Electric bikes are fast becoming more mainstream and you may have even started to see them on the road yourself, but what is an e-bike and is it right for you?
There are lots of different types of electric bike available including mountain bikes, road bikes, step-through frames, cargo bikes, even folding trikes. Their popularity reflects the changing ways that people are using bikes – as an alternative to the car, to keep active when injured or when fitness fades later in life, or just for the sheer fun of riding further, faster and for longer than ever before.
Some might view riding an e-bike as cheating but for many others it makes travelling by bike far more accessible and enables them to incorporate more exercise into their daily routine. Great designs and modern lightweight batteries are making e-bikes ever more user-friendly and exciting to ride, and we think this is a great thing. One more person on a bike is one more happy human!
Show me the money!
If you’re considering commuting on two wheels but feel the need for some additional help from an e-bike, you’ll most likely save money as well as spend a lot more time outdoors. Although an e-bike may be more expensive than a traditional bike, compared to running a car the costs are minimal. Even public transport can cost up to 30p per mile. To fully power the battery on an e-bike costs just a few pence and it could take you as far as 90 miles between charges depending on the model.
Power when and where you need it
Commuting with a heavy laptop and change of clothes for the office can be exhausting. With full panniers you could be carrying a few kilograms of extra weight. The Specialized Turbo Vado is specially tuned for city commuting and the motor intuitively reacts to your riding – the more power you put through the pedals, the more assistance you get. Equipped with mudguards and disc brakes, the Vado can take you to and from work whatever the weather.
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If you plan your weekly shop with an e-bike in mind, you can cycle to the shops and use your battery power on the way back. It is more exercise than driving, so you can earn yourself a few extra special treats for the week. Cake is always good, and it tastes even better when you’ve earned a slice.
Widen your horizons
Road e-bikes are ideal for those who enjoy a bit of everything but want to push their speed and stamina. Maybe you want to commute without getting hot and sticky and then head out for a bit of road fun at the weekend. Giant’s Fastroad bikes deliver exceptional performance to extend your road adventures further than you ever thought possible. This makes them the perfect choice for performance-minded road riders looking to climb higher mountains and cover longer distances.
Maximise your fun with an e-MTB
There are a number of good reasons why electric mountain bikes are one of the biggest things in the bike world right now. You can ride harder, for longer, and later in life with an e-bike. And don’t just take our word for it – freeride legend Wade Simmons was blown away by his experience, proclaiming, “I realized I wasn’t riding an eMTB to make my riding any easier, I was riding an eMTB to open doors to things a regular bike couldn’t. This old dog is learning some new tricks, finding new lines on old trails, and having a blast. I can’t wait to see where it goes from here!â€.
Trek has recently unveiled their brand-new 2019 Powerfly, an e-bike which is at home on even the most extreme trails. Head over here for the full lowdown on this amazing bike – we’re really excited about this one.
Specialized are also in on the e-MTB game and have just released the updated Turbo Levo, the successor to the hugely popular 2018 model. E-Mountainbike magazine crowned the full-suspension Levo S-Works 2018 model the best eMTB of the year, and the 2019 model has been redesigned to be even better.
Hardtail 29er or full suss, the Turbo Levo is built to take your trail riding up a gear.
There’s an e-bike for everyone out there – be sure to check out our range. Give us a call or pop into one of our stores to chat about these amazing bikes and see for yourself what all the excitement is about.
