This year some of the e-bikeshop team will be available to meet at The Cycle Show 2014 @ Birmingham NEC. On the Sunday (28/09/2014) we will be taking bookings in advance for our new or existing customers to talk through the electric bike range and show what 2015 has to offer. This years cycle show is set to be the biggest yet with the expansion into another hall and more exhibitors than ever showing off what's hot for 2015! We will obviously be focussing on the eBikes. We will be happy to work through the Haibike, Raleigh & Moustache 2015 electric bike ranges. Some of which will also be available to demo on the electric bike test track. Brand Stands - Haibike D29 Moustache K200 Raleigh D41 I can be called on the Sunday on this number in the event of any issues - 01252 279 279 All appointments are on a one-to-one basis so spaces are limited throughout the day. Please book below and we will return via email to confirm your appointment time - Appointment form now expired.
Here'sΒ a quick first look over the brand new All Mountain range from Haibike for 2015. The xDuro AllMtn range has been expanded for 2015 to include 3 models of different specification. Haibike All Mountain Overview The Haibike xDuro all mountain bikes have been one of our most popular ranges of eMTB's in the last few years. The fact that the bike is not too small or too big a travel, makes it a bit of an all rounder for All Mountain & Trail riders alike. The suspension on each model is also very adjustable, so this makes the bike pretty versatile both on and off road. The air pressures can be set up by us for the riders weight to ensure a spot on riding experience tailored to each individual.Β The Haibike xDuro AllMtn range for 2015 all feature the Bosch Performance drive system and a Bosch 400Wh battery so riding all day is possible with this bigger capacity battery pack. Below we'll give you a brief overview of each Haibike AllMtn eMTB for 2015 - Haibike xDuro AllMtn Pro 2015 Brief Overview: The top of the range AllMtn bike, set up with top spec components, from the excellent Crank Brothers wheel set to the Sram 11 Speed Drivetrain, the AllMtn Pro is the ultimate package. This model is equipped with the Bosch Performance drive and the brand new Nyon multifunctional LCD display. Price: Β£5499 Wheel Size: 27.5β³ (650B) Sizes: 40, 44, 48 & 52cm Frames Haibike xDuro AllMtn PRO 2015 Full Specification Haibike xDuro AllMtn RX 2015 Brief Overview: The AllMtn RX is based on the same chassis as the above, still with 150mm Fox suspension, but this time with a 10 speed Shimano XT drivetrain and XT hydraulic disc brakes. The AllMtn RX comes equipped with the same Bosch Performance system and the Nyon multifunctional display. A well equipped bike without the extras of the PRO. Price: Β£4399 Wheel Size: 27.5β³ (650B) Sizes: 40, 44, 48 & 52cm Frames Haibike xDuro AllMtn RX 2015 Full Specification Haibike xDuro AllMtn RC 2015 Brief Overview: The AllMtn RC is the entry level All Mountain bike within the Haibike xDuro range. Again based on the same travel and chassis as its 2 bigger brothers. However this is a more budget friendly option for a good all round AMT bike. Still equipped with the Bosch Performance system, we lose the Nyon display and offer a lower grade of components. A good all round All Mountain bike without breaking the bank. Price: Β£3699 Wheel Size: 27.5β³ (650B) Sizes: 40, 44, 48 & 52cm Frames Haibike xDuro AllMtn RC 2015 Full Specification Bosch Nyon Overview video - What do we think? The Haibike xDuro all mountain eBikes have always been our most popular range of bikes. This is set to continue through 2015 with the larger range and wider price points. We love the AMT PRO, mainly because of the 11 speed drivetrain, new twin piston brakes and of course not forgetting those super sexy Crank Brothers twin spoked wheels. All the AMT bikes are built on Haibike's German built frame which is not only super agile but flows very well with the componentry selected. We like the internal cable routing, it keeps the bikes looking sleek and fresh in their clutter free appearance. It also reduces the risk of any snags whilst out on the trail. The Nyon display is a great on the top 2 bikes in the range offering a complete all in one system for exploring the great outdoors. The dropper post is also a handy addition on these models too, for ultimate adjustability whilst riding. View the full range / specifications / availability here - Haibike xDuro All Mountain Bike Range 2015
You may have seen our recent articles supporting Mat Dibb to set a new electric bike world record on the IOM... Well last weekend Mat set off to attempt the fastest man round the Isle of Man TT mountain bike course. Mat, who suffers from chronic kidney disease, will soon require a transplant. Mat came up with the idea of riding the Isle of Man TT mountain bike course on an electric bike to raise money for South West Thames Kidney Fund & also set a new world record at the same time! You can read the opening article here. The original record was set by Conor Cummins. Conor completed the course in 2 hours 41 minutes. This included stopping along the way for a cup of tea at his mums house. Something that Mat replicated on the new record challenge. On the 14th September 2014 Mat set off to the Isle of Man, with his support team & electric bike with a goal to become a new Guinness World Record Holder. We are pleased to announce that Mat completed the course in a staggeringly low time of 1 hour 28 minutes. That smashes the previous record by over an hour!.. Very impressed! Here Mat is getting ready and set up to start the World Record Challenge, last few preps, GoPro being mounted ready. Calm before the storm. Setting off the start line in full anticipation of setting the new Electric Bike World Record! Mat looking rather serious in mid flow here, full attack position, overtaking the boys in Lycra! Mat crosses the line in record breaking time! Looking rather exhausted, the first thing to greet him is his son jumping for a big hug, one proud son right there. The official Guinness World Record lap time now set of 1 Hour 28 minutes & 37 seconds. A rather happy looking Mat as reality sets in that he's set a new World Record on an Electric Bike So there we have it - The fastest man round the Isle of Man TT Mountain Bike Course on an electric bike. Mat completed the course on the Bosch powered Moustache Dimanche electric road bike provided by e-bikeshop. Mat told us what he thought about the bike after setting the world record - "The Moustache Dimanche never missed a beat and without question played a fundamental part in achieving my world record. It's a real wolf in sheep's clothing (a racing sheep!)." We are privileged to have helped Mat complete his challenge, Mat said - "It was the outstanding support from e-bikeshop, and the opportunity to discuss technical requirements in finite detail with Martin Brown that brought this world record within reach. The rest was down to me on the day." Mat actually tracked his route on Strava. This showed just how tough the course was. He travelled a distance of 38.2miles in total covering over 2800 ft of elevation throughout. The toughest part was the last climb at over 1300 ft of climbing. Of which he got to race back down the other side on this fast electric road bike! Lets hope the locals don't come chasing as Mat sets 32 new unbeatable king of the mountains during the event! Oooops! Building up to the event Mat has raised over Β£1432 with donations still flowing in. Please help Mat to reach his target of Β£2k raised for South West Kidney Fund. Don't forget although the event is over you can still show support on the official event facebook page here.
We are very proud to announce the new 2015 collection of Electric Mountain bikes from Lapierre. The Overvolt range was popular in 2014, however 2 new models to offer a wider price range have been revealed! 2015 Overvolts just got a whole load better! Exclusively Available @ e-bikeshop.co.uk Why Lapierre Overvolt eMTB's? Lapierre have been at the forefront of both Road & Mountain Biking for several years now. The bikes are still handbuilt over in Dijon, France. This offers a great cross over brand for regular mountain bike enthusiasts to move across to electric mountain biking with a well respected brand that has previously been voted 'Bike of the Year'! Lapierre are very lucky to have Nico Vouilloz (10 times MTB World Champion) on board to refine the eBikes in respect of components build and frame geometry to offer the perfect balance of trail / all mountain eBike to ride what your doing already, just longer, harder & faster. Lets GO! Lets take a look at what 2015 has to offer in the Lapierre Overvolt Range - Lapierre Overvolt FS 900 2015 Brief Overview: This is the top of the range model within the Overvolt eMTB range. The FS 900 features a full Shimano XT gear system and hydraulic disc brakes. Built on a 140mm chassis, using the latest RockShox Revelation forks up front & Lapierre's own rear shock. All powered by the latest Bosch Performance system. Price: Β£3499 Wheel Size: 27.5β³ (650B) Sizes: 39, 45 & 51cm Frames Lapierre Overvolt FS 900 2015 Full Specification Lapierre Overvolt FS 500 2015 Brief Overview: This is the younger brother to the FS 900, built on the same Overvolt full suspension chassis and with 140mm travel. The Overvolt FS 500 comes with more budget friendly components and uses the more subtle Bosch Active line electric system. A sub Β£3K all mountain / trail electric mountain bike. Price: Β£2999 Wheel Size: 27.5β³ (650B) Sizes: 39, 45 & 51cm Frames Lapierre Overvolt FS 500 2015 Full Specification Lapierre Overvolt HT 900 2015 Brief Overview: The Overvolt HT 900 is the top end hardtail mountain bike within the 2015 Overvolt range. It features a full Shimano XT / SLX drivetrain and Deore hydraulic disc brakes. Latest RockShox Reba RL 120mm travel forks with lockout and of course the top end Bosch Performance drive system. Price: Β£2899 Wheel Size: 27.5β³ (650B) Sizes: 39, 45 & 51cm Frames Lapierre Overvolt HT 900 2015 Full Specification Lapierre Overvolt HT 500 2015 Brief Overview: Just like the full suspension models the 500 is based on the same hardtail 120mm chassis as its older brother the HT 500 but offers a budget friendly package with the Bosch Active system. This one offers a full Shimano Deore drivetrain and the RockShox XC32 forks up front. Price: Β£2499 Wheel Size: 27.5β³ (650B) Sizes: 39, 45 & 51cm Frames Lapierre Overvolt HT 500 2015 Full Specification Teaser Overvolt eMTB video - Β What do we think? As with 2014, the 2015 Overvolt range is set to be popular with avid mountain bikers and 'newbie's' alike. Lapierre have done a fantastic job of spec'ing these eBikes and bringing them in on the price points set out. In particular the Bosch Performance line models will be popular but its nice to be able to also offer a budget based build of each full suspension and hardtail model for 2015. We are very proud to be the UK's exclusive Lapierre dealer, we can offer the eBike with full piece of mind from our Bosch equipped workshops and technicians. The 2015 models are available to pre order now, with the first drop due with us early October 14. View the full range / specifications here - Lapierre Electric Mountain Bike Range 2015
So fat bikes have been around for yonks now. But why have they only just taken off? The electric bike world has a big part to play in this, let us explain whilst the brand new Haibike FatSix 2015 Fattie eBike is revealed! Β What are fat bikes for? Realistically the wide tyres and burly wheels are great for travelling over harsher terrain like, deep mud, snow and sand. But they are also widely used for bombing about on be it to the pub or round the local trails. Β Why have fat bikes become so popular in Britain? This is a good question, as we don't have many deserts, although we do have some good coastal beaches. We also don't get much snow here either. So why have they become so popular? This is easy.. Because Fat Bikes are awesome! Β Disadvantages to fat bikes? Well.. They can be heavy, clunky and generally quite hard to ride around. Yes they have amazing grip levels when it comes to softer terrain, but the high rolling resistance and added weight of the huge tyres often drags fat bikes down on the road or on hard pack surfaces. Β Why Fat eBike then? It just makes perfect sense! Build a bike with lightweight (but wide) drilled out rims, stick on some super wide but lightweight tyres and you have a bike that's not really that much heavier to ride. Add a Bosch eBike motor to the equation and you are laughing. For once we have a bike that is powered assisted, using a renowned reliable electric system from the German manufacturer Bosch. Β Say hello to the 2015 Haibike Fat Six! Β 2015 Haibike xDuro FatSix - The next generation of eFAT bikes! The Haibike FatSix is a brand new model in the 2015 xDuro line up. Its built with bullet proof components and comes in at a decent price. The new Haibike FatSix bike is built using the Bosch Performance Drive SystemΒ and the using the brand new Bosch Nyon LCD multifunctional display. Bosch Nyon connects directly to your smartphone using Bluetooth to navigate your music collection view incoming text messages and call. Nyon really gets advanced with its built in satellite navigation and full fitness suite which connects directly to your pc to download rides and measure your fitness. You can read more about Bosch Nyon on our other article - New Bosch Nyon Functions.Β Here's a short video showing some of the features.Β Haibike have fitted this bad boy out with RockShox new Bluto front suspension forks, these are specifically designed for fat bikes. The forks offer 100mm of travel and full air adjustability for each individual riders weight. They also feature a remote 'PushLoc' so the rider can lock the forks out when on the move to preserve energy. The Fat Six rolls around on a hydroformed alloy German built chassis, with internal cable routing to keep everything clean and snag free. The frame comes in this fantastically cool Camo style colour scheme! To keep thing easy Haibike have opted for the lightweight Shimano XT 10 speed drivetrain and a pair of hydraulic disc brakes front and rear to match. Easy, simple, maintenance free and with ample stopping power to keep this beast under control on the descents. The wheels are built using Alex AQ6 rims which are specifically built for fat bikes. These super wide rims are alloy and drilled out so very lightweight without compromising strength. These are laced onto Formula sealed bearing hubs on super stiff through axles front and rear and laced using DT Swiss double butted spokes. Creating a super lightweight but super strong wheelset for this amazing machine to roll on. To grip these lovely wheels to the terrain Haibike opted for the Schwalbe Jumbo Jim 4" wide tyres! Again specifically designed for fat bikes by the Germans, these tyres offer superior amounts of grip across varied terrain without adding unnecessary weight to the bike, in fact they come up just as light as a set of 2.4 Muddy Marys! A bullet proof bike deserves a matching set of bullet proof super grippy tyres! What do we think? We had the opportunity to ride one of the very first prototype FatSix's that Haibike made in Germany a few weeks back. This badboy is so much fun to ride around, even more fun as you power past other cyclists on their lightweight roads bikes and full lycra gear! Here's a ten second glance over the fantastic new Fat eBike (excuse the blue wheels, this ones a prototype)Β All in all we think the new Haibike FatSix will be a winner all round with posers and serious MTB'ers alike! You can view the full specification and pre order the bike here - Haibike xDuro FatSix Fat Bike 2015
E-bikeshop visit Eurobike 2014 in Friedrichshafen (Germany) to view the latest line up of prototype and production run electric bikes for 2015. The show was very interesting and we tried to cover most of it in the week that we were there. The show is made up of over 1300 exhibitors from 54 different countries. Its the best place to go to see all that is evolving in the eBike world. We were going to picture everything to show you from the comfort of your own home, although this was almost instantly deemed impossible due to the sheer size of the show! Below are just some of the pictures of the most interesting products that we saw at EuroBike 2014. Enjoy. Here it is: The worlds first full carbon mountain eBike! Sex on wheels? This ones the prototype. Every wanted to commute in the rain? Its Ok I suppose until that big gush of wind comes along! Panasonic have been working on some new eBike display, this is the first LCD display to feature within the Panasonic system. 2015 Nicolai here which we thought was a real integral way of mounting the Bosch eBike motor and battery, Look really smart, how practical it will be to have the battery in the firing line of the front wheel we don't know? The new craze! Fat bikes, but with a Bosch motor? Makes sense! This is new for the 2015 Haibike line up. Conway have stashed the Bosch battery inside a huge box, why you may ask? Well it appears you can have your battery covered and all your essentials stored inside neatly. An inside look at the new Continental Pinion gear box system, enough going on in there? Nice new paint job and a spec too for the new Moustache Samedi 27/9 eMTB for 2015. Ever get home and wonder what it would be like to not have to wash your bike? Here you go you can have your very own bike washing station! Our favourite - The new Haibike NDURO PRO 2015 model. Set up ready for full on enduro riding! Features Nyon for 2015. Plenty taking a closer look at the new Shimano Steps eBike system. We took it for a spin on the test track. Crazy way of adding power to your regular bike, we think it looks rather unattractive? Had to picture this, its rather old school now to bolt a motor onto your existing bike, but there are some manufacturers still trying to make bling equipment. A sneaky glimpse of the new 2015 Haibike AllMtn Pro due to us shortly! Here is how Flyer mount the Bosch eBIke motor onto their electric MTB. One of the neatest designs we have seen integrating the Bosch eBike motor seamlessly with their own case design. Crazy new colour schemes for the new 2015 Lundi eBikes from Moustache. Certainly see that coming! Ever wondered what the inside of a Bosch Performance motor looks like? Well here it is.. The Hard Seven SL from Haibikes new sDuro range for 2015. Quick look into Panasonic's latest eBike drive motor unit. This cut in half demonstrator shows the skilled engineering. The all new FS 500 & FS 900 from Lapierre's new Overvolt eMTB range. Yamaha powered Haibike AllMtn RC here in the flesh ready for the 2015 range. We took a peek into the inside of Panasonic's latest eBike battery pack. Interesting eh? This is new for the Moustache range, a speed pedelec. Built with the Bosch 350w motor, this presents an all round fast eMTB. The new Haibike Full Seven RC 2015 in a really neat colour scheme. Available today! The Bosch stand was buzzing the whole week with people grasping the new Nyon system in their hands! We saw a few eBikes at the show with Brose motors, although this one has to be the best for integration! BMC prototype road race bike, should stand up in a wind tunnel pretty good? The new Fat eBike from Moustache! Has a lovely battery cover designed by Mr Starck himself. This one for the snow.. Strange way of mounting a rear shock on a Bosch eBike? Wonder how it rides? The new Nuvinci 360 Harmony system fully integrated here using the new Gates belt drive system. Bulletproof drivetrain? Suspension wheels anyone? Yes thats right, they seem to work too! A british designer showing off these wacky creations. The new Bosch Nyon display looks very attractive and it has loads of neat features for those gadget fans! Another fat eBike from Moustache, this one designed for sand conditions. There you have it! A quick glimpse of what 2015 has in stall for us in the electric bike world, sorry we could not have posted every picture, the article would have gone on forever! You can view many of the up and coming 2015 electric bikes in our shop by clicking here.
On a daily basis I get calls asking what the differences between the Bosch & Yamaha electric bike systems are? What system is better you may ask? Well this is the full article that explains and compares each eBike system side by side. Bosch and Yamaha eBike systems work in a very similar way - They both operate using 250w crank drive electric bike motors. So let's see exactly what the differences are. We will start from the beginning. Β *** This article has been updated in spring 2016 to accommodate the new revised Bosch & Yamaha systems for 2016 model years onwards *** Who are Bosch? Bosch are a very large multinational company that bring a whole manner of products to market. They began researching and developing eBike systems many years ago, they brought their first electric bike system to market in 2010. The Bosch system has been constantly developed and improved as time has gone on. The latest eBike system is the Bosch Performance line so this is the one we will directly compare today. The Bosch system is now used in over 50 leading bike brands across Europe. Who are Yamaha? Yamaha was founded in 1955 and predominantly built motorcycles for the Japanese market. Today they make anything from eBike systems to Jet Skis with a wide product portfolio under their belt. It was back in 1993 when Yamaha released their first eBike system. This was a massive success. Yamaha now manufacturer over 300,000 electric bike systems a year and, to date, their system is implemented on over 2.7 million eBikes worldwide.In Europe the latest version of the Yamaha system is just used on both the Haibike sDuro range and the Lapierre Overvolt range of electric bikes. Let's compare the components across both systems Battery Comparison Bosch and Yamaha both use 36v Lithium Ion 400Wh batteries. Built using the latest technology to give the maximum range and longevity. Notice how similar they are in shape, also they both incorporate a carry handle at the top.Both batteries have LED lights on board to show the user the remaining capacity. Also the batteries are frame mounted on the down tube. The Yamaha & Bosch batteries lock into place using a key mechanism for security. The difference in mounting is that the Bosch battery slots in from the top down, whereas the Yamaha battery slots in at the bottom first then pushes in from the side. One benefit to this is that the battery can be mounted in smaller frames as there is no need for that extra room at the top when mounting.Also the Bosch battery sits in its own little cradle attached to the frame approx 1 inch up from the motor whereas the Yamaha battery is placed directly into the top of the motor. The Yamaha battery also features a small shock absorber so the battery does not rattle over bumpy terrain.Β Battery specifications, comparison side by side - Β Bosch Battery Yamaha Battery Capacity 400Wh / 11 Ah 400Wh / 11Ah Voltage 36 V 36 V Security Key Lock Key Lock LED Status 5 Lights (20%) 4 Lights (25%) Weight 2.6 kg 2.9 kg Type Lithium Ion Lithium Ion Warranty 2 yrs / 500 Full Cycles 2 yrs / 700 Full Cycles Op Temp -5 to 40 degrees -20 to 60 degrees So as you can see from the specs, the Yamaha & Bosch batteries are very similar, the Yamaha is slightly larger in size than the Bosch, the Yamaha battery is also approx 300 grams heavier. The Bosch has 5 LED lights to show capacity in 20% stages whereas the Yamaha battery shows it with 4 LEDs in 25% increments.Β Battery range in average conditions, comparison side by side - Β Β Bosch Battery Yamaha Battery Low 80 miles / 130 km 80 miles / 130 km Medium 50 miles / 80 km 53 miles / 85 km High 37 miles / 60 km 43 miles / 70 km Average 57 miles / 90 km 59 miles / 95 km As you can see the range predictions of each system are very close, the Yamaha system appears to offer a little more in the Medium / High area although this is marginal and they both average very similar. It's also worth pointing out that both Yamaha & Bosch batteries can be charged on or off the electric bike.Both Yamaha and Bosch offer a 2 year warranty on their electrics, Yamaha offer more 'Full' charge cycles than Bosch although remember that this is just the warranty, we expect the battery's overall lifespan to be a lot longer. Β User Interface Comparison The user interface and controls on each system are very similar in both size and operation. Both units have LCD backlit displays and use an additional button user control for the rider to navigate the settings without their hands leaving the handlebars. The Yamaha head unit is slightly taller than the Bosch display, it's also thinner in design, they both clamp on either side of the stem suitable for both 25.4mm & 31.8 handlebars. The control buttons are similar in size, and clamp on in similar ways. The actual LCD display area is slightly larger on the Yamaha system, each unit is easy to navigate and user friendly. The units are displayed in a clear, easy to read manner. Both head units can be removed from the bike, so when the bike is not in use or locked up somewhere the display can be removed and stored easily in your pocket, meaning no one can pinch it. Where the units do differ is that the Bosch system can be controlled on the head unit itself. You can navigate the settings, reset parameters, turn the lights on and of course power the system on/off.Β Control unit functions, comparison side by side - Β Β Bosch Controls Yamaha Controls LCD Yes Yes Backlit Yes Yes Display Buttons Yes No Control Buttons Yes Yes Clamp Size 25.4 / 31.8mm 25.4 / 31.8mm Removable Yes Yes Walk Function Yes Yes Light Function Yes Yes The remote buttons on the Bosch unit can navigate the information displayed, scroll up and down the assistance levels and also use the 'Walk Function'. The Bosch head unit can be turned on and scroll through the saved parameters when off the bike. The Yamaha display cannot be operated when off the bike, in fact it dims the screen and turns into a pocket watch when removed from the eBike. Obviously the display has no buttons on it so it can only be controlled via the remote buttons when it's connected to the bike. Both Yamaha and Bosch systems have a walk assist mode controlled by the remote buttons, so if the rider is walking beside the bike, the walk function can be used to push the bike along with little effort.Β Computer parameters, comparison side by side - Β Β Bosch Parameters Yamaha Parameters Assist Levels 4 4 Battery Bar 5 Scale 10 Scale Range in Miles Yes Yes Power Meter Yes Yes Cadence Meter No Yes Clock Yes Yes Thermometer No Yes Odometer Yes Yes Trip Distance Yes Yes Trip Time Yes Yes Maximum Speed Yes Yes Average Speed Yes Yes Gear Up Shift Yes No Language Adj Yes Yes Units MPH & KM/H MPH & KM/H Both Bosch and Yamaha displays offer similar parameters on their displays, the only differences are that Yamaha offer a more in depth battery capacity bar, a cadence meter and a thermometer. The latest Bosch Performance software update offers the use of a gear shift indicator for maximum efficiency. The LCD displays a small arrow to the user when it feels you could be making better use of a higher gear. This can be turned on or off in the settings menu.Both Bosch and Yamaha controls have a micro USB output for charging auxiliary items like a mobile phone or gps unit. You can use this cable to convert either Bosch or Yamaha to a Female USB output. Motor Comparison Both Bosch and Yamaha use 250w crank drive motors, they are integrated into the bottom bracket area and drive on the crank which gives full use of the gears and a natural efficient feel for the rider. Bosch and Yamaha use high performance crank drive systems that optimise the use of 3 sensors - Cadence, Torque & Speed. These sensors are measured 1000's of times a second to create a very responsive, efficient & natural rider experience. You will notice both the Yamaha and Bosch motors are similar shapes. They are also similar sizes. In fact the Yamaha motor is slightly smaller than the Bosch. The Yamaha motor is also approximately 500 grams lighter than the Bosch. The Bosch motor is internally geared, so it features a small drive sprocket. This sprocket turns 2.5 times to each crank rotation. This enables a higher ground clearance but still offers standard gear ratios. It's also near impossible for the chain to come off. You will notice the Yamaha motor uses a regular size sprocket and the drive is not internally geared. Yamaha have created this system to be compatible with a double ring set up on the front so you can have a larger gear ratio between the 2 sprockets. The Bosch uses a ISIS crank fitment whereas the Yamaha drive uses a square taper crank fitting.Β Motor specifications, comparison side by side - Β Β Bosch Motor Yamaha Motor Rating 250w 250w Torque 75Nm 70Nm Max Assistance 300% 280% Drive Sprockets 1 1 or 2 E.I Compatible No Yes Light Outputs Yes Yes Assisted Speed 15.5 mph / 25 kph 15.5 mph / 25 kph Weight 3.8 kg 3.5 kg Very similar specifications between both manufacturers. The Bosch Performance CX drive does have a little more torque and assistance in Turbo mode, we list a continuous torque figure but the Yamaha drive will actually peak at a whopping 80Nm!Yamaha advertise a quicker power delivery, so the user doesn't have to get a pedal in. Although the power curve is smoother on the Bosch system. Yamaha call this instant power 'zero cadence', it is there right from the off.Both Yamaha & Bosch systems allow the integration of lighting outputs. Something the Bosch does offer that is not mentioned in the table is a pedal back brake function, although this is not generally used in the UK. The Bosch motor also has gear shift detection so it reduces the power slightly when the user is changing gear to save wear on the drivetrain.On a side note you'll also notice the Yamaha system has been made E.I (Electronic Suspension) compatible. This is featured for the first time on some of the new sDuro Haibike's - the AllMtn RX & the AllMtn PRO. Battery Charger Comparison The battery chargers between Bosch and Yamaha are similar in that they have a low recharge time and are both mains operated 240v chargers. You will notice that the Yamaha charger is longer than the Bosch charger, Yamaha's overall size is a little bigger than Bosch's. The Yamaha charger is IPX4 water resistant.Both Bosch and Yamaha batteries can be charged when mounted in the bike or with the battery removed. When mounted on the bike the Bosch battery is charged through a charging port in the battery holder bracket. When the battery is removed it can also be charged directly by plugging the charger into the bottom of the battery.Whereas Yamaha's battery is charged through the same socket be it with the battery in or out of the frame.Battery charger specifications, comparison side by side - Β Β Bosch Charger Yamaha Charger Weight <800g 800g Charge Time 3.5 hrs 3.5 hrs Input Voltage 220-240v 220-240v Input Amps 1.5A 1.3A Output Voltage 32v 42v Output Amps 4A 3.6A Frequency 50/60Hz 50/60Hz Air Vents No No Dimensions L190 W86 H54mm L184 W86 H50mm Charge Temp 0 to 40 degrees 0 to 45 degrees Mains Plug Yes Yes The above recharge times are approx and based on the 400Wh batteries. This recharge time is from fully discharged to fully charged. Each charger can recharge the battery to approx 70-80% in 1.5 hours. Each charger can be used with a DC to AC inverter, for example if you wish to recharge the batteries in a motorhome or car using the cigarette lighter socket (inverter purchased separately). Battery and Motor Integration Compared As previously mentioned the Bosch and Yamaha systems are mounted in very similar ways, the headunit and control buttons are mounted in identical positions. The motors are of course crank drive; so they are integrated into the bottom of the bike's frame where the bottom bracket would normally be. As you can see the Yamaha motor is a little smaller when integrated into the frame, although the Yamaha battery is longer than the Bosch battery pack. As you can also see, the Yamaha motor sits directly into the top of the motor casing whereas Bosch's battery sits in its own holder mounted to the frame above the motor.Both have plastic protective skid plates on the Haibike in particular (not on all manufacturers' eBikes). Notice on the model pictured the Yamaha has the larger chainring and it's a double whereas the Bosch uses the smaller single drive sprocket. Each system gives a similar & good ground clearance. To sum up - What do we think? The specs across each system are very similar, we've explained the exact differences in this article. Having used and ridden both systems there are certain features that we like on both..Β Integration and look - We prefer the head unit integration on the Bosch system, it certainly feels firmer than the Yamaha head unit display bracket. The bracket and the cable routing are a lot tidier too. The Yamaha display is a little more flimsy in comparison and the side control buttons feel more 'plasticy'. Hard to explain but the Bosch kit just feels more 'German'. It appears and feels better quality; that said it is a slightly dearer system to purchase. Both systems look pretty good in the way they are integrated into the frames. The Yamaha system does seem a little smaller and more integral to the bike. It's nice that the battery inserts from the side too so that we can offer the system in smaller frames, something which hasn't always been possible with the Bosch system. Also we like the fact that the Yamaha has the small shock absorber at the bottom of the battery to soak up any bumps, although after extensively riding each system we don't feel this is an issue on either.Β Actual ride time - When it comes to riding the bikes, they are both very much on par with each other and definitely two of the best systems around. The Yamaha certainly feels a little more powerful in respect of torque, with the power coming in just a second or so earlier than the Bosch motor, although when both motors are up to a decent RPM they feel just as efficient as one another. We like the fact that the Yamaha system allows the use of 2 chainrings at the front. Although we don't feel it essential on a crank drive electric bike, some users do prefer to have a larger array of gears, particularly when using the bike off power. However we can see why Bosch have opted for the smaller single ring option to increase ground clearance and make it near impossible for the chain to come off. Both systems are very easy to use, ride and navigate through the various assistance levels & functions on board. We like the fact that Yamaha breaks down the remaining battery capacity into more increments, it gives the rider more of a sense of what is remaining. But both work well in comparison to other systems on the market. Although the Bosch display breaks down the assistance levels to 4 as opposed to 3 on the Yamaha, we didn't feel that this had too much effect in the actual riding. That said we were comparing the 2 systems off road, an extra level of adjustment on the Bosch display could possibly come in handy, for longer distance touring for example.Β Small factors worth mentioning - The ISIS crank axle is our preferred mounting method for the cranks to the motor axle. The Bosch motor uses the ISIS drive setup & the Yamaha the square taper type. We much prefer the size of the Bosch charger as it's smaller than the Yamaha and would be easier to carry around to extend any range. The Yamaha charger is just a fraction on the large size for our liking. Also the Bosch charger has little rubber feet on the bottom, which is such a small factor but it stops it sliding off the workbench as easily. Worth pointing out that the Bosch system can be updated by the dealer via the USB diagnostics socket. We like this because it means future updates are always possible and likely to bring new features. The Yamaha system is set out the factory and not updateable. Bosch or Yamaha - Which is better? Now that's a toughie, again there are certain features we like on each system, we would suggest, rather than buy a bike dependent on the drive system used, steer more towards thinking about the style and specification of the electric bike that you require. You may even end up with 2 very similar bikes one using Bosch & the other using Yamaha. At this point it's time to give us a call and book an appointment to physically ride both systems, also have a look for yourself at the quality and integration. You can then make the decision as to what suits your requirements better.Β You'll be impressed with both Yamaha & Bosch eBike systems, as are we! Click here to view our range of Bosch & Yamaha eBikes Riding the new Bosch & Yamaha eBike systems in Schweinfurt, Germany
We are proud to announce that e-bikeshop.co.uk have a working tuning dongle kit to derestrict the 15mph cut off speed on all Yamaha powered electric bikes. For the past few years we have been extremely successful with our exclusive Bosch tuning kits that derestrict the electric bike so that you can reach assisted speeds of over 15mph.We can now use similar technology on our new Yamaha eBikes arriving shortly. These kits work in a similar way but plumb in differently. Not something you have to worry about as we do the hard work for you for free! How does it work? Basically the Yamaha speed tuning dongles trick the system into thinking its going half as fast as it actually is. This allows you the rider to pedal past the 15mph barrier and reach speeds up to 30mph assisted. Although a simple format, the technology behind it is a little more complicated! But you need not worry. How do you use it? All you have to do is plug it in when you want the bike derestricted. We plumb the wiring kit into the Yamaha bike before it leaves the workshop. Can you revert it back to normal? Yes of course, just unplug it. The cable kit remains but the bike reverts back to normal. When you want it to go faster just plug it back in. Where can I use the Speed Tuning Kit? Obviously the UK law states that eBikes should only be assisted to 15mph. Therefore the speed tuning kit is strictly for off road (private land) use only. Are there any side effects to using the kit? Yes the speed is halved on the display, therefore you have to double it for a true reading. For example if the display reads 12mph, you are actually going 24mph.. Simple! When you unplug the dongle it reverts back to standard. Why would I want to go faster than 15mph? Really the question is why not?.. But in all seriousness, it can be frustrating hitting the 15mph barrier, particularly off road when you are really going for it and the assistance backs off. Also a lot of people can average faster than 15mph, therefore the majority of their ride the rider is just riding a slightly heavier bike around with no assistance. The Tuning kit is the answer to sit at a comfortable speed assisted. Can I retrofit this to my Yamaha eBike? No, the tuning kit is exclusively available to our own customers. Just add the Yamaha electric bike of your preference together with the tuning kit to the basket, your bike will be set up with the tuning kit installed prior to leaving our workshops. If you decide not to get one at first, this is a not a problem, as long as you have your original bike sales receipt from us we can fit one for you at a later date, maybe free service time? Can I order the Yamaha Tuning Kit on its own? Yes you can, however, it will not be dispatched. It has to be fitted by our workshop technicians exclusively on our own eBikes. Remember you can unplug it, so to save a journey you could have it fitted from new, but unplug it for your first few rides. Then plug it in when you are comfortable with how the eBike performs.Β The Yamaha Tuning Dongles can be found here.Or why not take a look at our full range of Yamaha powered eBikes here.
We at e-bikeshop are proud to announce we are supporting local eBiker with an Official Guinness World Record attempt to be the fastest around the Isle of Man TT Mountain Course. Rider Mat Dibb Says - Iβve always needed challenges and targets in life to aim for, as a means of motivation and fitness. As an avid supporter and user of electric bicycles, an e-bikeshop.co.uk customer and keen fundraiser I wondered how I could combine all three in my next big challenge. I am also a passionate Motorsport follower, and visit the TT on IOM by e-bike as a spectator most years. Following a long negotiation with Guinness World Records, they finally agreed to creating a new category for me 'Fastest Isle of Man TT Mountain Course - Electric bicycle'. I aim to complete a full lap of the TT mountain course over 38 miles, including climbing the notoriously challenging Snaefell Mountain. The current (unofficial) record has been set by local Manxman and TT motorcycle competitor Conor Cummins of 2hrs 41mins on a Smart electric bike. I am hoping to complete my lap in under 2hrs. Conor says that he stopped for a cup of tea at his Mum's house in Ramsey, something I aim to replicate to keep the challenge honest. Having had a chat with the ever helpful Martin Brown (Director, e-bikeshop.co.uk) he helped identify and source the most suitable e-bike from www.moustachebikes.com for the challenge and the plan was in place. Training-wise, not too much more is needed as I regularly clock up around 150 miles per week on my e-hybrid, and ride off-road for 3-4hrs every Sunday morning on my e-MTB, a Haibike X-Duro. Why are you undertaking this challenge? Well I am myself awaiting kidney transplant due to a long term kidney disease. I'm also a committee member of The Kidney Fund. Like many other deserving charities we are reliant solely upon charitable donations. This event will not only give me the opportunity to raise much needed funds, but also to promote kidney health awareness generally. The support of friends, family and of course the generosity of e-bikeshop.co.uk so far has been nothing short of incredible. So the pressure is now on, and now it's down to me! When is the event taking place? The challenge will take place in 1 month's time, on 14th September 2014. Get Involved Please help Mat by following his progress at https://www.facebook.com/MatsTTWR and help him reach his target of 1,000 likes. We wish Mat good luck and hope you will follow from the build up, training and live reports. Update: We did it!!
We visited Haibike last month to preview and test the new line up of Yamaha powered Haibike sDuro 2015 electric bikes. We are excited to unveil today the eBike range which are now available to pre-order for UK residents from e-bikeshop.co.uk today. Join us for this first look!Β What is the Haibike sDuro range? Haibike sDuro eBikes were announced as a new range for 2015. They will run alongside the 2015 xDuro eBikes to offer a range focussed on younger riders. We call these riders the next 'eGeneration', targeted at the 20-30 age range the new Haibike sDuro electric bikes will be offered with the Yamaha system. The new sDuro range consists of lower price points, the sDuro Haibikes will range from Β£1850 up to Β£3700 where the Haibike xDuro range will take over with higher specification and the Bosch motor system. Teaser Video - We offer a sDuro eBike for every style of riding, from light trail use, to more aggressive all mountain and even your hybrid / trekking / commuting eBikes. The 7 sDuro 2015 bikes are as follows - Haibike sDuro AllMtn RX 2015 Brief Overview: The Haibike sDuro AllMtn RX is built around a 150mm chassis to offer a decent all mountain rig capable of harsher terrain but adjustable enough to use as a trail bike. This model is the first electric bike in the world to feature the new EI (Electronic Suspension)! Clever stuff eh? Price: Β£3700 Wheel Size: 27.5β³ (650B) Sizes: 40, 44, 48 & 52cm Frames Haibike sDuro AllMtn RX 2015 Full Specification Haibike sDuro AllMtn RC 2015 Brief Overview: The new Haibike sDuro AllMtn RC is built on the same chassis as the AllMtn RX above. This is the younger brother with slightly lower specification and loses the EI (Electronic Suspension) system. It also offers a 2 x 10 gear 20 speed set up. Price: Β£3200 Wheel Size: 27.5β³ (650B) Sizes: 40, 44, 48 & 52cm Frames Haibike sDuro AllMtn RC 2015 Full Specification Haibike sDuro FullNine RC 2015 Brief Overview: The new sDuro FullNine is one of the first full suspension 29" wheel eBikes to be available. Built on a shorter 100mm chassis it becomes the lighter electric bike for the every day trail / cross country rider. This is finished with a 1 x 10 gear 10 speed set up. Price: Β£2700 Wheel Size: 29β³ Sizes: 40, 45, 50 & 55cm Frames Haibike sDuro FullNine RC 2015 Full Specification Haibike sDuro HardNine RC 2015 Brief Overview: The HardNine 2015 model is based on its full suspension bigger brother. Offering the equivalent in a hardtail variant. The HardNine features a 2 x 10 speed 20 gear set up over the 10 speed above. Price: Β£2300 Wheel Size: 29β³ Sizes: 40, 45, 50 & 55cm Frames Haibike sDuro HardNine RC 2015 Full Specification Haibike sDuro HardSeven SL 2015 Brief Overview: The new Haibike sDuro HardSeven is a 27.5" (650B) hardtail electric bike. Its the entry level eBike within the 2015 sDuro range. A German chassis and Yamaha motor for a more affordable price! This model features a 1 x 10 speed gear set up. Price: Β£1850 Wheel Size: 27.5β³ (650B) Sizes: 35, 40, 45, 50 & 55cm Frames Haibike sDuro HardSeven SL 2015 Full Specification Haibike sDuro Trekking RC Gents 2015 Brief Overview: Within the sDuro range we will be offering a Trekking eBike for 2015. The Trekking RC is fully equipped with all the essential for commuting, road, trekking & hybrid use. This is one of the first trekking electric bikes in the world to feature a 2 x 10 speed gear set up for an excellent range of gears. Price: Β£2400 Wheel Size: 28" (700c) Sizes: 48, 52 & 56cm Frames Haibike sDuro Trekking RC Gents 2015 Full Specification Haibike sDuro Trekking RC Low 2015 Brief Overview: We are offering the same sDuro Trekking RC as above but in a low frame style. This frame is ideal for gents and ladies alike for easy mounting of the bike. It features the same components as above but with a lower drop to the cross bar. Also available in a smaller frame size for shorter riders. Price: Β£2400 Wheel Size: 28" (700c) Sizes: 44, 48, & 52cm Frames Haibike sDuro Trekking RC Low 2015 Full Specification What do we think? We believe the new sDuro range fills a gap, not just within the 2015 Haibike range but in the whole eBike market. Now you can have a German built electric bike with the Yamaha crank drive system for a lower price point than previously available. The sDuro range is certainly focused on the younger generation of 'eCyclists', this range should fit in well. It also features many advancements in the electric bike world including the application of the EI (Electric Suspension) that should get some excitement. We also say hello to the 2 x 10 speed gearing that is available with the integration of the Yamaha motor system. These newΒ models are available to pre-order today from the UK's largest Haibike electric bike dealer. To secure yours, just order through the website. We will allocate a Β£199 deposit and secure your model, its that easy! Click for the full range - Haibike sDuro 2015 Yamaha eBike Range Why not read some of our related articles below?.. Enjoy!
E-bikeshop is proud to announce that we are now open. Our new site is part of the expansion from our two other bike shops and we have been working day & night since the start of the year to get the new sales and distribution centre open in time for the 2014 season. Full range of eMTB Moustache, Lapierre & Haibike Bosch powered eBikes Although a few weeks behind, we are now very excited to unveil our new centre in Farnham on the Surrey & Hampshire borders. This is a good central location for us with people visiting from all over the UK. Every aspect of the centre has been well thought out, from the location, parking, layout, design and the environment. Even our complete internal surround sound system provided by.. Guess who?.. Yep - BOSCH! We are located in the heart of the Surrey hills, making a weekend ride easily accessible. Farnham is centrally located in the UK with London & the major surrounding cities close by. Farnham train station is also on the mainline from Waterloo meaning you can easily reach us by train on the National Rail Network. For driving we are located just south of the M25 and minutes from junction 4 off the M3 with easy access from the A3 via the A31 as well. We have ample (free) parking on site for cars, motor homes & of course e-cyclists alike. Energy efficient electrical fittings through out We have created all of our spaces to be well insulated, reducing the energy needed to heat & cool them. Most of our electronic equipment is energy saving and timed to be only on when needed. Our packaging is recycled. The lighting throughout is LED or naturally lit where possible so it has minimal energy consumption. Electric bikes are a good step forward for both health and caring for the environment and we felt this should also be incorporated into our eBike store. Wide range of Trekking / Hybrid Haibike eBikes powered by Bosch & Panasonic E-bikeshop is set to be the UK's largest crank drive electric bike specialists. The new site offers a large showroom and all the facilities to accommodate both customer collections and home delivery via direct dispatch from our warehouse. We specialize in crank drive electric bikes from Europe and stock the whole range of Haibike, Moustache, Lapierre & Raleigh electric bikes. Full range of eMTB Haibike, Full Suspension & Hardtail eBikes Director Martin Brown says - βWe are very excited to have our new premises up and running after months and months of hard work. We have already been taking appointments and everyone who has visited us so far has been very impressed at the large showroom and good selection of parts and accessories available, in fact the main word we have been hearing down here is 'Wow!' Wide Range of Parts & Accessories, Components & Spares.. All here under one roof This expansion was essential to keep up with the demand of our ever widening customer base. We now sell all over the UK and also ship not just to mainland Europe, but the whole world. Our excellent customer service must be working and word has now quickly spread as we have more eBikes going out of the door than ever. Wide range of Trekking / Hybrid / Touring Raleigh, Moustache & Haibike eBikes The demand is definitely growing at a huge rate and our customer age range has now also widened to include people in their 20's with the main attraction for them being the new eMTB's. These eBikes have a spec that's second to none, often when we are at shows people have to take a second look at the bikes before they realize that they are actually electric bikes. The design and specification on these European models is tip top, using the latest in mountain bike components combined with the Bosch electric system. Range of Moustache Trekking / Touring eBIkes Made in France Our new site means that we can display a large selection of eBikes, from mountain, road, hybrid & trekking bikes. We have a fresh new range of parts and accessories to match, along with all the essential spares & components should they ever be required. We also have new workshop, dispatch & packing bays. New Picking & Packing Bays for Online eBike and Spares Sales This ensures we can get website orders out quickly, often arriving at the customerβs door fully set up ready to ride within 24 hours. With the extra space we can now hold more stock than ever with a good selection of European bikes ready to hand as the orders flow in - we found this an essential part of our service. Lots more space to hold European stock here in the UK in our new warehouse Our new workshop also allows us to quickly service and maintain our existing customersβ bikes and as a Bosch UK service centre we have all the Bosch diagnostics systems ready to hand. We can also make sure that all our eBikes have their suspension systems dialed in for optimal performance for you, the rider. Making sure every aspect of the eBike is set up to your specification is extremely important to how the bike handles over mixed terrain. We have all the facilities in place along with our ATG & Bosch trained technicians. New Workshop Bays Designed Specifically for Bosch eBikes Along with the new site we have tweaked our website to make it faster, easier to navigate and it now holds more content than ever. The same can be said for our information blog pages which have been optimized with a total overhaul of the front end in the last week, again the content should be easier to see & read and more interactive, with videos, pictures and articles. Brand New Head Offices Featuring the Latest Tech We are hosting a number of events throughout 2014. All these dates will go live on our blog pages as they become confirmed, so do keep checking back. Alongside this there's lots more going on, including action packed riding videos on our YouTube Channel. Also lots more tech articles, reviews, news & talk on our blog. New on the cards for this year, we will be hosting some organised 'e-bikeshop owners club rides'... So this season is a pretty manic time for us indeed! For news on all of this please make sure to like our new Facebook fan page. Sneak peak of the Haibike Promotional Video Coming Soon by e-bikeshop.co.uk The first event we can announce is our 2014 Haibike Demo Day on Saturday 10th May. If you are in the market to buy a new electric bike, but you would like to get a feel for the bike both on & off road across the Surrey hills, then please register now. Full details can be found here - 2014 Haibike Off Road Demo Day in Surrey. The day will consist of an introduction to electric bikes, a ride led by a qualified instructor, then a de brief & coffee on the return. This will get booked up fast with limited spaces available so please register your interest now β itβs set to be a great day!β Haibike Off Road Demo Day 2014 - Presented by e-bikeshop.co.uk We are now 99% there with our new site, we still have some areas to finish off, including the lobby & waiting area, as well as a new walk in shower room for staff & customers that take part in some of our events. But the main thing is that we are open for business. Oh and last but not least, the coffee machine has arrived! So we have a wide range of luxury coffees, teas and chocolate drinks available. Maybe even a biscuit or two (if the staff haven't got to them first). e-bikeshop now has the largest selection of Raleigh, Lapierre, Moustache & Haibike electric bikes in the UK. You can get in touch with e-bikeshop on our contact page here. Due to demand, viewing is by appointment only, all website orders will be dispatched next working day.
This is a first look and review after riding the new Yamaha eBike system on a 2015 Haibike sDURO HardNine prototype electric bike across off road terrain in Germany. What did we think at first look? Looking at the specs of the new Yamaha crank drive system we were very excited to ride it. It offers both more torque and assistance than any of its eBike drive competitors. On first look we loved the motor integration as it all seems to flow with the rest of the bike frame. Maybe thats just the angle it is mounted at, or the fact that the battery plugs straight in right above the motor. The bashplate was a really nice addition, it keeps it well protected and is in keeping with the overall look of the electric bike. One thing we did notice was that the bracket mount for the Yamaha LCD display did seem a little 'flimsy' and you could flex it pretty easily with your hands. We brought this up with the Haibike product manager and were ensured that this was a prototype bracket and that the final product will come with a more sturdy version from Yamaha (we have this pictured in our exclusive gallery on this blog post here). The battery capacity is on par with its competitors and offers enough range for serious riders. The Yamaha battery charger did seem a little on the large side. We did ask why and it was to do with keeping it cool and also more water resistant, maybe this is something that could be developed further? The LCD display is simple, clean and easy to navigate, it does the job and the settings are adjusted by holding a series of buttons in sequence. Now to the Riding! We had the chance to ride the new Yamaha eBike system across the fantastic singletrack in Schweinfurt. This course is also used as the testing ground by SRAM for their new components, so the terrain was brilliant! Line up of Haibike new xDURO Bosch & sDURO Yamaha Prototypes in Schweinfurt Immediately on setting off we felt the power delivery of the new Yamaha system to be smooth and literally applied the torque within the first crank rotation. This is due to the 'Zero Cadence' design from Yamaha. You didn't have to get a few pedals in before the bike assisted. It was there right from the off, the extra torque and assistance this system offers was immediately noticeable. Although we had reservations about the display bracket being a little 'flimsy', we rode this bike for around 3.5 hours and not once did we notice it wobbling about at all - maybe we were just having too much fun to notice! The bike rolled well with the power turned off, with no resistance felt through the drive, but we didn't turn it off much as this took the fun away from it all! About 20 mins into the ride, someone reminded us about the second ring at the front! Something we had completely forgot about due to not really using one on our 1 x 10 regular bikes or 1 x 11 Bosch eBike. Although we could have done the ride without it, once we remembered it was there, we did use it to make light work out of some of the climbs and it did come in handy. It's a nice addition from Yamaha and will certainly help if using the bike off power. Quick pit stop before back out again on the single track. To sum up the assistance modes - 'Eco' is good for conserving energy and the power delivery is enough for most to gently take the pressure off. The 'Standard' mode is easily enough for most, we feel this mode could be used for serious off roading and tough climbs. However the 'High' mode is just flat out fun! In fact on one very steep climb we came across; we stuck it in 'High' and blasted up just to see what the system was capable of. The bike went up with absolutely no problem, we were almost expecting it to give up, but it just carried on going to the point that we got to the top and looked back and thought, how did that just happen? During the ride of very mixed terrain the system did not skip a beat at all. We had plenty of descents and climbs. When we set out the capacity showed 52% on the head unit. After 3.5 hours of quite hilly terrain we arrived back with 21% still showing. So we only used about 20% of its usage. This was mainly in 'High' & 'Standard' assistance although we did try also try the 'Eco' setting too. To sum the new Yamaha eBike system up? Fantastic system and very pleased we were one of the first to test & review it! Really pleasurable to ride and although pushing the system hard it just kept performing. The reliability of the system will show in time, however we must remember that although new to us in Europe the system and Yamaha have been doing this a long time so any niggles should have already been refined out of it. One thing we did forget to test was the 'Walk Assist' function. We spent little time off the new prototype electric bikes so never had a chance to use it. We are sure it works just great as does the rest of the Yamaha system. Pros - Very powerful system, good battery range, gives support right from the off. Well know brand. Good integration from Haibike. Battery can be inserted from the side allowing better integration into smaller frames. In the event of a problem, no diagnostics tools are required. The LCD displays it all. The system comes in at a lower price than its competitors so will allow more affordable builds. Cons - The Yamaha head unit bracket could do with more support, although this was not a problem at all during our ride. Also we feel the charger could be a bit smaller, but other than that it's great. It's new to the UK market so will take time to evolve. One word to sum it up? - FUN FUN FUN!! Oops is that 3 words?.. You get the gist. Read the previous article here - First Look: Yamaha eBike System Overview 2015 Whats next? - Keep an eye out a video will be posted shortly, so watch this space! Β
Breaking News: We @e-bikshop visited Haibike in Schweinfurt to be one of the first to be introduced to and test the new Yamaha eBike system. This will be coming to the UK in the new 2015 sDURO electric bike line up. This new Yamaha system results from Haibike uniting with Yamaha to bring a whole new product range to the market. More can be read about this here - Haibike unite with Yamaha to bring new eBike system to European market. Scroll to the bottom of the page to view the exclusive prototype images e-bikeshop took whilst in Germany. Yamaha new to the Electric Bike scene? Yamaha have been in the eBike game for a long time, over 10 years in fact! They were one of the first manufacturers to introduce a crank drive electric bike system. But they never really left Japan. Yamaha actually has 53% of Japan's market share and had to date has produced over 2.7 million systems. So they really know what they are doing! Basically what we are getting at is although they seem fairly new to us, in Europe, they have been tried and tested and developed over many years to bring a whole new system to market. Yamaha eBike Series Overview Although already established in the market in Japan, the Yamaha eBike system has now united with the Winora Group (who own Haibike). Haibike have developed the new system alongside Yamaha to make several changes in terms of battery mounting and integration. Winora will also act as the service partners for Europe & will offer full service support, warranty and backup spares. The freshly developed system will be found in the new Haibike sDURO line up of eBikes for the 2015 season. Let's talk a little more in detail about the new Yamaha system and some of its features. We will break it down into the individual components. Yamaha Drive Unit The new Yamaha eBike motor is small and compact for a crank drive unit. It weighs in at just 3.5kg making it one of the lightest motors available on the market today. Yamaha have made the motor very unit slim and allowed the use of both single and double rings. This is handy for anyone looking for that extra gear on the climbs! The drive unit is a 250w motor, so it complies with European law. It offers support up to 25 km/h (15.5mph), obviously the rider can travel faster but with no further support from the motor beyond this speed. The new Yamaha drive unit offer an impressive 70Nm of torque which is claimed to actually peak at 80Nm! This is one of the most powerful units on the market and certainly packs a punch straight from the off. Also power is delivered in less stages than other systems to the crankshaft meaning there is no 'extra' gearing within the motor, so it can pull all this torque instantly. This also helps keep the actual overall size of the motor to a minimum. Yamaha market this as a '0 Cadence' system, meaning you do not have to get the motor up to speed with a few pedals, the power is there, instantly, every time. Yamaha Battery and Charger The charger is water resistant and operates at a frequency of 50/60Hz and allows an input voltage of 220-240v. It outputs at approximately 42 volts at a current of 3.6 amps. Although the prototype charger we handled had a European plug head, we are told by the product manager that by the time of release it will be available with a UK plug for the British market. The new Battery Pack from Yamaha has been totally redesigned. Haibike have been working with Yamaha for the past 2 years to develop the shape and integration of the battery. You can view how the battery is integrated in our exclusive gallery below. Interestingly Haibike have developed the Yamaha battery so that can be inserted from the side. This is a big improvement allowing the battery to be more integrated into smaller frames and does not have to allow a couple of inches of space above the battery to clip it in. The battery is available in one variant - 400Wh (11A). Interestingly when we probed the product manager about the true capacity of the battery pack, he said that most of the batteries were actually coming out at approx 420Wh, but they list them as 400Wh to be on the safe side! We learned that the battery had been tested for range on the 'Official Extra Energy Testing Route' in Germany. This route is made up of hills, mixed terrain and stopping and starting. The range figures are then published based on these findings, so they can be fairly accurate and not over exaggerated. So as you can see the estimated range is 130 Km (80 miles) in 'Eco', 85 Km (53 miles) in 'Standard' & 70 Km (44 miles) in 'High'. This range is really good and just shows how efficient the new system is. This Yamaha battery pack weighs in at just 2.9Kg, so like the motor it is one of the lightest units on the market. As expected the battery pack has 4 LEDs built into the pack to tell you the capacity. Another new feature of this battery is that it features a bump stop on the bottom mount, a small rubber suspension system that keeps the battery in place over even the roughest of terrain. The Yamaha battery carries a 2 year warranty and takes approx 3.5 hours to charge from flat. It can be charged both on and off the electric bike. Yamaha LCD Control Unit and Buttons Haibike have opted for the latest generation of the Yamaha head unit. It has a large removable LCD display screen that relates back all the necessary data & statistics. This new LCD display is backlit and ensures all the relevant data is relayed back to the rider in an easy to read and clear environment. It's very simple to use and the screen itself has no buttons on it at all. The rider controls this from the left hand control buttons. The buttons allow the assistance level to be selected with the up and down arrows. The assistance levels range from 'Off' (non assisted riding), 'Eco' (100% support), 'Standard' (190% support) & 'High' (280% support). The controls allow the use of a 'Walk Assist' mode, a power button to turn the system on and off, the 'S' button which scrolls through the LCD data & also a light activation button for trekking models equipped with lights. The Yamaha user displays the important data whilst out riding including - a power meter, range left, time, cadence, assistance mode, speed, temperature & battery capacity in a 10 scale bar and also percentage. In all the display is very easy to navigate and operate using the control buttons. It certainly makes things easier than taking your hands off the bars to navigate through the settings. The display mounts above the stem in the center of the cockpit so it is out the way of the rest of the controls and easy to see whilst riding. When removed from the bike it acts as a pocket watch. Exclusive Prototype Images We Took in Germany Check out the: First ride review on the Yamaha eBike system
E-bikeshop are very excited to announce the collaboration that will unite Haibike and Yamaha eBike systems. This was following our visit to Schweinfurt (Germany) this weekend that saw a brand new product range launched by Haibike - the sDURO. Haibike announces a brand new product range that will feature a newly developed Yamaha eBike system that will take the European market by storm. When, where, who? Haibike invited us over to take part in a fantastic weekend, with some big news expecting to be announced. We knew Haibike had a big secret that they were eager to tell us, so we joined them at the Mercure hotel in Schweinfurt on Saturday 19th July to see what all the fuss was about.With many new lines and features to talk about there was lots to take in and get excited about. Susanne Puello (Winora Group CEO) introduced us by telling the Haibike story from when it all began and where they are all now, Susanne went on to say - When we produced our first eMTB, all the other bicycle suppliers laughed at us and said that we were crazy! Now today all of these manufacturers are following in our foot steps trying to grab some of our market share. We will stay ahead of the game! But the main thing on the agenda was kept top secret right up until the point of being announced. Β Whats the big news? Felix Puello (Haibike Brand Manager) invited Minoru Morimoto (Yamaha's Executive Director) onto the stage to tell us about the new Yamaha electric bike system, Mr Morimoto went on to say - We are very proud to see our newly developed eBike system in Europe on Haibike sDuro's. We have actually already been developing Yamaha eBike systems since 1993. We were one of the first crank drive suppliers and own 53% of the market share in Japan. We produce over 300,000 eBike systems a year and to date have 2.7 million Yamaha electric bikes out on the road worldwide. Mr Morimoto even jokes when showing us the stats in comparison to other eBike system suppliers (Bosch), the Yamaha system is so advanced and ahead of our competitors, the system offers many benefits including 70Nm of torque which peaks at 80Nm, Mr Morimoto points at the board and says - 60Nm of torque, (smiles), who even is this other supplier? Mr Morimoto (Yamaha) at Haibike product launch 2015 This is followed by Felix Puello (Haibike Brand Manager) telling us how excited Haibike are to be working with Yamaha in this new venture into the sDURO line up, Mr Puello goes on to say - The sDURO is for the next 'eGeneration' of electric cyclists, it is aimed at the younger riders - the styling, price and function is all based around this. We are very excited to be presenting the new sDURO range which features the latest Yamaha eBIke technology. We have been working with Yamaha to develop this new system for the past 2 years & now it is finally here! Everything from motor integration to battery design has been re-developed between us and Yamaha to bring a whole new contender to the market. We will explain more about the new sDURO range in details in another article, expect to see this up shortly. We will also do a complete review and write up of the new Yamaha eBike system as we had the chance to ride one a prototype for approx 3.5hours through the local singletrack in Schweinfurt. Β What do we think? In all we think this is a bold move for Haibike, they are certainly dominating the market and with this new system on board the competition bar is set at a high level for other eBike system providers. We think that it will be healthy competition and should help progress the eBike market at an even faster rate. We will do a full write up on the comparison between Yamaha and Bosch to discuss, in detail, the pro's and con's of each system.Β Say hello to the next 'eGeneration'!Β Check out the: First ride review on the Yamaha eBike systemΒ Check out the: First Look: Yamaha eBike System Overview 2015