Here’s a summary of some of the local offerings as of March 2025:
🏪 Lithium Albania
- Model: Trelago Furli 29 City Bike (used, 750 km)
- Battery: 45 km range (4–5 hours to charge)
- Price: €550
- Other Range Option: 30 km
- Card Payment: ❌ Not accepted
🧠 Mental model: Opportunity Cost – This bike offers solid value for €550 if you’re okay with limited range. But without card payments or trial options, your cost includes risk and inconvenience.
🇹🇷 Giant Turkish 27.5
- Range: 30 km
- Price: €600
- Card Payment: ❌ Not accepted
🧠 Mental model: Margin of Safety – Slightly higher price, yet similar range to the Trelago. Unless the brand justifies it, there’s little margin here.
🛠 Albaelettrica
- Electric bikes available
- Contact: Requires in-store visit after phone and WhatsApp conversations
- Card Payment: ❌ Not accepted
🧠 Mental model: Friction Costs – Multiple steps before even seeing a bike. Good for serious buyers, but a barrier for casual shoppers.
🚲 Tirana Bike Shop
- Electric bikes available
- Card Payment: ❌ Not accepted
🧠 Mental model: Availability Heuristic – If you’ve seen this name around the city, you might assume they’re the best. But no card payment and limited info make comparisons harder.
🌐 TiranaCycle.al
- Electric Bike: No models clearly listed
- Card Payment: ✅ Accepted
🧠 Mental model: Transparency Bias – We trust stores that list prices and specs. Lack of bike info weakens an otherwise strong advantage (card payment).
🚴 Bike Albania – Metja
- Electric Bikes: Showcased on Instagram (used)
- Card Payment: ❌ Only cash
🧠 Mental model: Skin in the Game – This shop shows what it offers. That builds trust—but buying used bikes with no return policy is still a gamble.
🔧 Bicikleta Pasioni Im
- Electric Bikes: Used
- Card Payment: ❌ Cash only (POS machine needs fixing)
- Buying Experience: Must visit store to see options
🧠 Mental model: Inversion – Want a smooth buying experience? Invert the process. Ask: What would make this frustrating? Visiting in person without knowing inventory ranks high.
📸 ProBikes Albania – Instagram
- Electric Bikes: Yes (for women, 26″ and 28″ wheels)
- Price: €550
- Card Payment: ❌ Only cash
🧠 Mental model: Segmentation – If you’re a female rider, they might be worth a visit. But offerings are limited in scope.
🏬 Buzi Store
- Electric Bike: Not clearly listed
- Card Payment: Not specified
🧠 Mental model: First Principles – Strip away the noise. If you don’t see clear details or bikes, call and ask. Don’t assume they don’t sell them—but don’t assume they do either.
🚲
Card Payment: ✅ Accepted
Electric bikes: Available
🧭 Conclusion: How to Think About Buying an E-Bike in Tirana
Before buying an e-bike here, apply a few key ideas:
- Don’t let scarcity rush your decision. The Albanian market is small, but more bikes are coming.
- Cash is king, but plan for it. Almost none of the shops take card payments—bring cash or arrange a transfer.
- Buy used, but inspect wisely. Most listings are used and not always transparent. Ask questions, test the bike if possible.
- Local doesn’t mean worse. Some smaller shops have gems—if you’re willing to dig.
Tirana’s electric bike scene is still developing, but with some strategic thinking and a few mental models, you can ride away with a deal that works for you.