THOPRE DIRECTORY MAY 2021

An introduction to e-bikes
E-bikes are like normal bikes given super
powers: you still pedal them, but they have an
electric motor that gives you some extra help.
It feels rather like having bionic legs: you can
pull away from traffic lights quickly and easily
tackle steep hills.
That makes them brilliant for commuting and
urban cycling, and a great choice for people who
want to improve their fitness and haven’t been
on a bike for years.
What kind of e-bikes are there?
Commuter bikes are all-rounders while MTBs
are mountain bikes and road bikes are racing
bikes. The former have big tyres and great
suspension, while the latter use super-light
materials and aggressive geometry to achieve
high speeds. Cargo bikes are for carrying loads
that are too big for panniers or a backpack, and
usually have bigger tyres and better brakes.
How do I get the right e-bike size?
E-bike sizes are usually expressed as S, M, L
and XL. Small bikes are generally suitable for
riders up to 5’5” while XL bikes are designed for
six footers and above. Some e-bikes have very
adjustable seats and handlebars that enable
them to skip between sizes.
Is there more than one kind of e-bike motor?
Crank drives connect directly to the bike chain,
while hub drives sit in the wheel hub – usually
the rear wheel. Crank drives are more energy
efficient and feel more natural when pedalling
but hub drives are usually much cheaper.
What about gears?
E-bikes come with the same kind of gear
systems as ordinary bikes and the gears adjust
how much pedalling is needed – in higher gears
you pedal less because you’re going faster.
Cyrusher XF690 folding fat bike,
£1,799 from Cyrusher.co.uk
With e-bikes you’ll usually be able to control the
assistance level the motor gives you. You might
choose Turbo for fast pulling away from traffic
lights but Eco (or equivalent) when on a relaxing
country ride.
How do I know what battery to choose?
Most manufacturers provide a battery range
estimate, or you can calculate the range by
dividing the battery’s power by 20 – a battery
with a 400Wh rating should give about 20 miles
on full assist, which is when the electric motor is
operating at full power. Most e-bikes have a little
bike computer that shows battery charge and the
range remaining before recharging is needed.
When the battery runs out of power, your e-bike
behaves like a normal bike, albeit a heavier one.
Typical recharge time is three to four hours and
batteries typically last for two to four years.
How much should I spend?
You can get perfectly decent e-bikes for around
£500, or you can spend over £4,000 on a carbon
road bike. The more you spend the lighter the
bikes become and the better the hardware:
where cheaper e-bikes are designed for
everyday use, the most expensive e-bikes are
serious bits of sporting equipment with matching
price tags. Whatever you buy, make sure you
also acquire a very good U-lock: sadly, all
e-bikes are targets for bike thieves.
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Cube Cargo 2021, £4,599 from Cube.eu
Swifty E-Mountain Bike,
£799 from Amazon.co.uk
To advertise please call Dawn on: 01603 466392 or visit NR7.CO.UK