Everyone loves a new piece of kit or training aid that improves the efficiency and fun of riding - so what could be better than an electric bike? Most of our favourite brands are now turning their hands to (legal) motorisation and it is helping get more people riding. It's no secret that cycling culture, particularly of diehard roadies and rugged mountain-bikers, can be intimidating to newbies, even within families. Electric bikes can serve to break down barriers, helping beginners to rise to the challenge of distance and duration sooner rather than later with the help of a motor.
Electric bikes are not like motorbikes in that you can't just hit 'go' and enjoy the ride without putting in any effort. You only benefit from power assistance when pushing on the pedals yourself so you can still experience the typical fitness benefits of cycling. One of the best thing about E-bikes is that they enable mixed ability riders to ride together without too much worry about being able to keep up or endure the whole ride with better riders. As you get stronger and fitter you can also reduce the amount of 'assistance' you get from the bike - helping you well on the way to a happier, fitter and zippier you.
At Bike Factory, we have loads of E-bikes to choose from whether you're after off-road excitement or urban exploration, and from a host of different brands.
Haibike
ePerformance pioneers Haibike boast being the first, and for a long time the only, believers in the potential of sporty E-bikes. They german designed and engineered range offers everything from "Offroad Extreme" long travel eMTBs for pushing the limit of off-road riding, to the "All-road" urban series which include all the features of an efficient and comfortable city bike, complete with disc brakes and subtly integrated lighting.
Designed for the full spectrum of MTB trails, the Xduro promises to improve your overall efficiency and enable you to ride further, faster and longer. Equipped with SLX hydraulic discs, a ten speed Xduro groupset and Bosch Intuvia multifunctional display with operation unit and push-assistance, this bike is capable of - and hungry for - miles and miles of all terrain trails.
Visually stripped down to the bare essentials, the Urban series is made for escaping traffic in the city. Complete with Crank Bros 700c Cobalt 4 wheels, Bosch Intuvia display and hydraulic disc brakes, Haibike's urban range also come equipped with integrated front and rear light for maximum safety.
If you love riding trails at speed, commuting fast and having loads of fun, the Turbo might just be for you. Capable of 45kmh on the road (pedal-assisted), the Turbo Levo is designed with maximum pedalling efficiency in mind, and makes climbing a whole new experience by adding 530watts of pedal-assisted power. With a RockShox fork with adjustable rebound and lockout, Shimano hydraulic discs and proprietary finishing kit, this dazzling 29er has all the features of Specialized's best trail machines, only with the significant advantage of its integrated motor!
For a versatile bike that is the ultimate electric hybrid, the Trek Dual Sport bikes are fast on the road and more than capable of coping when the roads turn rough, or even disappear altogether. The Shimano Steps mid-drive motor provides a smooth and balanced ride for fast, sporty and all-day comfort. With the standard hydraulic disc brakes and proprietary Bontrager finishing kit, the Dual Sport is optimised for lightweight electrical assistance perfect for riders who can only fit one more bike in their stable.
