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E-bikes charge ahead

Sales of power-assist bikes are taking off throughout the world. Simon Vincett tested 18 Australian options.

Everyone could use a bit of extra oomph in their pedalling sometimes and that is exactly what e-bikes provide. In fact, the 200 watt motor (the legal limit on Australian e-bikes) approximately doubles the power of your pedalling. The very best thing that assisted bikes offer is confidence: confidence that you can take off from the intersection quickly enough to be comfortable in traffic and confidence that you can head off on a day ride with friends or family and you’ll be able to keep up with ease. They are also chosen by riders who don’t want to get sweaty on the way to work or who ride over hilly terrain. The first step in appreciating e-bikes is to get over the weight factor. E-bikes are heavy (about 25kg) due to their power assistance system and that makes them seem cumbersome in comparison to unassisted bikes. However, they ride as comfortably as a conventional bike and the motor makes up for the extra weight. They’re also heavy because they are loaded with useful accessories like mudguards, a chainguard, a rack and sometimes a lock, pump and tools. Many also come with lights. Very often you could ride one straight out of the bike shop and start running your errands. E-bikes aren’t generally built for speed. Most available in Australia now have a hybrid or city-bike shape, providing an upright position that is good for taking in the view or surveying traffic conditions. The motors usually provide no more assistance over 27.5km/h. Some models come in only one size and tend to the smaller end of the range, so taller people may struggle to achieve an appropriate adjustment. The motor is brought to life through either a throttle on the handlebar, or an assist system that needs you to be pedalling before it kicks in. Different assist levels can be set, and the power turned on and off, most often through a small touchpad fitted onto the handlebar. Pedal assist systems are usually based on cadence, where sensors check how fast you are pedalling relative to how fast you’re actually travelling. If you need more assistance you change down a gear and the motor controller responds. However, some systems are based on torque – the pressure you are applying to the pedals – which may better suit those who prefer to push a big gear, or who struggle with using gears. There are many bikes for many different needs and budgets. Some will suit you and some just won’t and the only way to tell is to test ride as many models as possible before buying. “How far can I ride?” is a common question. There are many factors affecting this. First is the size of the battery. They tend to range from nine amp hours to 14 amp hours, and between 24 volts and 37 volts. The capacity of the battery is best measured in watt hours, which is its amp hours multiplied by its volts. Using a throttle pulls more from the battery than the power assist function on many electric bikes, so this shortens your ride. The lower levels of assistance of the power assist function use less of the battery charge. In addition, hilly terrain and under-inflated tyres make the motor work harder and battery drain faster. Cold also inhibits the battery. UK e-bike company Wisper suggest “You will get about 15% more range on a warm sunny day than you would in deep winter.” Typically, a 360 watt hour bike will take you 65km before needing recharged; enough for most return commutes, or a good day’s riding. Considering all these variables, it makes sense that the range of the bikes suggested by the manufacturers varies so widely, because some are conservative while others are optimistic. A more concrete measure is the capacity of the battery, expressed in amp hours. All the batteries in this test are lithium ion, unless otherwise stated. However, ‘lithium ion’ can describe a variety of different chemical combinations, all of which provide different weight and bulk for performance and price. All lithium ion batteries require an initial charge overnight and then between two and six hours to recharge after that. Most can be partially charged – for an hour, for instance – and can be topped up before they are completely discharged. Most lithium ion batteries can be fully recharged about 500 times. A partial re-charge is a fraction of a full recharge. This equates to about 20,000km of riding. Replacement batteries are available for all the bikes on this test. They cost between $650 and $950. Wisper suggest longer e-bike battery life comes from “three simple rules 1. Never leave your battery fully discharged. 2. Always leave your battery at least 50% charged. 3. If your battery is left unused for longer than eight weeks recharge it for two hours.” Most battery chargers cut out by themselves once the battery is charged. If they don’t you can’t leave the battery charging overnight, for instance. The best chargers have a fan to cool them, which reduces the risk of malfunction and damage to the battery. Finally, chargers come have different outputs and a four amp charges faster than a two amp. All the motors in this test are 200 watts and brushless, unless otherwise stated. The motors can be larger than 200 watts (such as 350w) and configured to operate at 200 watts. This can provide the advantage of greater torque, though they will be bigger and heavier. Higher torque is particularly useful on cargo bikes for carrying heavy loads. Motors can be in the rear hub, front hub or driving the chainring. Motors in the rear hub generally make any maintenance to do with the rear wheel more complex and expensive. Chainring motors are unusual and provide powerful assistance down to very low speeds. Bolted axles and cables makes it tricker to remove a wheel with an electric hub motor, so most e-bikes have heavy, puncture-resistant tyres so you’re less likely to need to remove the wheel. Pedal assist systems are usually based on cadence, where sensors check how fast you are pedalling relative to how fast you’re actually travelling. If you find you need more assistance you change down a gear – as with a non-powered bike – and the motor controller knows to provide more assistance. However, some systems are based on torque – the pressure you are applying to the pedals – which may better suit those who prefer to push a big gear or who struggle with using gears. For instance, if you’re stuck in a high gear the bike knows to help rather than waiting until the pedals are spinning at a certain speed. Throttles can be twist grip operated or thumb lever operated. A number of different kits on the market can easily add power to your bike, trike or recumbent. The three reviewed here are operated by throttle only and have no pedal assist function. It seems unlikely that the new regulations will be applied to bikes already fitted with throttle-only systems. Keep watching this blog for updates. Beware that any motor you fit to your bicycle can only have a maximum of 200 watts of power. Note also that a 10mm axle on a motor won't fit in many modern bike dropouts made for 9mm axles. A shop fit out of the kit might cost $50. The latest on Australian e-bike regulations.

Gazelle Orange Pure Innergy

$2,699 Pedal assist, no throttle Battery: 360 watt hours

99%

Subtle, effective and silent assistance – the benchmark in city-bike-style e-bikes.

Envirowheels Forest C

$2,695 Pedal assist, no throttle Battery: 396 watt amp hours

93%

Almost Gazelle quality and with more powerful assistance.

eZee Torq

$3,050 Pedal assist and/or throttle Battery: 360 watt hours

91%

Top flight diamond-frame electric that is ready for anything.

Wisper 705se

$1,870 Pedal assist and/or throttle Battery: 288 watt hours

88%

This Wisper model offers a very good budget option city-style bike.

eZee Sprint

$2,400 Pedal assist and/or throttle Battery: 360 watt hours

87%

Very good performer let down by looks.

Power Ped Mantis Li Delux

$2,495 Pedal assist and/or throttle Battery: 504 watt hours

85%

Standout for battery capacity with good performance and fit-out.

The Electric Bicycle Co Commander

$1,799 Pedal assist and/or throttle Battery: 360 watt hours, lead-acid type

84%

Very good value diamond-frame e-bike.

The Electric Bicycle Co Challenger

$1,799 Pedal assist and/or throttle Battery: 360 watt hours, lead-acid type

84%

Very good value step-through e-bike.

Nuibike Super Light E-bike

$2,795 Pedal assist, no throttle Battery: 324 watt hours

82%

A welcome option for roadies with powerful, adjustable assistance.

Apollo Eon

$1,499 Pedal assist, no throttle Battery: 264 watt hours

82%

Good value bike for a small person.

Hirun Tango

$2,595 Pedal assist and throttle Battery: 324 watt hours

78%

Torque-based pedal assist is the best system for some riders.

Gette Sportif

$2,150 Pedal assist and throttle Battery: 360 watt hours

77%

Low-speed power and off-road potential.

Wisper 805fe

$2,150 Pedal assist, no throttle Battery: 324 watt hours

73%

About as good as a folding electric bike can be.

Tonaro Chianti

$2,650 Pedal assist Battery: 360 watt hours

72%

Quality is fair but seems expensive for what you get.

Power Ped Sherpa

$2,195 Pedal assist and/or throttle Battery: 360 watt hours

70%

Most powerful folding electric.

Solarbike e-bike conversion kit

$950 plus postage 6–12kg depending on set-up Battery: 360 watt hours Throttle only

81%

Versatile and tremendous value kit.

The Electric Bicycle Co Hurricane e-bike conversion kit

$1,199 plus postage 4kg Battery: 360 watt hours Throttle only

73%

Good performance for conventional bikes with rack capacity.

Power Ped EVO e-bike conversion kit

$1,595 plus postage 6.5kg Battery: 360 watt hours Throttle only

64%

Good performance but pricey while cheap-looking.

Thanks very much to Spokes for supplying a number of bikes for the test and for excellent advice. Also thanks particularly to Cargo Cycles and Glowworm Bicycles for supplying bikes and advice. Ride On content is editorially independent, but is supported financially by members of Bicycle Network Victoria. If you enjoy our articles and want to support the future publication of high-quality content, please consider helping out by becoming a member.