Surely there's no better way to test the new 2024 Orbea Diem than on its home turf? Setting off from a hearty Spanish lunch in the countryside, Rob (our Orbea Account Manger) and I took a pair of new Orbea Diem 10 models out into the sunny hills between Arretxinaga and Etxebarria.  The all new 2024 Orbea Diem I've spent the last week at the Orbea factory and HQ in Mallabia, Spain. Business aside, taking a sneak peek at upcoming releases and getting some rides in was top of the agenda. The Orbea Diem is a brand new model range for the 2024 model year, building on Orbea's already very popular Vibe range and furthering their commitment to increase their market share in the Urban, Hybrid and Leisure sector. In true Orbea fashion they've once again achieved it with style, class and impeccable engineering prowess.  The 2024 Orbea Diem in focus The new Orbea Diem is the first bike to be launched under Orbea's updated urban market strategy, built on 3 key points - "unique, high-performance, high-quality products" achieved through "clean and minimal design and clever integrations". Given they've been doing these things so well in the Road and MTB sector for many years, there's no reason why they can't excel here too. The Orbea Diem model range is broken down into 3 distinct models; The entry level Orbea Diem 30 models features Shimano Cues 9 speed gearing, the Shimano EP6 motor and a 540Wh battery. The next model up, the Orbea Diem 20 offers riders an integrated hub gear system in the form of a Shimano Nexus unit and nearly maintenance free Gates carbon belt drive, the same EP6 motor but their biggest 630Wh battery. The final model in the range is the Orbea Diem 10. Offering the very latest in drivetrain technology, the Orbea Diem 10 model has Enviolo's constant velocity hub and a fully automated gear shift which can be adjusted using the accompanying Enviolo AUTOMATiQ app to set it to the riders preferred cadence. It also has the ever-so slightly lighter EP8 motor, 630Wh battery and a dropper post!  A Diem in the hills Setting off on a brand new pair of Orbea Diem 10 models, we headed out first onto the glass smooth tarmac of the road which winds up and down the valleys connecting Arretxinaga and Etxebarria. My first thought was not of the bike, but that the UK could learn a thing or two about road maintenance from this part of the Basque country! The roads in the northern regions of Spain are a cyclists paradise. The Orbea Diem 10 is fitted with the new Enviolo fully automatic gear shift. A strange sensation for someone who's never ridden one, I was surprised at just how well it worked. More surprising was the way it rode. The Orbea Diem 10 is far from the heaviest of the electric hybrids we have on offer, but its not quite as light as the Orbea Vibe. That's to be expected though - with the full power version of the Shimano EP8 motor pumping out 85Nm and a 630Wh battery its bound to be a bit heavier however being much lighter than most 85Nm bikes (like our Cube Touring Hybrid and Kathmandu models, or the Haibike Trekking models) it absolutely flies along if you really get into the pedals. It's also not so heavy that its offensive on the legs when pedalling above the 15.5mph cut off and it handles like a dream. We rode them for a little under 10 miles and during the course of our ride found ourselves on an unmade gravel track through farmland, where it never felt out of its depth. It's ebike specific 50c Vittoria e-Randonneur tyres held the constantly shifting ground with ease and the steering stayed positive yet light and point-able. The Orbea Diem really is a bike you can "seize the day" on. Its incredibly versatile and can swap from tarmac to gravel, fire road and forest tracks and back to tarmac with absolute ease. Although we didn't have anything to carry with us on the day, the front and rear luggage options offer ample and flexible cargo capacity. While riding through a tiny little Spanish village (which I later found out had a population of just 70 people), Rob and I discussed just how easy it would be to cover a 10-15 mile commute in an hour without breaking much of a sweat on an Orbea Diem, even given the unbelievably hilly nature of the Basque territory where elevation levels switched between 500m, drops to sea level and back up to over 600m in less than a mile of riding. (Its worth noting that in the UK, anything over 600m is called a "mountain"!). Technology is the order of the Diem Not content with being a rocket ship in a svelte dress, the new Orbea Diem packs an impressive amount of technology into the whole model range. The Orbea Diem has all of the usual refinements of a modern electric hybrid bike. A pannier rack, built in lights, a side stand and mudguards all make the cut but its not just their being there which counts - its the way they appear on the bike. Take the lights. They're not just lights. Hidden in the stem assembly, the front daytime running light has multiple modes and the extra high beam light built into the handlebars is separately selectable. The rear light, neatly integrated into the rear mudguard does a lovely little light show as it turns on and doubles as a brake light when you slow down. They're also made by Supernova, a leading brand in top end lighting solutions. The mudguards are made by Orbea specifically for this model and match the fork and rear stay profile perfectly while allowing for a marginally wider tyre if desired. They're also made from lightweight alloy - no "plastic fantastic" here... Even the rear rack is understatedly clever. Designed to accept the MIK luggage attachment, there are countless options available to click on and off in just a few seconds. These Hybrid/Leisure standard items aside, the Diem goes even further. Utilising the SP Connect twist fit connection, a mobile phone can be easily attached to the provided mount on the centre of the bars. From here, you can access the Shimano ETube Project app, maps, Strava and more. Cases are just ÂŁ29.99. Protect your phone, expand your horizon. Planning a longer ride and worried about Google Maps, Strava, Komoot or TrailForks zapping your phone battery dry? Your Orbea Diem has you covered. Hiding inside the stem is a USB-C output where you can charge your phone on the go directly from the Diem's internal 540 or 630Wh battery!   Designing the Orbea Diem Great care and consideration was taken when developing the Orbea Diem concept. Diligently crafting something around the specific needs of the most demanding urban and leisure cyclist, Orbea have crafted a bike which quietly takes care of some of the most overlooked parts of modern cycling. The design brief called for a bike which offers a geometry fitting of the urban cyclist, taking into account the need for clear forward vision and so it offers a relatively upright seating position. Added to this, the diamond shape of the rear seat and chain stay area isn't just cosmetic. Working with the fully carbon front fork, it's designed and tuned to remove the harsh vibrations and buzz of riding on poor surfaces and gravel paths. While ensuring that the rider is kept comfortable and relaxed, the rest of the bike works to create an agile, reactive, but ultimately safe riding experience. Furthering the thought processes on urban use, as much as the componentry as possible has been seamlessly integrated into the bike rather than attached to it to deter and minimise component theft when left unattended.  My final thoughts on the 2024 Orbea Diem The new 2024 Orbea Diem is a little marvel in a market saturated with bikes being designed to grab the attention of urban and leisure riders. An incredibly well thought out machine with enough punch to propel any rider up a mountain with the battery capacity to back it, its still light and manoeuvrable enough to dodge cars, pedestrians and wayward pets around the city. Although the very top end Orbea Diem 10 might be more bike than the majority will want or need, the Diem 30 and 20 are going to have lots of its competitors taking a look at the scales and reconsidering what's possible in this weight class and at its ÂŁ3,499 starting point.   Take a look at the 2024 Orbea Diem in action  We'd like to take this opportunity to thank our friends at Orbea HQ in Spain and their representatives here in the UK for their time and outstanding hospitality which made this review possible. Their continued support of E-Bikeshop with their products, aftercare and everything which happens behind the scenes is what makes it possible for us to continue providing their exceptional quality bikes to our customers in the UK and beyond. If you'd like to show your support for Spain's top bike manufacturer and help progress a wholly cooperatively owned business still hand building and painting their beautifully crafted frames, you can buy a new 2024 Orbea Diem today.Â
Old bike, new tricks. The 2024 Cube Touring Hybrid model range is as almost as old as e-bikes themselves yet with continual model development it returns each year with new components and specification to keep it at the very forefront of hybrid and leisure riding at a value point which other brand just can't compete with.   2024 Cube Touring Hybrid Models. Which Cube Touring Hybrid is right for you? The Cube Touring Hybrid range is vast. So vast in fact that we don't stock them all because it would take up too much space even in our 170 bike showroom! The 2024 Cube Touring Hybrid is actually 6 different bikes, each with 3 different frame options and offered in alternate colours ways in 5 different sizes. The Cube Touring Hybrid name is found on 90 different bikes for 2024! The 6 different bikes offer varying levels of specification at individual price points, but we hand pick just the best value models which for this year, means we're stocking the 3 best options.  What's the difference between the 2024 Cube Touring Hybrid One, Pro and EXC? Cube make all of the their bikes in multiple specification options and the 2024 Cube Touring Hybrid model range is no different. With dozens of potential options, we trim the range down to just the best value models to make life easier for our customers. Those new to eBikes can find the choice of bikes very confusing so we aim to take out the hard work but hand picking the models we know will best suit the largest proportion of riders, while ensuring we offer the best possible value for money in them models picked by our experts each year. The 2024 Touring Hybrid One is their entry level bike, designed for newer or "lighter use" riders. Those who often only do shorter rides of sub-50 miles, mostly stick to paved or hard pack surfaces, don't carry much on the bike or otherwise wont be out on it every day will find that the One model has everything they need (and possible a little more too!). The Touring Hybrid One covers most riding at a price point which makes sense for less frequent or demanding riders. The 2024 Touring Hybrid Pro is often the most highly sought after and most sold model in their range each year. Offering an increase in brake, suspension and gear component value, it lends itself to those who like to be out every weekend, taking in the tracks, trails and countryside views as readily as carrying a weeks worth of shopping on its frame integrated pannier rack. Since this is the most common type of leisure style electric bike rider, it also offers the best value to most. Up from the Pro model, the 2024 Cube Touring Hybrid EXC offers a modest jump in specification for just a small increase in cost. The first in the model line to get 12 gears and 4 piston brakes, hills become flatter and it'll pull you, your bike and its luggage to a stop quickly and easily, even in the worst conditions. Easy Entry, Uni, or Crossbar? As well as multiple specification and colour options, Cube also produce the 2024 Touring Hybrid models in multiple frame styles and there really is no right or wrong answer on this part. Its entirely personal preference, but there are a few things which are worthwhile considering. The Crossbar model, normally seen as a "men's" bike offers the traditional horizontal crossbar. The Trapeze or "Uni" frame still has a crossbar, but its positioned much lower, which dramatically reduces the stand-over height of the bike. The Easy Entry or "Easy" has no crossbar at all and is great for those with issues with mobility or range of motion. When purchasing a bike, especially as riders get older, its worthwhile considering how long you plan to keep the bike and where you see your abilities in the next 8-10 years (or more!) that these bikes are designed to last. Problems with knees, hips and backs rarely ease with age and in most cases they will continue to decline, even if only very slowly. If you can just about get a leg over a crossbar right now, would it be worth while considering a Uni or Easy frame now, rather than potentially trading it in much earlier than would have you seeing the best value from it? A full Crossbar, Uni or Easy Entry option is available on all our of stocked models. New updates from Bosch for 2024 The 2024 Cube Touring Hybrid range has once again undergone a complete overhaul for the new model year. Much of this is directly influenced by the introduction by Bosch of their new "Smart System" technology. As well as yet another brand new frame (it was only updated last year!), the motor, which is still the same well trusted Bosch Performance Line Generation 3 powerplant they've been using for many years, has now had a major update and offers and increased 75Nm of torque - only 10 less than their most powerful Generation 4 Performance CX! As well as the new motor, there are now two new display systems being used on the 2024 Cube Touring Hybrid models. 2024 Cube Touring Hybrid Models Manufacturing nearly 200 models each year, we trim the Cube Touring Hybrid range down to the best value options most suited to the type of people who ride them most. Below are the models we've hand picked for the 2024 model year.  Cube Touring Hybrid One 500 2024 The entry level model in the 2024 Cube Touring Hybrid range but packing some exceptional features for its price point, the Touring Hybrid One gets an 11-36t Shimano Alivio 9 speed gear set up, MT200 hydraulic brakes and a plush set of 63mm travel Suntour forks. The Bosch Generation 3 motor and 500Wh battery make this a truly exceptional value leisure bike and weekly shop carrier. At ÂŁ2,499, you'll struggle to find another Gen 3 powered bike offering the same specification. Learn more about the Cube Touring Hybrid One 500 Crossbar, Touring Hybrid One 500 Uni or Touring Hybrid One 500 Easy. Cube Touring Hybrid Pro 625 2024 The mid tier model in the range, the 2024 Touring Hybrid Pro offers a significant jump in specification for only a modest extra outlay. On top of the specification of the Touring Hybrid One riders get a suspension seat post, Intuvia 100 display screen, adjustable stem, wider range rear cassette, a frame integral rack and of course a 625Wh battery. All of this extra specification comes at only ÂŁ400 more than the entry level model, with the Pro costing ÂŁ2,899. It also comes in two colours! Learn more about the Cube Touring Hybrid Pro 625 Crossbar, Touring Hybrid Pro 625 Uni or Touring Hybrid Pro 625 Easy. Cube Touring Hybrid EXC 625 2024 Our top specification model for this year, the 2024 Cube Touring Hybrid EXC is engineered to outlast and outride its competitors at a price-point which others simply don't compete with. Including all of the specification of the Pro model, it also adds air suspension, a Shimano XT group set with ultra-wide ratio gearing to scale even the biggest of hills while fully loaded as well as a more powerful set of anchors to bring it all to a stop. Learn more about the Cube Touring Hybrid EXC 625 Crossbar, Touring Hybrid EXC 625 Uni or Touring Hybrid EXC 625 Easy. Ready to buy your new 2024 Cube Touring Hybrid? The Cube Touring Hybrid range is always one of the best value bikes money can buy. No other models offer the same level of specification for the money and for this reason alone, they sell in their tens of thousands in Europe every year. With dozens of government backed investment plans into local and national infrastructure due to be implemented in 2024, there's never been a better time to get out and explore what the UK trails have to offer and you can see them all on a new 2024 Cube Touring Hybrid electric bike.Â
Taking advantage of the last of the UK summer sun and offering 54 riders the chance to ride the brand new 2023 Orbea Wild and Rise models, we headed to Queen Elizabeth Country Park in the Hampshire countryside for a day of thrills, spills and laughter on some of the best bikes in the business. Here's how the fully booked event went. 2023 Orbea Wild and 2023 Orbea Rise Demo at QECP  With Covid-19 lockdowns having put a halt to Owners Club Rides and Demo days for over 2 years, it was great to be back out on the trails with customers. There's a completely different dynamic to being out in the wild with current and potential customers which just isn't achievable in a store setting - it really brings out the fun of mountain biking and QECP is a great place for it. Queen Elizabeth Country Park Known to local riders as QECP or just "QE", Queen Elizabeth Country Park is a 1400 acre woodland park in the the South Downs National Park and includes Buster Hill, the highest point in the South Downs at 886ft. The park contains several locally well regarded, way-marked/graded and well maintained mountain bike trails, along with dozens of "pirate" trails created by many years of multi-generational mountain bikers. Despite having ridden almost every inch of it over the last 15 years, rocking up at the gates at 7.30am was still a first for me. Having driven there while the sun was still coming up, seeing the mist hovering in the canopy and morning dew on the grassy areas at the bottom was a welcoming sight, as were the friendly faces of Dom and Lee from Orbea and Factory Pro rider Ben Moore, who had flown over from Spain where he now lives full time especially for our event.  2023 Orbea Wild and Orbea Rise in the Paddock Set up in the gravel area outside of Southern E-Bike Rentals, the Orbea stand is as commanding as it is colourful, with all of the shiny new Wild and Rise models neatly lined up, clean and raring to go. The bikes on offer for the day were; 2023 Orbea Wild M-Team The brand new and award winning 2023 Orbea Wild M-Team, all painted in custom Orbea MyO custom colours looked incredible in the sunshine. Their carbon frame, fitted with the latest Bosch Generation 4 motor with 85Nm of torque and a 750Wh battery makes them the perfect tool to attack the steep climbs of QECP, especially in the winter when it can turn into a bit of a bog in some places. The Kashima coated Fox 38 Float Factory Forks, Float X2 Rear shock and a full XT group set place this bike firmly in the top end of current eBike technology.  2023 Orbea Rise M-Team Also available to ride on the day was the 2023 Orbea Rise M-Team. Painted in custom MyO colours and a personal favourite, QECP is a place where the Rise models should be right at home. The 2023 M-Team variant uses the Shimano EP8 motor with Orbea's own custom RS Tuning, Kashima coated Fox 36 Float Factory forks, their Float X shock and also uses Shimano's complete XT group set only on this model, its the Di2 electric shift version.  Your Orbea Demo Day Team The day was expertly set up and run by Lee and Dom from Orbea UK. Orbea, as with their bikes, put a huge amount of effort into their demo days. As well as arriving the day before to set up their huge Orbea branded marquees, both Lee and Dom were on hand throughout the day to help get riders set up and ready for their ride, including fitting supplied or customers own pedals and suspension tuning to get the most of out of the bike on the trails. Also along for the day was Ben Moore. Flying in from Spain for the event, Ben is an Orbea Global Factory Team Pro rider. He's also an "Urban Downhill Pro and top notch flapjack eater". His enthusiasm for the brand mirroring my own and his eagerness to do everything from set up bikes for the riders, lead rides and even replace a derailleur which ended up not attached where it should have been added an immense level of value and fun to the day. Having an impressive list of victories to his name, he's also not unused to nor bad in front of a camera, which is never a bad thing!  What the riders had to say After getting the very excited riders set up, out of the stiles and up onto the trails, it gave us all time to grab a drink and anticipate the feedback while discussing some of our own riding stories and how the Wild and Rise models compares and excels against its competition. There wasn't a frown to be seen on the faces of riders coming back, with everyone having discovered something they loved, whether it was about the bikes or the new found ability to fly to the top and get in more of the faster, flowy downhill sections. We'll let them tell you in their own words in the video below. A special thanks is owed to Orbea for putting on the day for us, and Ben for flying over to take part in the day. These kind of events are often difficult or impossible to pull off to this extent with out the support and backing of our manufacturers, and they wouldn't exist at all without our enthusiastic demo riders - You!  If you're looking to get your hands on the latest Orbea eMTB models, there's no better place than at E-Bikeshop in Farnham, Surrey. We're the only dealer in the UK where it's normally possible to see the whole 2023 Orbea Wild and 2023 Orbea Rise in all colours and sizes all in one place. Give us a call or Book an Appointment to come and see them today.Â
Why are electric bikes so expensive and is it really worth paying more for a bike of a specific brand or with specific components? Do you really "get what you pay for", or, as some online comments often suggest, are bike manufacturers and their retailers just "ripping people off"? Can you build one "cheaper"? We'll break down the cost of a modern, European manufactured ebike and compare it, as most do, against its sub-ÂŁ1,500 competition. Why do electric bikes cost so much? Firstly, "expensive" is of course, subjective. Someone with millions in the bank will naturally find ÂŁ3,000-4,000+ for a new bike to be much "cheaper" than someone on minimum wage but it's not that simple - manufacturers aren't just targeting high earners with high prices to the exclusion of all others. Since 2020, prices have been rising in all areas of the market. The final RRP price of a bike, high or low, comes down to multiple factors; Raw materials Components Labour Location/Transport Aftercare/Warranty  Lets break these down; Raw Materials The base cost of raw materials has been rising steadily since before the start of Covid. Rubber for example, increased over by almost 100% from $1.05/kg to $2.00kg between 2020 and 2021. You can imagine what this does to the price of a set of tyres, and not just on bicycles. The same goes for everything else. Over the same period, the price of Steel jumped from $451 per ton to $811. Oil jumped from $16 a barrel to $116 a barrel and the world runs on the stuff.  Components This section actually ties in many of the other "reasons" into one. Raw materials, labour, transport and aftercare all has a knock on affect with the price of components and we've seen the prices on Shimano and other parts gradually increasing by a couple of percent each year. At manufacturer level this is compounded by all of the components suffering the same fate of globally increasing prices on everything at a rate faster than normal.  Labour Labour prices globally are continually on the rise and generally only a recession with massively increased levels of unemployment tends to bring the average down, where there are significantly more people than jobs. This hasn't really been the case since circa 2008 and so right now, wages are on the up. Along with everything else...  Location/Transport The location of a factory and the transport of finished goods to the end retailer has a big part to play in the final price of a product. Wages in the Far East are significantly less than the West and much of the raw materials also originate there and so pre-Covid, it made sense to manufacture components there and take advantage of the highly robust but also very cheap sea freight over to Europe for final assembly and addition of the largely German made drive systems. While Covid restrictions were in place, with less ships on the water and full containers paying more than empty, prices to ship a container from Malaysia (where Shimano manufacturing is based) to Europe went from $1,500 to over $20,000 in some cases. It also took longer to arrive. This was driven by lack of capacity and fewer empties being taken back to a country which like many Far Eastern territories relies on its export trade to function. No empties in means no stuff coming out. The less stuff comes out, the more it costs... This has for the most part settled down now, but its still more expensive than it used to be to move things around - especially with the price of oil still being at $80 a barrel at the time of writing.  Aftersales/Warranty I left this bit until last because although its not the most expensive portion of the price of a bikes RRP, its arguably one of the most important and normally completely overlooked by new riders at point of purchase. Bosch now have more than 650 registered service centres in the UK, and Yamaha aren't all that far behind. Their warranties are not only very good (2 years on all non-wear parts) but perhaps most importantly, the parts are generally readily available and cross compatible, making it far quicker and easier for shops to repair these systems. Offering such an iron-clad service for maintenance and repair does come at a cost. It means manufacturing at zero return and then storing tens of million of pounds worth of parts, "just in case". The companies making ÂŁ500-ÂŁ1,500 bikes are absolutely not doing this.  The difference between "cheap" and "expensive" electric bikes Not selling the entry level, low cost and low quality end of the market products is something we've always taken great pride in and so we actually have very little experience in them outside of taking dozens of calls a week from people complaining that theirs is broken! Typing in "electric bike" and hitting the search button on the two most popular online market places, I'm instantly served up a limitless list of sub ÂŁ1,500 ebikes. If they can make them for this price, how are Cube "getting away with" charging ÂŁ3,399 for their 2024 Kathmandu Hybrid One 750? Its not a secret. Its not rocket science and it certainly isn't a con. Cyclists aren't being "ripped off". In fact, in many cases you're more likely to be ripped off on a sub ÂŁ900 bike than on a bike of ÂŁ9,000+. How? Performance, reliability, longevity and post sales support. These four things are what the previously discussed raw materials, components, labour, location/transport and aftercare/warranty translate to for the end user - You.  Performance Generally speaking, the term "performance" is pretty wide reaching but what we're talking about here is how the bike performs against what it was designed to do. A folding bike is generally a lighter weight bike. Sub ÂŁ1500 versions are generally around 20-25kg because steel is far cheaper than the specially formulated alloy/carbon bikes. Cheaper versions can be harder and take longer to fold or require things taking off. A mountain bike should be capable of taking on the roughest of off-road trails and so the much cheaper ones, made to a slim budget, aren't expected to last as long as a ÂŁ5,000+ full carbon framed bike with suspension from Fox or Rockshox. Top end Fox front forks alone cost more than many entry level bikes because their performance characteristics (off the back of decades of R&D in world stage racing) come at a price point which just isn't achievable for less.  As well as the overall level of components and function of the bike, an electric bike wouldn't be electric without its motor/drive system and the entry level bikes tend to use unbranded motors and batteries from Far Eastern companies who you've probably never heard of. You'll also likely find their performance data (torque output and battery range) either lacking from what you were promised, or well above what the law permits in the UK. On top of this, they have have a bit of a smoking problem that "expensive" bikes don't suffer with. You'll be exceptionally hard pressed to find a Bosch, Yamaha or other top drive system fitted on a sub-ÂŁ1,800 bike unless its heavily discounted in a sale. More on that a bit later on...  Reliability No one wants to be left stranded at the side of the road. Likewise, no one wants to be in and out of their dealer for repairs on something which was supposed to make their life easier, healthier or otherwise better. Sub ÂŁ1500 bikes are widely known to not be anywhere near as reliable as those at the ÂŁ2,000+ price point. This bit is really quite simple and you've probably already heard the saying "buy cheap, buy twice" - that's exactly where we're heading with this... The cheaper bikes tend to use much lower quality components which have gone through considerably less (if any) product development and testing when compared to the 102 years Shimano have under their belt. Their batteries also tend to fail much earlier and their wiring systems can be unrefined and difficult to work on. So bad is the problem of reliability of some of the very cheap bike models in their supplying countries that there are now "bike graveyards" springing up, with owners dumping their bikes in their tens of thousands out of frustration with lack of support or parts available to repair them, or where its simply cheaper to throw it away and buy a new bike. It's a bit of an industry "dirty secret" and we don't see it here in the UK where they tend to just end up in smaller numbers at local waste recycling centres or left locked up somewhere, never to be ridden again.  Longevity/Post sales support Again, this is where the real value lies and the investment in a ÂŁ2,000+ bike really starts to pay dividends. Longevity All of our bikes (and many of those from the brands we don't stock here at E-Bikeshop) at this price point are designed to last a minimum of 8-10 years with very little in the way of unnecessary or difficult fuss, maintenance and hassle. Most of the sub ÂŁ1,500 bike manufacturers have been in business for less than 5 years and many for as little as just a few months at the point they launch a bike using unbranded motors, batteries and brakes/gears. These are all of the things you rely on the most to get the use and value from your bike.  All of our bikes are made from either alloy or carbon fibre, so their frames will never rust. Their motors are made by companies with over 15 years development. Bosch have been around since 1886 and are unlikely to disappear in the next 10. The rest of the components on the bike are also from companies with lengthy history in the bike industry and you'll find their components on everything from ordinary leisure bikes to the world stage at the Tour de France and Olympics.  Post Sales Support. This is where the real value of a better quality/higher priced bike starts to make itself obvious and paying a higher price for a better bike, pays itself off. Using components from the top manufacturers like Shimano, SRAM and Magura for brakes and gears as well as Yamaha, Shimano and Bosch for motor/drive systems means that should you ever need repair or routine maintenance, the parts will be readily available to you not just from us but from almost any bike shop, anywhere in the world. A customer can purchase a bike from us here in the UK and we can ship it to Sydney in Australia but what if they have a Bosch speed sensor issue 6 months into ownership? Its the same as here in the UK. There are 61 Bosch service centres in Sydney alone. Taking it on Holiday to France? Even better. There are 1496 Bosch accredited service centres there too and the number is growing globally every day as more retailers see the value in only stocking things they can repair. On the opposite end of the scale, we take several dozen calls each week from people who have purchased a sub ÂŁ1,500 bike online and within a few months (weeks, in some cases) have a problem. Having normally bought it through online only businesses who conveniently almost never have a telephone number, they're struggling to get support and turn in desperation to local bike shops for help. The often highly frustrating downside to this is that most bike shops can't and in all honestly, don't want to help unless it was something they supplied. The onus of support and repair is on the company who already pocketed your profit but now can't/doesn't want to help. In fact, in many cases, they're not even bike businesses. Its just a small team in a warehouse full of cheap bikes chucking them into delivery vans each day and even if they wanted to help, they often seem to know next to nothing about them!  To make matters worse, parts and spares for these bikes are in about as good supply as their support offering. Effectively, there normally isn't any. You pay your money and if it works, great. If it doesn't, you throw it in the bin and start again. Some spares like chains, brake pads etc are generally easy to find but if you have an issue with the drive system it normally spells "new bike day". Suddenly, that ÂŁ1,500 bargain bike is being replaced and if you spend another ÂŁ1,500, will it happen again? Regardless, you could have bought a next to bombproof Cube Touring Hybrid Pro for that ÂŁ3,000. Or, recognising the value in a good quality bike, do you spend that full ÂŁ3,000 now, taking your total investment in eBikes to ÂŁ4,500? That ÂŁ4,500 could have bought you a Haibike AllMtn CF 12, currently on sale at ÂŁ4,299 down from ÂŁ5,899. Or worse. It puts you off them altogether...  "Building or converting your own ebike is less expensive" This argument is actually absolutely true and offers a really cool level of flexibility, especially on custom built bikes like choppers, cruisers and all the strange and wonderful things (including lots of very old models) people can dream up and there's a hugely diverse following for these kind of bikes. Despite riding a top of the range Haibike Trekking model to and from work, our technician Steve here also owns an electric bike he built himself; It can be significantly cheaper to build an ebike than to buy one. The downside is that your whole drive system is almost certainly going to be coming from the same place as the sub-ÂŁ1,500 bikes and the level (lack of) of support is very often going to be the same. Bafang, the largest and most well known supplier of retrofit kits are now very well respected in the DIY community and appear to be starting to compete with the other major players in terms of performance and reliability, however their parts and spares capability is still catered for mostly from the Far East. Getting parts and spares normally means a trawl on Alibaba or other Chinese wholesale site, can take weeks to arrive and lots of bike shops wont touch anything they didn't build themselves and so you're almost always going to be very much on your own with this kind of route. Yes, its cheaper to buy all the bits, but adding in the time to modify your current frame, build the kit and then maintain it will eventually be outweighed by the cost and future support value of a purpose-designed ebike from a reputable dealer. There is also the satisfaction of having done it yourself and for many, this is a key factor in the conversion of a bike. Sadly, at any price, this isn't something we can sell to a customer! We love seeing some of the crazy things people build online but because the support for their parts and spares doesn't meet the minimum standards we expect of our manufacturers, its not something we would ever involve ourselves in.  So, are electric bikes really that expensive? If you've ever felt like electric bike are expensive, you wont be on your own, for whatever reason it is. Are electric bikes expensive? Well good ones aren't necessarily cheap and they're a lot more expensive if you make the mistake of buying one twice. Many of our customers come to us with the feeling that eBikes are expensive, but many of them have also been bitten by a "cheap" one and felt bitter about it, so much so they've put off buying another, which is a huge shame. The sub ÂŁ1,500 bargain they purchased on eBay or Amazon from a seller they've never heard of and doesn't have a physical shop was later inevitably not able to support the bike the way a proper bike shop can, and they ended up with an expensive garage ornament that they've felt pretty upset about. What they've since found is that by purchasing a bike from a European or other well known manufacturer built using industry leading and well recognised components and from a proper bike business with a physical location and easily reachable support is that even in the much lower likelihood of something going wrong, they're always safe in the knowledge that they have the support there when they need it, and the parts are almost always readily available whether at their own dealer, or away.  In summary No, eBikes which cost as much as or even more than a reasonable second hand car aren't expensive if you you consider more than just the initial purchase price. More often than not a bike which some would consider "cheap" to buy often ends up being the opposite in the long run. Its also worth bearing in mind that if you can't see the value in a particular bike, IE, you're a mountain biker but think ÂŁ14,000 for bike is ridiculous then its highly likely that the bike in question wasn't designed with you in mind, and that's absolutely ok. Bikes with these kind of price tags are aimed at the very highest/competing skill level riders, where its expected that these kind of riders will get the best out of the top end performance componentry and wouldn't ride anything less. In paying more for your first or next eBike, you're investing in something which was designed from the very outset to not only be the best and most reliable version of what it is, but also includes complete product lifecycle support at almost all good independent bike shops. When looked after, they're more than capable of seeing out at least 8-10 years of service before requiring anything major and many of our customers who purchased eBikes from us when we first moved over to selling only electric bikes back in 2012, are still bringing them in for annual service in 2023!  If you're looking for a super reliable and exceptional long term value electric bike with a globally recognised warranty and after sales support, you could do far worse than taking a look at our wide range of Electric Bikes for all types of riders. Â
There's something quite special about being able to design your own bike - especially when it costs absolutely nothing. You read that right. You can custom paint your brand new 2023 Orbea Wild and 2023 Orbea Rise in millions of combinations and it wont cost you a penny above the normal RRP! Lets take a look at the options for 2023 Orbea Wild and 2023 Orbea Rise MyO bikes and how E-Bikeshop offers the easiest, best and fastest way to get your MyO bike. TLDR; We have good levels of remaining allocations for MyO bikes with short lead times and the full list is near the bottom of this article...  What is Orbea MyO? The Orbea MyO is Orbea's own customisation tool which allows riders to not only custom paint their new bike, but also adjust some of the specification to their preferred component or to better suit their riding needs. This can either be done via Orbea directly (with the bike shipped to their chosen dealer), or directly through your Orbea dealer. We'll cover how to do this a little later on. Not only are many of the component swaps free, those which are upgrades above the normal specification are only charged at the price difference. At the end of the process, you can export your new bike as a PDF to keep or take to your dealer to order.   What can you change in Orbea MyO? Paint Every Orbea MyO Wild and Rise bike is hand painted with incredible care and precision. Each of these models is actually made of at least half a dozen different painted "sections" and the colour of these can all be chosen from their customisation charts, allowing potentially millions of combinations and riders to choose something understated, lairy, bright, bold but always unique. This part is completely free. We "painted" this demo version in E-Bikeshop colours for this article.  SpecificationAs well as being able to paint the bike how you like, you can also change the specification. Wheels and tyres, bars and brakes, seat posts, batteries, displays and suspension can all be swapped out from the bikes standard specification and replaced with Orbea's own suggested replacements. Not only does this allow much greater flexibility for riders, but they also only charge the difference in price between the standard and the upgraded component. Some are even free! On the 2023 Carbon (M) Rise variants, you can also elect to switch the battery from 360Wh to the new, larger 540Wh version.    Why should you choose MyO over a stock bike? With some manufacturers having a market share so big that you can easily find half a dozen people at your local bike park all riding the same bike in the same colour, Orbea MyO offers their riders something truly special and unique. As well as being able to express yourself through your custom designed bike, it offers a great value tool for specification changes. Lots of riders have their own preference of components and no manufacturer can account for all rider preferences. With the Orbea MyO tool, components like suspension often have three or more choices, allowing riders to find something better suited to their own riding style or component preference. No more having to buy the shock you want in advance of receiving your bike in the hope you can flog the stock one on eBay for at least half it's RRP! With some manufacturers having such a huge market share that its not uncommon to rock up to your local trail centre and find handfuls of people riding the same bike in the same colour you can be quietly confident that your bike, is yours.   How do you get your Orbea MyO bike? There are two ways to get your hands on a brand new 2023 Orbea Wild or 2023 Orbea Rise through the MyO platform. The hardest/longest way.. Anyone can order a MyO bike at any time via the Orbea website. You simply select the model you want to start with as the "base", select a size, and then complete your specification of paint and parts. The downside is that all Orbea bikes must be shipped via a dealer. They don't deal "direct to consumer" because they want to make sure all of their bikes are handed over or delivered to the customer in nothing but absolutely perfect, ready to ride condition with a full handover and set up where possible. The reason this is the most difficult and will come with the longest lead times is that you will always be joining the back of the queue. If (and its a big "if", because MyO bikes sell out quickly at the start of the model year) you can get one, you can often expect lead times of between 6 and 12 months to get your bike. It's still worth it, but there's a better way... The easiest/fastest way.At E-Bikeshop, we pre-order "MyO frame blanks" at the start of the year - something which very few dealers bother with. This means that we always have bare MyO frames waiting/pre-programmed into production. As well as speeding up the order/arrival process, we can also ship them anywhere in the world, so its not even necessary to have a dealer close by to get yours. In short, if you didn't already order one at the start of the year, E-Bikeshop is likely to be the fastest way to get your new 2023 Orbea Wild or 2023 Orbea Rise via the MyO platform.   What MyO options do E-Bikeshop have left for 2023? Despite already being half way into model year 2023, we still have a small portion of our pre-ordered MyO frames left, but time is running to supply a specification for them. We must supply 45 days notice of their specification prior to their expected production and shipping date. Here is our list of 2023 Orbea MyO frame blanks, available for immediate specification and their current build date (they would be expected to land with us 1 week later). Each date represents one available bike, unless specified; 2023 Orbea Rise M10 MyO Small Frame30th August 2023 (Order before 19th July)18th September 2023 (Order before 7th August) Medium Frame29th August 2023 (Order before 18th July)18th September 2023 (Order before 7th August) Large Frame25th September 2023 (Order before 14th August)9th October 2023 (Order before 28th August)16th October 2023 (x2) (Order before 4th September)23rd October 2023 (Order before 11th September) You can find the regular 2023 Orbea Rise M10 here 2023 Orbea Rise M-Team MyO Small Frame11th September 2023 (Order before 31st July) Medium Frame18th September 2023 (Order before 7th August) Large Frame18th September 2023 (Order before 7th August) You can find the regular 2023 Orbea Rise M-Team here 2023 Orbea Rise M-Ltd MyO Large Frame25th September (x2) (Order before 14th August) Extra Large Frame25th September (x2) (Order before 14th August) You can find the regular 2023 Orbea Rise M-LTD here 2023 Orbea Wild M10 MyO Large Frame2nd October 2023 (Order before 21st August) Extra Large Frame2nd October 2023 (Order before 21st August) You can find the regular 2023 Orbea Wild M10 here 2023 Orbea Wild M-Team MyO Large Frame23rd October 2023 (Order before 11th September)13th November 2023 (Order before 2nd October) Extra Large Frame25th October 2023 (Order before 13th September) You can find the regular 2023 Orbea Wild M-Team here  Ready to order your new 2023 Orbea MyO bike? We don't actively advertise these "blank frames" on our website, but there's a couple of ways you can get your name on one for this year; Orbea's own websiteHead over to the Orbea MyO platform and pick your model from the frames we have available above. Complete your specification and at the end, select E-Bikeshop as your chosen dealer. Your specification will be sent to us and we'll be in touch to finalise the details and arrange payment. Get in touch with us directlyContacting us direct is a great way to get a 2023 Orbea MyO bike if you're not within a reasonable travel distance. Remember, you don't need to be in the UK to get a MyO bike from E-Bikeshop. We ship to 154 countries and can send your bike onwards (EX VAT if outside of the UK). We already have established routes for most of Europe, the USA, Australia, Hong Kong and other East Asian countries. The only place we can't currently get a bike to is Brunei. Sorry - their rules not ours! Visit us Book an appointment to come and see us at our showroom in Surrey where we normally have around 50 Orbea bikes on display at any one time and we'll be more than happy to walk you through the whole process, including advice on any component changes to suit your preferred riding. Â
Finally, we're starting to see the return of normality on some models in the bike industry and as a result, many retailers have a problem that for the most part, we bought on ourselves... If you're still on the fence about whether a 2022 Orbea Rise is right for you, you might like our previous feature on Full Fat Vs Lightweight ebikes, or the full model feature on the Orbea Rise models. Why are we seeing mass discounting of 2022 Orbea Rise models? During 2020 (when Rise was launched), bike retailers were doing a years worth of business in as little as every 3 months. When orders were placed for 2022 model stock back in spring 2021, demand was still off the charts and many dealers who didn't predict the inevitable return to normality massively over-egged their orders. In turn, the manufacturers over-produced. We asked, they delivered. Now, with demand having dropped to just above what we saw pre-Covid (like pre-Jurassic, this is apparently a recognised measure of time now!), these bikes have been produced and are ready to roll, split between dealers warehouses and sitting at Orbea's factory in Spain. Unfortunately, the market hasn't been so eager with a poor start to the summer weather here in the UK and as a result, there's a bit of a run on the price of some models and the 2022 Rise is one of them. Consumers aren't silly and of course, they're eager for the best deal. Why is right now is the time to buy a Rise? The 2022 Orbea Rise was the better bike. There. I said it. It comes down to just two things which we'll go into further a bit later on; The Bike. The latest 2023 model is as all Orbea's are, an incredible bike and no-one would be disappointed with one if the preferred model/size/colour from 2022 is already sold out. The colours and overall fit and finish are fantastic and the specification is arguably still better than all of their competition. There were however a few specification alternations between 2022 and 2023 which in some cases have flown under the radar but more discerning riders might have spotted and for this reason, the 2022 Orbea Rise has been flying out of stores at ever reducing prices while stock exists. The Price. The price was raised for the 2023 Orbea Rise models because of the normal annual rises in raw materials, production and transport. In short, like all manufacturers, Orbea put the price up because it costs more to make it now. By this point, the 2022 Rise had already paid its way when things were a bit cheaper with Orbea already having agreed its component prices over a year prior. Better specification on the 2022 Orbea Rise There were a few changes to the specification which only those who know the full product and component family layout might have spotted, but we'll run them off here for you to see in the plainest form;  Rise M20 - The entry level model and very little change. The bars and seat post were changed for 2023 to bring them in line with Orbea's own newly designed items. Rise M10 - Normally the best value model in the range when considering specification against price and factoring in the skill level of an average rider and also saw the highest level of change. For 2023 it dropped from Shimano XT to Shimano SLX level brakes. It also lost its Raceface handlebars and stem in favour of Orbea branded items and its Raceface Turbine wheelset replaced by Orbea's own brand new OQUO items (which have been reviewed very well!). Rise M-Team - How you feel about the changes to the M-Team depend on who you are and how you look at it. Absolute top specification Shimano XTR group set is dropped in favour of a Shimano XT (next model down) setup on the 2023 version, but, its the swanky electric shift Di2 version. The Raceface bars, stem and wheels are replaced with the same items as used on the M10. Rise M-Ltd - Very few changes on this. The Raceface components are again swapped out with Orbea's own top end componentry for 2023, but it retains its Fox Transfer SL Kashima dropper. Better pricing on the 2022 Orbea Rise With prices having gone up for 2023 but Orbea and their retailers being in a period of overstock currently, prices on 2022 models have been tumbling which only widens the value gap between the two model years. Bearing in mind the marginally better specification of the 2022 models, here's a breakdown of prices on our website right now; Rise M20Orbea Rise M20 2023 - RRP ÂŁ6,499Orbea Rise M20 2022 - Was ÂŁ5,899, now ÂŁ4,099. Saving of ÂŁ2,400 over the current model Rise M10Orbea Rise M10 2023 - RRP ÂŁ7,999Orbea Rise M10 2022 - Was ÂŁ7,499, now ÂŁ5,199. Saving of ÂŁ2,800 over the current model Rise M-TeamOrbea Rise M-Team 2023 - RRP ÂŁ9,299Orbea Rise M-Team 2022 - Was ÂŁ8,799, now ÂŁ6,099. Saving of ÂŁ3,200 over the current model Rise M-LtdOrbea Rise M-Ltd 2023 - RRP ÂŁ9,999Orbea Rise M-Ltd 2022 - Was ÂŁ9,599, now ÂŁ6,699. Saving of ÂŁ3,300 over the current model Will 2022 Orbea Rise models get any cheaper? In short, not without significant losses. Right now, most dealers (including E-Bikeshop) involved in this mass discounting are selling them at cost price, save for enough margin to cover off their cost of sale. Things like the time it takes to build, inspect and do any software updates, shipping and packaging, costs associated with those who purchase using a cycle to work scheme or interest free finance (which retailers actually pay for) are built in but otherwise, there is no room to drop further on these, making this the time to bag one. How sustainable is the pricing on 2022 Orbea Rise? This is not at all sustainable. No-one wins a "race to the bottom" which is why top retailers generally try to avoid it, especially on high quality brands like Orbea where they really are worth every penny of their ordinary RRP and discounts only tend to come about as a result of situations like the current one. This is a short term solution to a short term problem which is likely to self-resolve once dealers have cleared their overstocks. Its worth considering where you purchase your ultra-discounted 2022 Orbea Rise from. Electric bikes are a specialist product which requires specialist support. The initial purchase of the bike is just the first step in your ebike journey. A company which sells most or all of their bikes at next to cost price will rarely have anything left in the pot to support them, if they manage to stay around at all. E-Bikeshop is a specialist in electric bikes and we've shipping bikes globally for more than 13 years and an Orbea dealer since 2018. All of its staff are industry experts in the products we sell and parts and spares are held in direct stock for almost anything a customer could need for ordinary maintenance and most repairs. Yet still, it Rises. Its by now well known that I'm a massive Orbea fan and I've been flicking between riding my road going Orbea Orca M20LTD and the Rise M10 for over 2 years now and its been a fantastic machine. One of the first off the production line at the back end of 2020, its seen a lot of action. Here it is half way up the Red at Queen Elizabeth Country Park, which I'm fortunate enough to live very near to; Less aggressive and more risk averse than I was when I was younger and a bounced a bit better, its the perfect all rounder for those who like to ride super fast trails, carve out berms and whoop those on heavier bikes up the hills. With nothing more than normal routine maintenance, cleaning and making sure the drivetrain is kept clean and lubricated (very sandy in our part of the country), its performed faultlessly and I full expect it to continue that way for many years to come and with the spec of the M10 having been so good at the time of release, I don't expect it to get left behind as the model evolves either. Here's what Orbea had to say when they launched the Orbea Rise models Ready to buy your discounted 2022 Orbea Rise? Head over to our dedicated Orbea Rise E-Bikes page where you can find the full range of 2022 and 2023 Rise models to compare. If you're still stuck, feel free to Contact Us or Book an Appointment to come and see them. With more than 80 Rise model variants in physical stock at time of writing and over 20 in the showroom, you wont find a larger selection available for immediately delivery outside of Orbea's own factory!Â
With a new model year comes yet more development from the worlds biggest mainstream electric bike motor and drive system manufacturer. A product of continual innovation, for model year 2024 Bosch are bringing to market more updates, clever tools and brand new products to complement the new Smart System updates already launched for 2023. What new products are Bosch launching for 2024 electric bikes? Bosch always like to surprise us and the 2024 product launch is no exception. Even at the back of our minds, believing we must be due one soon, along with a couple of new display options and a brand new battery set up, for the first time in several years we're finally getting a brand new motor from Bosch for 2024! New 2024 Bosch Performance Line SX motor Aimed at the lightweight category and looking to compete with the likes of the Shimano EP8/EP801 and the EP6, the new Fazua Ride 60 and the TQ HPR50, the 2024 Bosch Performance Line SX is Smart System enabled and will likely start appearing on bikes at early as Autumn 2023. LightweightThe new Bosch Performance Line SX motor comes in at sub 2kg which is unheard of for a Bosch eBike motor previously. This new tech not only allows a smaller and lighter shell, but it also allows bike manufactures to integrate the motors in new ways.  Up to 600 Watts250w nominal (UK legal limit) but peaking at 600w with an output of 55Nm and weighing in at just under 2kg, its brand new "Sprint Mode" will mirror technology already on offer from Shimano. This new mode is designed to directly mimic the riders input and offer a more natural, sporty ride without overstepping its mark and will suit riders who want a lightweight bike to complement their ride in a more intuitive way.  New Sprint ModeThis cadence based assistance program is designed to offer eGravel and urban riders more dynamic support when they need it most although its application will lend itself well to lighter weight full suspension bikes. New 2024 Bosch Purion 200 display Having neglected to include the old Purion in the latest Bosch Smart System update, for the current model year we've seen many entry level bikes arriving with just the LED Remote as a "display" option. While the LED Remote doesn't offer anything in the way of real time data, users could still use their mobile phone and the Bosch eBike flow app as a cycle computer. The new Bosch Purion 200 solves this gap in the Bosch product line. Looking strikingly similar to the existing LED Remote, the new Purion 200 uses the same button layout on the left hand side but now incorporates a really neat 1.6" colour display & will be an easy "plug 'n' play" upgrade for any bikes already on the market with just the LED Remote. New 2024 Bosch Kiox 500 display Bigger = BetterLarger than the current Kiox launched in the last product range update, the new Bosch Kiox 500 display builds on an already intuitive eBike control system but offers a much larger display area for better visibility of its best features. Fitness and NavigationDesigned around maximising the benefits of the satellite navigation and fitness tracking tools, the new Bosch Kiox 500 will suit those riding further and in unfamiliar territory, or looking to push the boundaries of their fitness and move up to the next level. This data can be fed during or post ride to most of the top fitness apps. Your Bike. Your Way.The larger display now also offers the ability to tailor the display layout to better suit each individual riders needs. Riders can select what is visible on the 'home screen' allowing for a clutter-free experience. New 2024 Bosch PowerMore 250 Although dual batteries aren't new to Bosch, the brand new Bosch PowerMore 250 offers an easy to add/remove, completely portable bottle cage sized range extender very similar to those already on offer from the manufacturers of Shimano and Mahle systems. This clever, user friendly system is easily added to the bike when you need the extra range, and removed when you need to shave some weight. 1.6Kg, to be precise. The new PowerMore 250 extender battery is neat and compact in design, similar to a bikes water bottle for example it is 20cm long and only about 8cm wide. New 2024 Bosch Dual Battery system Finally, the return of the Bosch Dual battery system! Featured on lots of our bikes (Haibike, Scott and Orbea had previously taken advantage of this technology on pre-2023 models) prior to the 2023 Bosch Smart System update, the option vanished for a while and very little was said by Bosch about it. Now, for 2024 the Bosch Dual Battery system returns (on compatible bikes) for those who cover longer distances or transport heavy goods. This has initially been depicted by Bosch as a link-up of their Powertube battery range and the new Bosch PowerMore 250, which would mean that with their largest 750Wh PowerTube battery, the maximum theoretical capacity on offer immediately for manufacturers who build their bikes with it in mind (and we think that at least one of our manufacturers has already done this and they're in store now!), would be 1,000Wh. This figure is a little down on the previously achievable 1125Wh using the internally mounted 625Wh PowerTube and a frame mounted 500Wh PowerPack, but with Bosch's own figures, the new combo has a potential range of over 200 miles on a full charge, and who needs more than that?! New 2024 Bosch PowerPack 400 & 500 Rack We thought we had seen the last of these very many years ago, but now they're back. Normally found on more entry level bikes, the PowerPack rack batteries were favoured by many for their ease of fitting/removal and the ability to keep costs down when designing frames. Fitted into the rear luggage/pannier rack of the bike, they were a common feature on leisure/touring/hybrid style bikes and we expect this will be the same when they return on model year 2024 bikes although we can see a possibility of Cargo style bikes making use of them too. Given that they're only being launched in 400Wh & 500Wh varieties, unless they do later appear on Cargo models we expect these are being targeted at the lower end of the market, but that's no bad thing at all if it allows manufacturers to bring bike prices down and capture more riders on a Bosch driven product.   Watch The Latest 2024 Seminar From Bosch Bosch is launching the new 2024 Bosch eBike system today on YouTube with a live seminar. Watch below: Our thoughts on the new 2024 Bosch eBike Systems Quite literally light years ahead of the competition when it comes to product development, especially with their display systems, we love and eagerly anticipate receiving the Bosch Dealer Package each year. Not only are they always surprising us with new features, they're never a gimmick. Their "real-world" usable products are always something our customers get great value from. The ability to be able to use your screen on your bike as a SatNav either in "free ride" or by importing maps or GPX files from your favourite cycling apps remains a Bosch exclusive, as does their Flow+ and Connect Module for worry free tracking and built in security alarm released in the last update. As well as fantastic products, Bosch offer industry leading diagnostic equipment and after sales support to their authorised dealers and support centres and we expect this to continue through to their new 2024 Bosch eBike Systems update.  A couple of quick answers to questions we expect in the coming days; When will these products be available?Given that model year 2023 is currently in full swing, we don't expect to see any availability of them prior to the launch of model year 2024 bikes which currently is expected to be around Autumn this year. Bosch will naturally prioritise bike manufacturers and so its unlikely we'll be able to buy any of these components directly (IE, not already fitted to a bike) until Spring 2024.  Can I fit the new Bosch Purion 200 and Bosch Kiox 500 display on my current bike?Yes, the new Purion 200 and Kiox 500 will be available to purchase as an upgrade from already fitted displays on bikes which already have the Bosch Smart system however as above, we don't expect to see any availability to purchase them separately from Bosch until Spring 2024. If you are unsure if your current bike is running on the latest Smart System software, there are a few easy ways to work this out. The Bosch Smart System product range was launched on model year 2022 bikes. If you bike is older than this, it will not be compatible. While the Smart System was launched on Model Year 2022 bikes, the previous system was still being produced and so if your bike came with a Bosch Purion, Intuvia (not Intuvia 100) or Kiox (not Kiox 300) display, your bike is not Smart System compatible and these displays will not work. Can I get the Bosch PowerMore 250 Range Extender for my current bike? The new Bosch PowerMore 250 is likely to have been communicated to bike manufacturers as much as 2 years ago, to give them enough time to build compatibility into their model year 2023 bikes if they wanted to. Right now, we don't have a compatibility list although we have seen some unusual bolts on downtubes which we didn't have an explanation for from the manufacturer (because these products have been under embargo until today, and we have only known for a week!). We'll update here when we know exactly which of our bikes will be compatible.  Can I change the motor in my bike to one of the new Bosch Smart System motors?This is unfortunately not possible. Frames for eBikes are designed by manufacturers specifically around the motor/battery combination and each motor has different mounting points/dimensions. This makes all of them incompatible with each other.  We hope you've found this article useful. If you're looking for your new Bosch driven electric bike, you can find more than 50 available in our Bosch eBike Range.  Â
The brand new Shimano CUES range of products seeks to consolidate almost all of their current "sub 12 speed" group sets into one, unified product range of directly cross-compatible components in an effort to simplify not just the supply chain, but the number of components bike stores need to keep in stock. This has to be the biggest scrappage and replacement of any product line in Shimano's very long history of brake and gear components and so its no wonder its such a divisive talking point in the industry right now. On the surface this seems like a great idea but it got us thinking... who does this actually best serve? Welcome to the most comprehensive rundown of the new Shimano CUES system you'll find on the internet right now! The motive behind the Shimano CUES product range. It's no secret that drivetrain compatibility even for those who have served their time on the tools in the bicycle trade can be confusing. Varying shifter pull ratios across the vast range of different group sets, hub spacings and speeds means that finding components to match can often be a bit of a headache - that's before you consider the number of hybrid options to achieve custom ratio choices.  It makes sense then, that consolidating their huge range of 9, 10 and 11 speed options (effectively everything they currently produce below their Deore 11 speed system) into one entirely cross-compatible but dramatically slimmed down range of components makes perfect sense from the factory, all the way down to the end user. Shimano CUES is also the first product range designed specifically with the higher torque application of electric bikes in mind. The new Shimano Cues product range. There are 4 new tiers of products in the Shimano Cues range, each aimed at a specific segment of the bicycle market. All of these are likely to make their way onto eBikes in the not too distant future.  Shimano CUES U4000 (9 Speed) The Shimano Cues U4000 line incorporates their new unified entry level 9 speed range which effectively kills off Alivio, Acera and Altus. Left and right brake levers are pretty standard, however the range includes two right hand and one left hand shifter in the form of SL-U4000-9R, SL-U4010-9R and SL-U4000-9L parts. There are three rear derailleurs in this tier, offering a short, mid and long cage setup with the RD-U4000, RD-U4010 and RD-U3020. Two rear cassettes are available and both offer Shimano's own new LinkGlide technology. The CS-LG400-9 and CS-LG300-9 will both be available in 11-36, 11-41 and 11-46t ratios with the second likely to be slightly heavier, and therefore cheaper. A pretty bonkers five new crank sets will be coming (and you thought they were trying to unify things here!) in the form of four different 2x set ups and just one in 1x. The FC-U4000-2 and FC-U4000-2B offer a twin ring set-up. Both have a 178mm Q-Factor and a 48.8 and 51.8mm chain line length respectively, with a 36-22 or 40-26 tooth count. The FC-U4010-2 and FC-U4010-2B also offer the same two chain line options, but with a 36-22, 40-26 and 46-30 toothed chainring option. Finally the FC-U4000-1 is the single ring option with a 178mm Q-Factor and comes in 30,32,40 and 40T flavours. All are compatible with the 9, 10 and 11 speed systems from the whole CUES range. More on how that's possible later. There are 4 new bottom brackets. BB-UR400 is a threaded 68mm option, BB-UN300 and UN101 are square taper style and finally BB-MT501 is a second 68/73mm shell width threaded option. The first and last here are both designed for Hollowtech II cranks. To match the new rear derailleurs, there are also four new 2x 10/9 speed and one 2x 9 speed fronts. 3 of these are "side swing" (FD-U4000-D for 2x 10/9 direct mount, FD-U4000-E for E-type without BB bracket mount 2x 10/9 speed and FD-U4000-M for clamp band mount 2x 10/9 speed). The final 2 are "top swing" (FD-U4000-L clamp band mount 2x 10/9 speed and FD-U4010-L for clamp band mount 1x 9 speed) To complete this already mind boggling U4000 range, there are also 8 new hubs, all designed to take centre-lock brake rotor SM-RT30 which comes as a 203, 180 or 160mm option. Three are for the front - HB-QC400 is a 100mm QR fitment, HB-TC500-15 is a 100x15mm "E-THRU" axle and HB-TC500-15-B is the same but for a 110mm width fork. There are five new versions of their rear set ups. Two are from their 3.0w Hub Dynamo range - The DH-3D37-QR uses a QR fitment, and DH-3D37-NT is a bolt in option. Three new HG spline freehubs come in 135mm QR on the FH-QC400-HM, a 142x12mm E-THRU axle option on the FH-TC500-HM and 148x12mm on the FH-TC500-HM-B. Not bad for "entry level" equipment to eradicate at least three other complete group sets! Shimano CUES U6000 (10 Speed) The Shimano CUES U6000 is broken into two groups. Both a 10 speed and 11 speed range are available. There is much less choice, but, that's not to say it wont have something for everyone. The very purpose of this exercise by Shimano is to cover more bases, with less components. As with the U4000 line, the MT501 and MT402 brakes are carried over from previous model ranges. There are just two shifter options. The SL-U6000-10R for 10 speed rear derailleurs, and the SL-U-6000-L for a 2x 11/10 where a twin front chain ring is implemented. Both are clamp band/bar mounted. No I-SPEC II option here. There are also only two rear derailleurs. The RD-U6000 can be used for both 10 and 11 speed setups, while the RD-U6020-10 is 10 speed only. The former will be great on bikes shipped as 10 speed with a later option to upgrade to 11 speed by changing the cassette and fitting a U6000 11 speed series shifter. If you're replacing the cassette during servicing anyway, there isn't a cheaper way to gain an extra gear than by just changing the shifter! Two all new cassette options are offered. The CS-LG400-10 comes in brand new 11-39, 11-43 and 11-48t options. The CS-LG300-10 should be cheaper, but only offered as a 11-39 and 11-48t option. Three chain rings are offered. FC-U6000-2 and FC-U6000-2B have a Q-Factor of 180mm and in 48.8 and 51.8 chain line options. The first is available with 36-22 or 46-30t options, with the 2B variant only being offered as 33-22t. The last as you would expect is a 1x option with 180mm Q-Factor. The FC-UC6000-1 is available as a 30 or 32t for a 52mm chain line or 40 and 42t for 50mm chain lines. All of these are compatible with the 9, 10 and 11 speed systems in the new Shimano CUES product ecosystem. Two bottom brackets are available. The BB-MT500-PA is an 89.5/92mm press -fit and the BB-MT501 is a 68/73mm threaded version. To match the new rear derailleurs, there are also four new front derailleurs. Three out of four of these are "side swing" - FD-U6000-D for 2x 11/10 speed direct mount, FD-U6000-E for E-type without BB bracket mount 2x 11/10speed and FD-U6000-M for clamp band mount 2x 11/10 speed). The final one is "top swing" - FD-U6010-L clamp band mount 2x 11/10 speed. The brake rotor for the U6000 series is SM-RT54. Another centre lock option to make it cross compatible with all options, its available in either 180 or 160mm sizes. The rest of the model range in terms of front and rear hubs are identical part numbers to the U4000 range. Shimano CUES U6000 (11 Speed) The 11 speed version of the new Shimano CUES U6000 borrows most of the same components of the first two, but with a couple of key differences. The brakes are the same you'll find in the previous 10- speed CUES U6000 range. There is one new shifter, the SL-U-6000-11R. This is a dedicated 11 speed shifter but they are still including the SL-U6000-L in this model line for those who want to run a 2x setup with matching front derailleur. As with the shifters, there is one new rear derailleur. The RD-U6000-11 is a decidated 11 speed component, but the RD-6000 11/10 option also falls under the 11 speed U6000 banner. Because this the dedicated 11 speed version of the Shimano CUES group set, there is a different cassette. The CL-LG400-11 offers two very wide ratio options of 11-45 and 11-50t. Four of the multi-gear options from the 9/10 speed chain rings cross over here too. Only one new option appears in the 11 speed CUES U6000 group and that's the FC-U6010-2. This is a 180mm Q-Factor for a 48.8mm chain line and only a single 46-32 tooth option. Again, all of the rest of the components are carryovers from the previous two CUES ranges, including the bottom brackets, rotors and the front and rear hubs. Shimano CUES U8000 (11 Speed) At the very top end, we start to see components which closely resemble SLX/XT level components in the Shimano CUES U8000 range. New brakes are offered in the form of the BL-U8000 "3 finger" I-SPEC II clamp band. These look suspiciously like a rebranded SLX lever! All of the shifters are new and 11 speed dedicated. The SL-U8000-11-R is the rear derailleur clamp band option. The SL-U8000-11LR is the same but an I-SPEC II variant. The The SL-U8000-L is a clamp band left lever for a 2x 11 speed setup, and the SL-U8000-IL is the I-SPEC II variant of the same. There are two new derailleurs and these two look suspiciously recognisable. Its probably that these are just SLX/XT based items with a standardised pull ratio (more on that later too). The RD-8000 is rated for a max 1st gear of 50T, while the RD-8020 can handle up to 48t. Both are compatible with 11t final gears. Just a single new cassette is offered for the CUES U8000 range. The CS-LG700-11 comes in 11-45 and 11-50t options. The crank sets for the CUES U8000 range are also brand new. The FC-U8000-1 is a 1x 11/10/9 speed compatible choice with a 180mm Q-Factor for a 50mm chain line and comes in either 40 or 42 tooth count. The FC-U8000-2 is for those who want to run a 22 speed set up and is also a 180mm Q-Factor for 48.8mm chain line with just a single 46-32t ratio option. The BB-MT801 threaded bottom bracket will be recognisable to most as having been around for quite some time, but the single FD-U8010-L front derailleur for 2x 11/10 speed solutions is brand new. Brake callipers again are going to be instantly recognisable to mountain bikers. The 2 piston BR-U8000 and 4 piston BR-U8020 have previously worn Deore branding and the RT-MT800 rotors under the U8000 series line are moving over from the Ice Tech FREEZA range in 203, 180, 160 and 140mm sizes. As well as the brakes, all of the hub options are already commonly available. The HB-RS470 is a 100x12mm E-THRU axle front hub and the HB-QC400 is a 100mm QR option. The DH-UR705-3D is their normal Nexus 3.0W centre lock rotor compatible dynamo rear hub but for the majority of bikers, the FH-RS470 11/10 speed thru-axle option along with the FH-UR600 11/10 speed 135mm QR option will be nothing new. Shimano CUES Di2 for E-Bikes As well as making all the the new Shimano CUES range directly compatible with ordinary bikes, there is also a brand new Di2 offering under the CUES banner. Looking very similar to the new Shimano 105 Di2 rear derailleur, the new Cues Di2 setup offers a ton of new features specifically aimed at the e-bike user and more so to those who want the simplest riding experience possible, or those riding in ultra-urban environments. Their incredibly clever "Auto shift with manual override" uses cadence and torque sensors in the motor to do all of the gear shifting for you, effortlessly switching gears both while pedalling and not pedalling. There is also a separate bar control for manual gear changes. Available on Shimano EP801 and EP600 motors initially, this revolutionary new gearing system takes its tiny power feed directly from the e-bike battery, which means that unlike other Shimano Di2 systems and all offerings from SRAM, there is no need to separately charge a battery to power it. LINKGLIDE for Shimano CUES This is where the really clever technology makes all of this work together. By unifying the whole range, the 9, 10 and 11 speed systems now all use the same CN-LG500 chain for everything but the U8000 range, where you can (but dont have to) use the CN-HG701-11 super narrow-wide instead. The second option here will be the go-to for mountain bikers. Shimano LINKGLIDE sets brand new standards in smooth and reliable shift indexing and the whole Shimano CUES product range is built on LINKGLIDE technology. Drivetrain durability is always a hot topic and the new Shimano LINKGLIDE components are 3x more durable than their other products. For E-Bikeshop specifically, this is great news. Engineered with high-torque e-bikes in mind, our customer can expect much greater distances between servicing and repairs. As well as being touted at 3x more durable, its also 3x smoother. LINKGLIDE, with its optimised gear gate design provides smoother shifting while pedalling and with much less drivetrain shock. Currently LINKGLIDE components are available for Shimano CUES, 11 speed Deore XT and for EP8 and EP6 motor systems. Does the Shimano CUES "USP" of drivetrain unification actually make a difference? It's not very often that a manufacturer the size of Shimano, with such a huge portion of market share, chooses to essentially bin off multiple product lines which have been a staple and subject to years of development and evolution, so there has to be a good reason. The idea of being able to dramatically slim down the number of components that retailers need to stock to service the biggest majority of riders is a welcome one, but we likely wont see the effects of this change in workshops for many, many years. We still have customers bringing back bike for service that we sold them more than 10 years ago, and so its probable that this particular aspect of value wont be fully felt by bike shops and their workshops/technicians for as much as a decade. Immediately, we think this is actually a bigger selling point at their own and manufacturer level. By simplifying their own production and opening up a huge range of cross compatibility for bike manufacturers, they should be able to work together in reducing the current long leads times of component availability by offering greater "on the fly" product range flexibility through this new cross-compatibility. Why launch Shimano CUES now? There isn't really a bad time to have launched this new range, but we can see one major up side to why right now makes perfect sense. The bike industry is still recovering from the affects on Covid on its supply chain and many manufacturers, from the biggest to the smallest, are still struggling to get the parts they need fast enough and delays in production are ongoing. Lead time are still long. Having a unified drivetrain solution where parts from everything from touring/hybrid and leisure bikes, mountain bikes and other are directly cross compatible means that there is significantly greater flexibility in manufacturing. Can't get the rear cassette you specified when designing the new bike? No problem. There will be plenty of other options. If a manufacturer designed a bike to be 10 speed and use the RD-U6020-10 (10 speed only) rear derailleur but only the RD-6000 (10 or 11 speed) rear derailleur is available, it can be swapped out and it wont hold up production in same way it has historically. It'll also mean an easy 11 speed upgrade for the consumer in the future.  Shimano CUES in the future. What does the future hold for Shimano CUES? We think the real key is in the unification of shifter pull ratios across the new Shimano CUES range and this alludes to something quite exciting, and something which consumers have wanted for decades. If all of the shifter pull ratios are designed to be the same and Shimano later (and its been rumoured already) scrap Claris and Tiagra from their road bike categories and bring those into the CUES fold too, it'll mean that flat bar and drop bar gear shift options will be immediately, directly compatible. This would theoretically make a 1x (11-speed) or 2x (22 speed) 11-50t setup on a road bike entirely possible. No messing around, no fuss, just natively compatible components working in "designed-in" harmony. Shimano CUES summed up We think that this is an incredibly bold move by Shimano, but one that make sense at the top level of the chain immediately, and will start to make greater sense as the years roll by for the retailer and customer. If this really does offer much greater flexibility of drivetrain choice for the consumer while simplifying the range for dealers to have to hold in stock, this radical change should open up multiple doors of possibility for every type of rider.  If you don't want to wait the likely 12 months before we start to see these components arriving on new model year bikes, you can take a look at the current Electric Bikes now.
The latest in a lengthy history of top quality Hard Tail electric mountain bikes from one of the most recognisable electric bike brands in the industry, the new 2023 Haibike AllTrack eMTB models take over where the Hardseven and HardNine left off last year. Where did the 2023 Haibike AllTrack models come from? Previously, the Haibike hard tail mountain bike market segment was broken down into two key model groups - The Hardseven, and the Hardnine. Of each of these you could have a Hardseven 4, Hardseven 5, Hardseven 6, and so on. The same for the Hardnine. As you went up through the model numbers, the specification would increase. This would include changes to the drive manufacturer (Bosch and Yamaha), the size of the battery, and the quality of the brakes, gears and suspension. The two model lines were also concurrent. A Hardseven 5 and a Hardnine 5 were exactly the same bike, except for one key difference. The wheels. Why does the 2023 Haibike AllTrack model line have two different wheel options? Which size of wheel is best is an argument as old as time, and is why Haibike have tried their best to cover all bases by offering their Hard Tail mountain bikes in two different sizes. Previously, the Hardseven had 27.5" wheels, and the Hardnine had... you guessed it. 29" wheels. 26" wheels haven't been seen on many manufacturers bikes for many years now, but there is no denying that as a wheel size, it was the most manoeuvrable. The smaller rolling radius meant that tight technical trail pieces were easily negotiated by pro-racers with an ever daring number of super quick flicks of the back end. 29" then, shouldn't make sense? Except it does. 29" wheels are faster rolling and bounce their way over trail obstacles with much greater ease. They have a much shallower "angle of attack" at rocks, roots and kerbs. They also have a much larger contact patch with the ground, and so they tend to offer much more grip. The downside is, they naturally weigh more. Up to 15% more... Enter 27.5". 27.5" wheels offer the best of both worlds. Pulling a little of the best features of both options, they offer a more rounded experience for riders who need their bike to be as good in the technical descents, as they do blasting along single-track. Which wheel size is best on the 2023 Haibike AllTrack range? Which wheel size you eventually decide to go for should depend on the intended use. If you'll only ever be riding light trails, canal paths and byways, the 29" option will always be the better choice, where fast, decisive direction changes are less likely than speed over continually varying terrain. If you expect to be riding in places where the going will be a bit more technical, the 27.5" is your new friend. A smaller wheel will lose a little in obstacle rollover and speed but if you're buying a bike based on its wheel size in this way, you'll be expected to be jumping those obstacles anyway! If you find yourself in a position where the opposite option is available, give us a call and we'll be happy to find a suitable alternative however for the most part, pretty much anyone can ride either with no discernible performance loss unless you're really pushing their limits. There is a slight advantage at the very top and bottom end of the scale, where a shorter rider who needs a small frame might benefit from lower stand-over on the 27.5" version and a taller rider might gain some extra room on the 29".  What changed from the Hardseven and Hardnine, to the new 2023 Haibike AllTrack? The 2023 AllTrack 4 27" and 29" options (new colour aside), looks very similar to the previous generation with a key, hidden difference. The new 2023 versions now come with the latest Bosch Smart System as standard. Not only does this mean that the bike now has a new LED Remote display, but its also fully equipped with Bluetooth for paring with the new Bosch eBike Flow smartphone app. This new app based bike interface system also allows over the air software updates. No more having to visit a dealer in order to stay up to date latest performance and reliability tweaks! The 2023 Haibike AllTrack 5 27" and 29" options have also had a big update. A completely brand new frame has been designed, in order to incorporate the latest Yamaha PWS2 motor. Previously only available on much more expensive mountain bikes, at 80Nm it gets a 10Nm lead over the AllTrack 4, and with a much bigger battery. The 720Wh Yamaha InTube battery is quite a jump from the 500Wh option in the AllTrack 4. As well as more power and a higher output motor, the 2023 AllTrack 5 models also get upgraded brakes and gears, along with a set of 120mm travel forks.  2023 Haibike AllTrack 4 & 2023 AllTrack 5 Models For 2023 there will be a 27.5" and a 29" wheel of both options available from E-Bikeshop, and each of these will be available in multiple size options. Some of these will be available on a Pre-order basis only due to demand, so its worth getting in early! 2023 Haibike AllTrack 4 (27) Our entry level AllTrack option, the 2023 Haibike AllTrack 4 (27) uses the highly reliable Bosch Performance Line 70Nm motor, a 500Wh battery, Shimano 9 Speed Alivio gearing and the brand new Bosch Smart System integration for continual update availability. Learn more about the 2023 Haibike AllTrack 4 (27)  2023 Haibike AllTrack 4 (29) Identical to the 27.5" version ,the 29" wheeled 2023 Haibike AllTrack 4 uses the same highly reliable Bosch Performance Line 70Nm motor, a 500Wh battery, Shimano 9 Speed Alivio gearing and the brand new Bosch Smart System integration for continual update availability. Learn more about the 2023 Haibike AllTrack 4 (29)  2023 Haibike AllTrack 5 (27) Brand new to their hard tail range for the new model year, the 2023 Haibike AllTrack 5 27 get the latest Yamaha PWS2 motor. Along with its very easy to use Yamaha display system, it also gets their biggest ever 720Wh battery. A complete Shimano Deore 10 seed group set round out this very well specified hard tail mountain bike.  Learn more about the 2023 Haibike AllTrack 5 (27)  2023 Haibike AllTrack 5 (29) As with the AllTrack 4, the 2023 Haibike AllTrack 5 29 is identical to its smaller wheeled sibling and also gets the latest Yamaha PWS2 motor. Along with its very easy to use Yamaha display system, it also gets their biggest ever 720Wh battery. A complete Shimano Deore 10 seed group set round out this very well specified hard tail mountain bike.  Learn more about the 2023 Haibike AllTrack 5 (29)  2023 Haibike AllTrack models are available to buy and pre-order now! Regardless of which you choose, the 2023 Haibike AllTrack 4 & 5 models are sure to make life out on the trails much more fun, and allow you to ride further and for longer. If you have any questions about them, you can easily Contact Us via phone or email. If you would like to see one in person (subject to availability), you can Book an Appointment to come and see us at our showroom. If you're ready to get going on a new Haibike AllTrack, you can find them along with all of our Hard Tail Mountain Bikes.Â
Lately it seems that every week, there's another sad story of a property having burned down or a person injured by an electric bike (or scooter) battery setting on fire either spontaneously or more often than not, while charging.  Are electric bike battery fires "common", or are we just seeing the worst of things? Also, why do electric bike batteries set on fire? We've never discussed this before, largely because for us its a non-issue and we'll explain why. We'll break down electric bike battery technology and discuss their components, and how they work together (or against each other) when at rest, in use, or when charging and what leads to disaster for some batteries. This is going to be pretty comprehensive and in parts quite technical but we hope that breaking it down into chunks, it'll be easier to understand. How often do electric bike batteries set on fire? Thankfully, hardly ever. The media are always swift to jump on these stories which makes it appear more regular than it actually is. In truth, the number of fires each year when put against the total number of batteries in circulation is proportionally very small indeed. We're talking fractions of a percentage. According to a report by the Insurer Zurich, 167 fires in the UK were reported to fire departments and attributed to lithium-ion batteries fitted in electric bikes and scooters in 2022. When you pit this figure against the estimated 1 million electric scooters (a huge number given they're still illegal on public access spaces like road and paths outside of pilot test schemes in a handful of UK cities!) and over 500,000 electrics bikes, this means estimates would show just 0.0113% of electric bike and scooter batteries set fire while charging or in use in 2022. A tiny figure. Sadly, none of the news outlets are posting daily to tell you how many batteries didn't set on fire today! Before we get into what causes an electric bike or scooter battery to set on fire, we need a better understanding of how they work. What's inside your electric bike battery. Hold onto your underwear and perhaps put the kettle on. This is about to get technical... Lithium Ion Cells. Your electric bike battery is not one big battery but actually lots of individual "cells". (A "battery" is defined as more than a single "cell"). Lithium-ion cells for e-bike batteries come in lots of forms but the majority are built using 18650 cells. These look like your average AA battery. They're a little bigger, they're in fact 18mm wide and 65mm long and don't have any branding on them. (Lithium-ion cell form factors are "named" by their size). Each of these cells has a "nominal" voltage normally around 3.6V, a fully charged voltage of 4.2V and an "empty" voltage of around 3.0V. More on that later. These are all arranged in groups. These are called "series" and "parallel". Adding cells in series increases the voltage. Adding cells in parallel increases the capacity (the number of miles you can do between charges) and the amount of current you can pull from it. For most of our bike batteries (Bosch and Yamaha), the nominal voltage is 36V, so it will have 10 cells in series (10x 3.6V = 36V). Each cell has a rated "energy density" - the amount of charge it holds. This is normally measured in "Amp Hours" at individual cell level. This then converted to a "Watt Hours" rating by Bosch and Yamaha and is why your battery has a rating like "500Wh" or "625Wh". Its common however for Chinese/Far Eastern manufacturers to use the Amp Hour (Ah) rating when advertising capacity. For example; A 500Wh battery pack might be built using 3.6 Volt "nominal" 18650 cells with an energy density of 3.5Ah each. 10 in series gives a total nominal voltage of 36V (10 x 3.6V = 36V) 4 of these 10 "series strings" attached to each other in parallel means that the "Ah" rating of each cell (3.5) is multiplied by the number of parallel strings (4), giving a total battery pack energy density of 14Ah. To convert this figure to "Wh", you simply multiply the Ah rating by the packs nominal voltage, and so 14(Ah) x 36(V) becomes 504Wh. This is normally rounded. Important Safety Notice - Never open any lithium-ion battery pack, even to peek at the insides. They're not designed to be user serviceable and short circuits across exposed busbars/wires can lead to fire in seconds, releasing hot, poisonous gasses. They're notoriously difficult to put out too. The Battery Management System or "BMS". Your battery management system is a normally small printed circuit board and its primary purpose is to control the charging and discharging of the pack, as well as monitoring the voltages of cell groups. You might have heard the words "balance charging" before, and this is a function of your BMS where a battery doesn't have a separate "balance lead" for charging (normally found in removable battery packs for remote control vehicles for example). Its imperative that your battery remains "balanced", IE, the voltages of each of the series strings remains the same (or within very tight tolerances) as the others in the pack so using the example above, at its nominal voltage (around half charged), each of the 4 parallel strings should be showing 36V each. If this isn't the case, a good quality BMS should shut the battery down and stop it from being charged or discharged. If this happens in a Bosch system for example, you may see ERROR 530 on your screen and two lights on the battery indicator light will flash if removed from the bike. In most cases, this is unrecoverable and we'll go into why a bit later. Essentially, your BMS is a safety device designed to keep the battery within optimal tolerance and monitor for any potential danger during charging and discharging. Other components. As well as the cells and your BMS, your battery pack will also include some form of "sled" or housing for the batteries. This allows the cells to be securely held in place (normally a few mm away from each other to aid cooling) to prevent them from being damaged by the vibrations of ordinary use and handling along with accidental drops. You'll also find (except you wont, because you followed the safety warning and didn't open it.. did you!) wiring from the BMS to the charge port for charging and discharging, wiring from the BMS to each of the cell groups to monitor voltage and to your little charge indicator lights and button, interconnecting nickel strips allowing current to flow through the cells and likely some foam padding to further protect the whole assembly from vibrations.  The difference between top manufacturer and Far Eastern/DIY batteries. Now that we have a much better understanding of what is (or should be) inside your electric bike battery, we can start to look what what causes an electric bike battery to set on fire. This is a big question with a huge number of factors and variables and is why we needed to take a shallow dive inside an electric bike battery first. Its well known that the majority of battery fires are either caused through user negligence, poorly maufacturered/DIY batteries, or both. The main supporting evidence of this is widely known in the industry. E-Bikeshop alone have, in the last 15 years, created over 20,000 new eBike riders in the UK and around the world. We exclusively sell European manufactured bikes using mostly either Bosch or Yamaha systems. We do not sell or work on bikes imported from the Far East. We've had ZERO battery fires. By the statistics mentioned at the start of this article, with that number of new bikes on the road we should have had around 3. We haven't. So what's the difference? Bosch, Yamaha and other top manufacturers These companies use only the very best cells inside their batteries. Normally these will be manufactured by Samsung, LG, Murata (Sony), Panasonic/Sanyo, etc. The final assembly isn't generally done by Bosch/Yamaha/others themselves, but proper, ISO standard/regulated battery manufacturing factories and laboratories. These companies use the very best manufacturing techniques for cell to cell welding and fusing, exceptional quality battery management systems with multiple failsafe systems which can detect cell level issues before they become a problem for the user and with exceptionally tight tolerances. They provide proper, globally accredited/certified chargers and their battery management systems are programmed in way which never stresses individual cells to their limit. They have a built in safety margin for charging and discharging (while riding) for safety and longevity of use. "Other" manufacturers and DIY. More often than not either Chinese or other Far Eastern imported cells or batteries have a online documented history as lengthy and terrible as you can possibly imagine. Trumped up cell performance statistics, poor (or none at all) safety records, shoddy manufacturing practices, cheap materials and components all add up to a potential disaster waiting to happen. Added to this, lithium-ion cells in many formats (which were never intended for end user availability) are widely available through online retailers. A competent person with sound electrical knowledge/qualifications really can build a very good quality pack in their own garage with an entry level battery spot welder and YouTube is awash with "How To" videos on how to do it. Its not rocket science, if its done right. The downside to this is that they're available to anyone with internet access who wont necessarily follow the basically electrical engineering principles to the letter and this is where the danger begins. DIY batteries without a BMS, soldered instead of spot welded cell connections, poor heat management, wrong gauge of wiring for the desired current and other cheap materials all adds up to a potential fire in the making. Finally, we can answer the burning question... What causes electric bike batteries to set on fire? Here are the most common reasons batteries set on fire; Overcharging This happens when either the charger doesn't shut off or the BMS allows the system to be overcharged in two ways. Too much charge, too quickly, or both. Its a bit like a balloon. You can only get so much in before it pops. Overcharging a cell forces a chemical change which generates heat. The heat causes cell "burst discs" (if fitted at all, cheap ones don't even have them!) to "vent" the excess pressure. Those that don't have them, simply explode. Likewise, all batteries have safe charging rates. Trying to charge a battery much faster than it was designed for is like trying to force marbles down a paper straw only wide enough for peas. In the same way the straw would split, this extra charge is turned into heat via electrical/chemical resistance, and it'll vent/explode, highly likely resulting in fire. Over discharging This comes in two parts, capacity, and current. Unlike the Alkaline Manganese Dioxide AAA batteries in your TV remote which start with 1.5V and when they reach 0V you thrown them away, Lithium-ion cells have a "Depth of discharge" or "DoD" limit. This is normally around 3.0V and at this point, it would be considered "empty", so you never fully discharge the battery. Occasionally dipping under this figure by tiny margins is no problem, however this is one function your BMS provides. Cheap BMS systems with poor tolerances or worse, no BMS at all, can allow a battery to be continually over-discharged which damages their internal chemistry. The further this damage goes, the more the internal resistance of the cell rises. This resistance weakens the cells ability to expend its energy and instead, turns it to heat. The rest by now is probably obvious. Over discharging can also happen in the way of pulling too much current from the battery too quickly. Batteries, based on the cells used inside and their configuration, have maximum discharge rates. Its the marbles and the straw scenario above, with the same outcome. Poor quality or no BMS As well as helping to limit the above two scenarios, bad quality BMS systems have been known to malfunction and cause shorts, leading to fires while the battery was just sitting unused. No BMS system in a modern, high voltage/current battery system for end user/domestic use is just asking for trouble. It completely removes all monitoring and safety devices from the battery and relies solely on the users deep understanding of charging and discharging rates and limits which just isn't reasonable of a consumer product. Mechanical damage Any physical damage to a battery should be properly inspected. Just because you can't see any damage on the outside, doesn't mean that its the same story on the inside. A heavy drop can cause components inside to be dislodged and lead to electric shorts, leading to fires. Thermal runaway Thermal runaway almost never happens spontaneously. It's normally a secondary effect of an internal or external factor. Over charging, over discharging or being left to cook in direct sunlight or near a direct heat source can heat the cells beyond their safe working limit, causing one or more cells to burst and catch fire. The heat from this reaction spreads through the pack, popping cells along the way. The biggest problem with Lithium ion battery fires is that Oxygen is a by-product of the combustion process. They are self-fuelling and so very difficult to extinguish. How to minimise your risk of electric bike battery fires. It's actually really simple to safeguard yourself against battery fires and much of it, especially on a good quality battery, is good old fashion common sense. The bike/battery. Only buy bikes/batteries from reputable manufacturers/retailers. From us, you'll find over 150 different bikes using the Bosch, Yamaha, Fazua, Mahle and Shimano drive systems using their own batteries. Outside of this, the proprietary batteries used by other top brands are also widely known to be safe solutions. All of these are rigorously tested to strict international standards with proper certification and correctly displayed ratings and carry an ultra-low risk of fire if used in line with their owners manuals. As mentioned previously, we have never had a battery fire in 15 years of selling bikes, solely because we're very picky about what we stock and offer expert advice. If you damage your battery, immediately stop using it and contact your place of purchase. Never attempt to open or self diagnose/repair an electric bike battery. If your battery develops a fault (normally indicated on their built in screens), contact your place of purchase for support straight away, even if the bike is outside of its warranty. Any reputable dealer will be happy to offer their customers advice and even dispose of your failed battery for you. Charging. Only use the charger supplied with your bike, or designated as safe for your bike by the battery/drive system manufacturer. Bosch for example offer several charger options which fit almost all of their bikes and offer different charging rates. If you lose, damage or otherwise can't use the charger for your bike, contact your original place of purchase for an identical or manufacturer approved replacement. Do not just buy any other charger which claims to charge at the same voltage/rate. Never leave a charging battery/bike unattended. Lithium-ion battery fires due to burning very hot and being completely self fuelling can get out of hand very quickly. Always ensure you have switched off and disconnected your electric bike battery when its finished charging and don't leave them charging in the house while you sleep or aren't in. Not getting caught out by electric bike battery fires Understanding and following the advice above, electric bike batteries are generally considered safe and no more dangerous than the single 18650/21700 battery used in your electric tooth brush, shaver, cordless kitchen utensils and power tools. So long as you purchase good quality products from reputable manufacturers, your risk of fire from normal use will be next to zero.  At E-Bikeshop, we hand pick only the most widely recognised drive systems using the best quality batteries for our Electric Bikes.Â
It doesn't seem that long ago we were first launching this incredible machine to our customers around the world. Now, as the 3rd generation Rise models begin landing in stores, it's time to take another look at the 2023 Orbea Rise models and remind ourselves why this is one of the best electric mountain bikes ever created, along with what's changed since they first began turning wheels in early 2021. 2023 Orbea Rise Model Range. The Orbea Rise started off as just 4 models when it was first launched. The M20 offered an "entry level" option but with a very respectable specification. The M10 offered the best all round value for most riders, with the M-Team and M-Ltd offering the very top end specification of brakes, gears, suspension and other carbon goodies for those who need the ultimate performance package. For the 2023 Orbea Rise this remains, but during the last model year, Orbea introduced the "H" or "Hydro" range. These follow the same design and geometry principles, but in just three models. The H30 was the entry level offering, with a much loved return of Marzzochi forks, the H15 was the middling option with the H10 their top end model with all of the bells and whistles the most competitive trail rider could want. For 2023, the Orbea Rise H15 has been replaced by the Orbea Rise H20. This sits in the same place in the model hierarchy, but brings the naming convention in line with their other models. H15 models will remain available, while stocks last. 2023 Orbea Rise design principles. Orbea have a very rich history in cycling which is sadly missed or passed over by many riders outside of Spain and the rest of Europe. If this is your very first sighting of one of these beautiful machines, take a read of Orbea Bikes, a History Lesson to catch up on 183 years of Orbea and pop back here when you're done. The way in which the Rise models were designed is something we covered in depth in the very first article about them back in 2021, timed with their launch. We wont go into the same level of detail here, but if you want to bring yourself up to date, you can read Orbea Rise - Beyond. RS Power Weighing as little as just 2.5kg and offering 60Nm of support from their uniquely tuned Shimano EP8 and EP6 motors, the 2023 Orbea Rise drive system is designed to effortlessly but directly mimic rider input, offering its peak performance when you too, are trying to push out the best effort you can. RS Range When it first launched, the Orbea Rise model range came with just a 360Wh battery option. Now with the launch of the Rise H offering a 540Wh battery as standard, optional bolt on range extenders for an extra 252Wh and the new 2023 Orbea Rise M models having the option for a 540Wh battery as standard, there has never been more flexibility in range from this super lightweight machine. RS Weight On the subject of weight - the 2023 Orbea Rise models are some of the lightest eMTB models in the world. Their new 2023 Rise M-Ltd tips the scales at as little as 15.9kg for the new model year, which is a truly bonkers weight for a "ready to ride" electric bike with all of its running gear fitted. RS Interface The rider aids on the 2023 Orbea Rise models have been stripped back to the bare necessities. On the Carbon models, just the EN100 switch with a series of LED lights to offer battery and selected power level information. On the Alloy models, the Shimano E7000 screen is provided, giving more information on speed, distance, and other parameters. All have integrated Bluetooth and ANT+ for use with Garmin devices and their own smartphone app but they're also all cross compatible. We offer the E7000 screen upgrade on the M models at just ÂŁ149.99. New components on the 2023 Orbea Rise models With each new model year, the model has evolved either due to better components becoming available, some not being available, or tweaks to alter the performance of the bike in line with customer feedback, needs and expected price point. The majority of specification remains the same, but there are some changes which we'll list out later. Buy a 2022 model "on sale", or wait for a 2023 Orbea Rise? Both model years represent incredible value for money when compared against a very slim number of competitors. While the market is changing its mindset on lower power, ultra lightweight models, there still remains a pretty slim choice for these high performance eMTB models and when stacked up against the likes of the Specialised Levo SL and others, the Orbea Rise of any model year offers more power, range and better components for significantly less money. Not bad, for a company still hand painting and building its bikes... While the changes for 2023 are great, for most riders, the previous generation model will still do absolutely everything that riders need and so unless you absolutely need the components from the 2023 Orbea Rise spec list, while you can grab yourself a bargain, we would highly recommend it. The biggest change for most is the addition of the 540Wh battery for the Orbea Rise M (carbon) range. Range anxiety still appears to prevail, despite us having got just a shade under 40 miles and nearly 5,000 feet of climbing from the 360Wh version in testing. To break it down, the 2023 Orbea Rise M-Ltd with a 540Wh battery is ÂŁ10,134 at RRP. The 2022 version with a 360Wh battery was ÂŁ9,599 RRP and at the time of writing, currently ÂŁ7,999 in our Spring Sale. Add in the range extender at ÂŁ449 and you have 612Wh at ÂŁ8,448, saving nearly ÂŁ1,700 over the new model. Some models, in order to keep price rises to a minimum, have also seen specs tweaked downward which is a bit of a shame and a sign of the times in the bike industry at the moment. With raw materials, labour and global logistics prices going through the roof and manufacturers reluctant to add more than the normal 5-10% increase to bike prices each year, specifications have taken the brunt of it and this is the same across all bike manufacturers globally - we've seen the same of Cube and Haibike this year too. 2023 Orbea Rise Models As we have from the very first launch, E-Bikeshop will be stocking the complete range of 2023 Orbea Rise models. New models often sell out quickly, especially the "middle" models which tend to offer the best value specification for most riders so Pre-ordering from our incoming stock is almost always necessary to ensure you get the bike you want, as quickly as they land with us. Colourways -The 2023 Rise model range is available in two standard colourways on the Carbon range - Silver/Raw Carbon and (Chameleon) Green. The Alloy will be available in 3 colourways - Silver/Blue, Purple/Black and Brown/Black. MyO with E-Bikeshop - We have a pre-agreed number of "MyO blanks" for rider customisation. These are "blank" frames in our allocation to be used by our customers looking to take advantage of the Orbeas MyO platform. Riders can completely customise their bike, including colour and all specification, right from the factory. This isn't always the fastest option if done direct, but we have delivery dates starting as early as April for custom Rise models. Please get in touch to secure one of these exclusive bikes because they're not available through our website. MyO is exclusively available for Carbon (M) frame models.  2023 Orbea Rise H Alloy models Fitted with the 540Wh battery as standard, their marginally lower specification and cheaper to produce alloy frames make the Orbea Rise accessible and more appealing to a much wider ranger of riders than ever before. 2023 Orbea Rise H30 Starting with the lowest price and working up, the 2023 Orbea Rise H30 is the cheapest way to get your way onto a super lightweight bike. Largely unchanged the bike sees the fitting of an EP6 motor instead of the EP8 from last year (identical bar its slightly heavier outer casing), and the swapping of a couple of items for Orbea's own fantastic range of "OC" branded items. At ÂŁ4,999, its a great entry to the world of lightweight ebikes. Learn More about the brand new 2023 Orbea Rise H30 2023 Orbea Rise H20 Stepping in for the H15, the new 2023 Orbea Rise H20, this is probably one of the biggest specification changes, amounting to an almost totally separate model. The EP8 motor changes to an EP6, the forks are swapped out to a set of Fox Float 34 Performance and as with the H30, the changing of some components like bars and stems to Orbea's own OC components. It does benefit from a small brake upgrade for the new model year. Learn More about the brand new 2023 Orbea Rise H20 2023 Orbea Rise H10 The top model in the alloy framed line up, the 2023 Orbea Rise H10 has also seen a handful of specification changes for the new year. Now equipped with Fox 36 Performance forks, hybrid SLX/XT group set, it also takes advance of some of Orbea's own new OC components. Learn More about the brand new 2023 Orbea Rise H10 2023 Orbea Rise M Carbon models Fitted with a 360Wh battery as standard but with the option to upgrade to a 540Wh battery and offering the lightest weight options in its class, the Orbea Rise M models are for those who need ultimate performance. With class leading componentry for the lowest possible weight, the carbon frame option is a trail beater with little competition. 2023 Orbea Rise M20 The entry level carbon model, this is the first step onto the ladder of super-lightweights for many. A specification similar to last year but a small suspension tweak to shave a little weight, the 2023 Orbea Rise M20 is a great way to start taking advantage of the performance benefits of light weight bikes. Learn More about the brand new 2023 Orbea Rise M20 2023 Orbea Rise M10 Each year, the "10" model normally represents the best value for the largest group of riders and the 2023 Orbea Rise M10 is no different. Offering the best all round performance for its price point, its the first in the range to get Kashima coated Fox equipment, as well as a complete Shimano XT group set. Learn More about the brand new 2023 Orbea Rise M10 2023 Orbea Rise M-Team Heading on our way to the top model is the 2023 Orbea Rise M-Team. A slight upgrade to the already very high specification Kashima coated fox equipment on the M10, the M-Team is also the only model in the range to get fully electronic gearing in the form of the Shimano XT Di2 set up with fully automatic cadence based shifting technology. Learn More about the brand new 2023 Orbea Rise M-Team 2023 Orbea Rise M-Ltd At the absolute top end of the model line up, the 2023 Rise M-Ltd is the very peak of ultra-lightweight eMTB performance. Weighing in at just 15.9kg, the M-Ltd makes use of the very best components the mountain bike industry has to offer and you really need to take a look at the full specification on the product page to get a true understanding of just how high tech this bike is this year! Learn More about the brand new 2023 Orbea Rise M-Ltd Ready to buy a 2022 or 2023 Orbea Rise model? If you've seen enough to make a decision on your new Orbea Rise, you can head over the the dedicated Orbea Rise collection on our website. If you're still struggling, stuck on the fence and need any other information at all, please Contact Us. Our staff are all highly trained Rise riders and experts and if you Book a Showroom Appointment, you'll be able to see the biggest collection of Rise models on show in the UK. There are currently 40 Orbea Rise examples from 2022 and 2023 in our showroom, over 100 more in physical stock and even more available to us directly from Orbea. Whichever Rise you choose, we'll be here to support you.Â
Its a new model year and already, with component supply finally easing, model year 2023 electric bikes have been landing in dealerships around the world over the last couple of months - but which ones are the best?  Which is the best 2023 electric mountain bike? Narrowing down our huge selection of 2023 electric mountain bikes was no easy task. There's a lot to consider and regardless of what any one person, magazine or otherwise says, there just isn't a "one size fits all" answer to "what is the best electric mountain bike" in 2023 or any other model year. If everyone is unique, there can't be one bike to rule them all! Instead, we're going to take a look at what makes a good electric mountain bike stand out. Motors, batteries, group sets, suspension specification and overall value are all under the microscope. 2023 eBike Motors. As a crank drive specialist retailer dealing solely in the supply of European maufacturered electric bikes, our showroom is dominated by 3 manufacturers. These three have been chosen specifically for their class leading power output, versatility, reliability and just as importantly - their globally recognised support, spares and aftersales network. Bosch Last year saw the launch of their brand new "Smart System" product ecosystem and this year, Bosch have really ramped things up with a host of new technology including "over the air" software updates, new displays and Bluetooth integration. On mountain bikes its rare to find anything other than the Bosch Generation 4 Performance CX motor and this year the range extends with their new Limited Edition CX-R or "Race" motor. Their top performing motor with 85Nm on tap and their own coveted "eMTB mode", this ordinary Gen 4 CX is one of the most widely used in mountain biking worldwide and features on our Orbea, Cube, Scott and Haibike model ranges. Yamaha Yamaha haven't really changed much in the last couple of years. There are a few new motors in the form of the PWX2 and PWX3 which for the first time puts their power outputs on par with Bosch. There are also a couple of new displays, but for the most part, Yamaha have been content with pumping out their same super reliable and "no fuss" systems. Every bit as reliable as their main competitor above, Yamaha continue to dominate their section of the market, most notably on our 2023 Haibike models. Shimano The all-too-often overlooked motor manufacturer, Shimano have been quietly developing their systems over the last couple of years and their latest EP6 and EP8 motors are every bit as good as the Bosch Generation 4 system. Sadly, they don't produce as many units as Bosch and Yamaha and its not a motor for everyone. Orbea's RS version targets those who already have a good degree of base fitness in order to reward them for being more efficient with the way they ride, they feature heavily in the super lightweight category, allowing manufacturers to build bikes which defy the normal conceptions of eMTB physics and enabling the creation of sub 16kg bikes. 2023 electric bike batteries. Batteries come in all shapes and sizes. Our smallest mountain bike version can be found on the 2023 Orbea Rise lightweight ebike range and are just 360Wh. The crown for the biggest currently rests on the head of Bosch, who offer a huge 750Wh option on many of the new 2023 electric mountain bikes like the 2023 Cube Stereo model range, along with much of the new 2023 Orbea Wild range. Again, which is "best" is subjective. The 360Wh battery found in the new Orbea Rise models is capable of around 40 miles of assisted riding. The Bosch 750Wh is "rated" for up to 160 miles but we know that in practice, most riders are tearing around in Turbo mode and seeing between 40 and 60 miles in most cases. With the average mountain bike ride lasting less than 40 miles, both of these options will normally see out the whole of a riding day for most riders and a bike shouldn't be chosen on the size of its battery alone.  2023 Electric mountain bike group sets. The most commonly found group sets on 2023 mountain bikes are made by Shimano and SRAM. From Shimano, these will mostly be coming in XTR, XT and SLX flavours with a couple of Deore options thrown in for good measure. From SRAM, we'll be seeing much more of the Eagle SX/NX/GX as well as X01 X1 and XX1 systems and an increased use of their AXS electronic shifting system. Shimano and SRAM are both leaders in their industry and produce great quality braking and gear shifting systems jointly owning more than 65% of the global trade of these components. Well known for their wide range of fitment options, ease of servicing, availability of spares, pro-proven performance and outstanding reliability, these two manufacturers are the only two you'll find listed on our top 10 2023 electric mountain bikes. 2023 electric mountain bike suspension. Getting up and down your favourite trail or mountain is much easier with the right amount of suspension travel. Head out under-sprung and you'll find yourself bottoming out on every drop and landing. Pedal around over-sprung and you'll be wasting effort as well as draining unnecessary battery power. Our top 10 2023 electric mountain bikes in this article heavily feature components from Fox and Rockshox. Much like Shimano and SRAM, these two suspension power-players supply the components for every type of rider from novice to world stage pro. Many riders have their own brand preference but set up well, either will provide you with the performance you need to make it up and down your favourite route with confidence inspiring grip and handling. How we judged the top 10 electric mountain bikes to buy in 2023. As well as considering the type of components fitted to the bikes in this article, deciding whether they're worthy of a spot on the list of top 10 electric mountain bikes to buy in 2023 also comes down to value. "Does the bike offer the customer good overall value for money"? Sure, slapping a ÂŁ14,000 price tag on a bike with swanky components works for manufacturers, but does that work for the customer and could they get a bike with the same performance for less money from another brand? This is perhaps the most difficult question of all and requires breaking the bike down into its component parts and assessing them against the use case of the bike and the type of rider who might be buying them.  E-Bikeshop's Top 10 Electric Mountain Bikes to buy in 2023. Narrowed down by our team of electric bike experts and offered in no particular order because we just couldnt decide, the Top 10 Electric Mountain Bikes to buy in 2023 from E-Bikeshop have been chosen based on their specification, componentry, design and overall value proposition. For each, we offer an alternative lower priced option for those who need less bells and whistles from their new eMTB.  Orbea Rise M-Ltd 2023 The 2023 Orbea Rise M-Ltd is the very definition of total balance in power and weight. Tipping the scales at at little as 15.9kg and offered in 4 sizes and 2 colourways as well as a "MyO" custom paint and specification option (contact us or visit Orbea to find out more). Suspended by the very latest top tier Fox Factory equipment, driven and stopped by a complete Shimano XTR group set and powered by the exceptionally well renowned "RS Tuned" Shimano EP8 motor, the Rise M-Ltd has been the lightweight to beat on the trails since it launched a little over 2 years ago and retails at ÂŁ9,999. Learn more about the 2023 Orbea Rise M-Ltd on the product page on our website. If the M-Ltd is too much bike for you or your trails, there are lots of other 2023 Orbea Rise model options available. Scott Patron eRIDE 900 Ultimate 2023 Is there was a Rolls Royce of eMTB, the 2023 Scott Patron eRIDE 900 Ultimate would be it. Everything about this bike, from its brand new Bosch Performance CX-R "Race" motor to its Kashima coated Fox Factory suspension, Shimano Brakes to its top end SRAM XX1 wireless electric shifting group set screams nothing but the very best in performance componentry. Imagine walking into the worlds biggest bicycle component warehouse and plucking every part you need from the very top shelves - this is the bike you would have created. At ÂŁ11,999 it's the most expensive on this list, but boy does it command it. Check out why on the 2023 Scott Patron eRIDE 900 Ultimate product page, or alternatively, take a look at its marginally lower spec siblings in the 2023 Scott Patron eRIDE range.  Scott Lumen eRIDE 900 2023 Another Scott, this time in a totally different package. Their first entry to the super-lightweight world of EMTB, the new 2023 Scott Lumen eRIDE 900 takes the worlds fastest XC/Trail frame of the Spark, and electrifies it. The brand new TQ Systems HPR 50 motor and 360Wh battery, Fox suspension, Shimano XT brakes and a wireless electronic shifting system in the form of the SRAM GX set up make this a super quick trail shredding machine. The 2023 Scott Lumen eRIDE 900 is available at ÂŁ9,299, with the Lumen eRIDE 910 priced at ÂŁ6,499. Haibike Lyke CF 11 2023 Continuing the market trend of riders looking for lower power, lightweight options, one of the worlds most recognisable brands has finally entered the market with the Haibike Lyke range. The 2023 Haibike Lyke CF 11 is the middle model in the range and offers impeccable value. Powered by the new Fazua Ride 60 drive system with a 430Wh built in battery, Shimano XT group set and Fox suspension, we expect to be seeing a lot of these on the trails in Summer 2023 and beyond. The 2023 Haibike Lyke CF 11 product page has the full specification and information, and there's a dedicated page for the full 2023 Haibike Lyke CF range too. Cube Stereo Hybrid 160 HPC Action Team 750 2023 Along with the prize for probably the longest eMTB name ever, this is a bike which just gets better with every year while remaining impossible to beat on value. At just ÂŁ6,999, the 2023 Cube Stereo Hybrid 160 HPC Action Team 750 packs in a specification list you'll only find from other manufacturers at the ÂŁ8,000+ price points and is the main reason such a huge number are pre-ordered long before they start arriving in dealers. The latest Bosch Generation 4 85Nm motor with Smart System software, their biggest 750Wh battery, a complete Shimano XT group set and Kashima coted Fox Factory suspension at sub ÂŁ7k is just unheard of. Until now. Jump over to the 2024 Cube Stereo Hybrid 160 HPC Action Team product page to read more, or check out the rest of the superb value 2024 Cube Stereo Hybrid 160mm travel range. Orbea Rise H10 2023 Another Orbea to make the shortlist and for good reason. When Orbea launched the H (for Hydroformed Alloy) series back in 2022, we fully expected it to be an instant hit and like most dealers, we weren't wrong. Offering a larger (540Wh) battery than the Carbon (360Wh) versions and a lower starting price point, it bought the lightweight category bikes down by over ÂŁ1,000 and into a price bracket which included many more riders. The 2023 Orbea Rise H10 is the top specification Alloy version of the Rise at ÂŁ6,299 but incorporates all of the most desirable specification from the mid-range Carbon options. You can see the full specification and write-up for the 2023 Orbea Rise H10 on our product page, as well as the now 7 bike strong full 2023 Orbea Rise model line up on its own category page. Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC SLX 750 2023 Another bike from Cube in the mix for the longest name award, the 2023 Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC SLX 750 is the pinnacle of value in the world of Bosch driven eMTBs. At just ÂŁ5,299, to be offering the latest Bosch G4 Smart System, the 750Wh battery, a Kiox 300 display, Fox suspension and a full Shimano XT group set, we challenge riders to find a better value bike than the 140 SLX in its class. We tried. We can't! The 2024 Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC SLX 750 is going to be a tough bike to beat this year, and is just one of a vast range of 140mm travel bikes in the 2024 Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC range. Orbea Wild M-Team 2023 Having changed the name post release so as not to be confused with the previous "Wild FS" M-Team, the new 2023 Orbea Wild M-Team name alludes to an entirely new bike and also because.. well... everyone knows the Wild is a Full Suspension by now! Longer overdue and with no meaningful changes since 2019, the Wild M-Team offers a brand spanking new frame to take advantage of the new Bosch Gen 4 85Nm powered Smart System, coupled with all of the Orbea handcrafted genius and finish you expect from this unique Spanish brand. We wont rattle on about this bike. You really need to look at the close-ups to appreciate the beauty of an Orbea eMTB and the 2023 Orbea Wild M-Team is no different. One of a vast range of 2023 Orbea Wild models, these are some of the most unique bikes you'll ever ride. Haibike AllMtn CF SE A "rollover" model from 2022 to the new model year because "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". Also because due to parts availability, the Haibike AllMtn CF SE was a little bit late coming to market in 2022, Haibike are carrying it through to the new model year which is great news for riders because at ÂŁ6,699, this aggressively styled "one bike does it all" option from Haibike rivals Cube in the value stakes. A carbon frame, the latest Bosch Gen 4 Smart System tech, top-tier Rockshox suspension and electric gearing make the AllMtn CF SE a highly attraction value proposition. The Haibike AllMtn CF SE is just one of an ever expanding range of AllMtn models from Haibike. Scott Strike eRIDE 900 Evo Last but by no means least, the new 2023 Scott Strike eRIDE 900 Evo earns its place in the list for being able to do just about anything you ask of it. Based on the Patron frame system, the Strike is designed to be an "all mountain" bike and with 150mm of super plush and instantly lockable Fox Suspension, SRAM Eagle AXS wireless shifting and Shimano XT brakes, taking off and coming to a stop with the Bosch Gen 4 Smart system couldn't be easier. The 2023 Scott Strike eRIDE 900 Evo is the top model in the 2023 Scott Strike eRIDE model range. Which of our Top 10 Electric Mountain Bikes to Buy in 2023 are you considering? If you're interested in any of the above bikes and need more information than is offered on the product page, brand impartial advice from an electric mountain bike expert or anything else at all, please don't hesitate to Contact Us or Book an Appointment to see one of the team.Â
Since its launch two years ago, the Orbea Vibe model range has been expanded and updated to keep up with fast paced ultra-urban and bicycle commuting lifestyles, while still lending itself perfectly to weekend leisure cycling. Offering 40Nm and more than enough range for the daily commute and a bit of weekend Hand crafted and finished by Orbea in Mallabia, the 2023 Orbea Vibe H30 range still offers great value in a beautifully finished package.  What makes the 2023 Orbea Vibe so special? The Vibe was born from the F series models of several years ago. Essentially one of their Gain models with a Tiagra group set, it simply featured a set of flat bars rather than the drop bars of a traditional road bike. Fast-forward a couple of years and armed with ample feedback from F series owners who loved their comfort and versatility, the Orbea Vibe range was honed into the perfectly crafted commuting and leisure machine it is today. Nimble, responsive, compact and yet exceptionally light at just over 16.6kg for the 2023 Orbea Vibe H30 non-equipped version, it lends itself well to those who need an effortlessly simple bike they can just hop on and take off to work, the shops, or along the local trails and byways. 2023 Orbea Vibe technology Mahle X35 Drive system. The 2023 Orbea Vibe models exclusively use the Mahle X35 motor which is also found on the "Gain" series road bikes. This super light-weight drive system offers up to 40Nm of effortlessly punchy support when you need it but is light enough to use the bike without when you don't. The only hub drive system we have ever stocked, and purely on its merits of being ultra-reliable. Mahle MySmartBike In order to do away with unnecessary distractions and shave further weight, the Mahle system doesn't come with a traditional ebike screen as standard, however all Mahle equipped electric bikes from Orbea come with Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity as standard. The 2023 Orbea Vibe H30 models are all set up as standard to communicate with the Mahle My SmartBike app. This easy to use mobile app offers a huge range of data about the bike and its rider. Not only can it be used to keep tabs on your battery status and range, speed, distance and time ridden along with other bike specific data, it also includes a complete fitness tracking suite. "Urban Geometry" When designing the 2023 Orbea Vibe H30 models, Orbea skilfully looked to anticipate how riders would use the bike, especially in urban and ultra-urban environments. A more upright seating position than a pure road bike, but not as aggressive as a mountain bike, the geometry leans itself towards optimum vision and comfort. Integration Orbea have gone to great lengths to include other features in the 2023 Orbea Vibe H30 frame to enhance the enjoyment of the bike and improve its aesthetics. Fully integrated cable routing creates a simpler, much more clean look, with only the very bare minimum necessary on show. The low-drain high output integrated lights are also internally wired, and automatically come on when the bike is powered up. The 2023 Orbea Vibe H30 EQ models also feature an extra high/low beam headlight in additional to the standard equipment daytime running lights. Lightweight Weighing as much as 10kg less than similar styles bikes using a crank drive system, the 2023 Orbea Vibe H30 is easily manoeuvrable both on and off the bike and makes carving through traffic and busy areas a breeze. Its quick, playful handling, responsive motor and strong hydraulic brakes allow immediate changes of direction in complete confidence. Extended range The 2023 Orbea Vibe H30 models have a theoretical range of up to 80 miles, however this depends on how efficient the rider is, and how much the rider relies on the higher power modes. For those who want to venture further, a handy bolt on Mahle X35 Range Extender option is available, almost doubling the bikes assistance range. 2023 Orbea Vibe EQ or Non-EQ? All of the 2023 Orbea Vibe models are available as either an "EQ" or "Non-EQ" model. You'll find them styled as "2023 Orbea Vibe H30" and "2023 Orbea Vibe H30 EQ". Which to go for depends on your riding style and intended use of the bike. The non-EQ is naturally the lighter of the two. Still equipped with front and rear daytime running lights, it offers all of the normal riding essentials for those who tend to carry anything on their bike and aren't afraid of a bit of mud or water. The EQ models offer all of the same specification of the non-EQ, but with the addition of a set of all-alloy mudguards (specifically made by Orbea just for the Vibe models), a pannier rack, an extra high-low beam headlight and a side stand. Its worthwhile considering your intended use of the bike carefully prior to purchase. While its possible to get the side stand separately, Orbea don't offer the mudguards and rack as post-sale accessories and you'll need to rely on aftermarket products which never look quite as sleek! Although a few hundred pounds more, that EQ does represent very good value when you consider the individually cost of the extra components if you're ever likely to get the use from them.  2023 Orbea Vibe Crossbar, or Mid? As with the EQ/non-EQ option, the 2023 Orbea Vibe models are also offered in both crossbar and mid-frame frame choices. A very much personal choice, there is no right or wrong answer on which to go for. The smaller frames will struggle with the addition of a water bottle or the option of a range extender, but the Mid frame option does provide a significant amount of extra stand over height which is really useful if you have short legs and even when on the right size bike, find the crossbar being uncomfortable close when stopped or getting on/off the bike! 2023 Orbea Vibe models Here at E-Bikeshop, we choose to only stock the Orbea Vibe H30 variants. Another (the Vibe H10) is available, however we believe that the H30 offers better value and better suits the needs of almost all compatible riders without the need to spend more money on things they might not use. 2023 Orbea Vibe H30 The most commonly sold version of the Orbea Vibe model range, the Vibe H30 is incredibly versatile and is the lightest weight option of all of the model variants. Learn more about the 2023 Orbea Vibe H30. 2023 Orbea Vibe H30 EQ Everything from the non-EQ version, but with the addition of Orbea's own alloy mudguards, pannier rack, side stand and extra high/low beam headlight. Learn more about the 2023 Orbea Vibe H30 EQ. 2023 Orbea Vibe H30 Mid The 2023 Orbea Vibe H30 Mid is exactly the same specification as the Crossbar, but with a much lower crossbar. Great for those who like to pop themselves forward off the saddle when stopping or getting on an off the bike. Learn more about the 2023 Orbea Vibe H30 Mid. 2023 Orbea Vibe H30 EQ Mid Again mirroring the specification of the ordinary Mid version of the 2023 Orbea Vibe, the EQ model also offers the addition of a set of alloy mud guards, pannier rack, side stand and extra high/low beam headlight. Learn more about the 2023 Orbea Vibe H30 EQ Mid. Which 2023 Orbea Vibe H30 will you buy this year? Whether you're commuting, looking to increase your distance or just pop to the shops there is an Orbea Vibe for you. You can find all of our options on the dedicated page for the 2023 Orbea Vibe Electric Bikes. Â
The Scottish eBike Loan scheme is provided by Energy Saving Trust on behalf of Transport Scotland and allows residents of Scotland to apply for funding of up to ÂŁ6,000 to purchase a greener, more sustainable method of travel.  Who are Energy Saving Trust? The Energy Saving Trust is an independent organisation working to address the current and future environmental impact of humans on our planet. A "Profit for Purpose" organisation, their profits are turned back into the business to continue to fund their mission to reduce human impact on the environment we live in. Founded in 1992, Energy Saving Trust was set up immediately following the United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Their initial role working with energy companies later developed to working with government towards a low-carbon and renewable alternative to fossil based fuels. Now, they reach over 1 million customers each year and remain committed to supporting the individual governments of the United Kingdom with their own energy saving targets and commitments and through this, are actively supporting and enabling Scottish residents to switch to using electric bikes.  What bikes can you buy in the Scottish eBike Loan Scheme? The Scottish eBike Loan Scheme isn't unlimited in the price of bikes you can purchase, but it does still offer exceptional value to those looking for a good quality, widely supported ebike with well recognised drive systems from the likes of Bosch and Yamaha. Each family is able to apply for: 2 eBikes (Capped at a value of ÂŁ3,000 each), or 1 Family eCargo bike (Capped at a value of ÂŁ6,000), or 1 Specially adapted bike (With a value to be assessed case by case) At the time of writing, we have over 50 bikes which can be purchased through the scheme, and you can see them all on our dedicated Scottish eBike Loan Scheme page.  What are the terms of the Scottish eBike Loan? The Scottish eBike Loan is a loan made to an individual (subject to credit and affordability checks) for amounts up to the above stated maximum amounts without administration fees or interest. Its repayable over 4 years and at the end, the bike is yours to keep! For a single bike this is ÂŁ62.50 per month, for two it'll cost ÂŁ125 and the same for an electric cargo bike. These figures are based on taking the maximum loan value. If you purchased a cheaper bike, your monthly repayments would be less but the loan term would remain the same. Applications for the loans are accepted and processed on a "First come, first served" basis and the Energy Saving Trust doesn't guarantee an unlimited number of application places or acceptances each year so its worth getting in early.  How can you get a bike under the Scottish eBike Loan Scheme? The Scottish eBike Loan Scheme is open to all Scottish residents (subject to credit and affordability checks) and is a really simple process. Here's how it works: Pick your new electric bike (We're on hand to help if you get stuck) Give us a call or drop us an email with the make, model, size (and colour if there's an option!), along with a full name, address and telephone number. We'll produce you the Quotation that Energy Saving Trust will ask you for. Call Energy Saving Trust on 0808 808 2282 to request your application form. Fill in your form and return it to them along with your quotation. Once approved, Energy Saving Trust will pay you directly (and they'll later ask for proof of purchase). You pay us, and we'll ship your bike. Normally it'll be with you in just a day or two. That's it! Normally you'll be out riding your new Scottish Electric Loan Scheme electric bike within just a few weeks. Pre-Order Bikes Some of our bikes will be brand new model year bikes which have not yet landed. Often customers will place pre-orders weeks or months ahead of delivery schedule to ensure they get one. It is permissible under the scheme terms to leave a deposit (this is our normal ÂŁ199 Pre-order Service deposit) to hold a bike while you go through the application process. This is either refunded on receipt of full payment, or applied as a discount to the order total with you paying the balance. Retrospective payment or use of the Scottish eBike Loan Scheme Its not possible to purchase a bike, pay us in full, accept delivery and later apply to use the scheme. This is against the terms of the scheme, and our own.  Here are just a handful of the bikes you can buy via the Scottish eBike Loan Scheme All of the bikes included below meet the criteria of the scheme both from a cost perspective, but also that they are an electric bike as covered by the definition of a "legal" eBike in the United Kingdom; 2023 Cube Reaction Hybrid Pro 625 The 2023 Cube Reaction Hybrid Pro 625 is the "go to" hard tail electric mountain bike for a multitude of reasons, not least its reputation for outstanding value and rock solid reliability.  2023 Orbea Vibe H30 Mid Easily one of our most popular bikes with all types of rider, the 2023 Orbea Vibe H30 Mid is a super lightweight urban and leisure bike available in 2 frame styles (Mid and full crossbar), 4 sizes and 4 colour options. 2023 Moustache Samedi X-Road 1 Moustache bikes are some of the most beautiful on the market. Each is hand crafted, providing a level of finish far superior to most of the rest of the options you'll come across. The 2023 Moustache Samedi X-Road 1 is no exception. 2023 Cube Touring Hybrid Pro 625 Our "most sold" electric touring, leisure and commuting bike, the 2024 Cube Touring Hybrid Pro has been returning year on year with exceptional value and typical all over German engineering prowess. Available in 3 frame styles (full Crossbar, "Uni", plus the Easy Entry pictured above) and 5 sizes, there is an option for any rider. 2023 Haibike Trekking 4 Crossbar Haibike have been building bikes in Germany since the mid 90's but over the last decade have made a name for themselves first in the mountain bike market, and more recently in the hybrid and touring sector. The first company to offer a truly integrated "ground up" designed ebike, they have a particularly loyal brand following like no other which has spawned a vast online community. The 2023 Haibike Trekking 4 Crossbar is set to again be a highly popular option for leisure and commuting riders. 2023 Tern GSD S10 eCargo Bike The 2023 Tern GSD S10 Electric Cargo Bike is the "does everything" solution for urban environments. Whether you're looking to do a weekly shop, take the wee ones to school or just potter along the local canal paths and byways, Tern have neatly engineered a solution in their phenomenal range of accessories to account for every use case. Its also available in Orange. Ready to buy your 2023 Scottish eBike Loan Scheme bike? Get in touch and we'll be very happy to walk you through the process of selecting your new electric bike using the Scottish eBike Loan Scheme from Energy Saving Trust. If you're already ahead of us and know which bike you're looking for or want to browse the most popular options, you can find them on our dedicated Scottish Electric Bike Loan Scheme page.Â