Surrey-based E-Bikeshop was awarded ex BBC Dragons Den star Theo Paphitis’ prestigious business award. Setup to reward & promote business entrepreneurs. Back in October 2017, E-Bikeshop wins the SBS national business awards. Out of 329,000 business' nominated, just over 2,000 were selected by Theo Paphitis himself as successors to the SBS club. That's a ratio of not even one percent, in fact, 0.68% to be precise! Awards Ceremony The awards ceremony took place on 23rd February 2018 at the International Conference Centre in Birmingham, UK. The day kicked off with an introduction from Ryman CEO Kypros Kyprianou followed by a session with Superbrands expert Stephen Cheliotis. Theo Paphitis Then to meet the man himself - Theo Paphitis. Theo is a retail magnate come entrepreneur, with a net worth of over £280 million. He is considered to be one of the UK’s most high profile businessmen. Theo gave advice to fellow entrepreneurs, offering an inspirational talk and then answering any questions SBS members had. John Roberts After lunch, we all sat down for a hot fire session with Theo and John Roberts (founder of AO.com). Seventeen years ago John's friend bet him £1 in a pub that John couldn't sell appliances online. John set up and subsequently floated his company some years later in 2014, valued at £1.6 billion. The talk was inspiring to say the least, with John also answering many new business questions from the audience. Award Winner E-Bikeshop was set up in the UK to promote and grow the use of eBikes. Appealing not just to the experienced cyclists but to get more people out on bikes nationally. E-Bikeshop Director, Martin Brown said:- We are proud to have won this prestigious award. To be recognised by Theo, an experienced and inspirational icon in the business world means a lot to us. I am excited to what opportunities this will open up. It’s also opened the avenue to be part of an exclusive club who can share ideas and gain inspiration from other entrepreneurial business owners alike. This is a really exciting time for us. Electric bikes have a lot to offer for different people. Learn more about the benefits of eBikes »
We were sent a bag made by XLC bike products to test out the various functions of this new electric bike specific bag. With eBike specific built-in battery holder and back protector. The new E-Ride 23 Rucksack from XLC features some clever additions to separate itself from other bags on the market, it's solely designed around electric bikers! Let's check out some of the features in more detail: Waist & Chest Straps Both sides of the waist straps have open cell padding for ventilation and pockets for smaller items such as keys. Chest strap features an safety whistle for emergencies or irritating everyone nearby with repeated blasts. Bottle Holders Two external bottle holders are present on the E-Ride 23, on either side of the rucksack. An elasticated opening and further clinch down webbing straps keep your bottles secure whilst still being easily accessible on the move. Glasses Pocket A glasses pocket is featured at top of the bag to help avoid potential crushing when fully loaded. Softly lined to avoid damage to lenses. Goggles can also be stashed here if required. Mesh Dividers The outer Compartment of the E-Ride 23 offers mesh pockets with elasticated openings to help keep your snacks/tools/spares/recovery beers organised and static. With ample space to hold larger items such as a waterproof jacket, offering quick access and minimal fuss. Clinch down straps on either side of the compartment help to hold the load close to the pack and the rider. Helmet Holder Featuring its own stash pocket of which it is sewn into, the helmet holder is elasticated with two webbing straps. These cinch down to the outside of the bag, ensuring your helmet is securely held in place. The stash pocket extends up into the outer storage compartment cover, offering plenty of space for additional items. Rain Cover Much like the helmet holder, the rain cover (with internal storage pocket) is stored in its own stash pocket at the base of the pack. It's sewn in to ensure it doesn't go wandering when you need it. The cover has an elasticated edge to allow for easy fitment over the pack, with full coverage regardless of how loaded the E-Ride 23 is. Battery Holder The main compartment of the E-Ride 23 features a dedicated battery holder. Suitable for both Bosch & Yamaha batteries, with a top opening velcro strap to keep the battery secure. The back protector (mentioned below) offers that comfortable support between rider, bag & battery. Something not commonly found with heavy batteries rolling around in your bag! Main Compartment A further large mesh pocket at the top of the bag helps to keep smaller items organised and within easy reach. Ample storage is offered either side of the battery holding compartment. Back Protector The CE approved back protector from german protection company SAS-TEC is made from a Visco-elastic soft foam. Measuring roughly 49.5cm by 26cm. Offering lightweight, flexible and ventilated impact protection. The protector is designed to withstand multiple impacts, so you’ll unlikely need to be ordering a new protector anytime soon. Meaning you can wisely spend that time uploading your latest stack on youtube for your friend's amusement. It slides into its own retaining sleeve, offering wide back coverage, helping you to shrug off those moments you accidentally set off the ejector seat. The eBike bag is priced at £139.99
Orbea Bikes loaned our chief eBike Technician, Jeremy (aka Roadie Master) an Orbea Gain D10 2018 road electric bike to ride and review. Read on for his full electric road bike review. Where did it start? On Thursday 2nd of November, I had the opportunity to test ride the new Orbea road e-bike. The Gain D10 bike looked great in a bright orange finish, including a Shimano Ultegra groupset, disc brakes & carbon clincher wheels. It was hard to tell at a glance that this was even an eBike. Aside from the Gain D10 electric bike, there is also a base spec road version called the Gain D30 and an 'All Road' version with slightly wider cyclocross tyres called the Gain D20. Setting up the Orbea Gain? I set the Orbea Gain bike up, made sure it was fully charged, put my own pedals on and off I went. It is very easy to use as an ebike with no big obtrusive display on the handlebars. I just used my normal Garmin to record my data for the ride. To change assistance modes and see how much power is left in the battery you just press a button embedded into the top tube. Different colours indicate you what mode you are in: White = Off, Green = Eco and Red = Boost. It then defaults to a colour that shows how much battery life you have left. You can also download an app to your phone in order to see more data. A quick tap reverts to show you what mode you are currently in and a double tap alternates the modes. The Orbea Gain is really easy to use. How's the Orbea to ride? I rode from our HQ over to my local cycling club for the weekly Thursday ride. When I turned up the Orbea Gain certainly got a few reactions from most people not even initially realising it was an ebike and most people just liked the general look of the road bike. On the ride, the Gain D10 felt great, not too heavy at 13.75 Kg compared to other e-bikes that I have tried on the road. It flowed really well with no assistance when riding over 15 mph as this is the legal limit for e-bikes in the UK when the motor stops assisting you. Riding the Gain over a longer period? I covered 61 miles on the Orbea Gain in 3 hours 45 minutes with 4157 ft of climbing. The assistance from the motor really helped on the climbs and you could really feel it powering you forward although you didn’t want to push it too hard or you lost the assistance over 15 mph. As the e-bike is only “helping out”, so to speak, I still burnt plenty of calories and had a heart rate score of 105 on Strava for a “Tough suffer score”. I was still really working on the ride and really pushed hard on the climbs in order to see if I could beat my previous segment times. The motor on the Orbea Gain is developed by a Spanish firm called eBikemotion. It detects your pedalling via a torque sensor in the rear hub. This then relays information to the motor and assists as necessary. The motor is tuned to offer the best performance between 10 – 15 mph. It’s really quiet even when you are really working it hard on the climbs. Riding in a group of Roadies? As I was riding in a group of 10 other riders (on non-ebikes) we were pushing around 20 mph on the flat and I was easily keeping up without assistance as the Orbea Gain road bike flowed and didn’t appear to have any drag from the hub motor. On the downhills, the extra weight meant that the bike was very quick and handled very positively with the aid of the great Shimano disc brakes for slowing you down very quickly. What about battery range? When I finished the ride, after 61 miles, I still had 42% charge left on the Orbea ebike battery. For me this is more than enough for a full days club ride, with a nice buffer left over should I wish to push both myself and the electric road bike further. For longer distances Orbea tells me, there is going to be a plug and play ‘Add On’ battery neatly hidden in a bottle/cage should you wish to use the Orbea Gain electric bike for more long distance touring. Interestingly it also has eyelets for full mudguards and a rack should you wish. Something missing from my current road bike! Overall conclusion? I was really impressed with the ride and handling and some flow of the Orbea Gain ebike. This bike is incredible for the money and it’s definitely the future of fun. I have already got a few of my Clubmates on the list for a test ride. I can’t think of a reason not to buy one if you enjoy cycling and enjoy having fun on your bike in the outdoors. Whether you ride alone or in a group, the Orbea Gain electric bike is going to get you out riding more and covering more miles. #grintastic With thanks to Jeremy Ray for this write-up. Want to learn more about this electric road bike? Click - Orbea Gain D10 Road eBike.
Surrey-based company E-Bikeshop wins ex BBC Dragons Den star Theo Paphitis' prestigious #SBS business award. Setup to reward & promote business entrepreneurs. Theo Paphitis Theo Paphitis is best known for appearing on BBC's Dragons Den as a world-class investor. His proven track record as chairman of many successful companies including; Ryman Stationary, Robert Dyas and Red Letter Days to name just a few. Theo is a retail magnate come entrepreneur, with a net worth of over £280 million, he is considered to be one of the UK's most high profile businessmen. SBS Awards The #SBS awards were created by Theo Paphitis to reward and promote small business with entrepreneurship. Theo promotes business winners with dedicated business profiles on his website and retweets the business to his >500,000 followers. Also, access is granted to an exclusive #SBS club where like-minded business individuals can network and share ideas. Theo Paphitis says:- I admire people who have passion and energy. If you cannot bore your friends to death about your own small business then something is seriously wrong. All my businesses are privately owned and entrepreneurial in spirit. I know I have been lucky in business and I am keen now to spread goodwill to others, of course not forgetting that very often, you make your own luck by making use of every opportunity. Award Winner E-Bikeshop was set up in the UK to promote and grow the use of eBikes. Appealing not just to the experienced cyclists but to get more people out on their bikes nationally. Electric bikes really do have a lot to offer for many different people. Learn more about the benefits of eBikes » E-Bikeshop Director, Martin Brown said:- We are proud to have won this prestigious award. To be recognised by Theo, an experienced and inspirational icon in the business world means a lot to us. I am excited to what opportunities this will open up. It's also opened the avenue to be part of an exclusive club who can share ideas and gain inspiration from other entrepreneurial business owners alike. This is a really exciting time for us. More news will follow, as E-Bikeshop are invited to the awards ceremony on 23rd February 2018 at the ICC in Birmingham where they'll be handed their award from Theo Paphitis himself.
E-bikeshop is proud to announce that you can buy electric bikes from the UK's specialist eBike retailer via the Cyclescheme. A government-funded cycle to work scheme. Riders can save up to 42% off when buying their electric bike, the Cyclescheme offers not just significant savings off the first £1000 but a host of other benefits too. You can reduce your travel costs significantly whilst feeling great and getting fit. Don't forget, there's no commitment to only ride your eBike work, you can use your new electric bike for leisure too. Example Savings The below shows an example of the saving on a £1000 voucher, with a higher rate taxpayer. eBike Cost £3299Accessory Cost £299Helmet (Safety Equipment) £69Total Cost = £3667-£1000 Voucher = £2667Saving on £1000 = £418.85Total Overall Cost = £3248.15 There are also benefits to the employer too, offering increased productivity whilst maintaining a happy workforce. The savings are not just for the employee as the employer will save too with National Insurance contributions. E-Bikeshop & Cyclescheme As the specialist eBike retailer in the UK, e-bikeshop.co.uk is proud to be only 1 of 5 online retailers authorised to process Cyclescheme vouchers directly via our checkout online. E-bikeshop's managing director Martin Brown said:- We have been working closely with Cyclescheme this year to fully integrate the platform into our website & back end systems. With the main focus on usability for our customers. We wanted to simplify the process of redeeming Cyclescheme vouchers online. It's great to be listed alongside the 'big boys' and to be the only specialist retailer focussing solely on electric bikes. Fully automating the process, offering the full package from the initial purchase to full support & long term backup. E-bikeshop's simple 3 step checkout process makes it easy to redeem Cyclescheme vouchers online, learn how here. Their qualified eBike technicians will fully build and set up your new electric bike ahead of carefully delivering it with any accessories you may have added. Start saving today Cyclescheme has processed over 649,000 bikes to date via the government-funded ride to work scheme. Start saving on your new electric bike today. Start your journey here »
On Sunday the 1st October, the E-Bikeshop Owners Club met at Peaslake in the heart of the Surrey Hills for an off-road adventure on electric mountain bikes. It all started in the main carpark of Holmbury Village Hall. We immediately tackled a harsh climb, it certainly got the blood flowing and thank god we were on eBikes! The trails were the almost perfect conditions, not too dry as dust flies up, but not too wet either. Nice grippy and flowy for the perfect balance of trail riding. Fortunately, the weather held off all day and although some later trails offered some bigger puddles, this all added to the fun. Get stuck in and power through with the eBikes! Local club riders Chris and Ken led this one, so thanks from all the members to both the guys for leading, the whole day offered some fantastic 'off piste' trails that are hidden and we'd have never found these fantastic trails if it wasn't for the guys. We covered some of the famous trails including 'Barry Knows Best', 'Telegraph Poles' & 'Yoghurt Pots' before heading to the cafe for a coffee and bite to eat. This then followed with some more vigorous DH tracks in-between fast flowy singletrack. Certainly, put the electric bikes through their paces and kept all riders gripped for more! All in all a great day out, it just started raining as we got back to the car park, so again we judged the weather perfectly on this one. No mechanicals at all through the day at all, great! We did have one off which involved club member Ben coming to a stop (mainly using his face!) on the famous 'Barry Knows Best'. Fortunately, as a team player, Ben wiped the blood off and got straight back to it. Well done Ben! Again thanks to Chris and Ken for leading the pack, truly great trails with great people, well done. The next ride is up and live now on the Owners Club page. So take a look and click ‘Join’ to confirm attendance. We will, of course, publish all the photos of this ride on the ebikeshop club page in the next few days, don’t forget to tag yourself in them. The E-Bikeshop Owners Club is a closed group of riders, if you have purchased an eBike from us and want to get involved, please get in touch.
Gocycle has just added the Gocycle GS to run alongside the Gocycle G3, but what is the difference you may ask? Let's compare both Gocycle's side by side. We've been a Premium Gocycle reseller for many years now, starting with the Gocycle G2 and evolving into the state of the art Gocycle G3. The Gocycle is a market leading product, however, they now set out to release the Gocycle GS base model to run alongside the G3. So what's the difference? We'll break this down into some key areas to keep simple. On the surface the Gocycle G3 and GS may seem similar, we'll take a deeper look. Let's start with the basics: Gocycle G3 Gocycle GS Charge Time 3.5 hour 7 hour Weight 16.7 kg 16.5 kg Price £3,499 £2,499 Looks & Appearance Both Gocycle G3 and the GS look similar in their design, that's because they share the same frame and wheels. You'll notice the GS is only available in Grey & White and it's defined by the coloured swingarm (CleanDrive) and the 'S' logo printed on the side. The Gocycle G3 is available in 3 colours: Black, White & Electric Blue. Visually we also offer the Gocycle G3 with a 'Base Pack' included in the price (Normally £169). This includes the folding side leg, centre kickstand and a coil shock lock for securing your bike when parked. The Gocycle GS also uses different handlebars, saddle, grips, pedals and the cables are routed externally, where-as on the Gocycle G3 the cables are fully internal within the frame. The additional Gocycle accessories all fit on both the Gocycle GS and the G3. Gocycle G3 Gocycle GS Colour Uniform Two Tone Cable Routing Internal External Accessories Fits All Fits All Ergonomics As the Gocycle GS and the G3 use the same frame and wheels, the handling is similar. The Gocycle G3 it's fitted with ergonomic grips for more support. Also up front, the G3 handlebars are adjustable in height, the Gocycle GS is in a fixed height handlebar position. The saddle is an Ergo Comfort saddle on the Gocycle G3 over the standard saddle on the GS. The pedals on the Gocycle G3 are sealed bearing, platform pedals (also available in folding) where-as the Gocycle GS comes as standard with folding pedals. So this means all contact points including the handlebar grips, saddle and pedals are different between Gocycle G3 and Gocycle GS models. Gocycle G3 Gocycle GS Grips Ergo Comfort Standard Saddle D2 Comfort Velo Sport Handlebar Adjustment Height & Reach Reach User Interface The UI is where things really differ between models. Not to mention the ergonomic features we talked about above. On the Gocycle G3, the handlebars have an edge to edge built-in display to give parameters such as speed, gear indication, battery level and power assist. The Gocycle GS features a hollow handlebar with no display. You need to connect your phone to for access to such parameters. This smartphone application is also compatible with the Gocycle G3 should you wish to use it in addition to the built-in dash display. The Gocycle G3 also has an integrated Daytime Running Light (DRL) built into the handlebars for safety. Alongside this, the G3 uses rotary shifters to change gear, access assistance modes and adjust the light beam built into the end-to-end display. Gocycle G3 Gocycle GS LED Display Yes No Daytime Running Light Yes No Handlebar Dash Built-In Display No Dash Display Gear Shifting Both Gocycle models have a built-in 3-speed hub within the 'CleanDrive'. The drivetrain is completely enclosed from the elements meaning no maintenance and no dirty clothes! Where the models differ is in the shifting. The Gocycle GS has mechanical shifting by the rider, using cables and a twist grip shifter. The Gocycle G3 however, has complete predictive shifting, electronically, where the user just rides and the gears adjust accordingly. You can however still electronically change manually on the Gocycle G3 should you wish by using the built-in electronic rotary shifter on the handlebars. The rotary shifters are built into the handlebars, with the left controlling various features including high and dipped beam on the Daytime Running Light (DRL) and the right-hand rotary shifter controlling the gears. Gocycle G3 Gocycle GS Shifting Electronic Predictive Mechanical Gear Display LED Dash Mechanical Shifters Electronic Rotary Mechanical Twist Conclusion To conclude we expect there will be demand for the basic Gocycle GS. We see it similar to the iPhone model strategy, Apple launches an iPhone and in a basic 'S' version alongside too. Both make calls and receive texts, but one has more features than the other. Typically the higher spec model is higher in demand. The Gocycle GS & the Gocycle G3 are similar to the iPhone model listed above, in that they both have wheels and roll down the road, but the Gocycle G3 offers more features over the GS. Which Gocycle is for you? Only you can decide.
On Sunday 27th August the E-Bikeshop Owners Club visited Hadleigh Park (aka The UK Olympic MTB Park). This turned out to be a fun-filled day on the track with eBikes! We met first thing in the main carpark, a coffee and breakfast snack followed with an introduction to the site and briefing for the ride. We started by demo'ing the excellent practice area at Hadleigh Park on our eBikes. This area includes small berms, table tops, drops in staggered heights and rock gardens. This was ideal to get everyone warmed up and comfortable with the trails ahead. A few club riders were arriving a little late (Forgot to bring the Bosch head unit!) so we sessioned the famous pump track for around 20 mins. At first just trying to get around it without pedalling, quickly mastered, this then turned into fun races, side by side, using both left and right lanes of the track. Now onto the Olympic Mountain Bike track itself. We started on a moderate blue all the way around. Wetting the appetite we then split the group with intermediate eBike riders continuing to lap the blue trail. The more advanced riders then continued on the red trails with slightly more technical terrain. Both groups met at the top of the hill at Hadleigh Park and then decided to do the long Blue trail that goes right around the back of the park, the advanced riders took this opportunity to try out the Black runs that swoop off the side of the novice trails. This certainly proved technical in places and got the heart rate going! Finally, we revisited the pump track for more races around and a chill in the sun! A great day all round with great people and superb weather. To add there were no mechanicals! Perfect. The next ride is up and live now on the Owners Club page. So take a look and click ‘Join’ to confirm attendance. We will, of course, publish all the photos of this ride on the ebikeshop club page in the next few days, don’t forget to tag yourself in them. The E-Bikeshop Owners Club is a closed group of riders, if you have purchased an eBike from us and want to get involved, please get in touch.
It's always great to hear feedback on the electric bikes and service we offer. This eBike review just came in from a customer who's taken delivery of a Haibike Fat Six electric bike. Where did it start? After a great deal of research, I chose to purchase online from e-bikeshop.co.uk of Farnham, Surrey and was impressed by their service and the prompt and helpful answers to my questions prior to purchasing from Alfred, their sales/support guy. This was important as I had very specific requirements. Rider requirements? I am 66 years old, a lifelong cyclist, took up mountain biking with a passion at the age of 40 and had to give up my classic Gary Fisher hardtail altogether about 6 years ago due to the effects of age and injuries. To be brief, I have extensive nerve, ligament and tendon damage to my left arm, leg and lower back, limited neck movement and arthritic comedy hands. Given that I have been 6 years out of the saddle and am not properly cycling fit, I have been delighted with the results so far I live on the coast in the northwest Highlands of Scotland. From the village, everywhere is uphill and I needed a bike which offered me a chance to get out again in comfort and of course - style. I can report that the Haibike FatSix met those requirements beautifully. How is the bike? It's effectively wiped around 20 years off the decrepitude slate for me. It has also attracted some curious stares, which I put down to the bike rather than the fact that, according to a friend, it is apparently being ridden by an elderly wizard in a deerstalker. Ordered on Monday, it arrived on the Wednesday morning, charged and ready to go. I had asked Alfred to fit a Selle Royale Drifter saddle, which he did free of charge, enclosing the original saddle – which was appreciated. I had to take 50mm off the seat post to get it properly set up and within 30 minutes I was off. It took a little while to realize that the front forks were seriously under pressure but luckily a shock pump was to hand and with a bit more tinkering here and there, I got it set up perfectly. How is the riding? I have now completed several test rides on roads and estate tracks, including a relentless 1.5 km uphill section of road, most of which I managed on the Eco+ and Eco settings, with Standard and High levels of assistance being needed at around 1 and 1.2 km respectively. Every ride on the Haibike provides a workout and allows me to test my limits without the pain and discomfort which comes with being old and knackered. Even without power, the Haibike FatSix is easy to pedal and handles very well. The 11-gear spread covers every eventuality, the beefed-up derailleur is very positive and precise and the remote front fork lockout is an absolute boon. The disc brakes provide excellent, smooth stopping power which, given the weight of the rig ( and me at 95 kg. ) is just as well. I currently estimate around 30 off-road miles to a charge at my present level of required assistance. Conclusion on the Haibike Fat Six? Given that I have been 6 years out of the saddle and am not properly cycling fit, I have been delighted with the results so far. The Haibike FatSix suits me and my eccentric sense of style down to the ground and whilst I appreciate that fat bikes are not everyone’s cup of tea, I would thoroughly recommend the whole electric bike thing to anyone, particularly those with similar problems to mine, who would like to get back out on a bike again. Thanks to Alan Booth for this review. Click to learn more about our Haibike Electric Bikes.
Today we were invited to Moustache eBikes based in Golbey, to get a first look of the new 2018 Bosch powered electric bikes. Let's learn more about the 2018 range of eBikes. Moustache bikes, now in its 7th season of eBike production, invited us over to France to preview the new 2018 range of electric bikes. Since the beginning, Moustache solely focuses on Bosch powered electric bikes, they are not a standard bike brand configuring existing bikes into eBikes. Hence the superior design, quality and ride you get when it comes to any Moustache electric bike. You can learn more about Moustache in our Moustache eBikes Factory Tour article. New for 2018, Moustache has developed an awe-inspiring range. Featuring many new enhancements across a host of model variants including town, trekking, city mountain bikes and even a tandem eBike! Moustache Samedi 28 2018 Models Last year we saw the 'Hidden Power' battery integration into the Moustache electric mountain bikes. New for 2018 Moustache develops this technology into the new Samedi 28 range of trekking and commuter bikes. Using the latest 2018 Bosch eBike technologies, the Samedi trekking bikes now have fully integrated batteries on certain models. In particular, the Samedi 28.3 2018 models, available in both crossbar and low step variants. Offering a Bosch performance drive coupled with a long range 500Wh battery, 10 speed Shimano gearing and Intuvia display. A great bike for touring, trekking and commuting alike. We'd expect these to be around the £3000 mark with fully integrated mudguards, rack and lighting setup. Moustache Samedi X-Road 2018 Models Alongside the Samedi 28 bikes are a fantastic intermediate between a trekking bike and a mountain bike. Likely to sit just above the £3k mark, forget having two eBikes for different rides. See the X-Road electric bike as a do-it-all machine with all the essentials like mudguards, rack and a lighting system but with a 27" MTB wheel and tyre suitable for all occasions. Like the 28 models, these also have the higher performing Bosch Performance motor and highest spec 500Wh battery. Again available in both crossbar and low step offerings. The neat thing with the new frame design on both crossbar and low step designs is that the battery is completely interchangeable between the 2 variants. Previously you'd have a rack mounted battery on the ladies bike and a frame mount on the gents. Now both crossbar and low step use the frame mounted battery hidden in the frame. Moustache 2018 eMTB Models We had a sell-out year with the 2017 range of Moustache electric mountain bikes, mainly from the decent spec, hidden power and fantastic pricing across the board. 2018 is likely to be no different, with new models announced and improved specifications. The model range has been expanded, to include a higher spec Race 11 160mm Carbon model and also the introduction of a more basic spec entry level Trail 4, 140mm travel option. With the 'Hidden Power' carbon frame models jumping from a previous 3 variants to now 5 models for the 2018 season. The Moustache Samedi electric mountain bikes will all feature the highest performing Bosch CX motor drive system and Purion displays. Likely starting around the £4000 mark for Shimano SLX spec's, with higher performing bikes equipped with the latest Sram EX1 high range (11-50t groupset) anywhere upwards of £8000. When are they available? We will be taking pre orders already on popular models with some in stock right now. Find your 2018 Moustache and view the full range here:- Moustache 2018 Electric Bikes.
It's been a big year for Scott and their 150mm travel electric mountain bikes. In 2018 Scott push the boundaries & completely revise the E-Genius eBikes, now with Shimano Steps. The last E-Genius mountain bikes went down a storm, in particular, the 700 TUNED which initially was a complete sellout. That 150mm travel and all round trail agility and geometry set the benchmark as the perfect all-rounder for most trail riders. Be it from Enduro to All mountain riding the E-Genius was a one bike do-it-all machine. Now for 2018, Scott has completely pushed the boat out with new frames, fully integrated, all mountain bikes built on the renowned Shimano Steps eMTB specific drive system. What's new for E-Genius in 2018? The E-Genius range is assisted by Shimano Steps E8000 motors, offering a maximum power output of 70Nm and 250W. To meet the eMTB specific needs, a 504Wh battery is equipped. Shimano Steps comes with a compact and ergonomic display well as the shift switch system on the handlebars. It provides all the relevant data, with full connectivity with Shimano Di2 components and is compatible with the new upcoming Shimano E-Tube app. Integration has been one of the main objectives for the design team of the new E-Genius. Scott’s Engineering Department has been working on specific engine covers to provide a quality finish. Offering full protection of both the drive unit & the battery regardless of riding conditions. The new E-Genius benefits from the success of its non-motorized bikes in terms of technology and optimization. Thanks to the compact Shimano Steps E8000 system, engineers managed to stay aligned to the Genius kinematics to deliver the best performance to push on every section of the trail. 2018 E-Genius model overview The new Shimano Steps equipped Scott E-Genius range is split down into three key models for 2018. All built on the same frame and drive system, it's the components that change. Scott E-Genius 700 TUNED 2018 The top spec model offering full Kashima coated factory series Fox suspension front & rear. Combined with top notch components & fully integrated Shimano Di2 electronic shifting. Price: £6,799 | Learn more & pre order here → E-Genius 700 2018 Scott E-Genius 710 Plus 2018 The 710 is the mid spec model in the 2018 range offering full a Shimano XT drivetrain and brakes, along with Fox suspension. Finished with decent components & a Fox dropper post. Price: £5,899 | Learn more & pre order here → E-Genius 710 2018 Scott E-Genius 720 Plus 2018 The Genius 720 is the base spec bike, offered up with a Recon fork up front & a custom spec X-Fusion rear shock. Gearing comes from Sram's new NX drivetrain & brakes from Shimano. Price: £4,399 | Learn more & pre order here → E-Genius 720 2018 What do we think? The new E-Genius range will certainly be popular based on previous experience with this range. We particularly like the limited edition model: E-Genius 700 TUNED. Primarily because of its looks, that silky smooth Kashima coated suspension and the fact that all the gearing is completely integrated Shimano Di2. Which will, of course, work seamlessly alongside the Shimano Steps system. All in all a great range finished in the all popular 150mm travel series. Something we feel was missing from the range and particularly equipped with the E8000 specific eBike system. A great attention to detail has been made at the design stage, not only to the integration but to small features like the bottle cage mount. Sounds silly, but it's uncommon to see on a eMTB, where the battery normally mounts! When can I get one? We are taking pre-orders right now, with first deliveries as early as December for those lucky enough to have a reservation. Typically the 700 Tuned will sell out fast based on previous experience, with the other two models trailing. To see the full details and pre order yours click here → Scott 2018 Electric Bikes.
This July, we gave two people the opportunity to road test two Haibike eBikes for a month. Learn how Carlo and Elizabeth got with the electric bikes in this article. The bikes were loaned primarily to provide cycle support for their friend Robert Groves hand-cycling around the coastline of England and Wales for the Coastline Challenge charity event. This scenario evolved over time which allowed them also to incorporate the bikes into their regular lives and see how people could benefit from these machines in a number of ways. Electric Bikes? Not a new phenomenon, cycles have had motors added to them in various guises for more than a century. It can be said though that never have they been so sophisticated, nor so efficient. The bikes used were kindly loaned to us through Martin Brown of e-bikeshop.co.uk, and the manufacturer, Haibike. They chose the Hardseven 4.0, two models, the xDuro, powered by Bosch and the sDuro, with a Yamaha motor. Both share a number of common features, such as the frame, headsets, bars, tyres, but different suspension, crank and switchgear arrangements. Where did it start? On a bright July Sunday, we left West Sussex to join our hand-cyclist friend Rob and a support motor home driven by Chris in convoy, on a ride to the New Forest and the Dorset coastline. The Coastline Challenge journey was undertaken to promote new ways to view and care for our oceans, and as the name suggested we followed coastal roads where possible. Urban cycling in towns such as Southampton and Portsmouth was a challenge due to the heavy traffic, road layout and hilly overpasses. Battery Ranges? On occasion, the brakes were used to their full effect, in order to avoid elderly gentlemen and errant drivers. The Tektro brakes bite quickly and quite fiercely. Pausing for a pub lunch gave us an opportunity to replenish our own energy resources and those of the e-bike batteries. The Yamaha used 60% battery life covering 40 miles at a regular speed of 15mph. The quick take offs and undulations of Southampton’s crowded A roads. Then the more gradual but ever present hills of the New Forest, coupled with a rider growing accustomed to their respective steeds, drained battery power more quickly than on other rides of the trip. The Bosch lost more charge on this leg, down to 20% when stopping for the lunchtime recharge. Once more accustomed to the riding rhythm the battery range improved, along with the enjoyment of letting the bikes amplify our efforts. Assistance Modes? There are 3 modes of assistance on the Yamaha motor and 4 on the Bosch, the difference being the Turbo mode, giving up to 275% back to the pedals. This was useful in getting up to speed at roundabouts and hill climbs, coping with traffic etc. The 3 main modes used interchangeably depending on the need- eco for flats, standard and high/sport for everything else, the latter especially useful for inclines, which are uncannily easy to climb. The xDuro Bosch control system and Intuvia Display are well designed and very easy to use. Riding the eBikes? We spent the next few days traveling together, or taking it in turns to cycle alongside our friend, Rob, on our journey west. From Sussex through Hampshire, Dorset and into Devon, using coastal roads where possible, the e-bikes performed faultlessly, each exhibiting individual characteristics over time. At the end of each day, we arrived at the allocated camp site, pitched our tent, fed, washed up and got through the observations, photographs, maintenance, and other issues that might have arisen throughout the day. To be able, for instance, to tackle some of the hills of the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, was a demonstration as to the capability and enjoyment these bikes offer. A reward on that particular stretch was arriving at the azure blue bay of the English Riviera at Torquay. Riding to Lands End Something that soon became apparent was the isolated nature of some of the campsites we visited. The further we traveled west, the less technology and electricity worked. Soon enough we would reach a site only to find no internet or phone access or just enough power to charge up the batteries. The views, however, were stunning at times. From here we journeyed into Cornwall, on to Land’s End, where the opportunity to get us and the bikes in at the famous sign was taken. Setting off the next day from Geevor mine, it was a damp morning that saw us cycle from St Just to St Ives, along the north coast road. Arguably one of the most enjoyable roads to cycle in Cornwall, the twists, turns, and hills provide a changing backdrop of villages, farms and sweeping views over the Atlantic. It was also the setting for the original version of ‘Straw Dogs’, and has its own eerie sense of foreboding… Taking the coastal roads to St Agnes, we spent the night at Cligga Head before setting off for Tintagel. Cornwall can be wet at times but for this trip around we had one really bad day. Following heavy rain and high winds, upon reaching the camp site on Tintagel headland, it proved impossible to pitch the sleeping accommodation for the night. A friendly B&B next door proved welcoming. The next few days journeying up the north Cornwall coast, through north Devon and Somerset, was accompanied by glorious sunshine. At this point, circumstances beyond our control necessitated a return to West Sussex, so we left the traveling band to carry on around the coastline, and took the bikes on the train. Packed with friendly commuters and cyclists, we managed to cram on. The good looking and electric nature of the bikes are such that they started conversations about them wherever we went, and some interesting comments on build, performance, etc were expressed while we made our way back home. Back home, on the Sussex coastline, we had hoped to rejoin our friend Rob on his cycle tour further up country but was not to be. So, while doing our own things, we took the opportunity to utilize the bikes in a domestic environment. How the bikes performed? Temporarily shunning fossil fuel alternatives, the Haibike's became the preferred mode of transport for trips to the village shops, along the sea front day or night, and further afield. Having electrical assistance up to a maximum speed of approximately 17 mph allows for effortless short journeys, the sDuro’s Yamaha motor responding quickly from standing start. These e-bikes are superb up hills and down dales but also excel in the urban environment, a modern revolution in personal mobility. Those who enjoy the freedom of cycling, but not the effort sometimes involved, or those who might benefit from the motor assistance, will find these bikes just the thing for improving the quality of one’s life, health & enjoyment of the great outdoors. Personally, living near the Sussex South Downs, we took the opportunity to try the bikes out and enjoy the scenery on offer. The all terrain ability of these machines makes for exhilarating fun & the outside more accessible. To sum it all up? During this review period, we had the fortune to be able to travel some of the most scenic roads in the south west of England. We took in miles of unspoiled rolling hills & stretching coastlines. We met with members of coastal communities, who, behind the scenes, for the most part, organize beach cleans, produce educational material, introduce plastic reduction schemes, monitor sea life and who create petitions for change in the way we care for our waters. They are inspirational people. We hope this review and accompanying photographs say enough to encourage you to try the e-bike experience. These particular Haibike's are excellent in design and performance and completely changed our lifestyle for the month. Thank you for the opportunity to do so. With special thanks to Carlo and Elizabeth Marogna for this article. Bikes Used: Haibike xDuro HardSeven 4.0 and the Haibike sDuro HardSeven 4.0 eBikes.
We take a look at the new 2018 range of Lapierre electric mountain eBikes. Now with both Bosch and new for 2018, the fully integrated Shimano Steps electric bike systems. Lapierre has always been a bike brand close to our heart, where it all started with the original Zesty and Spicy mountain bikes - Winning award after award. Following our Lapierre factory tour earlier in the year, we've been bound to secrecy about the brand's movements for 2018. Although a little early on in the season, we're excited to announce the new range of electric mountain bikes, bringing 21st-century riding! What's new for Lapierre in 2018? The new 2018 range is like no other with lots of revisions to both frames, geometry and spec. The introduction of a whole new motor system and an entirely new series. Let's take a look at the 3 main new categories: *** Please note this is an early season preview. Images are artists impressions. Specification and prices can be subject to change *** Lapierre 2018 Overvolt Carbon Bikes Last season Lapierre introduced a completely revised eMTB, all based on keeping the weight central & that all important balanced ride. Made from carbon frames with the battery down low. For 2018 Lapierre have expanded on the carbon frame range with the introduction of a couple of new models, sitting at both ends in terms of price. View the full range of Lapierre Carbon Overvolt electric bikes here → Lapierre Overvolt 2018 eBikes. They have also revised the frame design for straight top tubes and sleek designs. All the bikes have internal stealth droppers built in, 500Wh Batteries and the Bosch Performance CX system with the new eMTB mode. Key features: 148 Boost axles, the DWS (Dual Wheel System) which allows both 27 & 27+ wheels to be mounted, OST+ linkage and of course the GLP (Gravity Logic Project) where the battery is located exactly central within the bike. For 2018 all Carbon Overvolt models will come as standard with a 27.5+ wheel/tyre setup. Lapierre 2018 Overvolt Integrated Bosch Bikes The biggest change in the Lapierre 2018 Bosch powered lineup - Full 500Wh Bosch battery integration within the frame. Completely new 150mm travel frame designs to integrate the battery and Lapierre have even been able to make the rear stays 10mm shorter. Interestingly although the range will come as standard with 27.5+ wheelsets. Lapierre has designed these new 2018 bikes to have reversible chips in the dropout, so it can take either 29" or 27.5+. The only electric mountain bike range versatile enough to do this. View the full range of Lapierre Overvolt Integrated eBikes here → Lapierre 2018 E-Bikes. Key features: Sport mode replaced by new Bosch 'eMTB Mode'. Integrated 500Wh battery. The shorter back end, more playful, great looks and convertible dropout. Thich allows both 27+ & 29" wheels to be mounted. Finally, Lapierre's own stealth seat dropper posts built in on all models. Lapierre 2018 Overvolt Integrated Shimano Bikes A brand new model line for 2018! The fully integrated Shimano Steps system will highlight the Overvolt 2018 range. Using the E8000 motor and display, Lapierre has worked in their own custom battery integration. The battery is actually a specific Lapierre solution with the approval of Shimano of course. Lapierre calls this new tech: 'Snake Power Technology'. The idea is the 500Wh battery is bendy and is fed in by a small port on the side, this allows specific integration techniques, an increase in frame rigidity and overall looks. View the full range of Lapierre Shimano equipped eBikes here → Lapierre 2018 Electric Bikes. These new Shimano Overvolt models are available as a 29" or 27.5" specific models. This is denoted by the model name i.e the 929i is 29" specific and the 927i is 27+". Same price and spec just 2 variants of each bike with the 29" being 140mm travel and the 27.5+ being 160mm. Key features: Boost axle system, Snake Power Technology, 27.5+ and 29" formats. Specific new integration, compact and ergonomic display. 4 sizes from S to XL and a new geometry for better mass centralization and overall centre of gravity. Great looks and bottle cage compatibility. When are they available? We are already taking orders on the 2018 Lapierre electric bikes. Expect Bosch integrated models set to arrive from November. The first Shimano Steps integrated bikes will follow mid season, around March 2018. Pre order your new Lapierre 2018 electric bike today here → Lapierre 2018 eBikes.
We are live at the 2018 Haibike electric bike range launch here in Schweinfurt, Germany. We give you a first glance over the coming 2018 range of Bosch & Yamaha powered eBikes. Haibike have been redefining ePerformance since electric bikes began. Pioneering the first ever electric mountain bike when the other bike brands didn't know what was coming. Handbuilt in Schweinfurt, Germany - The Haibike electric bikes continue to be market leaders. The launch set off at a secret location close to Haibike’s production facility in Germany. The presentation was attended by top dealers from around the world in an exclusive first look at the 2018 model ranges, that will officially be announced later this year. What's new in the Haibike 2018 range? Previously, the Haibike electric bike range was split by sDuro (Yamaha) and xDuro (Bosch) defining which models were offered with which system. For 2018, these names have a whole new meaning. Now the 2018 Haibike electric bikes are clearly defined by two categories: XDURO = Extreme | SDURO = Sporty XDURO: Suitable for more extreme riders. Looking for that big hitting, thrilling, all terrain eBike. SDURO: More suited to sporty riders. Practical and stable without being over the top. The new model ranges will make navigating the Haibike eBike range easier and clearer. This follows with easy model specification numbers and colour families to match. This change comes with a refreshing approach from the HDC-M (Haibike Design Center) based in Munich: dedicated to the styling, design & range formats across all the Haibike bikes. *** Please note this is an early season preview. Images are artists impressions. Specification and prices can be subject to change *** Haibike SDURO 2018 Electric Bikes As above, the 2018 range of Haibike SDURO bikes will now consist of sporty models including Trekking, Cross/Hybrid, Hardtail MTB's and some short travel 120mm full suspension eBikes. This is will be a split of Yamaha PW SE, Yamaha PW-X & Bosch CX powered bikes. Also, some of the higher spec models will have the Bosch 'InTube' battery integration. View the full range of Haibike 2018 sDuro electric bikes here → Haibike 2018 eBikes. Expect pricing to be between £1999 - £3399 on the SDURO hardtails, with the Trekking/Cross bikes ranging from £2149 through to £3949. Finally, the Full Suspension models will sit around £2949 with spec ranges up to £4249. Haibike XDURO 2018 Electric Bikes The 2018 Haibike XDURO will now consist of both Bosch Performance CX and Yamaha PW-X systems. The bikes are aimed at more extreme riders and offer full suspension bikes up to 200mm travel. The All Mountain, NDURO, DownHill, Fat Bikes and some higher spec trail bikes will now all sit under the new XDURO range format. The All Mountain, Enduro, DownHill, Fat Bikes and some higher spec trail bikes will now all sit under the new XDURO range format. There will be 3 Carbon FullSeven bikes ranging from £4899 up to £11,799. In addition, 5 new All Mountain bikes ranging from £3899 up to £6199. The NDURO bikes will consist of 4 models these range from £4199 up to a higher spec 10 model at £6299. We then see 2 downhill bikes, one with Yamaha PW-X and one with Bosch 'InTube' battery. In addition, a signature Guido Tschugg signature model. These range from £5199 through to £7799. View the full range of Haibike 2018 xDuro electric bikes here → Haibike 2018 eBikes. Also, 3 Fat Bikes, one PW hardtail Yamaha equipped bike alongside a higher spec Bosch model. Lastly, a Yamaha PW SE powered full suss fat bike! Ranging from £3299 to £4499. Haibike eSystem highlights for 2018 Haibike was the first manufacturer to make a Bosch powered eMTB. Likewise, they exclusively offer Yamaha PW-X powered eBikes. Let's take a look at the new 2018 system highlights: Haibike 2018 Yamaha highlights Last year Haibike exclusively introduced the Yamaha PW-X system to some of the higher spec models in the eBike range. Now in 2018, this is extended to many more. Offering higher performance at more affordable levels. Some of the entry spec bikes will continue to be based on the standard Yamaha PW series motors to keep pricing sensible. Now a new series launched in the Yamaha ranges, which we blogged about recently - Yamaha PW Series SE. Which will be offered on 4 of the mid range electric bikes. Haibike launched eConnect onto the first 5,000 Yamaha 8.0 spec electric bikes last year to let the system settle into the market. For 2018 Haibike eConnect will come later on as a retro fit. View the full range of Haibike 2018 Yamaha electric bikes here → Haibike 2018 eBikes. This retro fit kit should be available later in the year for existing Yamaha PW-X & Bosch eBike users. It has some cool new features, which you can access via your smart phone via Bluetooth. Offering functions including GPS theft control, crash detection, bike locator & route recording. Haibike 2018 Bosch highlights For 2018 certain Haibike Bosch powered eBikes get a complete revision when it comes to frame-battery-integration. Haibike have developed a complete integrated frameset utilising the new 2018 Bosch 500W PowerTube electric bike battery technology. Using the famous Bosch Performance CX system offering up to 300% assist and 80Nm of torque. The 2018 Haibike electric mountain bikes benefit also from 'eMTB Mode' where the rider can set one mode and the system alternates accordingly, depending on the terrain. The Bosch equipped Haibike models benefit from a geometry change for more playful ride time. Whilst integrating the Bosch eBike battery, keeping weight central and lower down. Alongside the eMTB's the 2018 Bosch Haibike Trekking/Cross bikes also get a huge revision when it comes to integration. Meaning two of the high spec models are also offered with integrated down tube Bosch eBike batteries, in both crossbar and unisex frame formats. View the full range of Haibike 2018 Bosch electric bikes here → Haibike 2018 eBikes. New: Bosch 'InTube' bikes get a new 'Modular Rail System' allowing the fitment of accessories designed by Haibike. These include a spare battery, kit bag & custom water bottle. Please note: The extra battery 'Range extender' is only available for Bosch 'InTube' models and not compatible with full suspension models due to the space required. When are they available? We are taking pre orders now. With some already in stock for those lucky enough to be on the list, with Bosch integrated models set to arrive from December / January onwards. Pre order your Haibike 2018 electric bike here → Haibike 2018 Bikes.