question for many riders. There is a vast number of factors that have an effect on the range. Sometimes a single battery charge will take you less than 50 kilometres, while at other times it will take you much farther than 100 kilometres.

Range is influenced by the rider and the chosen support mode, as well as the drive unit or battery installed in the eBike. Environmental factors such as temperature, wind conditions and riding surface also play a key role in how far you can get on a battery charge. Our range calculator tool makes it possible to estimate typical range under various parameters.

To the Range calculator

Close-up of a bicycle handlebar with Kiox display set in Sprint mode.

Support levels

The eBike expands your muscle power with motor power. You decide how much extra power it provides simply by using your own power and selecting the assistance level. Whether you want to work up a full sweat or arrive at the office without breaking a sweat - your eBike will help you have limitless fun!

More about support levels

Close-up of the Purion on a bicycle handlebar.

Safety

We really care about your safety. You can only really enjoy the flow on your eBike when you feel safe. That's why we are focusing all of our attention on all aspects of this topic. Because how safe you feel is influenced by many different factors: a safety-conscious and responsible riding style, structural framework conditions such as the bikeway network and infrastructure, and (last but not least) appropriate product solutions.

Every day, we work passionately to develop innovative and inspiring products and are committed to a safer infrastructure and responsible eBiking. So that your ride is relaxed, sustainable and, above all, safer.

More about eBike safety

Two women with helmets sit on a wall and look at a phone together. In the foreground you can see an eBike, in the background trees.

Connectivity

Whether you're using a connected computer or a smartphone, Bosch has intelligent solutions to connect you to the digital world when you're riding your eBike. This opens up a whole new range of options for eBiking - whether for navigation, fitness, communication or entertainment.

Thanks to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi in combination with smart features such as navigation, route planning, fitness and environmental conditions, you are now even better informed. Performance data such as altitude, speed, cadence and heart rate profiles can be recorded and evaluated. You can share information and stay in touch with friends on the go - that's what online services like Strava and komoot are all about.

More about connectivity

Two eBike riders riding along a paved road in the woods.

Sustainability

Sustainability is a joint project. Everyone can contribute to protecting resources and reducing emissions - out of respect for nature and the next generation. If you want to commute to work every day, cover short distances quickly, or spontaneously run an errand, the eBike is the ideal choice. During riding, it produces average CO₂ emissions of only 3 grams per passenger-kilometer (CO₂ g/pkm) due to its electricity consumption – whereas a car generates 166 CO₂ g/pkm.Source: Own representation based on Federal Environment Agency figures: “Comparison of the average emissions of individual means of regular and private passenger transport in Germany in 2023”, URL (accessed on 24/4/2024). It requires little space and doesn't create noise or exhaust fumes. The switch is a win for the environment. And therefore for all of us.

More about sustainability

A woman enjoys a ride on her eBike along a riverside path, with the Frankfurt skyline in the background.

Health

Physical activity is good for you. The World Health Organization recommends 150 minutes of exercise each week to strengthen the cardiovascular system and prevent disease. This doesn't necessarily mean having to work up a sweat. Moderate exercise is enough to promote health. Anyone riding an eBike is not just keeping the body and mind active but also having plenty of fun.

The eBiker rides happily through the city on her eBike.

… a perfectly coordinated system
Drive unit, battery, and display are designed as one system and work together in harmony. The result: high efficiency, comfort – and a unique riding experience.

... customizable combinations
With its modular product portfolio, Bosch offers eBike riders the optimal drive system for every requirement.

… innovative solutions
The first production-ready ABS for eBikes, the first fully networked on-board computer in the bicycle industry, or the dynamic Performance Line CX: We develop solutions that promote our customers’ mobility.

… Connected Biking
Our connectivity products add a digital dimension to the eBiking experience, making it even more comfortable, action-packed, and individual.

… great reliability
Our products stand for high quality and reliability.

... an extensive range of services
A product is only as good as its service. That’s why Bosch eBike Systems provides specialist dealers with in-depth training to make them eBike specialists.

... a wide choice of manufacturers
More than 100 leading bicycle brands trust “Bosch ePowered” products and install our drives in their portfolio.

Our interactive eBike advisor helps you find the right eBike for your needs. Try it out now!

Launching the eBike advisor