Electric Bike Touring: Everything You Need to Know

E-bikes are becoming increasingly popular for touring. They allow you to cover more ground each day while putting in less effort. Of course, there are some drawbacks to consider. This guide explains everything you need to know about electric bike touring. We’ll cover range, charging on the road, e-bike maintenance, cost, transporting e-bike, batteries, e-bike reliability, and more. We’ll also talk about the different types of e-bikes available and outline a few of the best electric bikes for touring. Hopefully, this guide makes your first e-bike tour a little easier.

A man touring on an electric bike with a rear rack and panniers

Table of Contents

What is an Electric Touring Bike?

An e-bike has an electric motor that assists you as you pedal. The motor also allows you to maintain a higher average speed. E-bikes make it easier to ride up hills and into headwinds. Most e-bikes are capable of cruising at either 15.5 or 20 mph. Some models can go as fast as 28 mph.

This makes e-bikes ideal for cycle touring. With a touring e-bike, you can cover more ground each day. You also won’t tire out as quickly because you don’t have to put in as much effort while riding.

A number of different electric bike designs exist. Most e-bikes offer a pedal assist feature that provides power only when you pedal. Some e-bikes have a throttle that can be used without pedaling. For touring, pedal assist is best because it’s more efficient.

Most electric bikes have a hub motor in the front or rear wheel. Some models have a mid-drive motor built into the frame. A range of motor sizes are available. For touring, a small motor is sufficient.

The battery mounts to the frame. For touring, you’ll want a large battery to give you more range. Most e-bikes come with removable batteries that can be easily charged at hotels, restaurants, campgrounds, rest stops, and other businesses as you travel. The batteries can also be swapped out so you can carry multiple batteries.

Electric bikes are compatible with regular touring luggage like racks and panniers. You can also use bikepacking bags or a trailer. Many e-bikes come with lights and fenders as well.

Benefits of Electric Bike Touring

E-bikes make it easier to cycle up hills and into headwinds.
You can maintain a faster average speed with an e-bike. You might be able to maintain a pace of 15 mph with an e-bike. With a regular bike, you might only maintain a speed of 10mph.
You can travel further each day. If you usually ride 50 miles per day while touring, you may be able to cover 70 miles per day with an e-bike.
E-bikes take less effort to ride. You can ride up hill with the same effort it takes to ride a regular bike on flat ground.
Riding an electric bike allows you to complete a longer tour in less time. You might be able to complete a 1000 mile tour in 2 weeks. With a regular bike, the same tour might take 3 weeks. This is nice if you only have a limited amount of time to tour. You can see more with the time you have.
You’ll have more energy for sightseeing when you arrive at your destination because riding an e-bike isn’t as tiring.
E-bikes allow those with certain disabilities or medical conditions to ride who otherwise wouldn’t be able to. For example, those with back or neck injuries, asthma, knee pain, etc. can ride an e-bike.
Two cyclists with different levels of fitness can cycle together. One can use more assist than the other to match speeds. This allows beginner and skilled bike tourists to tour together.
E-bikes are environmentally friendly. They don’t emit Co2 like gas-powered vehicles.
There is less regulation to deal with. You don’t need a license, permit, or any other documents to ride an e-bike in most of the world.

Drawbacks of Electric Bike Touring

Electric bikes are complex. They have a battery, electric motor, computer, sensors, wiring, handlebar controls, and more. There are more parts that can break while you’re on the road. There are fragile electronic components.
Electric bikes are heavy. Most weigh 20-30 kg. To compare, an average touring bike weighs 10-20 kg.
You need to charge your e-bike. This can dictate your route. You can’t ride through remote areas where there is no electricity.
You might find yourself avoiding interesting backroads and only sticking to main roads because finding a place to charge is easier. You’ll stick to developed areas. You may obsess over whether or not you can find a place to charge.
If your battery dies, you have to ride with the extra weight of the motor and battery. This is inefficient.
It’s difficult to fly with an e-bike. Large lithium-ion batteries aren’t allowed on planes. This makes overseas touring difficult. Some train and bus companies also ban e-bike batteries.
It takes a long time to charge an electric bike battery. You can’t ride for 4-6 hours while the battery is charging.
E-bikes are significantly more expensive than regular bikes.
There are proprietary parts that can be difficult to find in some parts of the world.
The legal status of e-bikes varies. Your e-bike may be illegal in some countries depending on the design. The laws can vary from city to city.
E-bikes can’t handle extremely cold weather. When temperatures drop below freezing, your battery will run out of power quickly.
E-bikes are difficult to carry up stairs or over fences because they are so heavy.
Electric bikes are sensitive to moisture. If some water makes its way into your motor or electrical system, it can ruin the bike.
E-bikes have a stigma in the bike touring community. Some bicycle tourists think it’s lazy or cheating to ride an electric bike.

For more general info, check out my guide to the pros and cons of electric bikes.

E-bike Range

The range you get out of your e-bike depends on a number of factors including the size of the battery, the size of the motor, how much pedal assist you use, your weight, the bike’s weight, the weight of your luggage, the wind, how hilly the road is, the road surface, tire pressure, aerodynamics, and more. Your range could be anywhere from 10 miles to 200 miles.

On a flat road in calm conditions, an e-bike with a 250w motor can carry you along at around 15 mph (25km/h) if you’re using a medium level of assist. With a 400 Wh battery, you could maintain this speed for around 60 miles (100 km) before the battery runs out of power. This gives you a full day of riding on one charge. You can charge the bike overnight and set off with a full charge in the morning.

There are a number of ways to increase the range of your bike. You could lower the level of assist and pedaling harder. Most e-bikes offer an eco mode that only provides a small amount of assistance and uses less power. You could install a larger battery. Alternatively, you could carry a second battery and swap the batteries out when one dies. Some e-bikes have a dual battery option. These models often offer over 100 miles of range. Another option is to carry less stuff to reduce the weight of your loaded touring bike. A lighter bike will have a longer range because it takes less energy to carry a lighter weight.

You can also use the motor selectively to save power. For example, you can ride flat sections without assist and then turn the pedal assist on when climbing a hill or riding into a headwind. You can also coast downhills. If you use the battery only when you need it, you can get more than a full day of riding on a single charge.

Some e-bikes also feature regenerative braking. This technology allows you to use the bike’s kinetic energy to charge your battery while braking or descending hills. This can improve your range by around 5%.

For more in-depth info, check out my guide to e-bike range.

Charging on the Road

To charge your e-bike’s battery, you will need to regularly find power outlets. This is one of the biggest annoyances of touring on an electric bike. You’re always on the lookout for a place to plug in and charge.

Luckily, it’s pretty easy to find a place to charge your e-bike. Most electric bike tourists charge their battery at night at a hotel, motel, hostel, guesthouse, or campground. If you plug the bike in overnight, it will be fully charged by morning.

You can also charge your electric bike during the day at restaurants, bars, supermarkets, churches, gas stations, public bathrooms, convenience stores, etc. Most businesses will let you plug your bike in for a few minutes if you ask nicely. While touring, you have to get in the habit of looking for outlets and asking if you can charge your bike.

On average, it takes around 3-5 hours to charge an e-bike battery completely. If you plug in and charge during lunch, you might be able to get a half charge. This can take you another 20-30 miles down the road. If you’re planning a long day, it’s a good idea to charge whenever you get the chance.

If you plan to travel through remote areas where there are long distances between towns or if you plan to wild camp in an area without electricity, you may have trouble keeping your bike charged. E-bikes aren’t ideal for this style of bike touring. When you tour with an e-bike, you need to stay close enough to civilization so you can find a place to plug in every day.

While touring with an e-bike, you may not be able to go bike camping as often because you won’t have any place to charge your bike. You can’t really wild camp, unless you have a really long range or if you carry two batteries. Many campgrounds also don’t have power.

At some point, your battery will run out of power and you won’t have any place to charge your bike. In this case, you’ll just have to pedal under your own power.

When choosing an electric bike for touring, try to choose a model with a removable battery. This way, you can lock your touring bike up outside and take the battery inside with you to charge. This gives you many more options for charging. For example, you could take your battery inside a restaurant with you and charge it. You can’t take the whole bike inside. You also have the option to swap batteries.

Can You Charge an Electric bike with a Solar Panel?

Yes. It is possible to charge an electric bike with a solar panel. At this time, you can’t get an unlimited range with solar charging. You will use up your battery faster than the solar panels can recharge it.

With a 100w solar panel, it is possible to produce 300-600Wh of energy in a day under ideal conditions. That’s enough to charge an average e-bike battery completely full. Of course, the panels will have to sit in direct sunlight all day.

You could partially charge your battery if you were to mount a solar panel to a trailer or set solar panels out at camp. You won’t get a full charge unless you have a lot of panels.

People do use solar to charge their e-bike. For example, this guy installed two 50w solar panels on his e-bike. These guys used solar power to ride their e-bikes across the United States.

If you wanted to charge your e-bike with solar alone, you would have to rig a trailer with several solar panels. This is possible but not really practical.

Electric Bike Reliability

Modern e-bikes are incredibly reliable. The electrical system is sealed to keep rain, snow, sand, dust, mud, and other contaminants out. E-bikes can also handle shocks and vibrations from the road. The motor and battery can handle temperatures ranging from 32°F to 113°F (0°C to 45°C).

People have successfully ridden e-bikes across continents. For example, this couple circumnavigated the United States on e-bikes. E-bikes can stand up to some serious use and abuse. They aren’t fragile.

Having said this, not all e-bikes are reliable enough for touring. If you plan to do any serious touring, you’ll need a higher-end e-bike. Entry-level models come with electrical systems that may not be sealed very well. Moisture can cause electrical issues. Shocks and vibrations can shake parts loose. Cheap batteries can discharge quickly in temperatures around 40℉ or 5℃. Low-end e-bikes aren’t reliable enough for bike touring. Higher-end ebikes are much more durable and reliable.

It’s important to note that electric bikes don’t handle moisture well. The motor and electrical system is water resistant, not waterproof. You can ride an electric bike in light rain but you can’t ride it across a stream. If some water makes its way into your motor or control unit, the electrical system can fail. You should avoid riding your e-bike in heavy rains or through puddles. Always cover your bike at night so it doesn’t get too wet.

E-bike Maintenance

Some parts can wear out faster on an electric bike than on a standard bike. This is because e-bikes travel at higher speeds and cover more distance each day. Mid-drive e-bikes also transmit power through the chain. This can put additional wear and tear on the drivetrain.

You may need to replace the tires, chain, brake pads, and cassette more often than you’re used to when you ride an e-bike. On a mid-drive e-bike, a chain may only last 1000-2000 miles. You can buy e-bike-specific chains that are more durable.

The motor, battery, and electrical system don’t really require any maintenance. The electrical system is completely sealed. To help keep contaminants out of the motor and battery, you should wash dirt and grime off of your e-bike when it gets dirty. Once in a while, clean off the charging port and battery connections.

If your e-bike has a geared hub motor or a mid-drive motor, you may have to replace the internal planetary gears at some point. Over time, the plastic gears can wear down. In most cases, you can simply swap out the gears. You may have to take the bike to a shop to have this service done.

To maximize the life of your e-bike’s battery, you should only charge it with the charger that came with your e-bike. Don’t use a fast charger. Always keep the battery partially charged. Avoid storing your electric touring bike with a low or dead battery. You should avoid running the battery down to 0%. Instead, try to charge it when it reaches 20%. The battery is one of the most expensive parts of your e-bike. You want to take care of it to get the most life out of it.

Of course, e-bikes also need regular maintenance like regular touring bikes. You’ll have to clean and lube the chain, keep the tires aired up, and grease the bearings. Wearable parts including the tires, chain, brake pads, brake cables, cassette, and chainring will need to be replaced when they wear out.

Transporting Your Electric Bike

Transporting an electric bike is more difficult than transporting a regular bike. The reason is that you can’t fly with an ebike. The maximum size of lithium-ion battery that is allowed on airplanes is 100Wh. An average touring electric bike has a 400Wh or larger battery.

Large lithium-ion batteries are not allowed on airplanes because they are a fire hazard. If they are not properly packed or stored, they could burst into flames and create a fire. This makes it difficult to transport an e-bike to the starting point of your tour.

It is still possible to transport an e-bike. One option is to fly with the bike and ship the battery to your destination separately. To do this, you will need to properly pack and label the battery. You’ll also have to use a shipping service that has experience shipping large lithium batteries. All major shipping companies, including UPS and FedEx, will accept lithium batteries if they’re packed and labeled properly. You may need to have the battery professionally packed by the shipping company. Electric bike batteries can be shipped by land, air, or sea as long as they are properly packed.

Another option is to travel to your starting point by bus or train. Most bus and train companies allow e-bikes as checked luggage. There are usually no restrictions on batteries. You may have to pay an oversized baggage fee or a bicycle fee.

Of course, you could also simply start your tour from your home and make a round trip. This way, you don’t have to worry about transporting your bike. Only bike touring around your home is somewhat limiting. You could also pack your e-bike in your car and drive to your starting point then do an out-and-back tour or a loop tour.

If you need to transport your e-bike frequently, you may consider a folding model. Electric folding bikes pack down into a much more compact form. This allows you to take them on public transport busses and trains in many cities. It’s also easy to load a folding bike into the trunk of a car or taxi. Of course, you will still have to deal with the battery if you need to fly with your bike.

A bike box — You can pack an e-bike in a bike box and fly with it. You will have to ship the battery separately.

Electric Touring Bike Prices

Electric bikes are more expensive than regular bikes. For touring, you should look for an electric bike that is mid-range or high-end. Ebikes that are suitable for touring start at around $1500. If you want to buy a higher-end ebike with a premium Bosch performance line mid-drive motor, torque sensors pedal assist, and multiple batteries, you’re looking at spending $3000-$6000. Top-of-the-line ebikes can cost as much as $10,000. For most people, $3000-$4000 is a good budget for a touring ebike.

If you’re on a tight budget, one option is to convert your existing touring bike into an ebike. Installing a conversion kit on your bike is far cheaper than buying a new ebike. There are nice mid-range e-bike touring kits for $800-$1000. These kits come with quality components that are suitable for bike touring. You can find e-bike conversion kits for as little as $300. Low-end conversion kits aren’t reliable or durable enough for bike touring.

Ebike conversion kits include the motor, control unit, handlebar-mounted display, pedal assist sensors, and wiring. Oftentimes, you have to buy the battery separately. A quality electric bike battery costs around $500-$800. Complete ebikes include the battery. Conversion kits often do not.

If you go with a conversion kit, you will need a decent bike to install the kit on. A quality touring bike costs around $1000-$2500. For more info, check out my guide to choosing a touring bike.

Many bicycle tourists travel with an extra battery. This can double your range. A second battery is expensive. Add another $500-$800 to your budget if you want to carry a second battery.

An electric touring bike with a pannier and handlebar bag

The Legality of Electric Bikes

E-bike laws vary from country to country and even from city to city. E-bikes can be regulated by motor size, the maximum speed, and the type of controls the bike has.

Before touring it’s a good idea to research the laws where you plan to ride to make sure that your electric bike is legal. If you get caught riding an illegal e-bike, you could be fined or your bike could be impounded.

In many countries, the maximum ebike motor size to 250W. This the case in most of Europe and Australia. In most of Canada, the maximum motor size is 500W. In most of the U.S. the max motor size is 750W.

The maximum speed is often limited as well. Usually, the maximum speed is 20 mph or 32 kph. In some jurisdictions, the maximum speed is 28 mph or 45 kph. The maximum e-bike speed is just 15.5 mph or 25 kph in much of Europe.

In many countries, only pedal assist ebikes are allowed. Ebikes that have a throttle are illegal. Some countries regulate ebikes by classes. I’ll outline the three ebike classes in the following section.

If you want to have the option to ride the bike pretty much anywhere in the world, look for a model with a 250w motor and a pedal assist system without a throttle. The bike should have a maximum speed of 15.5 or 20 mph (25 or 32 kph). These ebikes are legal almost everywhere. They are usually treated the same as regular bicycles.

If you plan to tour in the United States, you can use an ebike with a maximum motor size of 750W and a top speed of 20 mph or 32 kph. The bike shouldn’t have a throttle. A bike with these specifications will be legal in most states.

If you ride an illegal electric bike, you’re unlikely to get caught. Police usually aren’t focused on ebikes. The problem is that you could be held liable if you’re involved in an accident because you were breaking the law. It’s best to always tour on a legal ebike.

Electric Bike Classes

Electric bikes are categorized into 3 classes. The class indicates the type of power delivery system the ebike has (pedal-assist or throttle) and the maximum speed.

Class 1 e-bikes- These ebikes only offer pedal assist. They are limited to a maximum speed of 15.5 or 20 mph (25 or 32 kph). After you reach the top speed, the power trails off to zero. At that point, you can only pedal. When your speed drops below 20 mph, the pedal assist activates again. Class 1 ebikes can use torque sensors, cadence sensors, or both. For most riders, class 1 ebikes are the best choice for bike touring because they are legal in most jurisdictions.
Class 2 e-bikes- These ebikes feature a throttle. Most models also offer pedal assist but they don’t have to. Class 2 ebikes are also limited to a max speed of 20 mph (32 kph). After you reach 20 mph, the power trails off to zero. You can also pedal without using the motor. When your speed drops 20 mph the threshold, the throttle starts working again. Class 2 ebikes can work well for bike touring but they are illegal in some countries.
Class 3 e-bikes- These powerful ebikes have a maximum speed of 28 mph (45 kph). They can have a throttle, pedal assist, or both. After you reach 28 mph, the power trails off to zero. When your speed drops below 28 mph, the throttle or pedal assist activates again. These ebikes are not ideal for touring because they are illegal in many places.

Pedal Assist Vs Throttle Control for Touring

Electric bikes can have either pedal assist, a throttle, or both. For touring, pedal assist is the better option. In this section, I’ll outline both systems and explain some pros and cons. For more in-depth info, check out my guide to pedal assist vs throttle e-bikes.

Pedal Assist E-bikes (Also Known as Pedelec)

Pedal assist e-bikes only provide power when you pedal. You activate the pedal assist system by pedaling the bike normally. A torque or cadence sensor measures your pedaling input and tells the motor when to engage and disengage and how much power to supply.

The motor engages automatically and makes pedaling easier. The motor only provides part of the pedaling power. When you stop pedaling, the motor cuts off automatically.

There are usually 3-5 different pedal assist levels to choose from. Level one or ‘eco mode’ only supplies a small amount of assistance. You provide most of the pedaling power. The highest setting supplies maximum power. In this setting, the motor provides most of the power.

Pedal assist is easy to use. There are no additional controls that you have to worry about. You simply pedal normally. It’s intuitive. Pedal assist is legal in most places.

There are two types of pedal assist sensors: torque sensors and cadence sensors. For bike touring, torque sensors are better.

Torque sensors measure how hard you’re pedaling. The computer changes the motor’s power output based on how hard you’re pedaling. These systems are efficient and responsive.

Lower-end e-bikes use cadence sensors. These sensors only measure if you are pedaling. The motor engages when you start pedaling and disengages when you stop. The power delivery on these systems can feel a bit less smooth. Sometimes there is a lag or surge of power when you start pedaling.

Throttle Controlled E-bikes

Throttle controlled ebikes operate like a motorcycle or scooter. There is a twist grip, a thumb lever, or a simple button on the handlebars. This lets you choose how much power you’d like. A throttle allows you to ride without pedaling. The bike can do all of the work for you. Most throttle controlled ebikes also offer pedal assist.

These throttle systems are responsive and affordable. There are a number of drawbacks that make throttle systems not ideal for bike touring. Most importantly, throttle controlled ebikes aren’t legal in many jurisdictions. This limits where you can ride. They also offer less range. You’ll use more power when you’re not pedaling. There is also an extra control for you to think about.

Mid Drive Vs Hub Motor E-bikes for Touring

Ebikes come with either a mid-drive motor or a hub motor. Generally, mid-drive motors are better for touring. In this section, I’ll outline the difference and explain some benefits and drawbacks of both. For more in-depth info, check out my guide to mid-drive vs hub motor ebikes.

A mid-drive e-bike motor from Shimano — A mid-drive ebike motor

Mid Drive Motors

On a mid-drive ebike, the motor is located at the center of the bike between the cranks. The cranks attach directly to the mid-drive motor. A mid-drive motor provides power through the bike’s drivetrain. The motor turns the cranks and powers the rear wheel through the chain.

The main advantage of a mid-drive ebike is that you can take advantage of the bike’s gears. You can use the mechanical advantage of the gears to keep the motor running at the optimal RPM for every situation. For example, you can shift down to climb steeper hills. You can shift up to reach higher speeds on flat sections. Using the gears allows the motor to run more efficiently. Mid-drive motors bikes can achieve a longer range as a result. They can also climb more effectively. With a mid-drive, a small motor can climb steep hills.

Another advantage of mid-drive ebikes is that you can use regular wheels. This gives you the option to run an internal gear hub or dynamo hub if you choose. In addition, it’s easier to remove a wheel to repair a flat on a mid-drive ebike.

Weight is another advantage. Mid-drive ebikes are significantly lighter than hub motor models. The weight distribution is also much better. The weight of the mid-drive motor sits in the center of the bike close to the ground. The means the center of gravity is in the middle of the bike. As a result, the bike feels stable and balanced. The extra weight of the motor isn’t as noticeable. It rides naturally. The bike is also more maneuverable.

Mid-motor ebike also do not require torque arms or extra strong forks or dropouts. The frame is specifically designed for the motor.

This all makes mid-drive electric bikes the best choice for bike touring. Most higher-end ebikes feature a mid-drive motor for these reasons.

There are a couple of disadvantages to consider. Mid-drive ebikes put more stress on the drivetrain because power is delivered through the chain. You may have to replace your chain and cassette more frequently. Mid-drive ebikes are also expensive. They start at around $2000. Most mid drive ebikes only offer pedal assist. They don’t have a throttle.