E-bikes for Everyday Riding, Touring and Racing
In no other bike category will you find more exciting potential and development than that of the e-bike. New battery and engine technology, smart control and better-than-ever integration of the electric drive gives the e-bike a powerful tailwind. Modern city, touring and mountain bike models have long dropped the dusty image of being the "old person's bike". After all, pedal assist models require you to pedal on your own. Only the extra kick of assistance from the pedals gives you more power than usual. How you should use this extra thrust is up to you. Maybe you fancy the office commute without breaking a sweat in the workplace? Maybe you want to tackle bike tours that would not have been possible otherwise? To head up your local hill in record time or simply to ride more trails? In any case, the e-bike will give you the chance to spend more valuable time in the saddle.
E-Bikes
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E-Bike - a modern bike for everyone
Boasting innovative and stylish designs, modern e-bikes offer comfort and reliability. With ever slimmer components and boasting more power than ever, e-bikes are now available in all bike styles and in a wide range of styles. In addition, different performance levels and functions are available, which meet all requirements. We’re sure you’ll find the right electric bike to suit your needs.
E-bikes and pedelecs – what’s the difference?
Most of the bicycles which are commercially available are classified under the Pedelec category. In general, an e-bike is a bike which is equipped with an electric motor, whereas a Pedelec merely assist pedaling. This results in a distinctive difference between pedelec and e-bikes – a pedelec must always be operated by pedals and are still classified as conventional bikes. In other words, despite an electric motor, the driver cannot sit back on the saddle and relax whilst steering the bike via the handlebars. Pedelecs do not move without the rider pedaling.
No driving license or insurance requiredThe power of the electric motor is usually around 250 watts on most models. Most of the bikes allow multiple settings to suit the rider. Using a pedelec does require possessing a driving license, having insurance or wearing a helmet.
E-Bike: A Modern Bike for Everyone
Boasting innovative and stylish designs, modern e-bikes offer high comfort, convenience and reliability. With increasingly slimmer components and more power than ever before, e-bikes versions are now available of all bike types and in a wide range of styles. In addition, different performance levels and functions are available, which meet all requirements. Electric bikes are split into two basic types: Pedal Assist (aka Pedelecs) and Power on Command. But what’s the difference?
Pedelecs are e-bikes that require you to pedal before the motor will kick in and assist the pedalling effort. The rider can’t just sit back on the saddle and relax whilst steering the bike. Because Pedelecs require their rider to pedal they are still classified as conventional bikes. Most of the e-bicycles which are commercially available are classified under this category.
Power on Command e-bikes are equipped with a motor that the rider can control via a throttle. With this type of e-bike, you don’t have to pedal to make use of the motor.
We’ll focus on the appeal of Pedelecs (as these are the most common and popular models available on the market today).
Pros of the Pedelec
- Get fit: It’s a widely believed myth that e-bikes do all the work for you. This simply isn’t true. Most models are pedal assist – meaning they augment whatever power is produced from your pedalling. You can choose to ride more comfortably or go faster – but a cardio work-out is still perfectly possible!
- Earth-friendly: E-bikes put out zero harmful emissions, making them one of the most environmentally-friendly travel options out there
- Commute in style: Get to the office quicker and without dissolving into a mess. Your e-bike will get you to work in good time without the usual level of sweat-inducing effort
- Explore new places: Riding an e-bike helps you to travel further than you could on a traditional bike, so you can explore further afield than ever before
- Lighten your load: Chores and grocery shopping become much easier with an e-bike
- Save £££s: Riding an e-bike doesn’t require a special license, registration or insurance. Set up, investment and operating costs are tiny compared to those of owning and running a car
- Ride safer: The speed an e-bike can go is nowhere close to the speed a car can achieve (In the UK, e-bikes are limited by law to only providing power assistance up to 15 mph/24kph) and taking bike paths keeps you out of the way of cars and large vehicles – reducing the likelihood you’ll have an accident involving one
Features to consider
Consider your needs. If you’re looking to buy an e-bike for hauling goods shorted distances, you’re going to prioritise load bearing ability over long-distance lasting large batteries. Some general features to consider include:
- High-quality batteries: a good Li-ion battery offers proven safety and range
- A generally slimline design and sleek battery integration for stylish riders
- Weight: the heavier an e-bike is the harder it is to handle and push
- Walk Mode/Push Assist: makes pushing your bike a lot easier when you aren’t riding it (especially up hills and steps!)
- High-performance components for sport such as Shimano gears (for smooth shifting), hydraulic disc brakes (which offer unbeatable stopping power) and front suspension forks (which absorb vibrations and improve bike stability)
- Frame material and geometry: makes a huge difference to ride comfort and performance
Brands
Serious contenders in the race to be crowned king of e-bike producers includes brands such as Cube, FOCUS, Giant, HAIBIKE, Hollandia, Orbea, Ortler, Serious and Vermont.
