With bike theft on the rise and lots of requests for electric bike GPS tracking systems from our customers over the years, an email from a company based in France was quite timely. Trackap got in touch offering us an all in one hardware and app solution designed for ease of use from every angle. Naturally, we were interested. Was this the product we had been waiting for? We actually didn't know the true value of the electric bike GPS tracking systems on the market. How many exist? What are the costs? How easy are they to fit? Are there any ongoing costs? What support is there if something goes wrong? What do you actually do if your bike is stolen? Will I get a discount on my insurance? Here, we dig into the rising popularity of technology trickled down from the car market. How good is an electric bike GPS tracking system? We secured a demo unit from Trackap and fitted it to a staff members Haibike AllMtn 3.0. Being a strong mountain biker and a Senior Technician on Bosch and Yamaha systems with a decade of experience exclusively on ebikes, Dan was best placed to give us the feedback we needed on fitting and app integration, as well as attempting to "rough it up a bit". Another thing to consider was that a some of our eBikes leave us with a tuning kit fitted. On the Bosch systems, this is always a Speedbox 3.0. We had to make sure that if we were going to offer a tracking system to our customers, it needs to work flawlessly with and without any optional extras so we fitted one of those too! Dan rode some of the roughest terrain around our local area on his well timed week off. Light forest trails, hard pack, right up to root riddled and rocky climbs and descents and some big jumps and drops thrown in for good measure. The device didn't miss a beat and he was still able to locate it in the back of his van before setting off home, and it was still locatable at home the following day. Clearly it can take some abuse, and continues to work regardless of terrain and while running in series with a tuning kit. While the Bosch eBike system is happy to be ridden through water and the tracking system is splash proof and mounted inside the frame, it can't be fully submerged, so this is something to bare in mind. The true test of a tracker is when the bike is stolen. Thankfully Dan still has his bike, so we can't comment on that part but from a week of solid testing, its clear that the kit has the ability to easily report its location on demand, any time you need it and so we have every confidence that should the worst happen, its location will be easy to get, and the Police should have no trouble recovering it! How do electric bike GPS tracking systems work? The basics are simple. A small "dongle" fitted into the wiring of the bike, along with an accompanying app for you to take a peek at where you left it, or where it is if you discover its now not where you left it. The two talk to eachother, telling you where your bike is in real time. The kit itself looks like this; The little black box is the tracking device. This is located inside the frame of the bike and is attached to the wiring. We've come up with ever more inventive places to fit tuning kits in tight bike frames over the years so you can be assured that it wont be visible and will be difficult to get at when fitted to your bike! The little wires and their plugs are used to integrate it into the bikes main wiring loom, effectively "stealing" the tiny little bit of power it needs to operate. Its such a tiny amount of power that you wont notice any decrease in range of your ebike. In the interest of security, we're not going to show you where/how its fitted to a bike. It'll only offer potential thieves an idea of what they're looking for when stealing their next ebike. You'll know its there. They wont! The GPS tracking system sits silently in the bike, waiting for a "ping" from you and operates on 2G mobile network service and GPS. When using the app, you can request the bikes location any time of day or night and this request is normally routed via the tracking system manufacturers servers. Their server will send the request signal to a satellite which in turns "looks" for your tuning kit. Your tuning kit hears the "call" of the app and offers it a "virtual handshake", confirming its the correct device and then sends it GPS coordinates. This information is sent back via the satellite to the tracking system operators server, then to your device. This entire process normally takes just a couple of seconds. How easy are electric bike GPS tracking systems to fit? We don't like to make things seem more difficult than they are. The kit is designed with certified bike technicians in mind, but fitting or removing a GPS tracking device on an electric bike isn't out of the scope of a competent DIY bike mechanic or anyone who knows their way around an ebike. Despite this, fitting any ebike GPS tracker is going to mean removing wiring plugs to motors/the battery which are covered by a manufacturers warranty and for that reason alone, this product, just as with the Tuning Kits we sell, wont be offered for sale individually and will be an "add to bike" option only, offered only on new bikes purchased from us or as an accessory fitted during routine maintenance/servicing. This is to protect your warranty, not to be annoying or obstructive. We don't honour warranties on bikes where these components have been visibly fiddled with or have had aftermarket components fitted outside of our workshops by well trained hands. Are there any ongoing costs to owning an ebike GPS tracking system? Normally yes, and they vary wildly. Some companies offer kits with a high upfront/installation cost but no ongoing running costs. Often, these are great to start with, but with no further investment in the company producing them from the bike owners, you're relying on others seeing the same benefit and buying the kits to enable the company to continually develop and maintain their service. Trackap from e-Bikeshop costs ÂŁ199 for the unit and installation which is less than many, and over ÂŁ100 less than the E-Connect system from Haibike (now discontinued in the UK), and comes with a free 1 year subscription, then costs âŹ36 per year (just over ÂŁ2 per month, payable directly to the product manufacturer via the app) to maintain the service. Trackap are committed to the continual development of their service both in hardware and the user interface with lots of new features in the pipeline and this aspect of their service really stood out in the week long discussions we had with them over whether this was a product worth bringing to our European customers. (Currently, Trackap is only available in Europe). What support should I expect if something goes wrong with my electric bike GPS tracker? At e-Bikeshop, we're eBike experts and this extends to the products we sell alongside our bikes. With any product we intend stock, we spend time testing it and getting to know it before we offer it to our customers. Not only do we get to know the product inside out, but we also grill the manufacturers on their own ability to support their product in the process. We try to keep as much product support as we can "in-house", positioning ourselves as a one stop shop for any issues with any of the products we sell. Our technicians are some of the best in the business, and our office based Support Technicians are always on hand to help with aftersales enquiries about the products we offer. If you ever experience an issue with a product sold by us, we would always recommend you give us a call or drop us an email first, but Trackap have committed to always be in the background if we need their help. Your ÂŁ2 per month subscription fee supports their ongoing service backup! We of course do it at no cost, as part of your investment in us when you buy a bike or other product! Will I get a discount on my insurance? On motor vehicles, discounts are commonly offered when you can provide proof that your vehicle is fitted with an insurance approved tracking system like those from Tracker Networks but they're normally only found on fleet or high end vehicles or slightly more commonly on motorbikes since they're more easily stolen. As with any insurance terms, whether or not you get a discount on your insurance and how much it is will vary from provider to provider. We exclusively use Bikmo to offer 2 weeks free insurance on any bike sold by us, which covers the bike for loss, theft, damage and third party liability but they don't currently offer any discount for bike owners with a tracker fitted and this is likely because unlike on motor vehicles, there are no minimum set and industry recognised standards of equipment/reliability of service on ebike systems yet. Because of the lack of industry standard in products, the currently very low rate of uptake in tracking systems on eBikes (likely due to lack of education on benefits and how they work) and therefore a very sparse amount data required by insurance companies to calculate any reduction in "risk" to them, its very hard for an insurance company to provide any meaningful or calculated "reward" for fitting one. Regardless, we think the investment in a tracking device for ebikes is something that should be rewarded, and we'll continue to work with and support our insurance partner in making sure they have everything needed in case this is a future possibility. What should I do if my eBike is stolen? Contact the Police straight away. You can either reach them on 101 (please don't call 999 for a stolen bike unless you're in immediate danger or seriously hurt), or pop into your local station. Its a good idea to take a picture or description of your bike including the brand, model name, size and any distinguishing features (bumps, scrapes, any stickers or accessories fitted etc) along with your frame number if you have it to hand. Your bike may be being stored/hidden with many others and it'll help them get it back to you quicker! Although tempting, its never a good idea to go looking for your bike yourself. It might have been stolen by a mischievous child, or it could have been stolen by one of the many gangs using them to further support other far more serious organised crime and you wont know which until its too late. Trackap has an area of its website specially designed for Police to use and when you report your bike as stolen via the app, it will generate you a special code which they can use to monitor its location while they investigate. Did you know - It's estimated that around 285,000 bikes are stolen in the UK each year (and this figure is rising!) but less than 25% of these thefts are ever reported to the Police, with owners believing that nothing can or will be done. Of the total number reported as stolen, more than half of them are actually recovered by Police, often while investigating other crimes or when multiple bikes are stolen by the same thieves and one bike leads them to a stash of others. Unfortunately, fewer than 5% of stolen bikes end up back with their owners because the Police are unable to locate the owners of the unreported ones! These bikes are normally held for a set time period before being sold at Police auctions, the money going back into the pot to help protect local communities from similar crimes. Electric bike GPS tracking systems go a long way to helping you get your stolen bike recovered! If that isn't a good enough reason to purchase a GPS tracker for your new eBike, we don't know what is!
Due to be published in the Autumn, new changes to the Highway Code (Published 29th Jan 2022) seek to give cyclists and pedestrians greater priority over vehicles on some parts of the the UKs roads, as well as introducing a new "hierarchal" approach to apportioning responsibility for road safety. These Highway Code updates look to place more onus on the largest/most potentially dangerous road users. What changes are being made to the Highway Code for Cyclists? In a bid to enable healthier lifestyles while protecting the most vulnerable road users, the UK Government is proposing updates to the Highway Code - seeking to offer a greater level of protection to cyclists and pedestrians by increasing their "priority" over other road users, while simultaneously making vehicle users more responsible for their safety in a new "hierarchal" system which places pedestrians at the top and the largest of vehicles at the bottom. The number of people returning to walking and cycling both for leisure and commuting dramatically increased during the 2020 Covid-19 lockdowns and the Department for Transport, keen to see this trend continue, is actively looking to enable it with a new ÂŁ338 million funding package for the creation and maintenance of more supporting infrastructure. When will the Highway Code changes come into effect for cyclists? The need to review this section of the Highway Code was announced in October 2018 and the consultation period began on 28th July 2020, closing on 27th October 2020. A summary of the consultation proposals was released to the gov.uk website on 30th July 2021. Full details and Parliamentary approval are expected by Autumn, with the proposed changes coming into effect by Spring 2022. How will the changes to the Highway Code better enable and protect cyclists and pedestrians? Currently, the Highway Code treats all users of the UK road network as having the same level of responsibility. The proposed changes to the Highway Code will seek to address the level of responsibility each user of the road network has for other others and better "even it out" based on the level of potential danger each user poses. Stephen Edwards, interim CEO of charity Living Streets says; "The Highway Code currently treats children walking to school and lorry drivers as if they are equally responsible for their own and other peoples safety. These changes will redress that balance." He goes on to suggest that people walking are the least dangerous road users but are "often left paying the price of other peoples actions" and that "everyone would benefit, as everyone is a pedestrian on some occasions, even if they drive or cycle at other times" The new hierarchal method of placing responsibility for safety will now see the largest vehicles being responsible for the safety of smaller and all being more responsible for cyclists and pedestrians. Similarly, cyclists will now take on more responsibility for the safety of pedestrians. What new rules are expected for cyclists in the proposed Highway Code update? The "Rules for Cyclists" section will be seeing a raft of new updates, to include the following; Inclusion of references to cycle tracks, cycle signals and new junction designsAmendment to the wording on Advanced Stop Lines Clarification of the priority cyclists have over other vehicles when going straight ahead at a junction Provision of advice on cyclist behaviours when riding on a shared use route and giving pedestrians priority Recommendation that cyclists give way to pedestrians waiting to cross the road at a side road or junctions Strengthened advice around the value of cycle training Expansion of the rules on safe riding and crossing busy roads, including recommended procedures for cycling at roundabouts and road positioning Ready to join the cycling boom on a new eBike? You can see our full selection of eBikes here.
The Orbea brand has been around for a very long time - almost as long as bicycles themselves. Like many businesses who've survived two world wars, a civil war, political overhauls and global economic downturns, bikes also weren't their first product. Orbea ebikes are in fact a very recent addition to the portfolio. Founded in 1840 in Eibar, the Basque region of Spain as a rifle and gun manufacturer, in a turnaround similar to Birmingham Small Arms Company in the UK, they switched to producing bicycles between the two World Wars. Unlike BSA however, they didn't turn back to firearms and have continued to build some of the best, most competitive and arguably aesthetically pleasing bikes the cycling industry has seen. Orbea ebikes didn't start like this. In fact, it took almost 165 years to get anywhere close. As one of the only remaining companies still doing almost everything by hand, including painting and finishing frames, assembly and final inspection, Orbea are set apart from the rest of the cycling industry by their obsessive attention to detail and design concepts. In their formative years in cycling, having switched to producing bikes in 1930, Orbea began to make a name for themselves in the Basque region of Spain. They began competing in the coveted Tour De France races as early as 1934 with already well known Spaniard Mariana CaĂąardo placing 9th that year on one of their bicycles. He later went on to claim a 5th stage win (and 2nd overall) in the very first Vuelta a EspaĂąa (Tour of Spain) race the following year, again on an Orbea bicycle. Promoted by the cycle manufacturers from the Eibar area where Orbea were originally based, this race is still run each year today. Between 1936 and 1939, Spain was gripped by civil war. Having ridden out the stormy economic fallout, by the end of the war, Orbea employed more than 1000 staff and produced 50,000 new bikes each year Their Eibar factory at the time had the tooling and skills to produce every single component they needed to build their products. A complete, start to finish manufacturing process where absolutely everything was done in-house and under their own control. In 1969, while Brian Adams sung about his personal dilemma in choosing whether to settle down or strive for fame, America landed Apollo 11 on the moon and NATO troops were withdrawn from Vietnam, Spain struggled with a dire economic crisis. Unable to escape the downturn in country-wide fortune despite having survived so much beforehand, Orbea found itself on the now very real brink of bankruptcy. Undeterred and with unwavering faith in the brand, the workers of the Orbea factory took the decision to form a cooperative and purchase the company from the Orbea family, saving it from almost certain collapse. With the wind and previous financial troubles behind them, the newly formed cooperative left Eibar for a brand new site in Mallabia just 10km away, where they built the very first dedicated bicycle factory with more room and accessibility. Through the 1980's, Orbea surged forward with their development of new model lines. As well as returning to road racing in 1984, they also joined the mountain bike market for the first time, at a pivotal point where many of the most recognisable brands today were only just starting out on their journey. The 90's was the decade of mountain bikes - With lots of other European and US brands having only just begun to emerge over the previous 10 years, Orbea took up the challenge of an entirely new model line designed in the US and with frames manufactured in Asia. The Orbea MTB Team was born and the challenge to bring Orbea back to the international stage took a turn off the tarmac and onto the dirt roads. Fast forwarding to 2003, the Orbea Orca is born and provided the the first real predecessor to the Orbea Gain "M" (carbon frame) electric road bike range. "Orca", a combination of "ORbea" and "CArbon", became the name for Orbea's highest quality and most technologically advanced racing bikes still in production today. As well as the Orca, Orbea also launched the Ordu, their first Triathlon specific bike which propelled Craig Alexander to victory in the 2008 and 2009 Ironman Haiwaii races. At the same time, Orbea also launched and expanded the Orca brand of purpose designed helmets and apparel for Triathletes. The arrival of Orbea eBikes Hitting the fast forward button again, this time to 2016, and news is spreading of a revolution. Orbea are launching the Gain at Unibike in Spain. Their first electric bike for the road market, it promises to be everything that is Orbea. Light, manoeuvrable and with a great specification and built to the same quality and design ethos Orbea customers have come to expect. Not only was the initial Gain launch a success, they've continued to develop the model and in 2018, after more than 6000 hours of testing, it won several accolades including a Design and Innovation award from several prestigious cycling magazines. Fielding questions such as "Are you sure its an eBike?", and "It doesn't look like it has a motor"?, it ushered in a wave of new articles about what the future has in store for electric road bikes. Not content with boosting the performance of their road bikes, Orbea started work on their mountain bike offering. The Orbea Wild FS range was born and in 2017, was launched to the world. It seems such a long time ago that this Shimano E8000 driven monster first started making waves. Offered with a choice of wheel size, a fully integrated battery, speed sensor mounted in the rear brake rotor and a reinforced skid plate the Wild FS 10 was already ahead of its time and has continued to be updated to keep it at the very top of its game. Orbea electric bikes in 2021 Orbea ebikes have come a long way in a comparatively very short space of time - a testament to their unwavering commitment to evolution, design and value from their products backed by a Lifetime frame warranty and outstanding dealer support package. Year on year, Orbea continue to innovate and increase the end user experience with the latest technology and components. The Orbea Gain range is still a hugely popular option for those looking for an assisted entry into the world of road cycling, with 13 model variants in Carbon and Alloy frame options. Offered 5 frame sizes, multiple colourways as well as the MyO option for Carbon models from their entry level Gain D50 at just ÂŁ2,359, right the way up to the flagship Gain M10i at ÂŁ8,199. Our most popular option is the Orbea Gain. The Gain isn't the only model to have received significant updates since launch. The Wild FS range is now offered in 8 different model/specification variants, 3 sizes, two frame materials, multiple factory colours and a MyO option for Carbon frame models making the Wild FS one of the most customisable electric mountain bikes on the market before it even leaves the factory with tens of thousands of specification combinations. Building on the success of the Wild FS electric mountain bikes, late in 2020 Orbea announced the Orbea Rise. One of the most exciting Orbea ebikes of the year, the Rise pushes right up to the edge of the boundaries on what's achievable with currently available components. Arguably one of the best looking trail bikes on the market (especially if you take advantage of the free MyO custom paint options like the model above), the Rise isn't just a looker. Orbea have, from the very beginning, sought to be at the forefront of development of ebike technology and weighing in at as little as 16.5Kg on the M-Ltd model while still managing to produce 60Nm of torque and more than 4 hours riding from their collaboration with Shimano on motor firmware, this is the bike that has many of its competitors on the back foot in 2021. Having previously held the titles for the lightest bikes, Specialized and Lapierre are likely to be paying very close attention to this model over the next few years, especially given that the Rise undercuts the price by a percentage that makes the Rise stand out as the true champion on value. For this reason, the Rise M10, with its perfect balance of spec against cost is currently our most popular from the Orbea ebikes range. As you can see, with 180 years of experience behind them Orbea are one of the most forward thinking, design concept led and technically advanced cycle manufacturers in the world and continue apply this knowledge and experience in everything they do.Despite having a slightly longer than average lead time caused by (but more than made up for!) their attention to detail and quality of finish, Orbea continue to turn out industry leading products while remaining competitive on price, which is why they're one of our favourite manufacturers, and they should be yours too! You can see our full range of Orbea ebikes here.
Gocycle have launched their 4th Generation line-up with 3 brand new models - the entry model Gocycle G4, Gocycle G4i and the top of the range Gocycle G4i+. Their biggest feature overhaul and most technologically advanced product since the launch of the Gocycle G2 in 2012, we take a deeper look at the differences between their three exciting new folding electric bikes. Since their initial launch back in 2009, Gocycle have continued to innovate and improve their models with each new generation and the 4th incarnation of one of the worlds most popular folding electric bikes is not only no different, but their biggest technological leap since the Gocycle G2 in 2012. Before we get into the differences between the models, we'll take a look at some brand new features and what's changed across all three new models. New Carbon fibre front fork All three models will be benefiting from a redesigned front end, which loses the traditional rubber fork boot in favour of a much cleaner headset area and new plastic cover. This cover is where the new mudguards and lights will mount and both accessories come with a new plastic cover with mounting points built in, making the swapping out of components much easier. As well as easier maintenance and component compatibility, the new carbon fork also aids in weight reduction while adding a bit of compliance and comfort to the front of the bike. Also neatly integrated into the inside of the fork leg is the purpose designed new home for the bike's main control board, making servicing easier (and therefore cheaper) at the dealer. This small and neatly tucked away waterproof housing for the motor controller no longer requires complete disassembly of the rear CleanDrive section, and can be accessed with the wheel still in place! New Carbon mid-frame section Perhaps one of the most visually obvious updates to the new Gocycle G4 model range is the new carbon fibre mid frame section. As well as the clear weight reduction that using carbon brings, the use of this newly redesigned part in composite offers much better alignment of the two folding main frame parts. It also incorporates a new seat post clamp for better strength and accessibility of the clamp itself and works to offset one main component which got a little fatter during lockdown... New Gocycle G4Drive motor At a glance and certainly from the side, you'd be forgiven for missing this neatly integrated change. The brand new G4Drive motor system in the 4th Generation line-up is arguably the biggest change across all 3 models. The first motor update since the 2012 G2 model, it has a knock-on effect elsewhere on the bike. A much flatter profile, its also slightly larger and therefore heavier but this increased weight is easily offset elsewhere, like the new carbon mid frame section and front fork. With more torque and improved slow speed start-up, its much more responsive - allowing commuters the chance to take off up the road before the cars have made it away from the traffic lights! Because of this new design, several other features of the bike have also had to change. The entire system is now 36 volt in order to generate the extra torque and this brings it in line with most other manufacturers but it also required Gocycle to introduce a degree of "dish" to the wheels to account for the new offset and so the PitStop wheels are a new design for 2021. A USB Charging Port! Probably one of the most overlooked but super useful things on any electric bike, especially one designed for commuters and those in towns and cities is the ability to charge devices on the fly. A feature now offered as standard on all Bosch systems, its great to see this functionality pop up on the Gocycle models and offering its owners an extra bit of added value in their ride. Other updates Along with the above technological changes, lots of other bits have been changed too and although many of them will remain unseen or not be immediately obvious, their effects combined really launch the Gocycle electric bikes one step further into the future. The Gocycle G4, G4i and G4i+ all benefit from higher volume silicone compound tyres for unparalleled grip, new titanium hinge pins at the centre and bar fold and as always, attention has also been paid to servicing. Further simplified wiring and the new location for the motor controller speed service and maintenance and drives down labour costs at the dealer, along with revisions to the CleanDrive for even higher long term reliability and less maintenance. On the user side, as normal, the clever PitStop wheel design and single sided fork and swing arm mounting allows for the changing of tyres and the repair of punctures without having to remove the wheel. Gocycle G4 Despite being the "entry" level model, the Gocycle G4 is already a big step up from its Gocycle GX predecessor. Available in Electric Blue, Matte Black and White, the GoCycle G4 uses the same motor as the rest of the range, with a slightly smaller quick-removable 300Wh battery rated for up to 40 miles (depending on rider input). It has a LED "fuel gauge" on the dashboard to keep the rider aware of current charge status, and a mechanical Microshift 3 speed Shimano Nexus hub gear system. The total weight is just 16.6kg and folded up, its small enough to pop into a boot or under a desk at only 880mm x 390mm x 615mm. The G4 doesn't come with lights, so the Commuter Pack will be a great optional accessory on the G4 for those who ride at night or in low light. Gocycle G4i Sitting in the middle of line-up from Gocycle for 2021 and offered in Gunmetal Grey, Matte Black and White, the Gocycle G4i folding electric bike offers the best value of components vs specification. Including everything on the Gocycle G4, the G4i model benefits from a LightPipe front DRL (Daytime Running Light) with 4 user selectable operation modes. It also has a larger battery, something it shares with the G4i+ and gets an extra 10 miles to a full charge, bringing the total estimated range up to 50 miles. Building on the dashboard on the G4, the G4i has a much larger, more comprehensive dashboard, using an LED matrix to offer information on battery charge state and current gear selection. The G4i is also the first of the top two models which comes with Gocycle's own electronic Predictive shifting. While pedalling, the system will automatically switch gears based on cadence and speed, with a manual override on the handlebars for user selected gear operation. The G4i also gets a slight upgrade to the seat too - it comes fitted with the Velo Ergo Comfort saddle over the Ergo Sport fitted on the entry level model. Gocycle G4i+ Topping off the new 2021 model range, the Gocycle G4i+ is the very top spec model and is being offered in two colourways - Gloss black and Red (pictured above). Including all of the spec from the G4 and G4i models and its unique colourway options, the G4i+ also comes with fully carbon fibre wheels, reducing the overall weight of the bike by a further third of a Kilo. While we expect that the majority of customer will likely go for the G4i because of its value point, the G4i+ saw a bigger than expected surge in early demand on pre-orders, and allows owners to really stand out from the rest! Gocycle Specification Table  Model G4i+ G4i G4 Frame Colour Gloss Black/Red Gunmetal Grey/Matte Black/White Electric Blue/Matte Black/White Pitstop Wheel Carbon Fibre Magnesium Magnesium Daytime Running Light Gocycle Lightpipe Gocycle Lightpipe None Range Up to 80km (50 Miles) Up to 80km (50 Miles) Up to 65km (40 Miles) Motor Gocycle G4Drive Hub Gocycle G4Drive Hub Gocycle G4Drive Battery 36V 375Wh 36V 375Wh 36V 300Wh Charging Time 3.5 Hours 3.5 Hours 3.0 Hours Handlebar Display Integrated dashboard display with fuel gauge, speed, gear indication. Integrated dashboard display with fuel gauge, speed, gear indication. LED Fuel Gauge Shifting Gocycle electronic Predictive Shifting Gocycle electronic Predictive Shifting Mechanical Microshift Trans Patented CleanDrive Shimano Nexus 3-Speed Patented CleanDrive Shimano Nexus 3-Speed Patented CleanDrive Shimano Nexus 3-Speed Saddle Velo D2 Comfort Velo D2 Comfort Velo Sport Pedals MKS UX-D, One side detachable pedal MKS UX-D, One side detachable pedal Gocycle Folding Pedal  We hope this has provided everything you need to make an informed decision on the differences between the 4 new Gocycle models, which will suit you best and set you on your new folding ebike journey! You can purchase the Gocycle G4 here, the Gocycle G4i here and the Gocycle G4i+ here.
We take a look at the new Bosch eBike features revealed for 2021 electric bikes. Each year, Bosch make updates to their hardware and software and you can learn all about the new Bosch Performance Line CX 2021 and other components, right here. New Bosch Performance Line CX 2021 Motor Updates The Bosch Performance Line CX 2021 motor is one of the most advanced on the market. Utilising multiple sensors which communicate over 1000 times per second, these sensors relay information require to bring you the most precise/powerful eBike assistance offering maximum agility and control. For 2021 it gets a whole lot better, in a host of different ways. Read on to find out more... NEW - Increased Bosch Motor Drive Torque Bosch CX 2021 - Bosch has increased the motor torque to 85Nm, up from the previous 75Nm, achieving a 12.5% increase on torque across the board. This torque increase has a noticeable effect on riding behaviour. The new CX motor allows for faster acceleration, particularly on standing hill starts but also at lower cadences. The new Performance Bosch CX 2021 update keeps the high 340% assistance available to the rider. NEW - Bosch CX "Extended Boost" Extended Boost for 2021 is a brand new function for working your way through the really rough stuff. Exposed roots, steps and stairs, boulders and everything in between can be traversed with ease, even when heading uphill. This totally new and unrivalled function allows for a much-improved level of manoeuvrability. The unique dynamic of the new Extended Boost function allows the rider to overcome obstacles with ease simply by applying the correct amount of pressure to the pedal. Bosch's innovative function in eMTB mode can be controlled to great effect across all terrain types; with the front wheel is already on a step, slight pedal pressure is all it takes to provide that needed "kick" up - A whole new level of pedal management! New CX Hardware Features: Up to 340% assistance in Turbo Mode.Cadence support up to 120 RPM.Torque increased to 85Nm.Weight: Circa 2.9 Kg. NEW - Bosch CX "Perfect Control" The freshly tweaked eMTB mode now gives you even better control on the trail without any need to flick between riding modes. A new firmware upgrade allows the motor to respond far more sensitively to rider input, especially in low gears, making even those seemingly near-vertical hill starts a much smoother affair! Bosch's all-new Advanced eMTB mode makes sure that eBikers of all abilities are best equipped for whatever riding situation the trail may throw up on the day. New hardware control Brand new sensor/motor control functions give eBikers a much wider range of both dynamic and natural support. Using torque sensors to measure pedal pressure, Bosch's progressive motor support adapts to any riding situation. The newly improved adjustment of eMTB mode in the latest update ensures optimum control of traction. Start-up torque is also overhauled - it's now much finer and more sensitive, especially so in lower gears. All of this will help beginners - the Bosch electric bike is now 'easier' to ride. There's a broader cadence range and if the rider misses or selects the wrong gear whilst accelerating out of bends, the system will respond with more or less power to help the rider by managing the assistance in the most advanced and natural way to date. Not buying a new 2021 Bosch eBike? Already bought a 2020 bike? No problem! All of these features will be backwards compatible with the 2020 Bosch Gen 4 CX Motor and will be available from us exclusively for our eBike customers as part of our routine maintenance/servicing offering. New 2021 Bosch Nyon eBike Control The new Bosch Nyon control for 2021 not only takes the Nyon to a new level but also hosts a whole new range of features in a smaller, neater but still very smart shell. A whole new screen  The new 2021 Bosch Nyon eBike Controller paves the way for a new generation of eBiking. The new eBike Connect App seamlessly integrates smartphones and the new Bosch Nyon controller to share data about activities and routes taken. The new 3.23 inch TFT colour Touchscreen display acts as a "Smart Guide", assisting the rider while exploring unknown areas. It also neatly doubles as a personal trainer, providing real-time and historical fitness data. This new "AIO" on-board computer is devilishly simple to use with a simple, well laid out touchscreen and the familiar Nyon bar controls. eBike Connect App  The eBike Connect App connects the Nyon with the smartphones & exchanges data about routes/activities. The colour display supports the pedelec rider as a smart guide when exploring previously unknown places & acts as a personal trainer by providing fitness data. The all-in-one on-board computer can be operated intuitively & easily via the touchscreen. It's controlled by means of the separate control unit while riding. Equally at home on long rides or short routine trips: The robust and easy-to-read display ensures that eBikers are well equipped for every situation and all weather conditions. The new Nyon on-board computer - a smarter, more intuitive and more connected generation. This is what Connected Biking feels like. Nyon Control Hardware Features: Transmissive 3.23-inch TFT colour display with touch functionality (16 million colours).Approx. 6GB available memory.Optimised anti-reflex coating.Operation via the separate Remote Compact control unit.Two buttons for switching on/off and light.Walk Assist button on the separate Remote Compact control unit.Two installation positions.Integrated high-precision GNNS navigation module.Fast double-core processor.High-resolution barometric pressure sensor.Ambient light sensor automatically controls the display's backlight.Integrated rechargeable battery.When the IPX5 USB cap is closed, it is protected against the elements.Micro-AB-USB port for charging the Nyon battery & external devices.Temperature range: â5 °C to +40 °C (operation) and â10 °C to +50 °C (storage). New Bosch Kiox Display Navigation 2021 Functions Bosch brings new functionality to the Kiox display for 2021. The Bosch Kiox is relatively new to the Bosch eBike Systems family but they've adapted it to bring new features to the rider. NEW for the 2021 Bosch Kiox - Navigation For the first time ever, Bosch bring a full navigation suite to the Bosch Kiox display. The perfect combination of functionality in a small and easy to use user interface. Keeping you on the right track: The new 2021 Kiox navigation function supports eBikers as they head out through unfamiliar areas (or need a hand finding the way home!). The on-board computer is connected via Bluetooth and navigation started using the smartphone and indicates the planned ride to the user set destination. Precise Orientation Keeping it on a swivel: The all-new Navigation function on the 2021 Bosch Kiox is perfectly tailored to meet the needs of even the most indecisive of eBikers. The view on the display constantly rotates to the direction of travel while riding, making it ultra-simple to navigate even the twistiest of trails! Simple Route Planning Find your own way: eBikers can easily plan routes using the Bosch eBike Connect app or online portal and simply send them to Kiox via the eBike Connect app. You can download the eBike Connect app for a smartphone on the Google Play Store or alternatively the Apple Store. Customised Display Bosch allow the rider to preset ride screens based on what you want as the rider. Maybe you require different values presented on one screen? Now that is possible. View your own way: With multiple screens and a choice of riding data to be displayed. You can toggle between ride screens at the flick of a button whilst riding. You can easily configure Kiox and adapt it to your own preference. This new feature allows eBikers to focus purely on the thing they enjoy: eBiking! Kiox Hardware Features: Transmissive 1.9-inch colour display made from unbreakable glass.Operation via the separate Remote Compact control unit.Walk Assist button on the separate Remote Compact control unit.The display mount is installed on the stem.Two buttons for on/off and light directly on the display.Ambient light sensor automatically controls the display's backlight .Integrated rechargeable battery delivers power in off-board mode for approx. 20 minutes.When the IPX7 USB cap is closed, it is protected against brief immersion in water.Micro-AB-USB port for eBike system diagnostics by the dealer and for charging the Kiox.Temperature range: â5 °C to +40 °C (operation) and â10 °C to +50 °C (storage). New Bosch 2021 Features Summary Now you know all the new features Bosch has introduced for 2021. Watch this handy video summarising some of the new features: Most Bosch eBikes are fully backwards compatible with some or all of the functions above, in particular, the new Performance CX torque improvement update. As with all updates, it will be available from us on your next service at no cost! Ready to start your eBike journey? View all our Bosch powered eBikes here.
Apart from the Gocycle names being one letter apart, do you want to learn what the differences are between the Gocycle GX and the Gocycle GXi electric bikes? Keep reading to learn more...Both the Gocycle GX and the Gocycle GXi appear similar in their looks. We'll break down some of the defining factors between the two. But first, let's start with what is the same on both. What's the same? The Gocycle GX and the GXi feature the same frame and folding ability, this differs from the Gocycle GS and G3C which both break down and pack away. Whereas the Gocycle GX and GXi are full folding bikes which fold away in seconds. Both the GX & GXi feature the same magnesium wheels, front fork, rear suspension and 'All-Weather' tyres too. Lastly, both models feature the same Gocycle proprietary front motor too. So what actually is the difference between these Gocycle eBikes? What's the difference? There are many differences between the Gocycle GX and the Gocycle GXi. We'll break them down and sum them up in the following chapters:- Gocycle Gear Shifting The gear shifting on the GX is mechanical (user-operated by a manual shifter and gear cable). Where-as on the GXi it's completely electronically controlled. This means no gear cable runs from the handlebars to the shifting on the rear wheel. It's fly-by-wire and built into the frame. The Gocycle GXi predicts when to shift gear and does it automagically. Think of it as an automatic gearbox on a car. The rider can still manually change gear if required using the electronic rotary shifter on the handlebars. The neat built-in display will tell you what gear you are in. It will automatically shift up and down as the riders pedal cadence increases and the terrain changes. It will even sense when you have come to a stop and instantly down change down to a low gear, so you can be sure as soon as the lights go green you set off in a flash. Both the Gocycle GX and the GXi utilise a completely built-in, bulletproof, Shimano Nexus 3 speed hub gear on the rear. Gocycle Daytime Running Light The Gocycle GXi features a built-in Daytime Running Light (DRL for short). The DRL offers superior amounts of safety in terms of visibility to other road users. It's LED tube construction is fully integrated within the handlebars themselves. New European law states that all automobiles are required to have DRL's which offer improved safety to road users to increase the visibility for all transport. Although not essential, we have to remember that the Gocycle is developed by an ex formula 1 engineer with insights into the future of automobiles and safety. Therefore the Gocycle GXi comes with a fully integrated DRL built into the GXi dash, of course, Gocycle takes it to a whole new level using patented light pipe technology offering a huge increase in Gocycle riders being seen. The standard Gocycle GX does not feature a DRL. Gocycle Handlebar Display Whilst both Gocycle models feature a built-in display - The Gocycle GXi takes it to another level. It offers a completely edge-to-edge display that shows essential credentials to the rider. The LED's across the top represent both speed & battery capacity. Whilst the centre lights show the rider what gear they are in & the brightness setting on the Daytime Running Light too. The Gocycle GX has 4 LED's in the centre of the handlebars which display the battery capacity in 25% increments. It's important to remember on both Gocycle GX and the GXi you can also mount your smartphone on the handlebars too. This will give you access to certain cycle parameters like distance/time travelled, calorie burn, mpg, litres saved, battery capacity, adjust the top assisted speed & even check the weather! Gocycle Colours Not notable from a hardware point of view, but the traditional Gocycle colours remain on both the Gocycle GX and the GXi. Although slightly different on each model. The Gocycle GX is available in either Electric Blue, Matt Black or the White / Black gloss combo. Where-as the Gocycle GXi comes in both Gloss White or Grey. Or you can opt for Matt Black. The Gocycle GXi is uniform colours throughout. Gocycle Charger The Gocycle GX comes as standard with the standard 2Amp charger. This recharges the battery (from flat) in approx 7hours. It has a built-in LED to show when the charge is complete. The Gocycle GXi, however, comes as standard with the upgraded 4Amp Fast Charger. Even with the bigger battery on the GXi, it brings the charge time down to approx just 4 hours. Both chargers work on an input voltage of 100 - 240v, so it can be conveniently used across continents with a different plug adaptor. It's worth noting that we do stock the Gocycle Fast Charger as an optional accessory, which you could purchase with the Gocycle GX if required. Gocycle Handlebar Adjustment The Gocycle GXi features a different handlebar to the GX. The cables are internally routed on the GXi, giving a cleaner overall look. But did you know they are height adjustable too? This is possible because the gear change is electronic on the GXi, so it allows for the rider to loosen the handlebars and fix them to the appropriate height. It's not possible on the Gocycle GX due to the cabling and design. Whilst we're talking about handlebars, both the Gocycle GX and the GXi have comfort grips in common. These offer superior support and comfort to the rider due to their ergonomic design. Gocycle Battery Capacity The Gocycle battery is built-in on both the GX and the GXi, the rider can either charge in situ or completely remove from the frame (something not possible on their predecessors). Both models have 22v lithium-ion battery cells, but the batteries do differ in capacity between the two models. The Gocycle GX has a 13.7Ah (300Wh) battery which offers up to around 40 miles (65km) depending on the rider input. The Gocycle GXi features a bigger battery, around 25% more range is achieved with the 17Ah (375Wh) battery. Which delivers up to 50 miles (80km) depending on the rider and terrain. Important to note, the 300Wh battery on the GX can be upgraded further down the line if required to the 375Wh battery that comes as standard on the GXi. Gocycle Saddle Style Although very similar, the saddles on each Gocycle do differ slightly. The Gocycle GX comes setup with the Velo Sport saddle. Whereas the GXi comes with the Velo D2 Comfort saddle. Already have your favourite saddle? No need to worry; the Gocycle features the same saddle mounting as every other bike. This means you can change the saddle (not seat post) to any saddle of your choosing. Although super comfy, Gocycle understands everyone is different, therefore the saddle will not suit all. Gocycle Pedals The Gocycle GX uses folding pedals. These are convenient to use and fold down to reduce the overall width when transporting the bike. Where-as the Gocycle GXi uses a new style of detachable pedals. This means the rider can simply pop the pedals off as required. It brings the overall width of the bike (folded) down by a further 20mm when removed. Don't worry, there's a convenient storage point for them too! The overall dimensions of the Gocycle GXi and GX are 88cm long by 61.5cm high. With the folding pedals, the GX is 39cm wide and with the detachable pedals (GXi) 37cm wide. To sum up the differences By now you should have learnt exactly what the differences are. But in general, both Gocycle models will make you smile and of course get you up the hill. Aside from some comfort and visual differences, the main hardware points being the Gocycle GX has an uprated battery, built-in Daytime Running Light, handlebar display and also complete electronic shifting over the Gocycle GX. Not forgetting the fast charger too. The battery & fast charger are upgradeable on the standard Gocycle GX, but with these items costing in excess of ÂŁ800 to upgrade it's worth considering the Gocycle GXi price difference of ÂŁ800 when buying either model, not forgetting all the other extra features you get on the GXi too. You can learn more and read all the features/spec on both models: Gocycle GX & Gocycle GXi.
EMTB Forums joined Martin Brown director of e-bikeshop.co.uk at their HQ in Farnham, Surrey. A tech talk on the development of electric bikes, future technology & the eBike industry. EBIKE TECH TALK The guys from EMTB Forums came down for the day and interviewed Martin at E-bikeshop to cover some of the biggest topics in the electric bike industry. The talk covers some interesting subjects including; Battery range/charging, acceptance of eBikes and changes in the market. Future tech is also in there, how technology/innovations have changed in the electric bike world and the communities that surround them. If you are an eMTB rider or interested in the communities behind them, check out EMTB Forums. Want to learn how eBikes work & can benefit you? Take the 5 Step eBike Journey now.
Every year Bosch eBike Systems evolves its product line up. For 2019 Bosch offer new features for its eMTB community based on rider feedback. Let's look at the new features. The great thing about the Bosch eBike system is that it's fully updateable. This means the system is totally futureproofed, where current users can have dealer updates to their existing electric bikes. Let's face it, the Bosch Performance Line CX is pretty much one of the best systems on the market for its punchy power, smooth torque curve and new features like the eMTB mode. In fact, Bosch actually won the Design & Innovation Awards 2018 for their new 'Uphill Flow Trail' where they used expert trial builder Diddie Schneider to offer a new trail which actually flows uphill specifically designed for eMTBs & these features. So what can Bosch possibly expand on? Well, based on rider feedback they have made certain improvements to the system itself. We'll delve into a little more details about these: New 2019 Bosch eBike Features Include New Update For Short eMTB Crank Arms Most riders run regular length cranks (170-175mm) but on an eMTB you tend to tackle harder climbs and the electric mountain bike allows you to navigate up rocks/obstacles etc. With full-length cranks, pedal strikes become more apparent. This means many riders have been fitting short Bosch eBike crank arms (165-150mm) which allows more ground clearance for more adventurous riding. The trouble with just swapping the cranks is that it alters the feedback the drive system gets. Which in turn alters the output of the motor assistance feel, torque curve and in particular the characteristics when in eMTB mode. For 2019 Bosch introduces software updates via a Bosch eBike dealer, who can program each bike to suit the preferred crank length. This adapts the progression curve in eMTB mode and also offers increased support in Tour mode, offering maximum power up-hill. New Bosch Kiox LCD Display The new 2019 Bosch Kiox display is neat and compact with a super crisp resolution LCD display screen. It mounts in the centre of the handlebars, unlike the Intuvia or Nyon (which mount on the handlebars themselves) the Bosch Kiox display has it's own mount which bolts to the top of the stem top cap bolt. The Bosch Kiox display offers all the rider credentials in a neat and easy to read user interface. Riders can see important factors like speed, distance and battery range on the screen. The newly designed 2019 control buttons, which sit to the left of the bars allow scrolling of this screen. Other data includes ride summaries, fitness levels and heart rate monitoring (by connecting a Bluetooth BLE heart rate monitor). The control buttons have been redesigned in 2019 for easier use and navigation of the display. The buttons are slightly bigger and easier to use with gloves on for example. They also feel really positive/satisfying to operate. Bosch Kiox is a small and robust unit, which magnetically clips onto the display. It's a very strong magnet and requires a tug to remove it from the display bracket. When clipping back on it quickly glides back into place quite satisfyingly The newly designed screen uses Gorilla Glass on the front which is scratch resistant. New Bosch Fast Battery Charger Bosch already has a Standard Charger and a Compact Charger. For 2019 Bosch eBike introduce a Fast Charger. This new charger is slightly larger and about 200g heavier than the Standard charger but offers a 6Ah charge rate. This brings the charge time down by around 50% compared to the compact charger. Typically a Bosch 500Wh battery will take 7.5hrs to charge on the Compact Charger, 4.5hrs on the Standard Charger and 3hrs on the new fast charger. The new 2019 Bosch Fast Charger is currently the fastest charger on the market of any system provider. Ideal for those more frequently charging their Bosch eBike batteries. Compact Charger Standard Charger Fast Charger Max Charge Current 2A 4A 6A Size Approx 160 x 75 x 45 mm 190 x 86 x 54 mm 200 x 90 x 60 mm Weight Approx 600g 800g 1000g 500Wh Charge Time 7.5hrs 4.5hrs 3hrs The new Bosch Fast Charger is compatible with all Bosch eBike systems to date. You can also use it on the original Classic+ line by using this adaptor. New Faster Walk Assist Operation Yes, eBikes are made for the climbs, but every now and again you want to use the walk-assist when beside the bike for navigating obstacles or manoeuvring the bike up steep slopes. Bosch recently updated the walk-assist button, as it was smaller and more difficult to hold underneath or above the controls. Now you simply press the 'Walk' button and then hold the '+' button within 5 seconds to activate it. It's easier to do with gloves on and more natural to hold this way. We do know that they are extending this 5 second activation time by a few seconds soon to make it easier and for users to navigate the two buttons in tandem. The current walk assist is good, but some riders have said it lacks grunt. New for 2019 Bosch offer a software update to fix all of this. Now with the improved use of the gradient sensor, the walk-assist can adapt to changes terrain in both steepness and obstacles. The walk assist, automatically adapts to the slope it's on offering the rider full support where it's needed most. The new more powerful walk assistance enables sharp increases in walking speed to be mastered more easily with your eMTB. A new application ensures optimum power transmission - even on electric mountain bikes with short cranks. What's Next? It's an exciting time for Bosch as they continue to dominate the market & react to rider feedback. No doubt they'll be a few more updates coming very soon. We also know that up until now the eMTB mode comes as standard as part of the latest bike firmware update. This is not optional, but in July the dealer diagnostics will give the option to turn it on/off. It's important to note, as mentioned above, all of these Bosch eBike updates will come as standard on 2019 Bosch electric bikes, but is also completely update-able onto previous model years using the Bosch Performance CX motor. Find your new Bosch powered eMTB today â Full range of Bosch powered eBikes.