I know, Electric bike sizing can be quite confusing. Many e-bikes are available in ONE size that fits all, while some are designated with general sizes, such as SMALL or MEDIUM, and then there are 24-inch and 26-inch e-bikes.
So, which size electric bike do I need? If you are a noob, you might be already scratching your head. Don’t worry, I’ll break down all the things you need to know about e-bicycle’s frame, motor, wheels, and battery sizes.
Manufacturers mostly measure electric-assist bikes based on seat tube length (frame) just like they measure traditional bicycles. However, some manufacturers measure by the diameter of the wheels. There isn’t a huge difference between the geometry of non-motorized and motorized bicycles.
E-bike measurement and types
To make things more simpler and help you find the right fitting and comfortable e-bike, first understand the basic geometry, measurement, and types of electric bikes.
Measurement
- Technically, electric road bicycles are measured by frame size in centimetres, while electric mountain ebikes are sized in inches.
- Brands like Aventon, Scott, Trek, and Marin often present their e-bikes in rough sizes like XS, S, M, Regular, and L.
- But, most e-bike manufacturers label their bicycles according to wheel/tire diameter such as 24″, 26″, 27.5″, etc.
- You may also find an electric bicycle in only one size which fits riders of different heights.
Types of e-bike
- Cruiser/commuter ebike: Designed for leisure, commuting, and recreational riding on flat surfaces. Most cruiser electric bikes come with upright frames, higher handlebars, rear racks, baskets, fenders, and wide tires and saddles.
- Off-road/mountain ebike: Best for riding on all terrains. Whether you are rolling over rocks, hills, sands, or paved roads, an electric MTB is great for adventurous rides.
- Road e-bike: Sports drop handlebar and step-over frame. It is made for speed – going faster on plain roads.
- Folding electric bike: As the name suggests, folding bikes can be easily folded and unfolded. They are compact and portable and you can take it anywhere you go and store at small spaces like car trunk.
- Cargo e-bike: Comes with strong frame and it can bear heavier weights. You can carry luggage, packages, parcels, and so on.
eBike size chart by wheels/tire
Most of the brands on Amazon like Heybike, Ancheer, Totem, and Totguard display or size their electric bikes by wheel diameter in INCHES. Below is the standard size chart of cruiser, commuting, mountain, and road electric e-bikes.
Note: Be aware that brands often have their own sizing systems. Unlike conventional bicycles, most small wheeled ebikes are foldable and come with adjustable saddle height. Thus, they fit all the adults of average heights.
| HEIGHT (in) | HEIGHT (cm) | E-BIKE WHEEL SIZE |
|---|---|---|
| 4’3″ – 5’9″ | 127 – 175cm | 14-inch (adjustable seat) |
| 4’3″ – 5’9″ | 127 – 175cm | 16-inch (adjustable seat) |
| 4’3″ – 5’9″ | 127 – 175cm | 20-inch (adjustable seat) |
| 5’0″ – 6’2″ | 152 – 188cm | 24-inch |
| 5’3″ – 6’2″ | 160 – 188cm | 26-inch |
| 5’3″ – 6’6″ | 160 – 198cm | 27.5-inch / 29-inch |
Electric mountain bike size chart for men/women
Most established brands like Bianchi, Specialized, Orbea, Yeti Cycles, and IBIS use a simple XS/S/M/L sizing system. This makes it easier for the consumers to decide which ebike size is best for them.
| HEIGHT (in) | HEIGHT (cm) | MTB E-BIKE FRAME SIZE |
|---|---|---|
| 4’10” – 5’1″ | 147 – 155cm | 13″ – 14″ / XX Small |
| 5’1″ – 5’4″ | 155 – 163cm | 14″ – 15″ / X Small |
| 5’4″ – 5’7″ | 163 – 170cm | 15″ – 16″ / Small |
| 5’7″ – 5’9″ | 170 – 175cm | 17″ – 18″ / Medium |
| 5’9″ – 5’11” | 175 – 180cm | 19″ – 20″ / Large |
| 5’11” – 6’2″ | 180 – 188cm | 21″ – 22″ / X Large |
| 6’2″ + | 188cm + | 23″ – 24″ / XX Large |
Road eBike sizing for men/women
Battery-powered road bicycles are lighter and have downward curled handlebars, thin tires, and shallow wheels. They are measured in centimeters and have higher stand-over heights, so measuring your inseam length (inside leg) is important here. Make sure there is 1 – 2 inches gap between the top tube and your crotch (inseam length + 1″/2″).
| HEIGHT | INSEAM | FRAME SIZE |
|---|---|---|
| 4’10” – 5’1″ / 147 – 155cm | 24″ – 26″ | 47 – 48cm / XX Small |
| 5’1″ – 5’4″ / 155 – 163cm | 26″ – 29″ | 49 – 50cm / X Small |
| 5’4″ – 5’7″ / 163 – 170cm | 28″ – 30″ | 51 – 53cm / Small |
| 5’7″ – 5’9″ / 170 – 175cm | 29″ – 31″ | 54 – 55cm / Medium |
| 5’9″ – 5’11” / 175 – 180cm | 30″ – 32″ | 56 – 58cm / Medium / Large |
| 5’11” – 6’2″ / 180 – 188cm | 32″ – 34″ | 60 – 62cm / X Large |
| 6’2″ + / 188cm + | 34″ + | 62″ – 63cm / XX Large |
Related – Best Electric Bikes For Women
Electric bike motor size chart
Electric bicycles come with different motor power levels, such as 200 watts, 250 watts, 350 watts and so on. But, what ebike size motor I need? Well, it depends on your riding style, weight, budget, the type of terrain you intend to ride, and the commuting distance.
Bosch, Shimano, and YAMAHA are some of the established players in the electric-powered bike motors’ industry. Anyway, below is the ebike motor power chart:
| MOTOR POWER | BEST FOR |
|---|---|
| 250W | Most common motor type – best for riding on flat grounds or commuting on city roads. It consumes less battery and it’s a good choice for average cyclists. However, the ebike will likely slow down if you are hitting long, steeper hills. |
| 350W | More expensive, but provides faster acceleration than 250W – recommended for light and heavy riders who often take on hilly roads and rough terrains. |
| 500W | Best for an overweight person or someone who is looking for thrilling speeds of 20mph or even more with pedal assist. It will easily take you anywhere you want to go, be on road or off-road. The downside is – it eat ups more energy. |
| 750W | Powerful and has higher torque. Thus, it offers effortless climbing experience and top speeds up to 28mph. Owning a 750W ebike can be costly though as the battery drains faster and you may need to recharge frequently. |
Personal note: For casual riders, a 250W or 350W electric bicycle is more than enough for leisure riding and commuting on roads, flat land, or small hills. If you are like Dominic Toretto or a 300 pounds dude, you’ll want a 500W or 750W motor.
eBike battery size chart and range
Battery capacity (size) is one of the most important specifications you should look for in an electric bicycle. It tells you how fast and far you can go on a single charge. Typically, most e-bikes come with either 36-volt or 48-volt battery specified by Amp-Hours (Ah) from 10 Ah to 21 Ah. The more the Amp-Hours, the more energy the battery can provide. More energy means you can cover longer distance. Right?
Anyway, it is difficult to calculate the range of ebikes because of many factors such as rider’s weight, terrain type, riding style, wind condition, etc. Below is the ebike battery size and the estimated range:
| BATTERY CAPACITY | LOW RANGE | HIGH RANGE |
|---|---|---|
| 36V 9.6 Ah (346 Wh) | 18 Miles | 24 Miles |
| 48V 14.5 Ah (696 Wh) | 34 Miles | 45 Miles |
| 48V 16 Ah (768 Wh) | 39 Miles | 51 Miles |
| 48V 19.2 Ah (922 Wh) | 46 Miles | 61 Miles |
| 48V 21 Ah (1008 Wh) | 50 Miles | 67 Miles |
Rough calculations based on –
- Wh = watt-hours (volts x amp hours = watt hours)
- Moderate pedal-assist mode
- Low range – 20 Wh per mile
- High range – 15 Wh per mile
