Comparison Airwheel R5 vs Airwheel R3+

The wheel size of an electric bicycle in inches affects compactness, stability, rolling, and passability. The larger the wheel, the easier it rolls over bumps and maintains speed, but the bigger the bike itself becomes.

Small 20″ wheels and below are typical for folding e-bikes, 26″ is well-suited for city rides, leisure, and basic off-roading, while 27.5″, 28″, and 29″ are often chosen for mountain, road, touring, and high-speed models.

A system of spring, air, or elastomer elements that softens bumps and makes the ride more comfortable. Suspension affects the purpose of the bicycle.

— Front. The suspension fork is installed at the front and softens impacts on the front wheel. This is the most common option for city, recreational, mountain, and touring e-bikes: it helps with curbs, potholes, tiles, gravel, and light off-road without making the bike too heavy and complicated.

— Front and rear. Suspension is available both in the front and rear, so bumps are absorbed by both wheels. This setup is better suited for trails, forest roads, rocks, roots, descents, and active riding but makes the electric bicycle more expensive, heavier, and more demanding to maintain.

— Rear. A shock absorber is installed at the rear, softening impacts from the rear wheel or the saddle part of the frame. This option is less common than front suspension and can be useful for enhancing comfort on rough roads, especially if the main load falls on the saddle and rear of the bicycle.

— None. A rigid design without shock absorbers is simpler, lighter, and cheaper to maintain. It is well-suited for smooth asphalt, bike paths, and calm urban routes, but on potholes, tiles, dirt, and curbs, it will transmit more shocks to the hands, back, and frame.

The type of rear suspension describes the design of the rear shock absorber of the electric bicycle: how the element compresses during impact and how effectively it dampens the frame oscillation. This parameter is important for full-suspension bikes, fat bikes, and models for rough roads, as the rear shock absorber affects saddle comfort, rear wheel traction, and bike behavior on uneven surfaces.

— Spring-elastomer. Uses a metal spring and an elastomer insert inside to help absorb shocks. It's a simple and inexpensive solution for city and light trail electric bikes, but it’s less smooth, adjustable, and stable compared to more advanced oil systems.

— Spring-oil. A metal spring takes the compression, while oil dampens excessive oscillation after impact. This suspension is usually more reliable and stable than spring-elastomer types, suitable for broken asphalt, dirt roads, and moderate off-roading but heavier than air variants.

— Air. The elastic element is an air chamber, and the pressure can be adjusted according to the user's weight and riding style. This rear suspension is lighter than spring types and convenient for precise adjustment, often found in more advanced e-bikes, although it requires pressure monitoring and more careful maintenance.

— Air-oil. In this rear suspension, air acts as the elastic element, while oil ensures smooth compression and controlled rebound. It can be finely adjusted for rider weight, active riding,...trails, and mountain routes, but it is usually more expensive and requires regular maintenance.

— Fenders. Protective shields over the wheels that reduce the splashing of water, dirt, and sand onto clothing, shoes, the frame, and battery compartment. Especially useful for urban commuting, wet asphalt, gravel roads, and daily rides to work, but they add some weight and can rattle if poorly fixed.

— Chain Guard. A protective cover that encloses part of the chain and front sprockets, reducing the risk of soiling or snagging clothing. Particularly suitable for urban e-bikes for rides in regular clothes, though it might hinder quick access to the chain for cleaning, lubrication, or repairs.

— Sprung Saddle. A saddle with a spring suspension unit that cushions shocks and vibrations transferred from the rear wheel to the rider. This option is comfortable for leisurely and city e-bikes, particularly on tiles, cobblestones, and rough asphalt, but for a sports position and active riding, it may be less precise and heavier than a regular saddle.

— Kickstand. A foldable support that allows the e-bike to stand without a wall, rack, or bike parking. Convenient near shops, at home, at the office, or during a short stop en route, but for heavy e-bikes, it's crucial that the kickstand is sturdy and doesn't collapse under the bike's weight with a load.

— Rear Rack....A rear cargo platform for mounting bags, baskets, panniers, a child seat, or carrying small luggage. Useful for city use, delivery, shopping trips, and tourism, but loading can shift the weight backwards and potentially affect balance, especially if the battery is also mounted on the rack.

— Front Rack / Basket. A front platform or basket located at the handlebars (above the front wheel), intended for carrying a bag, backpack, groceries, and small items. This option is convenient for short urban trips, but heavy loads at the front can impact steering and make the bike less stable at low speeds.

— Horn / Bell. An audible signal helps warn pedestrians, other cyclists, and traffic participants of your approach. For city areas, courtyards, bike paths, and parks, it's a practical safety element, although a regular bell does not replace attentiveness and may be difficult to hear in noisy traffic.

— Headlight and Taillights. The front headlight illuminates the road, while the taillights make the e-bike more noticeable to other traffic participants. This is important for evening rides, tunnels, cloudy weather, and riding along roads.

— Bottle Holder. A frame-mounted holder for a water bottle allows you to keep water handy during a ride. It's useful for long routes, training, summer riding, and tourism, but on some e-bikes, space for a bottle may be limited by the battery, low frame, or non-standard geometry.