Statistics show that only 0.6 percent of commutes in the U.S. are done by bike. However, more people are starting to ride bikes as a leisure activity in the country.

Do you want to know how to test ride and evaluate a commuter bike? This guide by Rize Bikes will teach you all about it, ensuring you save money in the long run.

The first thing you need to remember is that you should always test-ride any bike you intend on buying. You should be able to easily tell if you like the bike after riding it for a few minutes.

During your test ride, make sure to pay attention to the bike handling, your comfort while riding, and how much you enjoy riding.

Luckily for you, Rize Bikes offer test rides at our Vancouver location in Canada. So, feel free to book your appointment to ride our ebikes if you are in the area!

Our commuter electric bikes are some of the best models you can find. We have the City commuter bike and Rize commuter bike for you to choose from. Both are great options for beginners and experienced riders alike.

Anyway, let us go into more detail about the topic of “How to Test Ride and Evaluate a Commuter Bike.”

If you want to increase the lifespan of your ebike, make sure to always get regular maintenance! This is crucial to ensure that none of your bike parts are broken.

The few parts you should check for are:

- Tire pressure

- Brakes and gears

- Lubricating the bike chain

- Cleaning the electric bike itself

You can also upgrade your bike if you see fit. Some people naturally prefer larger bike saddles or tires. This entirely depends on your personal preference.

If you are unsure whether a bike upgrade would be optimal for a commuter bike, check with a professional or get a second opinion before doing it.

For obvious reasons, people who are taller cannot ride the same bike as a shorter person. The comfort level will just not be the same.

To find the right bike size frame for your own height, be sure to use a bike size chart. For all our ebikes at Rize, we always show you the ideal height for each bike.

Here’s an example:

If you do decide to ride a bike that is too big or too small for you, don’t do it long-term. This might cause injury to your knees. You might even experience neck and back pains.

There are some essential features on a commute bike that you might consider getting. This will just enhance your biking experience.

The first one is bike fenders. This feature is important if you are someone who likes to ride in the rain or during wet days. Without this added feature, your back might be at risk to get all kinds of stains.

The second feature that would benefit your riding experience is having a rack or carrying. This may very well replace your commuter car, especially if you live in a location that is very central.

Why drive 3 minutes to buy groceries when you can cycle 5 minutes to get them? With ebikes, you will not even require much energy to get from Point A to Point B. This is not cheating by any means - you still get the benefits of exercising.

Thirdly, having lights on your bike is nice to have. This can come in handy when you cycle during low light or at night.

Safety is everything and you should always be having enough bike lights. In this way, cars on the road will be able to see you and avoid any accidents.

When deciding on a commuter bike, you might be stuck on which brand or model to pick due to the many options in the market.

Price should always be a consideration. However, it should not be your main factor in choosing a specific bike.

Would you rather spend $1000 on a cheap commuter ebike which requires tons of maintenance costs? Or spend a little more to get a quality commuter ebike which can be your reliable bike for years to come?

At Rize Bikes, all our bikes are made with quality materials. You can tell this is true when you feel the weight and durability of our ebikes.

This is one of the many reasons why we have so many happy customers!

These are all included when you decide to purchase a commuter ebike from us:

- Battery with 2 Keys

- Battery Charger 3.0A

- Front and Rear Lights

- Mudguards (Fenders) Front and Rear

- Mini Tool Kit

- Rear Rack

- Kickstand

- Bell

- Bottle Holder

How do you test a bike ride? 

Ride the bike you are test riding for a couple of minutes. Pay attention to how the bike itself moves. If you like how it rides without any discomfort, it is safe to say it is a good match. 

What should I look for in a commuter bike? 

Make sure all the key features such as brakes, wheels, bike frames. These are what you should look for in a commuter bike.

How do I test my bike before buying it? 

While some stores may not allow you to do that, our store at Rize Bikes does! If you live in Vancouver area in Canada, feel free to let us know you are interested to test ride a bike before buying.

Should you test ride a bike?

If you have the option to do so, you should 100% test ride a bike. Bikes are not cheap and you want to make sure you are getting the right one for your needs.

Everyone has a different budget in mind when they want to buy an ebike. Not going over budget is crucial to ensure you do not get buyer’s remorse on a big purchase like this.

However, we feel it is important to educate you that the cheapest bike is not always the best. Cheaper bikes are of poorer quality and may be prone to break after minimal use.

Sometimes, it may make sense to spend a little more to get a high-quality ebike like our City Bike. You will have peace of mind knowing that our bike is of premium quality.

For those who are new to biking and just want to try it out, get a cheaper bike just in case you do not like it. 

But if you are used to biking, consider spending more money to get a bike that will last you for a long time!