E-bikes or pedelec electric bikes have exploded in popularity over the past couple of years, and we are seeing everything from slick commuters and long-travel enduro e-MTBs to haul-everything assisted cargo bikes — and now e-road bikes.
These skinny-tyre pedal-assisted rides are the newest addition to one of the fastest-growing segments of bicycles. They range from bulbous looking frames with bolted-on motors and batteries to integrated units that are nearly indistinguishable from their non-assisted counterparts.
Many are quick to dismiss e-bikes as cheating but that notion usually disappears when people swing a leg over an e-bike for the first time. There is no such thing as a free lunch, and you still have to pedal to make any of these bikes go.
ADVERTISEMENT
Regional restrictions
Most e-bikes use one of three e-bike systems, however, depending where you live, the level of assistance as well as whether you need a license and insurance will vary.
1. UK
The UK adopted a lot of the EU's regulations regarding e-bikes but with Brexit still up in the air, it's hard to say if that may change over the coming months.
All of the bikes featured here fall under 'The Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle (EPAC) Amendment Regulations' mandates; electric assistance can only provide 250-watts of aid and must cut out at 25kph. It also stipulates the rider must be in motion for the motor to kick in and be at least 14-years-old.
2. US
3. Australia
E-road bikes explained
1. Drive system
2. Battery
Best e-road bikes you can buy today
Giant Road E+ 1 Pro
- Drive system: Yamaha SyncDrive
- Battery: Yamaha EnergyPak 500Wh
- Price: £3,499 / $4,650 / AU$ N/A
Colnago E64
- Drive system: Ebikemotion
- Battery: Ebikemotion 250Wh
- Price: £5,200 / $TBC / AU$TBC
Trek Domane +
- Drive system: Bosch Performance
- Battery: Bosch PowerTube 500Wh
- Price: £5,250 / $7,000 / AU$NA
Ribble Endurance SL e
- Drive system: Ebikemotion
- Battery: Ebikemotion 250Wh
- Price: £2,999 / $NA / AU$NA
Bianchi Aria E-Road
- Drive system: Ebikemotion
- Battery: Panasonic 250Wh
- Price: £4,500 / $6,500 / AU$ 8,499
Cannondale Synapse Neo 2
- Drive system: Bosch Active Line Plus Motor
- Battery: Bosch PowerTube 500Wh
- Price: £3,499 / $4,725 / AU$ 6,999
Focus Paralane2 9.7
- Drive system: Fauza
- Battery: Fauza 250 Wh
- Price: £5,499 / $TBC / AU$8,999
Pinarello Nytro
- Drive system: Fauza
- Battery: 250Wh
- Price: £5,999 / $TBC / AU$11,999
Specialized Turbo Creo Expert
- Drive system: Specialized SL 1.1
- Battery: Specialized 480Wh
- Price: £7,499 / $9,000 / AU$12,000
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
via Cyclingnews Latest Interviews and Features http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/best-road-e-bikes-for-2019
No comments:
Post a Comment