Evolution Workshop · Electric bikes
Electric bike:
choosing, servicing and laws in Bosnia
An electric bike should be chosen by purpose, drive system and service availability, not by price alone. This guide explains choosing, riding, the law in Bosnia and maintenance, with advice from the mechanics at Evolution Bike Service in East Sarajevo.
By Marko Ristivojević, Master Bike Mechanic
In short
What is an electric bike? An electric bike (e-bike) is a bicycle with a motor that assists only while you pedal. Legally it is an ordinary bicycle if the motor is rated at no more than 250 W and the assistance cuts out at 25 km/h. When choosing, look at purpose, drive system (Bosch or Shimano), battery and service availability, and after purchase keep an eye on software and battery.
Legal status
A bicycle up to 250 W and 25 km/h
Range
On average 40 to 100 km per charge
Service check
Every 1,000 to 1,500 km or once a year
Battery off-season
Store at 30 to 60% charge
Author: Marko Ristivojević, Master Bike Mechanic · BK MTB Evolution, East Sarajevo
Contents
Evolution Workshop: the e-bike from a mechanic's view
This guide brings choosing, riding, the law and maintenance of electric bikes together in one place, with links to detailed articles from the Evolution workshop. The goal is that you know what to expect before you buy and ride, instead of finding out on the trail.
For Bosch and Shimano diagnostics, software updates and battery tests, visit our E-Bike Service in East Sarajevo.
What is an electric bike and how does it work?
Pedal assist. The motor helps only while you pedal, so it is a bicycle with extra support, not a motorcycle. The system consists of a central motor, a battery and a display.
Assist modes. Most systems offer several modes, for example Eco, Tour or Trail, E-MTB and Turbo. The stronger the mode, the faster the battery drains, so save Turbo for short steep sections.
Battery and range. Range depends on assist mode, terrain, weight and cadence, and averages 40 to 100 km per charge. For a Bosch system you can get a realistic estimate in the official Bosch range assistant.
E-bike pros and cons: who is it for?
Longer rides with less fatigue. You can cover longer distances and climb steep ascents with much less effort, so you spend more time outdoors.
Riding together at different fitness levels. An electric bike evens out differences in fitness, so everyone in the group rides at the same pace without waiting.
A good choice for beginners and for getting back in shape. It suits older recreational riders and recovery after injury, as it puts less strain on joints and muscles.
The downsides are weight, price and servicing. An e-bike often weighs more than 20 kg, the purchase price is considerably higher and maintenance is more complex. The full analysis is in Ebike Pros and Cons.
Bosch or Shimano motor?
Bosch Smart System. A digital ecosystem (BES3) that connects motor, battery, display and the Flow app, with wireless updates and theft protection (eBike Lock). Older generations of Bosch motors cannot use Smart add-ons. Details are in Bosch Smart System, and Bosch itself gives an overview on Bosch eBike Systems.
Shimano STEPS and EP8. Shimano drives are configured and diagnosed with E-TUBE Project Professional software. More in Shimano STEPS Diagnostics.
Software changes the ride. Updates can bring new features and better performance. See what one looks like in the Bosch Performance 2.0 review.
Service matters as much as the brand. Before buying, check whether a workshop in your town can run diagnostics for the system you choose. In our workshop we do Bosch diagnostics with the Diagnostic Tool 3 and Shimano STEPS diagnostics.
How to choose an electric bike?
Purpose first. Decide where you will ride, because a bike for forest trails and descents differs from one for everyday riding. For mountain terrain choose an e-MTB with suitable suspension and brakes.
Drive, battery and weight. Compare the system (Bosch or Shimano), battery capacity and total bike weight, because weight affects handling, descending and transport.
Frame size and cost of ownership. Choose the frame size with the chart by height, and besides the purchase price budget for servicing: brakes, chain and cassette wear faster on an e-bike because of the higher torque.
Electric bike laws in Bosnia
When an e-bike is a bicycle. When the motor assists only while pedaling, is rated at no more than 250 W and the assistance cuts out at 25 km/h (pedelec, EN 15194), neither registration nor a driving licence is required.
Tuning changes the status. Removing the speed limiter turns an e-bike into a moped: registration is required and the motor warranty is lost. Bosch systems log unauthorised changes in the memory of the drive unit.
Equipment and trails. A white front light, a red rear light and reflectors are mandatory. Riding on the pavement is not allowed, and pedestrians have priority on MTB trails.
Pro tip: if you want more power on climbs, use the right modes and up-to-date software, not tuning. All the rules are in the guide E-Bike Laws and MTB Rules in Bosnia.
How to ride an electric bike?
Choose the mode for the terrain. Eco and Tour are for gentle climbs, E-MTB mode is the best option for beginners, and Turbo is for short steep sections only.
Keep a cadence of 70 to 90. The motor then works more efficiently, the battery lasts longer and your knees are under less load.
Shift gears. The motor is no substitute for the drivetrain: when pedaling gets heavy, shift to an easier gear. More tips in E-Bike for Beginners.
Battery, diagnostics and maintenance
Storing the battery. Do not leave lithium-ion batteries fully charged or fully empty off-season; the ideal charge is 30 to 60% at room temperature. More in Winter E-Bike Maintenance.
Service check and diagnostics. Do a software inspection every 1,000 to 1,500 km or at least once a year, before the season starts. Diagnostics read errors, battery condition and firmware, and what the display message means is covered on our Bosch e-bike service page.
Most common mistakes. The most common are poor battery charging habits, outdated software, pressure washing and skipping services. Read E-Bike Maintenance Mistakes and book a check at the E-Bike Service.
Used e-bike: what to check?
Check the Flow account. With a Bosch Smart System bike, never pay before the seller disconnects the bike from their Bosch eBike Flow app in front of you.
A locked bike is not a fault. A stolen Smart System bike can have a working motor and a full battery and still be unusable for a new owner. Not even a workshop with official Bosch diagnostics can erase ownership.
Inspection after purchase. Every used bike should be inspected right after purchase, and an e-bike with motor and battery diagnostics. Details are in Used Bosch E-Bike and Buying a Used Bike.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
What is an electric bike?
An electric bike is a bicycle with a motor that assists only while you pedal (pedal assist). If the motor is rated at no more than 250 W and the assistance cuts out at 25 km/h, it is legally treated as an ordinary bicycle.
How long does an e-bike battery last?
On average 40 to 100 km per charge, depending on assist mode, terrain, weight and cadence.
Does an e-bike need to be registered in Bosnia?
A legal e-bike up to 250 W and 25 km/h needs neither registration nor a driving licence. If the speed limiter is removed it becomes a moped, so registration is mandatory and the motor warranty is lost.
How often does an e-bike need servicing?
A software inspection is recommended every 1,000 to 1,500 km or at least once a year, before the season starts.