E-bike or e-scooter? Your ride, your choice. Let’s find out which one suits you best.
The Basics: What Are E-Bikes and E-Scooters?
Let's start by clarifying what an e-bike and an e-scooter are. An e-bike is a bicycle with an electric motor fitted into either the wheel hubs (hub-mounted) or between the cranks (mid-mounted). It is powered by a battery and assists your peddling. You ride them like a regular bike, but you can choose how much assistance the motor gives you. Choose a high assistance level to make life easy or less assistance to get a workout.
An e-scooter consists of a platform you stand on and some handlebars. Instead of scooting with your foot, you operate it with a throttle, activating the electric motor. Some e-scooters have a motor in each wheel for extra power and torque. Electric scooters are popular with people who make short trips, especially around town, but you can get some models suitable for off-road riding.
Speed and Range: Who can run faster and farther?
When deciding between an e-bike and an e-scooter, you must think about speed and range. An e-bike is generally faster when compared to an e-scooter. Depending on its class and power, an e-bike assists your peddling up to 20 to 28 mph. Once you reach this assisted top speed, the motor will disengage. You can ride faster, but you will be doing all the work or freewheeling downhill. Typically, you can ride an electric bike between 20 and 50 miles on a single charge, but you will find models available that can take you up to 100 miles and beyond. It's also important to note that you can still ride an electric bike even when the battery is dead, but you'll have to work much harder to pedal due to the extra weight.
An e-scooter is typically slower and has a shorter range. Most electric scooters max out at 15 to 20 mph, which is sufficient for city commuting but may feel slow on longer trips. When it comes to range, you can expect somewhere between 10 and 25 miles per charge. Once the battery is empty, you will find it incredibly hard to ride and probably just carry your electric scooter home. However, a handful of high-powered e-scooters on the market have large batteries and much longer ranges.
So, if speed and distance are priorities, you would be better off buying an e-bike. They are much better for longer commutes and can cope with various terrain types. An e-scooter is the best choice if you only make short, flat urban trips or want some off-road fun.
Portability: Which is easier to carry and store?
One of the issues with living and working in a city is that storage can be a problem. Also, you may have to carry one of these vehicles upstairs. You can buy incredibly lightweight e-bikes with folding frames, which make them more portable and relatively easy to carry and store. However, an e-scooter is even more compact and portable, taking up less storage space, and its lightness makes it easy to carry.
Comfort and Ride Experience: What's It Like on the Road?
E-bikes are much more comfortable to ride and more stable. Some models have plush saddles, suspension systems, or fat tires, which all go a long way to giving you a comfortable ride quality. Likewise, the large wheels on an e-bike handle bumps and uneven surfaces much better than an e-scooter's small wheels.
Standing for a long time on an electric scooter can be tiring. This is why people mainly use them for short journeys on smooth surfaces. However, e-scooters are incredibly easy to ride, thanks to their upright position and simple controls.
Cost: What's the Investment?
Cost is always a factor when buying any new vehicle. You can expect to pay between $300 and $2500 for an e-scooter. Cheaper ones will have lower-quality components and fewer features. You can buy an e-bike from around $800 to $10,000. More expensive models have more features, such as suspension, hydraulic disc brakes, and more powerful motors and batteries.
So, an e-scooter is the best option if you are on a budget. However, you certainly get what you pay for when you buy a quality electric bike.
Maintenance: How Much Effort Is Required?
Whether you buy an e-bike or e-scooter, you will have to maintain it. When it comes to looking after an e-bike, you need to perform regular maintenance tasks just like you would a regular bike. For example, you should check your tires and brakes and clean and lubricate the drive train. An e-scooter has few mechanical parts, so it is simpler to maintain. However, it's best to keep an eye on the tires, brakes, and battery for safety purposes.
If anything goes wrong with either's electronics, it is best to get professional help, as repairs can be tricky.
E-bikes and E-Scooters From Fiido
There is an excellent selection of Fiido e-bikes and scooters available. Here are a couple of examples for you to check out:
Fiido Titan - Ultra Long Range Off-road E-bike
The Fiido Titan lives up to its name. Its fat tires, chunky frame, and high load-carrying capacity make it incredibly rugged and perfect for serious off-road riders. The 750W motor makes the Titan a great outdoor companion, helping you tackle any terrain, even when the cargo racks and additional panniers are fully loaded. This e-bike uses a torque sensor for a natural pedaling feeling, smoother ride, and improved energy efficiency. The Titan's motor is hooked up to a 696WH battery that provides up to 135km (84 miles) on one charge. But you can expand this range with three batteries to give you an impressive 400km (248 miles), perfect for big adventures. In addition, the Titan's 200kg (440 lbs) payload capacity means you can take everything you need, from camping equipment to hunting gear.
- Motor power - 750W
- Battery - DMEGC 696Wh
- Maximum speed - 45 kph (28mph)
- Cruising range - Up to 400km (248 miles) with extra batteries
- Frame material - 26-inch aluminum alloy
- Weight - 37.8 kg (83 lbs)
- Load-bearing capacity - 200kg (440 lbs)
- Braking system - Four-piston hydraulic disc brake with power cut-off
Fiido Titan Robust Cargo Electric Bike
248 Miles range, fat tire & 4-piston brakes, hunting e-bike&fishing e-bike.
Fiido B1 - Off-road E-Scooter
The Fiido B1 is one of the most fun ways to ride on and off-road. This is not a toy; it packs a real punch with a 500W motor in the front wheel and an 800W motor in the rear wheel. 1300W is a lot of power for such a small scooter, making it incredibly capable and entertaining to ride. It is equipped with front and rear suspension to make riding over rough ground more comfortable while improving grip. Much of the grip comes from chunky off-road tires that work on all surfaces, even snow, making this scooter great for year-round riding.
You can also spend a lot of time on the trails, thanks to the 1536 Wh large-capacity battery with a range of up to 100 km (62 miles) using single driving mode and up to 70 km (43.5 miles) in dual driving mode. If you get tired from riding long distances, don't worry; you can sit on the discreet seat at the back of the deck and use the footpegs to rest your legs.
- Motor power - F500W, R800W
- Battery - 48V 1536Wh
- Maximum speed - 45 kph (28mph)
- Cruising range - 43.5 miles (double driving mode) and 62 miles (single driving mode)
- Frame material - Magnesium alloy
- Weight - 39.5 Kg (87lbs)
- Load-bearing capacity - 100kg (220 lbs)
- Braking system - Double hydraulic brake + electronic brake
Fiido Beast Electric Scooter
No longer just a simple standing experience.
Both of these vehicles are excellent for off-road adventures. The Titan is best for those with an adventurous side who want to carry lots of equipment. Its design allows you to travel a long way over very rough terrain in relative comfort. On the other hand, the Fiido B1 is best for those who like to blast around off-road trails for an afternoon of fun. Whichever you choose, you can be confident you'll have a capable, entertaining, off-road electric vehicle.
Conclusion: Which Is Right for You?
When it comes to choosing between an e-bike and an e-scooter, you need to consider your lifestyle and priorities. If you need to make longer commutes, ride faster, and value comfort, an e-bike is the best option. You will have to spend more money and do more maintenance, but the benefits are worth it. You must consider where you will put it if storage is a problem; even the smallest folding e-bikes take up considerably more room than an e-scooter.
On the other hand, if you need something portable and cheaper, an e-scooter is the best option. It is lightweight, easy to store, and provides a fun, quick way of getting around.
However, it is worth noting that some cities have banned electric scooters. So before you buy one, check your local laws and regulations to see if you can ride one in public. If not, the decision is made for you, so you need to find an electric bike within your budget.
Whether you choose an e-bike or an e-scooter, you're making a smart, eco-friendly choice that will transform how you travel.
