Bosch eBike advisor | Find your eBike type & components

Launch eBike advisor

The eBike market is incredibly diverse, with thousands of models available. Which eBike suits you best? What equipment is most important for your use case? 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 drive unit to display, from city to cargo eBikes, from asphalt to trail. With the interactive eBike advisor, you can find out with just a few clicks which eBike type suits your needs and get an initial orientation for choosing the right eBike.

What is an eBike?

An eBike is much more than a bicycle. The power of the electric motor enables you to pedal with ease. In the city, across the countryside, or in the mountains. An eBike gives you a power boost precisely when you need it. eBikes require little space and cause neither noise nor exhaust fumes.

So it's no wonder the eBike market is booming. We 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 cyclists ride their eBikes 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 assistance compensates for differences in performance and makes the tour a shared experience.

The eBiker rides along a cobblestone path in the city.

You save time

On a distance of up to 6 miles, the eBike is the fastest means of transportation in the city.

There are actually three types of electric bikes. The generic term 'eBike' has become accepted, but conceals the differences between the variants. These varients lie in the motor power, the type of support, and the legal requirements. To keep it simple, we refer to 'eBikes' always as a synonym for a pedelec.

Graphic representation of an eBike with highlighted depiction of the twist grip.

Throttle assist - up to 20 mph (Class 2)

With eBikes in general, you control the motor not by your pedaling frequency or intensity, but by a twist grip or shift knob. While these eBikes have pedals, you don't have to pedal for motor assistance. This makes them fundamentally different from bicycles and pedal assist eBikes.

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 20 mph. 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.

One person is riding a blue eBike and is wearing a black helmet and a dark blue jacket. In the background, you can see modern buildings and wood paneling.

S-pedelec

The S in S-pedelecs stands for "Speed". They operate in the same way as pedelecs, their more powerful electric motor, however, provides acceleration to a speed of 28 mph. They are therefore classed as mopeds. For their riders this means that a driver's license is required and, in addition to an insurance obligation, a helmet must be worn. Caution, in many places, the use of cycle lanes is also forbidden – obtain information on what the laws are in your particular country.

Drive unit, display, and battery are the components that make an eBike an eBike. These are supplemented by digital services and apps. All of these components are most effective when thought of as a unit and designed as a system: In this way, they work together in harmony. This results in maximum efficiency and comfort – and a unique riding sensation.

Display

Important information in view

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 option of changing the riding modes/assistance levels. Displays are available in many variations and with different functions.

Rechargeable battery

The energy source

The eBike motor draws its energy from the eBike battery. It supplies the eBike motor with power and has a key influence on the range. That is why there are eBike batteries for different requirements as well as for different installation and mounting variations.

Drive unit

The [mid] motor of your eBike

In 90% of eBikes, a mid-motor is responsible for pushing you forward. This is for a good reason: It is located at the bottom bracket in the middle of the bike, which lowers the center of gravity and leads to a balanced weight distribution. This makes bike handling easier, and the direct power transmission to the chain conveys a natural riding feeling. And because the Bosch eBike motors, also called drive units, measure important riding data over 1,000 times per second with their sensors, they always provide you with the optimum power: precisely delivered and tailor-made for you.

Apps & portal

Digital extensions

Digital apps enhance your eBike experience with a variety of digital features. Whether for navigating or route planning, whether with range information or important training data: You're always sure of getting there and can experience pure riding enjoyment. Whether it's elevation or heart rate, speed or cadence, you can have your performance automatically recorded and evaluated using various apps. Use your favorite apps such as Strava, komoot, Apple Health, or Google Fit to monitor your riding performance and share your progress with friends.

For the commute to work or the adventure in nature, from transport to trail, from clean to functional: eBikes are available in a wide range of variants. 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.

eMTB

eMTBs are made for powerful eBiking in the mountains and on rough terrain – guaranteed fun on any surface.

Cargo eBike

Whether picking up the kids from kindergarten or carrying the weekly groceries, cargo bikes are the alternative means of transportation.

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.

A man is driving an eBike on a road, with parked cars, bushes, and buildings visible in the background.

Speed eBike

Speed eBikes are up to 28 mph fast and ideal for longer distances, such as your daily commute to work.

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

Hybrid eBike

Hybrid eBikes or crossover eBikes are performance all-rounders that make you feel just as comfortable on asphalt as on off-road trails.

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

Gravel eBike

Gravel eBikes are the off-road version of the road eBike: The wide tires provide plenty of comfort even for athletic riding.

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

Road eBike

Road eBikes are racing bikes and the perfect training partner for high-performance and longer rides on asphalt.

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 eBike riders. There is no definitive answer. There is a vast number of factors that have an effect on the range. Sometimes a single battery charge will take you less than 31 miles, while at other times it will take you much further than 62 miles.

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 go on a battery charge. Our range calculator tool makes it possible to estimate a typical range under various parameters.

The range calculator

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

Support levels

eBikes supplement your muscle power with electric power. However, the amount of extra power delivered is up to you: simply by using your own strength and selecting the desired level of assistance. Whether you want to exhaust yourself, arrive at the office without breaking a sweat, or go for a long ride – your eBike will do the job. All it takes is the simple touch of a button. The fun of riding, however, always remains at its maximum.

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 phone, 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 community project. Everyone can contribute to protecting resources and reducing emissions – out of respect for nature and future generations. 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 enjoying 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 guide will help you find the right eBike for your needs. Try it out right away!

Launch eBike advisor