Editorial Policy

Our Recommendation Process

EbikePartsPicker uses a structured, rules-based approach to generate recommendations. We do not rely on sponsorships, paid placements, or advertising revenue to influence our guidance.

Every recommendation is generated through our Build Advisor — a 6-step wizard that collects your specific requirements and applies our compatibility and compliance rules to produce personalized guidance.

How the Build Advisor Works

Step 1: Riding Purpose

We ask about your primary use case — commuting, hills, cargo, trails, or long-range riding. This determines motor type and power requirements.

Step 2: Bike Compatibility

We collect details about your existing bike — type, wheel size, brake system, and bottom bracket. This filters out incompatible components.

Step 3: Physical Requirements

We ask about typical ride distance, rider weight, desired speed, and terrain. This calculates battery capacity (Wh) requirements.

Step 4: Experience Level

We assess your mechanical skill and installation preferences. This influences complexity recommendations.

Step 5: Budget Reality

We collect your budget range. We then show budgetary targets for each component category — not firm prices, as prices change frequently.

Step 6: Results

We generate personalized recommendations with component targets, compatibility summary, legal compliance notes, and links to trusted retailers.

The Rules Engine

Behind the Build Advisor is a rules engine that encodes compatibility logic and best practices:

Voltage matching: Battery and controller voltages must match
Connector compatibility: Components must have compatible connectors or adapters
Wheel fit: Motor hub width and axle type must fit your frame
Bottom bracket: Mid-drive motors require specific BB standards
Legal compliance: Power and speed limits for US Class 1/2/3
Safety flags: Warnings for high-power builds, brake requirements, etc.

Budgetary Targets, Not Firm Prices

We intentionally show budgetary targets rather than exact prices because:

E-bike component prices change frequently
Different retailers offer different pricing
Shipping costs and promotions vary
Currency fluctuations affect pricing

Our budgetary targets help you plan your conversion while acknowledging that final costs will depend on where and when you purchase.

Retailer Curation

We curate a list of trusted US retailers based on the following criteria:

Established reputation in the e-bike community
Clear product documentation and specifications
Reasonable return and warranty policies
US-based shipping or reliable international shipping
Responsive customer support

We do not accept payment for retailer inclusion. Retailers are selected based on merit and user value.

Affiliate Disclosure

EbikePartsPicker may participate in affiliate programs with retailers we recommend. This means we may earn a commission if you purchase through our links.

Important: Affiliate relationships never influence our recommendations. Our rules engine generates recommendations based solely on your inputs and compatibility requirements.

For full details, see our Affiliate Disclosure.

Our Commitment to Neutrality

We Do

Recommend based on your stated needs
Explain trade-offs honestly
Flag potential issues and risks
Update content when information changes

We Don't

Accept paid placements
Let affiliate commissions influence recommendations
Make exaggerated claims about products
Hide limitations or compatibility issues