Electric Bike Guide

In 2012, less than 1% of bike sales were e-bikes. Ten years later and the latest figures suggest that’s risen to 23%. And will continue to rise. That’s because there’s a perfect storm brewing of an improving (though far from perfect) infrastructure and the need to move away from heavy polluters like automobiles. They’re also incredibly good fun and liberating, helping you to ride further and explore more. And, of course, they’ll boost your fitness. That’s because despite them having a motor, battery and a control unit, they’re not mopeds – you must pedal but can receive assistance when needed. They’re lighter and have better range than ever before. Here’s everything you need to know about your next bike……

electric bikes are growing in popularity, but what are the benefits of adding a motor to your pedal power? Whether you’re new to cycling or are already a regular rider, there are a number of reasons why you might want to try an electric bike, from health and fitness, through to financial and environmental benefits. With that in mind, here are 14 benefits of riding an electric bike… 01 IMPROVE FITNESS Like cycling any bike, riding an electric bike will boost your aerobic fitness. The effort required to keep yourself moving may be less than on a normal bike, but you’ll still be turning the pedals and putting in a significant amount of the energy required to move yourself along. Studies have suggested that ebike riders’ hearts can be working at…

The ebike took mainland Europe by storm years ago and is now a commonplace sight, helped at first by Europe’s combination of a superior infrastructure and much more reliance on the humble bicycle as transport. For many of us, an ebike as urban or suburban commuter transport is the smart choice for getting to work. There’s also the ebike as sport – the first sport-focused ebikes arrived a decade ago as a concept at trade shows, brands are running with it and now there are increasing numbers on the roads. They remain a big investment though, so whether you’re thinking of buying your first ebike, or are an early adopter looking to upgrade your current model, or you just want to know what all the fuss is about, this guide…

01. CONTROLS Most ebikes have controls on the handlebar or top tube and some have LCD screens, which make it easier to switch between modes, monitor battery life and see your speed and mileage. Some systems also now offer Bluetooth connectivity and phone apps, so you can track your heart rate and other data. 02. FRAME As batteries and motors become smaller and better integrated, ebikes are becoming almost indistinguishable from regular bikes – at least until you spot the beefed-up bottom bracket or big rear hub, or an ebike-riding cyclist blasts past you on the climbs at warp speed with little apparent effort. 03. BATTERY While battery range is getting bigger, the power packs themselves are gradually shrinking in size. Many are now small enough to be hidden inside…

BOSCH Mid-mounted system highly regarded for its powerful motor and reliability. The wide range of models from Bosch cover everything from load carrying urban bikes (Benno’s Boost is an example) to celebrated highperformance sports bikes like the Cannondale Topstone Neo Lefty. MAHLE eBikemotion X35 is Mahle’s lightweight rear hub system. It’s aimed more at sports riders and mostly found on fast road bikes (Scott Addict eRide is an example) but can also be found on light commuter bikes. SHIMANO STEPS Steps from the Japanese giants is a mid-mount system that offers six different motor options, covering everything from commuter bikes to high-performance e-mountain bikes. FAZUA The Evation 1.0 system is a mid-motor design (Trek Domane+ LT 7, take a bow) that’s designed for subtle assistance rather than the out-and-out-torque options…

YOU’VE GOT TO SPIN IT TO WIN IT Getting the most from an ebike means pedalling at a higher cadence than you may be used to – in other words, selecting a bigger cassette sprocket than you might normally and spinning your legs a bit faster. If you’re the sort of rider who likes to grind big gears and sees changing into the granny ring as an admission of defeat, you may take some time to adjust to this, but it’s actually a good technique on a regular bike too. WEIGHT ISN’T AN ISSUE… EXCEPT WHEN IT IS Most ebikes weigh over 12kg but, when you’re riding, the motor assistance means you don’t feel the extra heft. In fact, on the descents it can actually be an advantage, helping to…