Alan Little, Director of Cycle Britain Ltd contacted us in January of 2021 with an idea - a completely bespoke, fully supported electric cycle hire and accommodation package for people of all experience levels to tackle the mighty "LEJOG". 1030 miles over 23 days, taking in some of the greatest sights the UK has to offer. Alan's own Journey in cycling "started with a Raleigh Chopper as a young boy in Yorkshire. We started intrepid journeys at a young age into the Yorkshire Dales. The sense of adventure that inspired me then still provides the excitement today". He has road biked, raced, competed in and coached triathlon, cycled across Asia solo, mountain biked volcanoes and cycled in Tibet. What does it take to run a successful ebike hire business on the historic Land's end to John O'Groats route? Cycle Britain has a simple but effective mission statement - "To Inspire Everyone to Enjoy an Amazing Cycling Experience". Having an already thriving business in cycle touring, the bolting on of an eBike option to an already impressive portfolio of available tours greatly increases the scope of the type of riders able to take part in such a historic challenge where otherwise, the lack of accessibility, fitness or experience of the route might prevent them. The problem... As with any hire business which requires a physical product to operate, there are a huge number of factors to consider and arguably more so in cycle hire. Riders come in many shapes and sizes and their fitness levels and cycling experience can vary as widely as the terrain they'll have to tackle to make it to the end. Cycle Britain identified that to meet their revenue target for the tour, they needed a fleet of 10 bikes. From here, we discussed the tour in great detail and tried to identify as many potential problems as we possibly could early on in the "due diligence" process from both sides in a case study. Between us, we highlighted quite a list of "necessaries". Here are the most important ones; Power Low power motors might be enough for a reasonably fit and experienced cyclist, but might not be enough for those who'll need a little more support. Range The bikes need to be able to cover at least the 50 miles per day on the longest stretch of the tour, but building in flexibility is always a good idea. Headwinds, extra luggage and less fit or experienced riders will all place a bigger drain on the battery of an eBike. Reliability The bikes must be exceptionally reliable with an aimed for "zero downtime" outside of very basic maintenance/cleaning before and after the days riding or the occasional (and inevitable!) puncture repair. The route and scenery, experience and support of the team and the accommodation aside, they're the core product being paid for. Any downtime is potentially lost revenue making this easily one of the most important factors to consider. Multi-terrain The terrain between Lands End and John O'Groats will be continually changing and the bike needs to be able to cope with more than just smooth tarmac. Functionality The electric and ordinary bicycle controls need to be intuitive and accessible for everyone. Many of the riders may never have ridden an electric bike and overly fussy or complicated controls might detract from the experience. Sizing Riders come in a huge range of shapes and sizes and the 10 bikes need to be able to cater to them. Equipment The bike needs to be well equipped. Mudguards, a pannier rack for personal belongings and light spares and good lights would be an absolute "must have" for this kind of riding. Repair / Maintenance / Warranty They must be relatively easy to work on. If there is a problem, its needs to be able to be fixed very quickly at the side of the road. While Cycle Britain tours are chaperoned by a "team bus" for when the legs get too tired, customers are paying to ride, not to watch the rest! Spares and support availability The bikes will be covering at least 1000 miles each month, as many as 12,000 miles per year - average car mileage! The components on the bike need to be easily and readily serviceable along the full route of the tour and so proprietary or unusual components need to be kept to an absolute minimum. The Solution... Combining Alan's experience of running cycle tours and our own 15 years of experience supplying some of the best and most reliable European manufactured bikes available, there was one very clear solution; The Cube Kathmandu Hybrid EXC 750. Cube E-Bikes A German manufacturer and with a product portfolio so far reaching that even we are unable to stock every single model each year, Cube offer exceptionally reliable and exclusively Bosch driven ebikes at a price point which makes competing with them incredibly difficult. The Kathmandu electric bike, as its name suggests, is designed specifically with long distance touring in mind and has a specification list to match. Driven by Bosch Fitted with Bosch's newest and most powerful Generation 4 Performance CX motor, it has a maximum output of 85Nm. In "Turbo" mode, this equates to 340% assistance. The same as you and another 3.4 pairs of legs pressing on the pedals. Brand new in 2022, the EXC model also had Bosch's new range topping 750Wh battery. Rated for up to 160 miles on a single charge, the Kathmandu gets a battery in keeping with a bike designed to lug a rider and all of their gear long distances over varying terrain. Having stocked Cube electric bikes for the last 5 model years, they've proven themselves to be highly reliable. Despite being our largest ordered brand and shipping to 154 countries, they're the least rarely seen back in our workshops and make up the smallest percentage of warranty work or parts replacement undertaken. Simplistic control Fitted with 29" wheels and extra volume Schwalbe Energizer Plus 55c tyres on Cubes own EX23 wheels, the Kathmandu models are one the most rugged hybrid leisure bikes available and the frame is for the most part probably over-engineered, allowing it an ultra wide flexibility of use. Its just as happy rumbling over gravel, through forest trails and up mountain paths as it is on smooth tarmac roads. The electric bike controls are simple, but do offer a huge amount of data for those who are interested. The new Bosch Kiox 300 display offers a basic "at a glance" screen showing currently selected power mode, speed and battery status but using the LED Remote switch to scroll through further "pages" on the screen will provide data on miles covered, time, average speed, calories burned, rider input vs bike output, and much more. It even has a sat-nav function and Bluetooth heart rate monitor integration! The brakes and gears operate in exactly the same way as an ordinary bike and wont feel at all alien to even the most novice rider. Highly versatile Available in 3 frame styles and 5 sizes, the 15 different variations of the same bike allow the perfect amount of flexibility for hire businesses. Alan has a good spread of bikes which allow him to service almost any group of rider. Straight "out of the box", the Kathmandu is very well equipped. Factory fitted mudguards are flexible yet tough, the pannier rack is a welded-in and integral part of the frame and the front and rear low drain but high output LED lights operate with a single button click from the Bosch handlebar remote and are powered directly from the eBike battery. It also has a factory fitted side stand and a chain guard to keep the dirt off! It was mutually agreed to stick to a single model for Cycle Britain's hire solution. Not only does this make pre-tour tuition much easier if everyone is riding the same bike, but it also means that parts and spares will always be quickly interchangeable. It also allows him to take a spare bike or two where all 10 aren't out on the same trip so that if the worst happens, he has an immediate replacement for his rider without the need to teach someone a whole new control setup. Maintenance made easy Lastly, yet often one of the most often overlooked aspects of hire bike business is the breaking down of the bike to its individual components. Needing to cover more than 10x the mileage of an average bike each year, parts and spares for the Kathmandu importantly are readily available. Using brakes and gears from Shimano for example means that consumables like brake pads and chains can be found readily stocked in almost every good quality bike store along the route as a backup to us being able to ship spares straight to the next hotel on the tour in advance of their arrival. How its going... Prior to the arrival of the bikes, Alan took the very creditable decision to put himself through both the Cytech Bike Technician and the Bosch eBike Technician courses. Not only does doing this demonstrate his dedication to expanding his knowledge of bicycle maintenance and providing his customers exceptional service, it also puts him in the highly advantageous position of being able to both carry out his own repairs and help us at distance by being able in many cases to self-diagnose any issues he comes across on the electrical side. While its not practical to carry a full Bosch diagnostic suite with him, one of the major advantages of the new Bosch Smart System fitted on his fleet of bikes is that it has a basic diagnostic system built-in using their Bosch bike Flow app. Alan says; Ben and the team at the E-Bikeshop advised me carefully on the ebike most suitable for the tours that we are running on ebikes. We have successfully delivered 12 day and 23 day tours on the superb Cube Kathmandu bikes as well as Hebrides tours. The ebikes have also recently been used in Italy to deliver a tour across the Dolomites on gravel tracks. The bikes have on the whole been fantastic. Where we experienced issues with seat post clamps, ordering various alternative tyres and other parts needed, the team at the E-Bikeshop have been extremely knowledgeable and provided fast, easy to understand solutions to the problems. The team despatched spares at short notice to our future locations and assisted us on building a range of spares which enable us to cover off almost any possible downtime. What we've learned... Running a successful cycle hire business, especially over such long distances and where the bikes are expected to perform faultlessly day after day for weeks on end, was never going to be without is challenges. Accelerated wear One of the first issues which came to light were the factory fitted seat clamps. Constantly being moved to account for multiple riders meant they failed much earlier than would be normal on a "one owner" bike where you would simply "set and forget". We replaced these with Hope adjustable quick release clamps. The need for "on-hand" spares Consumables such as brakes pads, chains, cassettes and tyres are now something which Alan and his team carry as "stock" items, but with different riders of different levels, it was always a bit of a guessing game on what would be needed and when. "Future dated support" We hold almost all of the most commonly used spares in our own warehouse and Alan and his team know that they only have to tell us what they need and which hotel they will be arriving at the following day, and we can get them out on an overnight service to arrive at their next location. For anything else, we can advise a lead time and marry it up with their planned stops to ensure they get what they need in the fastest possible time. Having got a few tours under their belt, together we've built up a better picture of the types of issues we're likely to face and each others capability and speed at resolving them either via parts and spares availability, or over the phone/emailed technical advice. If this sounds like something you might be interested in, take a look at their video below, where you can see the Cube Kathmandu Hybrid EXC 750 in action and when you're done, get yourself booked onto Cycle Britain's E-Bike Tours! If you're considering starting your own cycle hire or tour business, looking to add an eBike offering to an existing business or need any further information on how fleet supply of eBikes can support your plans, please get in touch or book an appointment to see us today.
The Cube Stereo eMTB models have been one of the most popular and best value electric mountain bikes ever sold. Exclusively using the Bosch drive system and offered in a wide range of specifications, navigating the vast choice of options can be a little daunting. Here we'll break down the range we stock at E-Bikeshop into easily digestible chunks. 2024 Cube Stereo Hybrid - Which is right for you? The new 2024 Cube Stereo name covers 19 different bikes, in 4 sizes and up to 3 colourways, meaning there are over 150 different options. Its next to impossible for any one business to stock them all, so we start the process around 6 months before the public see them for the first time by hand picking the ones we know will offer the best value. The most smiles per mile. The best "bang for buck". Cube Stereo Hybrid Suspension Travel The Cube Stereo range is essentially broken down into 3 model types and for 3 types of rider; Cube Stereo Hybrid 120 - Generally the cheapest of all of the models, the 120mm travel models are best suited to those who are only covering light to moderate tracks and trails, or are largely XC (cross-country) riders who don't need to be carrying the extra weight of more and/or heavier components. Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 - The 140mm travel models offer an extra 20mm of travel and are a great "all round" riding platform. All offer fully adjustable air suspension and when set up well, will cope well with anything from track and trail riding, right up to occasional bike park usage. Cube Stereo Hybrid 160 - The longest travel option, the Cube Stereo Hybrid 160 models are seen as the pinnacle of electric mountain bike design and offer the very best in componentry. The "one bike does it all" option, its as happy on byways and local trails as it is hitting the biggest jumps at some of the worlds best bike parks. (Please note, due to supply constraints, Cube have sadly chosen not to supply the Stereo 120 option for the UK for the 2024 model year). Which model should you buy? The Pro? The Race? The SLX, or even the top of the range Action Team or TM model? Much like buying a car, when buying a new 2024 Cube Stereo you can opt for varying levels of specification. The 2024 Cube Stereo 160 for example comes in Race, SLX, TM, Action Team and SLT flavours. Once you've narrowed down the best travel length to go for to suit your riding style, this is the next part to consider. Generally speaking, the Pro or Race models are the entry level on each model with the Action Team and SLT being the very top end. On some models, these don't feature at all. There isn't for example, a 120mm travel Action Team, nor is there a 160 Pro. This is because the minimum and maximum demands along with expected budgets of riders at each level tend to vary and Cube do their best to cater to this. Which you should go for will come down to an honest assessment of either your skills as a rider, or your riding plans if you expect them to change as you inevitably spend more time on your bike. Budget, of course, plays a key part too. As a general rule, those new to mountain biking or not planning to do anything too strenuous will always get the best enjoyment and value from the entry level models. Those who are already well accomplished riders would look to the mid-higher specifications of the SLX and upwards. The full specification and component breakdown is offered at the bottom of each product page for this purpose, and we're always on hand via phone, email and Live Chat to help you pick the right one for you. What size do I need? Now that you've narrowed down the travel length and specification, the only thing left to do is select the right size and colour! (Some models, like the Action Team, only come in one colour but you'll be riding their team colours!). Each of our product pages has a size guide in to which you can put your overall height, leg and arm length. You'll be given the correct size for your height based on Cubes own geometry chart, which is also offered in picture form under "downloads" at the bottom of each product page. Exclusively Bosch... One of the things which make the 2024 Cube Stereo models so popular is its drive system. Working with a single manufacturer allows Cube the capability and flexibility to offer an incredible level of drive system integration. They've worked exceptionally hard to "hide" the electric bike components in their frames to a point that they're now hardly indistinguishable from an ordinary bike until you're up close to one. Last year, Cube overhauled all of their frames to incorporate the new Bosch "Smart System" product ecosystem. With a brand new 625 and 750Wh battery along with a host of new controller options, the 2024 Cube Stereo models are already a year ahead of many of their competitors. 2024 Cube Stereo Hybrid Models. For 2024, we've carefully curated the best value models in the Cube Stereo Hybrid model line-up to ensure we're offering the best possible specification at prices that stack up well against the competition. These are the Cube Stereo Hybrid models we'll be stocking at E-Bikeshop; Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC Pro 750 2024 The cheapest model we'll be stocking, the Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC Pro comes with the Bosch Generation 4 CX motor, 750Wh battery, Shimano 11 speed group set, RockShox suspension and a mighty set of Magura MT Thirty anchors at only £4,399.Learn more about the Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC Pro 750. Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC Race 750 2024 A step up from the Pro model, the 140 HPC Race comes in a beautiful red tinted clear coat finish allowing you to see the carbon layers below and sees a jump in specification too. A Shimano 12 speed XT gear set, SRAM's new DB8 4 piston brakes and the Kiox 300 Smart System Display. Learn more about the Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC Race 750. Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC SLX 750 2024 Often the best value models in the range, sitting right in the middle of the lowest and highest priced options the Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC SLX comes in solid matte black, and another "see through" colour option - this time its blue. Along with all of the Bosch options of the Race model, the SLX gets Fox 34 Float forks, a Float DPS EVOL rear shock and complete Shimano 12 speed XT gear and brake group set. At only £5,299, this is about 15-20% less than competitors with the same level of specification.Learn more about the Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC SLX 750. Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC Action Team 750 2024 The top of the range model from E-Bikeshop, the Stereo HPC Action Team combines all of the best possible components on the market into one highly competitive, ultra aggressive electric mountain bike. Wearing only the equipment their factory team will race, the Action Team gets matching Kashima coated Fox 36 Factory forks, Fox Float X Factory shock and Fox Transfer dropper post. A complete Shimano XT group set and Newmen Evolution wheels round out one of the best top tier bikes on the market and you can be riding one this year for just £6,499.Learn more about the Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC Action Team 750. Cube Stereo Hybrid 160 HPC SLX 750 2024 Rather unusually, we've started the 160 model range right in the middle for 2024. With limited availability to the UK for the lower spec models and many of them having price points which crossed over with the smaller travel bikes, the SLX starting point for the 160 actually makes sense. At only £4,999, the 160 HPC SLX comes with matching RockShox suspension, a complete Shimano SLX group set and Bosch's largest 750Wh battery and Smart System compatibility.Learn more about the Cube Stereo Hybrid 160 HPC SLX 750. Cube Stereo Hybrid 160 HPC TM 750 2024 Sitting just below the Action Team in the model line hierarchy, the Stereo Hybrid 160 HPC TM is perfect for those who aspire to ride with the best, but just don't need the factory level Fox suspension. At just £5,999, it ships with Fox 38 Float Performance Forks, a Float X Performance rear shock, SRAM GX 12 speed group set and Magura MT7 4 piston hydraulic brakes. Painted in a unique graphite grey and olive green with matching fork decals, you'll need to be as quick to get your name on one as you'll be on the trails in 2024. Learn more about the Cube Stereo Hybrid 160 HPC TM 750. Cube Stereo Hybrid 160 HPC Action Team 750 2024 One of the very top 160mm travel options, the Stereo 160 HPC Action Team combines all of the best possible components on the market into one highly competitive, top spec electric mountain bike. Wearing the same specification equipment as their factory team, the Action Team gets a specification that frustratingly, we can't tell you about yet! Cube are yet to launch the new 2024 version because they're still shipping the 2022 version, but we expect it to be very much the same. We'll update this page when they let us launch them! Cube 2024 Stereo Hybrid Conclusion? We hope that this post has given you all of the information you need to make a more informed decision on the best 2024 Cube Stereo Hybrid model for you but if you're still stuck you can always Contact Us. If you've seen enough, you can head to the Cube electric bikes page to find out more and place your order.
Join us in introducing the new 2023 Haibike Lyke electric bike models combining a lightweight carbon fibre frame, brand new Fazua Ride 60 eBike drive system, top shelf componentry & super sharp looks. The Haibike Lyke is aimed at a market shifting towards lower power & ever lighter electric mountain bikes. What you need to know about the Lyke? It's super light weightThe new 2023 Haibike Lyke is the lightest Haibike eBike Haibike has ever made! Focussed on trail riders that need a light-weight hill killer that's not the regular weight of an eMTB. It's controlled, fast & predictableCombining a light-weight frame alongside the new Fazua Ride 60 eSystem, the Lyke is as controlled as a regular MTB, but fast and predicable to get you up the climbs as fast and with the most fun possible! It's the sleekest looking HaibikeThe whole Fazua Ride 60 system is integrated neatly into the Haibike carbon frame. Super sharp lines and modern geometry. Could this be the sleekest Haibike ever to be made? We think so... The 2023 Haibike Lyke comes in 3 model spec's The new Haibike Lyke electric bikes are offered in 3 model specs to meet all riders demands. All 3 models feature the brand new light-weight carbon fibre frame, latest 12-speed drivetrain, Fazua Ride 60 eDrive system, 29" wheel platform and 140mm of trail eating suspension travel. All 3 models are compatible with the (optional) 210Wh Fazua Range Extender. Let's take a look at each model in brief: Haibike Lyke CF SE 2023 Electric Bike The new 2023 Haibike Lyke SE is the top spec model in the Lyke range featuring Kashima Fox Float Factory forks, complemented by the Fox Float X Factory rear shock. The whole bike is offered with top spec Shimano XTR group set and twin piston XTR brakes to match too. Finished with RaceFace carbon bars, a Mavic E-Crossmax wheelset and Maxxis Dissector tyres. Learn more about the Haibike Lyke SE Haibike Lyke CF 11 2023 Electric Bike The 2023 Haibike Lyke 11 is the mid spec model in the Lyke 2023 eBike range featuring Fox Float Performance forks, and a Fox Float Performance rear shock to match. The Lyke 11 features a Shimano XT drivetrain and twin piston XT disc brakes. Like the top spec model the Lyke 11 is finished with Maxxis Dissector tyres and a Mavic E-Crossmax wheelset. Learn more about the Haibike Lyke 11 Haibike Lyke CF 10 2023 Electric Bike Lastly, we have the Haibike Lyke 10, this is the base spec model for those entering the eBike game. It features the same Fox 36 Float Performance forks and Fox Float rear shock. This time it's equipped with Shimano SLX 12-Speed drivetrain and Deore disc brakes. The wheelset is made up of Shimano hubs and WTB rims wrapped in Schwalbe Wicked Will tyres. Learn more about the Haibike Lyke 10 The All New Fazua Ride 60 System Fazua (now owned by Porsche!) are making waves with their super light weight rider focussed drive systems. The predecessor Fazua Ride 50 drive system is where it started, now with the new 2023 Fazua Ride 60 system it get's a 11% reduction in overall weight whilst increasing battery capacity by 53% and to top it all off a increase of 18% more torque too! Fazua Ride 50 Fazua Ride 60 System Weight 4.6kg 4.1kg Battery Capacity 250Wh 430Wh Torque 50 Nm 60Nm The 2023 Haibike Lyke utilises the new Ride 60 Motor, the Ring Control, LED Hub and 430Wh battery. Let's take a look at each component in a little more detail: Fazua Ride 60 2023 Motor The Ride 60 motor is perfectly integrated into the Lyke frame. The motor comes in at just 2.2kg. It's super smooth, responsive and plenty of climbing torque too. The bike turns on as soon as the bike moves. No fumbling around for that power button! Fazua Ride 60 2023 Ring Control The Fazua Ring Control sits to the left of the handlebars and doesn't intrude on the rider cockpit. It allows quick assistance mode adjustments on-the-fly, the LED lights change per ride mode. You can also use it to utilise the walk assist function. Fazua Ride 60 2023 LED Hub The new LED hub is integrated in the top tube of the Lyke. It shows you at a glance what ride mode you are using, it also shows the current battery level. New features are likely due to the LED hub offering both Bluetooth & ANT+ connectivity. Fazua 210Wh Range Extender If the 430Wh battery in the Haibike Lyke for 2023 isn't enough for some riders, Fazua are offering an (optional) 210Wh Range Extender to run alongside the main battery. This increases the battery capacity by 40% from 430Wh up to a whopping 640Wh! Fazua Smart Phone App The new smart phone app allows the rider to either download pre-defined assistance modes or completely optimise the ride modes to your riding style. You can also update your entire Fazua system wirelessly using the app too. Neat huh? What do we think of the Lyke 2023? The new 2023 Haibike Lyke range sure is at the top of it's game. Bearing in mind Haibike were the first ever brand to produce the full electric mountain bike, we expected Haibike to come up with a super light weight bike to smash the competition in this new emerging eBike segment. With Haibike utilising their German design and engineering to produce a super new frameset, alongside Fazua (also German!) launching the new Ride 60, the perfect motor drive system to compliment the Haibike Lyke for 2023. Here's what Haibike said about the Lyke: Our new eBike generation makes it possible to ride further than ever before, making the world around us even more exciting than we dreamed possible We're awaiting more details on the Lyke range to come through, today sets the soft launch with stock expected to emerge in Spring 2023. Dates and weights are still TBC, however we're taking pre-orders as of today for all those riders lucky enough to get their hands on one! Pre-order your Lyke now: Lyke SE | Lyke 11 | Lyke 10
Every year Bosch eBike Systems continue to innovate in the electric bike world and for 2023 is no different. We're excited to tell you all about the new innovations from Bosch eBike systems in 2023, keep reading to learn more. Following the Bosch eBike announcements for 2022, we are pleased to say Bosch have further refined the range and even added some new components for 2023! Let's break them down to make it more digestible. New Bosch eBike Connect Module & Alarm 2023 We all know how bike theft security is important. Well, Bosch have been listening to us and come up with some brand new Bosch electric bike security features for 2023. eBike Connect ModuleThe Bosch eBike connect module offers unparalleled, built in security for your eBike in combination with a physical lock. eBike Alarm SystemIncorporating an audible and visual alarm, activation is automatic and immediate whenever the bike senses movement while the system is armed. Worry-free eBike ParkingOnce parked and locked, you can view the location of your bike using the Bosch eBike Flow app. eBike Lock with the new Smart SystemOne-time activation of the Bosch eBike Lock function using your eBike Flow app is all that's needed to enable the full suite of security functions for your Bosch driven eBike. New Bosch eBike Controller & Mini Remote 2023 Whilst it's great to have eBike rider controls at easy reach, more and more bikers are preferring the integrated look. Bosch has come up with a brand new controller and mini remote to conquer this. New Bosch System ControllerForming part of the new Bosch Smart Smart system product family, the new System controller serves as an interface between the on-bike Bosch system, and the Bosch eBike Flow App. New Bosch eBike Mini RemoteFunctions of the new Bosch eBike Mini Remote are reduced to just the required essentials. Each riding mode is given a unique colour to quickly feed back the selected mode, and the status of the battery is given as coloured LED bars. At full charge, each light is blue. As each bar of charge is used, the LED will turn white. New Riding ModesAs part of a host of updates, the Bosch Smart system gains a new "Auto" mode. This new mode works in a similar way to eMTB mode, quickly adjusting the amount of assistance provided based on rider input. eMTB mode remains, providing a more intuitive feel designed to accurately mimic the riders own inputs with a matched output for a more natural, precise feel. New Bosch eBike Intuvia 100 Display 2023 The original Bosch Intuvia display has been at the heart of the Bosch eBike system since the start. Today, for 2023 Bosch brings out the new Intuvia 100 wireless display. Bosch Intuvia 100 DisplayThe new Bosch 100 Intuvia display is designed to be so intuitive it barely even needs instructions to use! Wireless ConnectionThe Bosch Intuvia 100 display system is the first of its kind from Bosch to operate solely using Bluetooth. Simply clip onto the handlebars and the unit pairs seamlessly with the control system. Important Ride DataThe Intuvia 100 screen is clean, clear and an easy to read screen in all light conditions and the most important information about your bike and ride are available at an immediate glace, with minimal distraction. New Bosch eBike ABS Brakes 2023 Cycle safety is paramount and particularly on city bikes where there's plenty of other road users too. For 2023 Bosch refined their anti-lock braking system for Bosch eBikes. Anti-lock Braking FunctionABS is still a very rare function to see on eBikes, but Bosch have been at the forefront of development - pulling from their experience in the Automotive market. Front Wheel ABSSensors monitor front wheel speed and automatically regulate brake pressure for safe, efficient braking. Anti Rear Wheel Lift ControlIn the event that a rider accidentally over-brakes the front wheel, the Bosch eBike ABS system can modulate front braking pressure to ensure the rear wheel remains in contact with the riding surface for maximum stability and control. Braking StatisticsFull braking statistics and information about individuals braking behaviour are available to display on bikes fitted with the Bosch Kiox 300 display. When retrieving statistics, users are able to see when the brakes were applied, the braking time and the distance covered while braking. New Bosch eBike Battery Line Up for 2023 With more new battery options from Bosch brings new innovations and frame integrations from bicycle manufacturers. For 2023 Bosch plugs the gap and expands their complete eBike battery line-up. Bosch eBike Battery PacksBosch still provide a battery for every conceivable type of bike their systems can be fitted to. For many years they've continued to produce their 300Wh, 400Wh, and 500Wh PowerPack batteries however for 2022, Bosch are producing two new options, specifically aimed at the Cargo market and for manufacturers who's bike frames don't allow for an internally mounted option in the form of the brand new Bosch PowerPack 745Wh and 545Wh options. Bosch eBike Battery Power TubesAs well as their older form factor PowerPack systems, Bosch will also continue to manufacturer the 400Wh, 500Wh and 625Wh PowerTube models in both vertical and horizontal orientation, as well as their "new for 2022" 750Wh PowerTube battery for the new Bosch Smart System equipped bikes. New Bosch eBike Drive Units for 2023 All of the three motor types below now all feature the Bosch Smart System for 2023. Therefore they'll be compatible with all the Smart System features and upgrade opportunities, previously only available to the Performance Line CX. Bosch Performance LineThe new Bosch Performance line motor features an increase of torque now up to 75Nm. This along with the new 'Auto Mode' that is similar to the eMTB mode previously seen on the Performance CX motor, the Auto Mode' adapts the motor assistance provided based on rider conditions like riding into a steep incline or even riding into a head wind. Bosch Performance Line SpeedThe new Bosch Performance Line Speed offers up to 85Nm and the difference here is that it's tailored to some countries where S-Pedelecs are safe and legal to ride on the road. The Performance Line Speed offers additional assistance up to 45 kp/h over the standard 25 kp/h seen on the other motor types. Bosch Cargo LineThe new Bosch Cargo line motor is specifically designed around cargo bikes where additional riders and/or luggage demand a different torque curve and a more refined motor to carry extra weight around. The Cargo Line offers up to 400% support and now also features a specific cargo assistance mode. Watch The Latest Seminar From Bosch Bosch is launching the new 2023 Bosch eBike system today on YouTube with a live seminar. Watch below: What do we think? It's great to see Bosch innovating year-on-year. They continue to be market leaders in the electric bike world and we at E-Bikeshop have been ambassadors for the Bosch eBike system since it first launched many moons ago. For us Bosch is a clear leader, not just for innovations, but also for after-sales support and backup. They have the resources to offer the complete all-in-one-package to the modern day electric bike user. Whilst we are here, let's take a look at some common questions that'll crop up: When will the Bosch eBike Module & Alarm be available? Bosch have said that this is due to launch in Autumn 2022. We expect dealers will have stock towards the end of the year, where you'll be able to visit your dealer and opt for fitting of the new Bosch eBike Module. Is there an ongoing cost to use the new eBike alarm?Bosch have said that that they are including a 12-month trial period within the price for those purchasing the optional upgrade. Thereafter the eBike alarm function will cost £4.99 per month or £39.99 if purchased annually. Can I fit the new Smart Remote to my existing Bosch eBike?The new Bosch Smart Remote is designed to be fitted at manufacturer level into the top tube of the electric bike. This means this is not possible to retro-fit to existing models as the bicycle has to be manufactured to include the smart remote. Is the new Bosch Intuvia 100 display compatible with my current eBike?The new Bosch Invtuvia 100 dispaly is compatible with existing bikes that already feature the Bosch Smart System. Please check your existing system, the smart system has featured on some specific eBike models and started featuring on 2022 model year electric bikes onwards. Can I change the motor in my current eBike to one of the new Smart System motors?This is not possible. Motor integration is designed by bicycle frame manufacturers and thus features different mount points and integration options. All Bosch motors are only available on an exchange basis, it's not possible to add or replace a Bosch motor with a different or later type. We offer a huge range of Bosch powered eBikes, find the model for you: Bosch Electric Bike Range.
Every couple of years we like to move the business forward. Following our expansion and new HQ in 2020, we set a new goal to address the ever changing needs of online E-Bike sales in 2022. What we knew? We all know things have changed in the world over the past couple of years. This couldn't be more true of the bike industry. Following the start of the pandemic in 2020 we saw a huge increase in demand, coupled with supply issues equalling long lead times for bikes and ever more people shopping online when they couldn't visit shops. We knew we had to update our website/branding and we had plans in place for a fresh new design. In the background our systems were still running on something we created 10 years ago. Since then our business has grown significantly along with our stock, customer base, product lines, visitors & of course the internet. We knew it was time for change, but what a mammoth task to re-platform our website entirely, create a new design, implement brand new back end systems and make our website more dynamic for the modern user. What we wanted to do? We went back to basics and asked our self 'What does the customer want?'. We jotted down what the ideal website would/should look like, what functions it should have and how it would best operate. We quickly found that no other website was offering what we wanted to do. We also found that what we were trying to achieve had never been done before and was probably more advanced from an IT point of view than what our suppliers and industry was used to. Here began a two-year project to tackle the task and add a custom back-end solution to achieve it. What we achieved? We launched our new website on 24th March 2022. Along with the new site came a fresh new logo, look and feel. We hope you like it! Our new website is tailored to the home shopper who can learn a lot of the information visiting a store in person, right there on their mobile sat on the sofa with a cuppa. Rather than presenting you, the user, with a huge list of electric bikes for sale, we decided to turn your experience into a learning journey down the right path. Rather than expecting you to already know exactly which bike and style works best for you, we help you find your dream e-Bike; whilst learning along the way. So what's new? Really the list of new features is too long to note (and pretty boring too!). However some notable upgrades/functions include the following:- New user journeys: Which rider are you? (Tracks & Trails, Road, Mountains, Commuter & Town). Improved & more responsive checkout: 10x faster than our old checkout. New eBike type: Which kind of bike would you like? (MTB Full Suspension, MTB HardTail, Trekking & Hybrid, Electric Road Bikes, Folding Electric Bikes). New brand pages: Already know which brand you'd like? (Orbea, Cube, Haibike, Scott, Moustache). Estimated ships from date facility for all bikes on pre-order. Find the correct frame size tool. Live chat function. Live online availability on all parts, accessories and bikes. New Service & Support portal: Instant online bookings and submit warranty request online function. Improved Search function and suggestive results. Brand new Customer Reviews portal. Brand new Wishlist function. New Help & Support: Access all Instruction Manuals online, new guides - Buyers Guide, Setup Guide. V12 Finance: Process your finance application directly via our checkout. Improved UX, Accessibility and Navigation. Opt for 14 Days Free Insurance at the checkout. Cycle to Work Schemes Portal: Dedicated areas for all the schemes we operate with online instructions. Process Cyclescheme vouchers directly via our checkout. Why the new look? We felt that our brand is stronger than ever before and it needed a refresh to reflect this. We kept our distinguishable 'electric blue' colour, but changed the font and style of our logo to reflect our new look and feel. Here's our new (left) and old (right) logo side-by-side: Our eagle-eyed readers may spot the hidden cue within our new logo design, can you tell what it is? New HQ too? That's right, we planned to move our HQ in early 2020 and take things to the next level. However, the demand & disruption that Covid bought to us meant that we had to delay the move by 6-Months. We finally moved into our new premises in October 2020 and really up till now, we've not had time to shout about it! What does the new HQ mean for us? It's allowed us to expand to be where we need to be. Whilst we wanted to expand anyway, Covid accelerated this for us. So to move into a brand new building with a much bigger showroom, new offices, meeting room, handover bay, reception, workshops and warehouse space was imperative in being able to offer the service that we strive to maintain. Keeping things green? It's imperative that we reduce our carbon footprint to complement the eco products that we sell. We took an ECO approach to the design of our new HQ. We've integrated high efficient, low energy LED lighting throughout, with sensors to turn zones on/off as needed so that we are not wasting lighting when it doesn't need to be on. We've also expanded our recycled material for all packaging where we are re-using 95% of bicycle packaging when boxing bikes. Heck, even our coffee machine only fires up hot water when absolutely needed! What's next? As with all things that are new, we are still ironing out issues in the background (bear with us!) to make our own tasks more efficient and manageable. One of the biggest criticisms currently in the bicycle trade is the lead-time on both bikes and parts. We've managed to reflect availability on our website in real-time to the end-user. Customers can now also view their estimated shipping date in the 'My Account' portal for all orders. In our next update we're rolling out automatic email updates should your shipping date move forward or back at all. The key here is communication, the fact is that things can change but it's important we be pro-active here in communication where-as most dealers are very much re-active to customer communications.
With supply issues of the past 18 months beginning to calm and overall stock levels in shops returning to pre-pandemic levels, this newly returned level of choice brings with it far more ease and opportunity to make an eBike part of your daily life. This is far from exhaustive, but we've picked out the best 10 reasons why you should buy an ebike in 2022. It's time to get off the fence and onto an eBike. Here are 10 reasons you should buy an ebike in 2022. Gradually leaving the stigma in their dust and ignoring the uninitiated who scream "heathen" and "cheater" while still at the bottom of the first hill as you break over the crest with barely a bead of sweat in sight, eBike popularity in all aspects of cycling is on the rise and at its greatest ever pace. Regardless of what type of rider you are, there is an eBike for you. It doesn't matter if you're new to cycling or clock up thousands of miles each year. Nor does it matter whether you ride road, MTB, cross country or downhill. It doesn't matter whether you ride for fitness, to commute, or just to nip to the shops. Manufacturers are actively ensuring that every base is covered and that no-one is left behind. If you've been on the fence about joining the ever growing eBike community or making the switch from a conventional bike, here are 10 reasons why 2022 is the year to do it. eBikes are a great way to get back into cycling. Haven’t ridden in years? Worried you’re not as fit as you were? An eBike is a great way to get back in the saddle, rediscover cycling and immediately start improving your fitness without being worried you’re only going to make it around the block. With eBikes ranges as high as 100 miles, you’ll be racking up miles like a pro from day one! If you're struggling to work out what type of bike you need or is best for your intended riding, why not get in touch or Book an Appointment to visit our showroom in Surrey today? eBikes are for everyone. Whatever your goal and whatever you want to conquer, there’s an eBike to help you do it. Want to beat the traffic to work? There’s an eBike for that. Looking to keep up with your mates on those huge mountain climbs? There’s one for that too. Something just to nip to the shops and run errands in the sun rather than use the car? Yup… you guessed it. We've even got one for that! Not only is there a bike for every use case, but manufacturers work hard to ensure they're as easy to use as an ordinary bike and technology to assist this evolves every year. You don't have to be technical whizz-kid to operate them either. Almost all in their most basic form only require one button to switch it on, and an up and down button to change how much assistance it provides. The electrical system aside, they work exactly the same as a normal bike. eBike riders do it more. And it's not cheating - because multiple studies between 2017 and now have disproved that myth. Because of their versatility and range, eBike owners spend much more time in the saddle than regular bike riders. In a study in 2018, the Transport Research Laboratory reported that owners of regular cycles use them on average, less than 25 times per year with only half of those studied only using them around once a week. The study found that in comparison, over 30% of eBike owners use them every day, with over 80% of them making it out at least once a week making eBike owners twice as likely as conventional bike riders to use them! eBikes help you go further, faster and for longer. With readily achievable ranges of over 100 miles on a single charge, eBike technology continues to evolve at an ever faster pace. They've never been more effective at covering ground with minimal effort and they’re only getting better. Although their principle is the same as a conventional bike, with up to 250w of power added to each pedal stroke getting where you’re going will be quicker, easier and much more fun. Regardless of your fitness level or cycling ability, much more is within reach on an eBike. eBikes can often be faster than cars. There’s a good reason that companies like Deliveroo, Uber Eats, multiple Same Day Couriers and Pizza delivery businesses use bikes, even conventional ones, in large cities. While cars get faster, there are also more of them on the road than ever. Did you know, the average daily speed in central London is just 7mph! An eBike on the other hand can reach 15mph in just a few pedal strokes, making them a much better and time efficient way to get around heavily congested towns and cities. Taking off from the line in many cases more quickly than a car, they allow riders to safely stay ahead of the moving traffic. They also don't require Tax, MOT or a license to ride. Nor will it ever need defrosting on a cold morning or trips to dirty fuel stations! eBike riders have a greater chance of increasing fitness. Because eBike riders now spend more time on average in the saddle than conventional bike riders (TRL research mentioned previously), they stand a much greater chance of increasing their fitness than those who own a normal bike, but barely ride it. “Its better to do something than nothing” and that statement is very true of eBikes. Not only do eBike owners use their bikes more frequently, they cover more miles than conventional bike users. Electric bikes don't "do all the work". They require continual rider input and so the longer you spend with an elevated heart rate, the fitter you'll get! You’re still having to pedal, steer and put some effort into balance (which works your core) and so no matter how many times someone says, “its cheating”, its definitely not! eBikes are economical, in every way. We don’t just mean you’re helping to save the planet (you are) - they’re cheap to run. Taking away the initial purchase price (we’ll get to that), the running cost of an eBike is almost the same as a normal one. It costs on average, about 7-10p to fully charge an eBike battery from your home (less if you get permission (or sneak) it on charge under your desk at work!). With up to 100 miles of range, that’s just 0.07p per mile. To put that into perspective, an average family car doing 40mpg around town uses around £15 of fuel to cover the same 100 miles. Over 2000% more! Ongoing service costs are also directly comparable to an ordinary bike. The motor, battery and control systems are sealed, self contained units which dont require servicing. The rest of the bike components are exacly the same as conventional bike components. Wear and tear components like brake pads are around £15 per pair and easily fitted in 2 minutes at home. Tyres are between £15 and £50 (some are more, if you go for really swanky race tyres on your road bike!) and you'll readily see several thousand miles from a set. They too can be changed at home. As you can see, not only are many of the normal service items inexpensive, you can fit them yourself with minimal and tools, and a couple of YouTube videos! An eBike can help you save money. eBikes aren’t “cheap”. There. We said it. But they do help people save money. Forget the initial purchase price for a moment and consider what you can easily do and achieve with it. eBikes don’t require road tax, insurance or a MOT and are exempt from congestion charges. This is where they really start to become more economical, especially for city commuters where the initial purchase cost immediately starts being saved. The average cost of even the cheapest small motorcycle/moped is around £3,000. Insurance due to rising theft rates in London is now around £600 a year. Road tax is around £100 per year, not to mention an up to 2000% higher “fuel bill”. Add in an obligatory helmet and you're already in the region of £4,000 before fuel and servicing costs. The average number of miles covered by UK drivers is around 10,000 per year. At average 40mpg, that’s £1500 in fuel. Can you really afford not to be using eBike for your commute this year?! Even if commuting on a bike is either prohibitively difficult due to distance or time (or perhaps just don't want to!), replacing the car on short journeys to pick up groceries, popping to a friends and other small errands is another easy way to save fuel, help the planet and get fitter all at the same time! eBikes are a much more fun way to get around. Forget walking (does anyone still do that?!). No more getting on the tube, into a train or being stuck in traffic. You can forget standing like a packed sardine hanging off a weathered leather strap in a packed train carriage too. No standing in bus stops wondering whether the bus will be late (or turn up at all!). Electric bicycles are a far more rewarding way to get from place to place quickly, while improving your health. Despite being a “motorised vehicle”, you don’t need a license but can still use all the cycle lanes. Whether its zipping through the city or taking a relaxed weekend ride through local trails and countryside (even the big cities have some brilliantly scenic places to ride on their outer fringes!), an eBike is one of the most economical and stress free ways to enjoy getting around and with the motor providing as much or as little assistance as you decide, you can do it all without breaking too much of a sweat if you don’t want to! eBikes are going to be a big part of the future of personal travel The ban on combustion engines is being bought further forward each year. More towns and cities are going to see restrictions and complete bans on fossil fuel vehicles. In fact, this is already the case in some cities. These bans will leave walking or public transport as your only option. The rest of Europe is already miles ahead of the UK. E-mobility hasn’t suffered the same legal restrictions (and fines!) and the industry has been allowed to flourish naturally. It’s no surprise then, that many of the biggest eBike manufacturers aren’t based in the UK! In London, its estimated that in 2021 just 3% of journeys were undertaken on bicycles. To put this into perspective - in the Netherlands, 43% of the population ride their bike at least once a day. The UK figure is a miserable 4%. This is aided by most European countries having invested more heavily and over a longer period in the infrastructure and enablement of choice to use a bike instead of a vehicle. Only 13% of those in the Netherlands never ride their bike. The UK, has one of the highest rates of non-use. A whopping 69% of the population don't use or own a bike at all. The government has already pledged an extra £5 billion to increase the cycling network and infrastructure, literally paving the way for greater adoption of eBikes. We hope you've enjoyed our "10 reasons you should buy an ebike in 2022". If these "10 reasons you should buy an ebike in 2022" haven't been enough to tempt you down off the fence, pop us an email, give us a call or Book an Appointment to come and see us at our Surrey showroom. We can have a chat over a coffee, get a good understanding of your needs and make sure you have everything to make a fully informed decision on the best investment you can make this year! Convinced already? Take a look at our extensive range of eBikes here.
With bike theft at its highest rate ever, Sold Secure, the most popular testing house for high end bicycle and motorcycle security chains and locks have recently tightened up their approval for categories and introduced a new "Diamond" standard category. How does the new Litelok Core, marketed as their "Ultimate E-Bike Lock" combat rising bike theft? Litelok Core Bicycle Locks - Expensive accessory or necessary against evil? We recently ran an article on the benefits of tracking devices for ebikes and in the process, discovered that more than 285,000 bicycles are stolen in the UK each year. Better quality locks could have thwarted many of these thefts. A simple combination cable lock just isn't enough of a deterrent anymore and not locking it up at all is just an open invite. The first step in securing any bike should be a good quality physical lock. Whether your bike costs £100 or £10,000, the annoyance and inconvenience of a theft can often linger for longer than it takes a clever or entirely brazen thief to make off with your wheels, especially if you rely on it for transport rather than just for leisure. While a tracker is useful tool to recover a stolen bike, making a potential theft as long winded, difficult and noisy as possible is the key to deterring a determined thief from getting away with the bike in the first place. Thieves are more likely to be disturbed in the act if the theft takes longer to carry out. You might be unlucky enough to have a half cut lock, but at least you'll still have your bike! It used to be widely advised to spend "at least 10% of the value of your bike on a locking solution" but with some electric bikes now costing upwards of £10,000, spending £1000 is actually quite difficult and a recent article on cyclist.co.uk suggests that if you can't find a lock worth 10% of the value of your bike, it's "probably too expensive to leave unattended", and we would agree! A very good quality bicycle lock is an absolute must and the very first battle in the fight against theft. What makes the Litelok Core better than other bicycle locks? To begin here, its useful to know that there are four classifications from Sold Secure for bicycle locks. These are Bronze, Silver, Gold, and the new Diamond category which the Litelok Core has attained. These categories each have their own minimum criteria in strength, resilience and construction. These are to meet what insurance companies expect to be used, based on the value of the bike. Its widely expected by bicycle and home insurance companies that for any bike over £1,000, a Sold Secure Rating of Gold is the very minimum standard that should be used, and they will normally ask for proof that you own a lock of this standard. The Litelok Core is one of the very first products to have achieved the new Sold Secure Diamond rating. It achieves this through its construction and innovative use of multiple materials. Its no longer enough to use a simple cable lock, or as in many cases, a D-Lock which can be cut through in just a few seconds with the bikes thieves current favourite weapon. The battery operated angle grinder - portable, but packing a huge amount of rotary cutting power they make many locks a sub 10 second job, cutting through them like cheese. Litelock Core Construction The "Core" of their new locking solution is where lies its strength, and how it achieved its Diamond rating. Each and every component material of the Litelok range is carefully considered for its design property. Working from the inside out, the multi filament inner core of the lock is made from fine steel filaments. This type of construction provides a super strong core but retains a great deal of flexibility. Outside of this is a fine grain steel exoskeleton which absorbs energy from sustained hammer blows. Moving out another layer, the polymeric matrix further enhances the security and protects the integrity of the inner layers while offering the steel internals the weatherproofing and corrosion resistance required to make this a long lasting locking solution. Finally, the braided outer sleeve protects the lock and your bike from abrasion. You don't want your new lock to damage your shiny new frame! The locking mechanism has been overhauled with a hardened steel casing and a weather and shock resistant polymer outer layer. Both sides of this two piece lock are attached to the Core using two drill resistant stainless steel rivets. Inside, the key operated and pick resistant disc retainer locking mechanism is made from stainless steel and protected by a protective sliding key hole cover. Litelok - Versatility at its Core. Bicycle locks can sometimes be a bit of a hassle when it comes to transporting them. Unless you have a frame mounted D-Lock, often they end up loosely wrapped around a frame, clattering and banging with every bump in what can just about be called "roads" in some counties in the UK. The Litelok Core range, as with their previous "Wearable" product, will have multiple transport or stowage options. Lots of commuting riders might use a backpack or pannier bag. If you don't have or want to use either of these, the Core has two of its own options. The first is its "wearable" strap. Rather than providing multiple length locks to suit riders of all sizes, the wearable function is achieved using a width adjustable strap. Placing the lock around your waist, one side is secured to the other with a strap, fastened with Velcro. The second are the stowage straps. Because bikes come in all shapes and sizes, these too are adjustable with Velcro closings. They also feature a rubberised thread band to stop it moving around, and also protects your frame. They've thought of everything! How does the Litelok Core compare to its competitors? The name Litelok points in a key direction. Traditionally, the heaviest locks were the strongest, because they were made out of the strongest materials. Litelok, with their unique choice of materials and clever construction have managed to outperform some of the strongest locks on the market, at a fraction of the weight. Comparing the 100cm Litelok version above to the "Brand C" option, Litelok does everything and more, at half the weight! Its currently hard to compare the Core to competitor products because so few have managed to obtain the Diamond rating. In time, more companies will improve their locks to stay "current", but we're confident Litelok will still be the lightest. At the moment though, the Litelok Core, with its Diamond rating, is still lighter than locks with a lower rating. A real testament to the level of innovation in design and manufacturing process in this proudly British Made product. Litelok in the Press Litelok have been revolutionary in everything they've done, right since their very first Kickstarter. Racking up plenty of attention in related media and publications, they've also picked up a few awards along the way. This year, Litelock received the 2021 Red Dot award for Product Design. A highly sought-after award, it recognises products with with outstanding designs. How much is it? The new Litelok Core comes in two models and three colourways including the new Orange option. The lock itself is available as either a 75cm length at £119.99, or 100cm length at £129.99 and both are available in Boa Green, Crow Black and Blaze Orange. Shop Litelok Core Products Now
Just when we thought the new Orbea Rise range of electric mountain bikes couldn't be any better, mixing ultra-light weight with top shelf components at a price that should have scared many of its competitors back to the drawing board, along come 3 brand new models for 2022! Now with an all alloy frame, the 2022 Orbea Rise Alloy weighs a few pounds more but gets a brand new, larger capacity battery to keep you out enjoying the trails for longer. 2022 Orbea Rise Alloy - Its Roots. A year ago, we proudly introduced the new Orbea Rise model range for the first time, with a great degree of exclusivity. Offered initially to only their top tier dealers of the Wild FS range, not only was the Rise the lightest electric mountain bike on the market at its price and spec level, but it came at a price point that probably made many of its competitors eyes water. £8,999 isn't an inconsiderable sum of money for the top spec M-Ltd model, but with its competitors prices for a comparable ebikes circling the £12,000+ mark, the Rise gained popularity very quickly. This was seen most heavily with the M10 model at £6,999 which for the majority of "every day" mountain bikers, offered the best spec vs value proposition and pre-orders stacked up quickly. The entry level M20 model came in at just £5,599. 2022 Orbea Rise Alloy - Its Heart Like its carbon sibling, the beating heart of the Rise Alloy range is the Shimano EP8 motor with its unique RS firmware packet. Designed to offer "less E, more BIKE", the RS Power software was designed specifically for the EP8 motor and can only be found on the Orbea Rise models. Highly responsive and super efficient, the EP8 motor offers its assistance where you need it most, and when you're at your most powerful. Cadences of 70rpm+ are where it really comes alive on the trails. The 2022 Rise Alloy gets a brand new battery. One of the best features of the Rise range is their efficiency. Despite its comparatively small 360Wh battery, the Carbon model was good for 3-4+ hours of riding with a decent amount of climbing thrown in the mix. The new 2022 Orbea Rise Alloy models now have an even larger 540Wh built in battery. Because the system is so efficient and the bike so light, the 540Wh battery has a capacity equivalent to around 800Wh when compared to the batteries of Bosch, Yamaha and other systems. The previously offered optional Range Extender is also directly compatible. Adding another 252Wh, it bumps the total capacity on the bike to a shade under 800Wh. With an efficiency rate of around 1.5x a normal eBike battery, this equates to circa 1200Wh from an equivalent Bosch system. 2022 Orbea Rise Alloy Models Offered in 3 different models, along with its larger battery the specification of the Alloy range of Rise bikes has been carefully considered with a much wider field of riders in mind. Orbea Rise H10 Topping the model range for 2022, the Orbea Rise H10 gets all of the bells and whistles. A Fox FLOAT DPS Factory rear shock and Fox 34 FLOAT Factory FIT4 140mm front forks with matching Kashima coat keep you firmly stuck to the trail. The gearing is taken care of by a Shimano XT M8100 12 speed group set and the whole party is bought to a halt by a set of Shimano XT M8100 twin piston anchors. Priced at £6,399, its a snip of the price of its competition. More Info - Orbea Rise H10 Orbea Rise H15 The middle weight contender and we expect to be the most popular option from the new Alloy range, the 2022 Orbea Rise H15 gets a Fox FLOAT X Performance EVOL rear shock and Fox 36 FLOAT Performance Grip-3 150mm front forks. Like the H10, the H15 also gets a Shimano XT M8100 derailleur but uses SLX M7100 shifters. Braking is provided by a set of Shimano M6100 hydraulic discs and the whole package will set you back a very reasonable £5,499. More Info - Orbea Rise H15 Orbea Rise H30 Although the entry level model of the range, the 2022 Orbea Rise H30 still offers impeccable value. Priced at £4,899, you'll find it equipped with Marzocchi Bomber Z2 140mm front forks and a Fox FLOAT DPS Performance rear shock. It also gets a Shimano SLX group set and MT410 brakes. As an introduction to super lightweight trail and mountain biking, its doesn't get much better than this! More Info - Orbea Rise H30 Is the new Alloy framed Orbea Rise the best value new bike of the 2022 model year? If its not, its certainly up there. Every year, manufacturers are looking to get more from less. More power. Less Weight. Likewise, owners are also looking for the same. More bike. Less money. Very few bikes tick all of the boxes but for the last 12 months, the carbon versions have been doing just that. Weighing in at sub 20Kg and offering a maximum 60Nm of torque with a battery capacity that'll keep you out on the trails all day is hard enough, but to do it at a price which makes them a lot more accessible is something really special and for that alone, the Rise Alloy models get a big tick from E-Bikeshop this year. Especially from a company still painting and putting everything together by hand!
With bike theft on the rise and lots of requests for electric bike GPS tracking systems from our customers over the years, an email from a company based in France was quite timely. Trackap got in touch offering us an all in one hardware and app solution designed for ease of use from every angle. Naturally, we were interested. Was this the product we had been waiting for? We actually didn't know the true value of the electric bike GPS tracking systems on the market. How many exist? What are the costs? How easy are they to fit? Are there any ongoing costs? What support is there if something goes wrong? What do you actually do if your bike is stolen? Will I get a discount on my insurance? Here, we dig into the rising popularity of technology trickled down from the car market. How good is an electric bike GPS tracking system? We secured a demo unit from Trackap and fitted it to a staff members Haibike AllMtn 3.0. Being a strong mountain biker and a Senior Technician on Bosch and Yamaha systems with a decade of experience exclusively on ebikes, Dan was best placed to give us the feedback we needed on fitting and app integration, as well as attempting to "rough it up a bit". Another thing to consider was that a some of our eBikes leave us with a tuning kit fitted. On the Bosch systems, this is always a Speedbox 3.0. We had to make sure that if we were going to offer a tracking system to our customers, it needs to work flawlessly with and without any optional extras so we fitted one of those too! Dan rode some of the roughest terrain around our local area on his well timed week off. Light forest trails, hard pack, right up to root riddled and rocky climbs and descents and some big jumps and drops thrown in for good measure. The device didn't miss a beat and he was still able to locate it in the back of his van before setting off home, and it was still locatable at home the following day. Clearly it can take some abuse, and continues to work regardless of terrain and while running in series with a tuning kit. While the Bosch eBike system is happy to be ridden through water and the tracking system is splash proof and mounted inside the frame, it can't be fully submerged, so this is something to bare in mind. The true test of a tracker is when the bike is stolen. Thankfully Dan still has his bike, so we can't comment on that part but from a week of solid testing, its clear that the kit has the ability to easily report its location on demand, any time you need it and so we have every confidence that should the worst happen, its location will be easy to get, and the Police should have no trouble recovering it! How do electric bike GPS tracking systems work? The basics are simple. A small "dongle" fitted into the wiring of the bike, along with an accompanying app for you to take a peek at where you left it, or where it is if you discover its now not where you left it. The two talk to eachother, telling you where your bike is in real time. The kit itself looks like this; The little black box is the tracking device. This is located inside the frame of the bike and is attached to the wiring. We've come up with ever more inventive places to fit tuning kits in tight bike frames over the years so you can be assured that it wont be visible and will be difficult to get at when fitted to your bike! The little wires and their plugs are used to integrate it into the bikes main wiring loom, effectively "stealing" the tiny little bit of power it needs to operate. Its such a tiny amount of power that you wont notice any decrease in range of your ebike. In the interest of security, we're not going to show you where/how its fitted to a bike. It'll only offer potential thieves an idea of what they're looking for when stealing their next ebike. You'll know its there. They wont! The GPS tracking system sits silently in the bike, waiting for a "ping" from you and operates on 2G mobile network service and GPS. When using the app, you can request the bikes location any time of day or night and this request is normally routed via the tracking system manufacturers servers. Their server will send the request signal to a satellite which in turns "looks" for your tuning kit. Your tuning kit hears the "call" of the app and offers it a "virtual handshake", confirming its the correct device and then sends it GPS coordinates. This information is sent back via the satellite to the tracking system operators server, then to your device. This entire process normally takes just a couple of seconds. How easy are electric bike GPS tracking systems to fit? We don't like to make things seem more difficult than they are. The kit is designed with certified bike technicians in mind, but fitting or removing a GPS tracking device on an electric bike isn't out of the scope of a competent DIY bike mechanic or anyone who knows their way around an ebike. Despite this, fitting any ebike GPS tracker is going to mean removing wiring plugs to motors/the battery which are covered by a manufacturers warranty and for that reason alone, this product, just as with the Tuning Kits we sell, wont be offered for sale individually and will be an "add to bike" option only, offered only on new bikes purchased from us or as an accessory fitted during routine maintenance/servicing. This is to protect your warranty, not to be annoying or obstructive. We don't honour warranties on bikes where these components have been visibly fiddled with or have had aftermarket components fitted outside of our workshops by well trained hands. Are there any ongoing costs to owning an ebike GPS tracking system? Normally yes, and they vary wildly. Some companies offer kits with a high upfront/installation cost but no ongoing running costs. Often, these are great to start with, but with no further investment in the company producing them from the bike owners, you're relying on others seeing the same benefit and buying the kits to enable the company to continually develop and maintain their service. Trackap from e-Bikeshop costs £199 for the unit and installation which is less than many, and over £100 less than the E-Connect system from Haibike (now discontinued in the UK), and comes with a free 1 year subscription, then costs €36 per year (just over £2 per month, payable directly to the product manufacturer via the app) to maintain the service. Trackap are committed to the continual development of their service both in hardware and the user interface with lots of new features in the pipeline and this aspect of their service really stood out in the week long discussions we had with them over whether this was a product worth bringing to our European customers. (Currently, Trackap is only available in Europe). What support should I expect if something goes wrong with my electric bike GPS tracker? At e-Bikeshop, we're eBike experts and this extends to the products we sell alongside our bikes. With any product we intend stock, we spend time testing it and getting to know it before we offer it to our customers. Not only do we get to know the product inside out, but we also grill the manufacturers on their own ability to support their product in the process. We try to keep as much product support as we can "in-house", positioning ourselves as a one stop shop for any issues with any of the products we sell. Our technicians are some of the best in the business, and our office based Support Technicians are always on hand to help with aftersales enquiries about the products we offer. If you ever experience an issue with a product sold by us, we would always recommend you give us a call or drop us an email first, but Trackap have committed to always be in the background if we need their help. Your £2 per month subscription fee supports their ongoing service backup! We of course do it at no cost, as part of your investment in us when you buy a bike or other product! Will I get a discount on my insurance? On motor vehicles, discounts are commonly offered when you can provide proof that your vehicle is fitted with an insurance approved tracking system like those from Tracker Networks but they're normally only found on fleet or high end vehicles or slightly more commonly on motorbikes since they're more easily stolen. As with any insurance terms, whether or not you get a discount on your insurance and how much it is will vary from provider to provider. We exclusively use Bikmo to offer 2 weeks free insurance on any bike sold by us, which covers the bike for loss, theft, damage and third party liability but they don't currently offer any discount for bike owners with a tracker fitted and this is likely because unlike on motor vehicles, there are no minimum set and industry recognised standards of equipment/reliability of service on ebike systems yet. Because of the lack of industry standard in products, the currently very low rate of uptake in tracking systems on eBikes (likely due to lack of education on benefits and how they work) and therefore a very sparse amount data required by insurance companies to calculate any reduction in "risk" to them, its very hard for an insurance company to provide any meaningful or calculated "reward" for fitting one. Regardless, we think the investment in a tracking device for ebikes is something that should be rewarded, and we'll continue to work with and support our insurance partner in making sure they have everything needed in case this is a future possibility. What should I do if my eBike is stolen? Contact the Police straight away. You can either reach them on 101 (please don't call 999 for a stolen bike unless you're in immediate danger or seriously hurt), or pop into your local station. Its a good idea to take a picture or description of your bike including the brand, model name, size and any distinguishing features (bumps, scrapes, any stickers or accessories fitted etc) along with your frame number if you have it to hand. Your bike may be being stored/hidden with many others and it'll help them get it back to you quicker! Although tempting, its never a good idea to go looking for your bike yourself. It might have been stolen by a mischievous child, or it could have been stolen by one of the many gangs using them to further support other far more serious organised crime and you wont know which until its too late. Trackap has an area of its website specially designed for Police to use and when you report your bike as stolen via the app, it will generate you a special code which they can use to monitor its location while they investigate. Did you know - It's estimated that around 285,000 bikes are stolen in the UK each year (and this figure is rising!) but less than 25% of these thefts are ever reported to the Police, with owners believing that nothing can or will be done. Of the total number reported as stolen, more than half of them are actually recovered by Police, often while investigating other crimes or when multiple bikes are stolen by the same thieves and one bike leads them to a stash of others. Unfortunately, fewer than 5% of stolen bikes end up back with their owners because the Police are unable to locate the owners of the unreported ones! These bikes are normally held for a set time period before being sold at Police auctions, the money going back into the pot to help protect local communities from similar crimes. Electric bike GPS tracking systems go a long way to helping you get your stolen bike recovered! If that isn't a good enough reason to purchase a GPS tracker for your new eBike, we don't know what is!
It's that time again where Bosch reveal what the latest-and-greatest features are of the new Bosch eBike system 2022. Bosch are constantly innovating their electric bike systems to meet the demand of users. Let's learn what's new... There's lots of new hardware and features for Bosch eBike systems in 2022. Let's break down each to keep it simple: New Bosch Kiox 300 Display 2022 New on-board featuresThe brand new on-board computer from Bosch is code named: Kiox 300. This new unit is perfect for the 'sporty' eBike rider where you can determine fitness data and use this to help with your training. New for 2022, the Kiox unit can be updated wirelessly by the rider, so there is now no need to visit the dealer for basic firmware updates. Easier to use smart designThe new Bosch Kiox 300 is smaller in design, but offers more features! It features a unique colour dispaly and can be visible at night due to the back lit LCD screen. The Kiox 300 is splash & dust resistant, it looks cleaner on the bike & is supported by new images and animations. It's designed to be as simple as possible for the user to operate on the fly. Walk Assist - Where you need itAs with all Bosch powered eBikes, the new 2020 Bosch Kiox setup offers the 'Walk assist' feature to the rider which can be really helpful on trickier climbs and stairs alike. It allows the bike to assist if pushing, taking the strain away from the rider, this is all now activated via the new LED remote (more on that below). The new Kiox 300 shows the rider how much range is left on each mode so you can see at a glance how far you can go dependent on the assistance mode selected. New handlebar mountThe new Kiox dispaly holder is mounted centrally on the handlebars, keeping that clean cockpit look as opposed to being over to one side (like it's predecessors). The screen has 'tilt adjustment' so it suits a range of riders, tall or short to get the perfect position for easy visibility whilst riding. New Bosch LED Remote 2022 Simple & clean designThe new LED remote for 2022 is the first of it's kind to feature a functional LED where all important information can be captured. The device has been designed to be easy to read despite sunlight or shady areas. It has a built-in ambient light sensor so it can change it's brightness no matter where you are on the ride. This means it's easier to see, but on the flip side it doesn't dazzle riders by being too bright and distracting. Each ride assist mode is now signified by it's own colour LED lights. This makes it easier for the rider to recognise what ride mode they are using, in the corner of their eye as opposed to navigating a display. Always connectedThe new 2022 Bosch eBike LED remote connects to the eBike Flow App (covered in more detail below). Riders can track all important data and sync it, bringing new connectivity to the rider & controls. As mentioned above, this connectivity allows the option for the rider to update the Bosch eBike firmware themselves, rather than travel to the dealer for simple periodic updates. You can also sync all-important ride data to the app via the LED remote and share it with other fellow riders. This includes the duration of the ride and the distance travelled. Smart Walk AssistThe new smart Walk Assist can help a rider on even the trickiest of terrain. Where riding is not possible the Walk Assist the LED remote comes into it's own. Simply press the Walk Assist button and feel the support as the bike moves. Easy navigationThe new LED remote allows the rider to control the bike within easy reach. The ergonomic design means you can make any essential adjustments whilst on the move; operated perfectly with the thumb - no button is out of reach. The angle of the controls can be rotated on the bars to suit a range of rider profiles. At the ready - AlwaysThanks to the new long life battery, the LED remote can be powered and operated all the time, even when the main battery is turned off or removed from the bike. The internal battery is recharged by the main bike battery whilst in action, however Bosch fans will be pleased to know it can easily be replaced long-term by a specialist dealer if required. New Performance CX Drive Unit 2022 Performance definedThe Bosch Performance CX motor is refined further for electric mountain biking, with its riding behaviour and characteristics offer noticeable agility for navigating through tight turns and wilder trail sections. Offering torque of up to 85Nm allows the motor to be more controlled at lower cadences and particularly efficient at getting off-the-go quickly on standing hill starts. Easier handling - EMTB modeThe EMTB mode gives the rider instant access to all ride modes auto-magically behind the scenes. Select EMTB mode and pedal, the Bosch CX will adapt to it's terrain and rider all without you having to move a finger.. Just pedal and have FUN. Maximum agilityBosch CX motors use their multi-sensor technology which measures multiple sensors many thousand times per second. The Bosch motor can respond on demand offering best-in-class agility on even the most toughest of trails. New Bosch Connect ModuleFor 2022 Bosch is all about being more connected. Both rider and bike will have more unique functions with the introduction of a new piece of hardware code named the: Connect Module. This module will unlock new features, there's more to be announced, but so far we know its focus is around theft protection. It can sound alarms to deter any suspicious behaviour or thieves. We also know there will be a tracker function. If your bike is unfortunately stolen, you'll be able to track your eBike via the new eBike Flow app (more on that below). Great news and reassurance for eBike owners! New Bosch PowerTube 750Wh 2022 Even longer rangeWith the introduction of the new Bosch PowerTube 750 in 2022, more range can be achieved than ever before! Bosch have since trumped the earlier 300 & 400Wh battery packs with the 500 & 625Wh. Now, new heights can be achieved with the PowerTube 750 offering an extra 20% range over the previous 625Wh champion range battery. Integrated designBosch eBikes always maintain a great battery design. The new 750Wh Bosch battery is integrated in the frame, which not only looks great but also protects the battery on the trails. Reliability where you need itAll Bosch batteries are equipped with a BMS (Battery Management Software). This monitors all the cells independently and ensures longevity in the battery pack. It also protects the battery for safety and ensures a long range bike with a long service life. Secure & easy operationThe battery can be charged in the bike or alternatively it can be removed from the frame for charging too. For security the battery is locked in the frame with a key, so no need to worry about the security of your battery when parked up. Most will charge the battery inside the frame in their garage, whilst some may want to remove the battery for charging on the move or in hotels for example on longer tours. New Bosch 4A Battery Charger 2022 For the first time in years, there is a new Bosch eBike battery charger. The Bosch 4A Charger is offered in a new appealing design and charges the new PowerTube 750Wh quickly. Compact & lightweightThe new Bosch 4A charger for 2022 is more compact than ever before, making it ideal for charging on-the-go. It's IPX water resistant and is manufactured in a durable shell. The 4A Bosch charger can charge the new 750Wh battery in just 6 hours from completely flat to 100%. Charging is faster when part-charging, taking just over 2 hours for a 50% battery charge. The new charger uses different battery connectors and thus, for the first time ever, is not backwards compatible with existing Bosch eBike batteries. New Bosch eBike Flow App 2022 The latest innovation from Bosch for 2022 allows the bike & rider to be more connected, offering a hole new experience for the eBike rider. Bosch are releasing the new eBike Flow App on both iOS and Android so all riders have access to it. Updates over-the-airThe new Bosch eBike Flow App allows the user to update their Bosch eBike firmware remotely over the air using your smartphone. This means you can connect to your electric bike and it'll prompt you for any updates, as opposed to existing systems which require a trip to a Bosch eBike dealer to perform these simple updates. Simply your rideThe app is designed to simplify your ride, not interfere with it. This means that whilst riding you only see the essential rider information whilst on the move, causing minimal distractions. The smartphone app will automatically connect to your Bosch eBike via the Smart Connect feature. This means your phone is left in your pocket or rider backpack, whilst pedalling the app is auto-magically tracking your every move. Third party apps and featuresFor the first time ever, Bosch have unlocked their App to 3rd party developers. This means things like Apple Health will now sync with your ride data offering even more possibilities when tracking your important Health data. We expect to see more functions on the horizon as bike manufacturers can also design the app in their own look and feel, further personalising the eBike experience. More connectivity brings more apps, more functions and more fun to the rider. Look after your Bosch eBikeThe Bosch eBike Flow App gives the rider more information than ever before. This offers all-important parameters so you can see your progress and also track the health of your Bosch eBike. For example, riders can see when the next service is due, which components are installed and how many miles have been covered overall. Watch The Latest From Bosch Bosch launched the new 2022 Bosch eBike system on YouTube with a live seminar. Watch below: What Do We Think? The latest generation of Bosch components brings new features to the modern eBike rider. Taking one step closer to rider & eBike connect-ability. At e-bikeshop.co.uk we're ambassadors of the Bosch eBike system, it's been at the heart of our electric bike range since the start. Whilst we are here, let's take a look at some common questions that'll crop up: Is my previous Bosch eBike system compatible?All previous generations of Bosch eBike systems will still be continued. However the new Bosch components are not backwards compatible. This includes all of the hardware mentioned above. What's different about the new 2022 Bosch motor?The current Bosch eBike motor will remain unchanged. Whilst this new motor uses a slightly different shell and hosts new connectors (to allow for the Bosch eBike Smart System), it offers the same performance as the current motor in respect of torque and assistance. The current Bosch motors will continue to run along-side the new Bosch CX. When will the new Bosch 2022 system be available?As usual the new Bosch eBike components will gradually filter onto manufacturers bikes. This will start happening at the back-end of 2021 as the new 2022 model range of bikes is announced. Note: Not all bikes will feature this system. It'll likely be defined by the model spec, price, style and at the discretion of the eBike manufacturer. Will the new Connect Module come on all 2022 Bosch eBikes?Some 2022 models (not all) will come pre-installed with the Connect Module and feature the new Smart System. Select models may be available retrospectively via a Bosch eBike dealer, this will be at the discretion of the eBike manufacturer as to how they spec their bikes. If unsure it's best to check with your suppling dealer first. When can I download the new Bosch eBike Flow App?These new features are only to be revealed today 31st August 2021. We expect the App to be available by the time 2022 eBikes start landing on our doorsteps - So likely around Q4 2021. Further questions? Comment below this article and we'll be more than happy to help. We offer a huge range of Bosch powered eBikes, find the model for you: Bosch Electric Bikes Range
With the door having closed on last years bikes almost as quickly as it opened and the industry dogged by supply chain delays and component shortages, we're very excited to announce the launch of model year 2022 Cube electric hybrid, town and touring bikes with newly revised specifications and colourways. Which 2022 Cube Electric Hybrid, Town or Trekking bike should you buy? Did you know that for model year 2022, Cube are manufacturing 198 different ebikes (yes, we counted!) including a few brand new models? Its a huge number from just one of dozens of manufacturers and a mind-numbing minefield if you don't know what you're looking for in a market already crowded with choice. Each year we carefully consider the specification and price of every bike from each of our manufacturer partners and carefully narrow it down to the very best options based on end user value. Not only does this remove the headache of trying to work out which models are best suited to UK terrain and use cases, but it also means that no matter which option you choose from us, you can be sure that its already been carefully considered by ebike experts with over a decade in the industry to make sure you get the very best specification for your money. Often, this can mean that although a bike is £100 more than the next model down, it might offer £300 more in component value! For 2022, we've chosen 6 models to cover the touring, hybrid, town and leisure riders looking for a robust, German built, Bosch driven ebike with a price tag that makes their competitors eyes water! These are broken down by Cube into two key model variants. The Touring Hybrid, and the Kathmandu Hybrid. 2022 Cube Touring Hybrid models 2022 Cube Touring Hybrid One 500 Offered in two frame styles - Crossbar and Trapeze (often referred to as "Uni"), the 2022 Cube Touring Hybrid One 500 is an the entry level model in the "Touring Hybrid" range, but still offers a huge amount of value. The Cube Touring Hybrid One is the perfect entry into the eBike world. Whether you're looking to nip to the shops, drop the car or public transport from your daily commute or just get out and enjoy the local B roads, cycle trails and forest paths, the Touring Hybrid One is "your bike companion for all occasions". Built in mudguards, side stand, lights and pannier rack are equipped as standard, leaving you nothing but to get out and enjoy the fresh air! Despite being their entry level offering, it still packs a huge amount of features into its modest £2,599 price tag. 100mm travel front suspension, 9 speed Shimano gearing and hydraulic disc brakes roll effortlessly low drag and very comfortable Schwalbe Big Ben tyres. Their extra width and volume make for a super comfortable ride on a bike with a upright "Dutch" geometry. Featuring much of the specification of last years Pro model, its had an upgrade for 2022 and now uses the Generation 3 Performance Line motor with 65Nm of torque rather than the older Active Line model and its 500Wh Bosch battery will keep you moving for up to 140 miles. More Info - Cube Touring Hybrid One 500 2022 2022 Cube Touring Hybrid Pro 500 You would be forgiven for thinking at first glance that this is the same bike. True, its built on the same frame as the above model, but this is the 2022 Cube Touring Hybrid Pro. Designed for the same use case as the Touring Hybrid One, the Pro model offers the same relaxed and upright riding position, but with a few neat extra features for only another £200. Priced at £2,799, the Touring Hybrid Pro has all of the benefits of the One model, but with the addition of further comfort enhancements in the form of a user weight adjustable suspension seat post and adjustable handlebar stem. The rest of the bike sees some specification tweaks too. A drive train upgrade sees it gain an extra two gears from the Shimano Deore groupset, the brakes get a small upgrade but the biggest difference on the bars is the addition of the Bosch Intuvia display. Sitting centrally on the bars and controlled by buttons conveniently placed next to the riders left thumb, its screen is much larger and more easily read on bumpy terrain and can also be unclipped and removed in one easy motion for added security. More Info - Cube Touring Hybrid Pro 500 2022 2022 Cube Touring Hybrid EXC 500 Another £200 for another serious value specification tweak. The 2022 Cube Touring Hybrid EXC 500 sits at the very top end of the Touring Hybrid model line-up, but at only £2,999 it still bats away its competitors in its class and price range in the value stakes. Much of its specification increase is aimed at those looking to go further and do more on the Touring Hybrid frame platform, but dont need the extra power of the Generation 4 motor fitted in the Kathmandu models. The Shimano brakes on the EXC model get an upgrade to twin piston models. If you live in a very hilly area and plan to do your shopping or tow a child or dog trailer on your new eBike, these can be great at pulling up to a halt when heading down hill. Likewise, Shimano XT group set normally found on mountain bikes provides another gear, bringing the total to 12 with a 10-51t rear cassette - This ultra wide gearing is designed to tackle the roughest off-road climbs, so its very well suited to lugging extra weight up hill over long distances. The final upgrade is to the front forks. Switching from a coil fork to an air fork with a lock out further improves the comfort and handling of the bike and isn't something you normally find on this style of bike. Air forks are generally considered a very premium component and more commonly found on mountain bikes. When you consider the component cost of the upgrades to this bike, it really is an absolute stand out model for any ability or type of rider! More Info - Cube Touring Hybrid EXC 500 2022 2022 Cube Nuride Hybrid Performance Allroad 625 The 2022 Cube Nuride Hybrid Performance Allroad is a new model to us for 2022 and was chosen to fill a gap in usage case/demand identified by our showroom staff. Somewhat of a "crossover bike", the 2022 Cube Nuride blends the versatility of a hybrid leisure bike with the Touring Hybrid models, with the geometry of a hard tail mountain bike. A less upright seating position puts riders in the seat in a way that will feel more familiar if coming from mountain bikes, or where a completely upright position isn't required. The wheels are the same as those used on the Touring Hybrid and Kathmandu models, but since this is a bike designed for more use on tarmac and paved roads than off-road, its fitted with fast rolling Schwalbe Land Cruiser tyres. These have a continual band of centre tread to minimum rolling resistance on-road, but the extra width and more aggressive tread pattern on the shoulders will keep you in line if you do need to venture off the beaten track! The Nuride features the same lights, mudguards and side stand from the Touring models, but doesn't come with a pannier rack. If you prefer the mountain bike feel to your every day bike but do want a pannier rack, they exist as a bolt on option, so its not off the table! Based on showroom discussion, we expect the majority of these to be bought by men who don't want a traditional Hybrid style bike, but still want to take advantage of the features they have over using their hard tail mountain bike on the road but as with all bikes, there is no right or wrong, men's or women's. There is only "fit for purpose, comfortable, and on budget". More Info - Cube Nuride Hybrid Performance Allroad 625 20222022 Cube Kathmandu Hybrid Models 2022 Cube Kathmandu Hybrid Pro 625 As i write, the very first of the 2022 Cube Kathmandu Hybrid Pro 625 bikes are being offloaded from a lorry in our loading bay and as always, they all already have homes - most of them ordered weeks or months ago. The Kathmandu models are some of the most highly sought after bikes in their category, and we can never buy enough of them. Supply of Cube bikes is always hotly contested between dealers but this is a model on which actually Cube place limits on the number we can order! The Kathmandu Hybrid Pro shares much of the specification you find on the Touring Hybrid EXC at £2,899. The Kathmandu is £3,199, but what you get for this is quite staggering. Again, with a keen eye on comfort over long distances, the 2022 Kathmandu Hybrid Pro 625 is based on the same upright riding position frame as the Touring Hybrid models, but a keen eye will spot that the crank area is different. The first and biggest upgrade over the Touring Hybrid models is the motor. Fitted with the latest and most powerful Bosch Generation 4 Performance CX motor with a whopping 85Nm of torque, this market leading motor is only normally found at home in £4,000+ mountain bikes. This extra power has to come from somewhere, and Cube generally tend to stick to offering the Bosch's largest 625Wh battery when using this motor to get the best from it, with a range of up to 160 miles on a single charge. As a "do it all" bike, the the Kathmandu Hybrid Pro also gets the same set of 100mm travel air forks found on the EXC. Again, trickled down technology from the mountain bike sector offers a premium feel and increased performance for those who need the very best from their bike over longer distances, or when carrying more weight on the bike. The Kathmandu name exists for a reason! More Info - Cube Kathmandu Hybrid Pro 625 2022 2022 Cube Kathmandu EXC The final model in this product category from Cube for 2022 is the new Kathmandu Hybrid EXC. If you look closely, you'll see that while the Touring Hybrid and the Kathmandu models normally all share the same frame through the model line up with only the specification of brakes, gears and other components changing, this is a totally different frame altogether. The battery door and motor area are brand new and that can only mean one thing... Sadly, we have to sign a rock solid non-disclosure agreement when these things happen and there's absolutely nothing we can tell you about why its changed except that not only is it for the better, but we think that lots of other manufacturers are going to playing catch up with this one for the next 12 months! At £3,599, its £400 more than the Pro model and benefits from a upgraded air fork over the version fitted to the Pro, along with the same upgraded 12 speed Shimano Deore gearing and twin piston brakes. Unfortunately, this is as much as we're allowed to say at this time, but the embargo on remaining info lifts when the currently hidden technology is officially launched to the public on 31st August 2021. UPDATE - With the embargo lifted, we can confirm the new Kathmandu Hybrid EXC comes with the new Bosch Smart System. A revised motor housing to accommodate new connector styles, the bike also features the latest 750Wh battery and new Kiox 300 display. More Info - Cube Kathmandu EXC 750 2022 Cube 2022 Touring eBike Range Conclusion As with every model year, we expect that 2022 Cube Electric Hybrid, Town and Touring Bikes will be our fastest moving products. The "early release" models which launched in July are already selling quickly, as are the remaining bikes they launched on 3rd August. At time of writing, we've sold around 20% of our allocation of bikes from Cube for 2022, meaning the model year could be as short as 5 months in terms of stock availability and leaving customers and dealers alike, scrabbling for what's left to get hold of again. If you're looking for an exceptionally well built German bike with an ultra reliable drive train from a manufacturer who works tirelessly to bring its customer the most advanced and best value bikes year on year, you can find the full 2022 Cube model range here.
Due to be published in the Autumn, new changes to the Highway Code (Published 29th Jan 2022) seek to give cyclists and pedestrians greater priority over vehicles on some parts of the UKs roads, as well as introducing a new "hierarchal" approach to apportioning responsibility for road safety. These Highway Code updates look to place more onus on the largest/most potentially dangerous road users. What changes are being made to the Highway Code for Cyclists? In a bid to enable healthier lifestyles while protecting the most vulnerable road users, the UK Government is proposing updates to the Highway Code - seeking to offer a greater level of protection to cyclists and pedestrians by increasing their "priority" over other road users, while simultaneously making vehicle users more responsible for their safety in a new "hierarchal" system which places pedestrians at the top and the largest of vehicles at the bottom. The number of people returning to walking and cycling both for leisure and commuting dramatically increased during the 2020 Covid-19 lockdowns and the Department for Transport, keen to get this trend to continue, is actively looking to enable it with a new £338 million funding package for the creation and maintenance of more supporting infrastructure. When will the Highway Code changes come into effect for cyclists? The need to review this section of the Highway Code was announced in October 2018 and the consultation period began on 28th July 2020, closing on 27th October 2020. A summary of the consultation proposals was released to the gov.uk website on 30th July 2021. Full details and Parliamentary approval are expected by Autumn, with the proposed changes coming into effect by Spring 2022. How will the changes to the Highway Code better enable and protect cyclists and pedestrians? Currently, the Highway Code treats all users of the UK road network as having the same level of responsibility. The proposed changes to the Highway Code will seek to address the level of responsibility each user of the road network has for other others and better "even it out" based on the level of potential danger each user poses. Stephen Edwards, interim CEO of charity Living Streets says; "The Highway Code currently treats children walking to school and lorry drivers as if they are equally responsible for their own and other peoples safety. These changes will redress that balance." He goes on to suggest that people walking are the least dangerous road users but are "often left paying the price of other peoples actions" and that "everyone would benefit, as everyone is a pedestrian on some occasions, even if they drive or cycle at other times" The new hierarchal method of placing responsibility for safety will now see the largest vehicles being responsible for the safety of smaller and all being more responsible for cyclists and pedestrians. Similarly, cyclists will now take on more responsibility for the safety of pedestrians. What new rules are expected for cyclists in the proposed Highway Code update? The "Rules for Cyclists" section will be seeing a raft of new updates, to include the following; Inclusion of references to cycle tracks, cycle signals and new junction designsAmendment to the wording on Advanced Stop Lines Clarification of the priority cyclists have over other vehicles when going straight ahead at a junction Provision of advice on cyclist behaviours when riding on a shared use route and giving pedestrians priority Recommendation that cyclists give way to pedestrians waiting to cross the road at a side road or junctions Strengthened advice around the value of cycle training Expansion of the rules on safe riding and crossing busy roads, including recommended procedures for cycling at roundabouts and road positioning Ready to join the cycling boom on a new eBike? You can see our full selection of eBikes here.
There's no denying it. The bike industry is crippled by both demand and the lack of capacity to fulfil it and with 2021 bikes now almost sold out globally the big questions on everyone's lips is - "When will the 2022 eBikes be released"? Information given here is supplementary to the previous post about 2021 eBike delays. TLDR; No one knows everything, but we know some things. When are 2022 eBikes being released? The short answer is - no one knows. Ok, so maybe some people know. Maybe we know things we're sworn to secrecy on right now, but - even the manufacturers are throwing out ambiguous dates towards the 4th quarter and based on what they can and can't get and even then, they're subject to change with little to no notice at all as they have for the last 18 months. What changes will be made on 2022 eBikes? Its likely we'll see little to no development over 2020/2021 bikes from many manufacturers. Having had no notice of a global health pandemic and the issues it would create for the cycle industry with demand vs production/shipping of components, its highly probable that the majority of manufacturers wont have had much time to really innovate this year and so we should expect to see lots of last years bikes popping up wearing new colour schemes and tweaked spec lists based on what's available. That said, we do know that some brand new models are due to launch and exciting technology will be revealed for the first time. Will 2022 eBikes be more expensive? Yes. 2022 eBike prices have and will increase in comparison to 2020/2021 model year prices. Not only has the cost of many raw materials increased during the pandemic (rubber went up 50%!), many component manufacturers are based in the Far East where lockdowns are still happening (Shimano has been shut for most of June, again) and production has been far lower than anticipated/required by the global cycle industry. When the level of component scarcity increases, so too does price. Just look at the price/availability of Shimano 12 speed components right now! Shipping is also having a big knock-on effect. Container prices from the Far East to Europe have risen to astronomical levels. A container with hundreds of thousands of sets of brake pads might only add a few pence to each product but if its only got 200 frames in it, you could be looking at a £50-100 increase per bike and before they even start assembly. Can I pre-order 2022 eBikes now? Not with us. Its too big of a risk at the moment. We've already placed almost all of our 2022 ebike orders and so for the most part, we know how many of each model we have coming, but thats quite literally it. Universally, the manufacturers are not providing final specifications, pricing and in the case of 2022 Cube ebikes, we've not even seen so much as an artists render. On this basis, taking pre-orders right now would only create a whole new list of problems, admin and potential upset for customers while we remain committed to fulfilling the remaining 2021 orders which we are still taking delivery of from almost all manufacturers, many of which have been delayed by up to 9 months. Will 2022 ebikes be delayed as badly as the 2021 models? Almost certainly, 2022 bikes will suffer delays of varying lengths at some point in the model year. R&D aside, there is so much that goes into the production and assembly of ebikes that its impossible to think that the problems we currently face as an industry and market will simply vanish from this model year to the next. Its more likely that unless people suddenly stop buying eBikes, we'll be operating like this for at least the next 2-3 years. One manufacturer "builds" the bike, but there can be as many a several dozen other businesses all supplying often tiny, unseen parts of your bike who are all suffering their own industry issues as a result of Covid-19. Imagine if all of them had just a ONE week delay on something. The result is exactly what we've been dealing with - months of delays on new bikes arriving. When can I pre-order my 2022 eBike and when will it be delivered? As always, we'll being taking pre-orders through the website once we have all of the information we need to build a product page. This includes all of the finalised images of the bikes, the specifications and of course the price. We tend to do this brand by brand as they launch so be assured we'll be rolling them out at the same time as the manufacturer in most cases. Deliveries on pre-orders are carried out on a "first come, first served" basis. With demand not expected to fall this year, the only way you will be able to guarantee yourself a 2022 eBike will be to get in the queue as fast as you can, and be patient. We always offer an ETA based on the information given to us by the manufacturer but these can change and its worth bearing this in mind. If you absolutely must have a bike for your upcoming cycling holiday in August and you're ordering a bike with an ETA of August, prepare for the worst. You might get lucky, but you would be better off looking for a bike which matches your criteria and is already in stock than gearing yourself up for potential disappointment. How will I know when new 2022 eBikes are launched? With no firm information from manufacturers at this stage and dozens of enquiries each day from potential customers who missed out on their dream bike from the 2022 model year, we've set up a page for people to leave their details. Click the button below and when our manufacturers launch their 2022 models, we'll pop you an email to let you know! Keep me updated!
The Orbea brand has been around for a very long time - almost as long as bicycles themselves. Like many businesses who've survived two world wars, a civil war, political overhauls and global economic downturns, bikes also weren't their first product. Orbea ebikes are in fact a very recent addition to the portfolio. Founded in 1840 in Eibar, the Basque region of Spain as a rifle and gun manufacturer, in a turnaround similar to Birmingham Small Arms Company in the UK, they switched to producing bicycles between the two World Wars. Unlike BSA however, they didn't turn back to firearms and have continued to build some of the best, most competitive and arguably aesthetically pleasing bikes the cycling industry has seen. Orbea ebikes didn't start like this. In fact, it took almost 165 years to get anywhere close. As one of the only remaining companies still doing almost everything by hand, including painting and finishing frames, assembly and final inspection, Orbea are set apart from the rest of the cycling industry by their obsessive attention to detail and design concepts. In their formative years in cycling, having switched to producing bikes in 1930, Orbea began to make a name for themselves in the Basque region of Spain. They began competing in the coveted Tour De France races as early as 1934 with already well known Spaniard Mariana Cañardo placing 9th that year on one of their bicycles. He later went on to claim a 5th stage win (and 2nd overall) in the very first Vuelta a España (Tour of Spain) race the following year, again on an Orbea bicycle. Promoted by the cycle manufacturers from the Eibar area where Orbea were originally based, this race is still run each year today. Between 1936 and 1939, Spain was gripped by civil war. Having ridden out the stormy economic fallout, by the end of the war, Orbea employed more than 1000 staff and produced 50,000 new bikes each year Their Eibar factory at the time had the tooling and skills to produce every single component they needed to build their products. A complete, start to finish manufacturing process where absolutely everything was done in-house and under their own control. In 1969, while Brian Adams sung about his personal dilemma in choosing whether to settle down or strive for fame, America landed Apollo 11 on the moon and NATO troops were withdrawn from Vietnam, Spain struggled with a dire economic crisis. Unable to escape the downturn in country-wide fortune despite having survived so much beforehand, Orbea found itself on the now very real brink of bankruptcy. Undeterred and with unwavering faith in the brand, the workers of the Orbea factory took the decision to form a cooperative and purchase the company from the Orbea family, saving it from almost certain collapse. With the wind and previous financial troubles behind them, the newly formed cooperative left Eibar for a brand new site in Mallabia just 10km away, where they built the very first dedicated bicycle factory with more room and accessibility. Through the 1980's, Orbea surged forward with their development of new model lines. As well as returning to road racing in 1984, they also joined the mountain bike market for the first time, at a pivotal point where many of the most recognisable brands today were only just starting out on their journey. The 90's was the decade of mountain bikes - With lots of other European and US brands having only just begun to emerge over the previous 10 years, Orbea took up the challenge of an entirely new model line designed in the US and with frames manufactured in Asia. The Orbea MTB Team was born and the challenge to bring Orbea back to the international stage took a turn off the tarmac and onto the dirt roads. Fast forwarding to 2003, the Orbea Orca is born and provided the the first real predecessor to the Orbea Gain "M" (carbon frame) electric road bike range. "Orca", a combination of "ORbea" and "CArbon", became the name for Orbea's highest quality and most technologically advanced racing bikes still in production today. As well as the Orca, Orbea also launched the Ordu, their first Triathlon specific bike which propelled Craig Alexander to victory in the 2008 and 2009 Ironman Haiwaii races. At the same time, Orbea also launched and expanded the Orca brand of purpose designed helmets and apparel for Triathletes. The arrival of Orbea eBikes Hitting the fast forward button again, this time to 2016, and news is spreading of a revolution. Orbea are launching the Gain at Unibike in Spain. Their first electric bike for the road market, it promises to be everything that is Orbea. Light, manoeuvrable and with a great specification and built to the same quality and design ethos Orbea customers have come to expect. Not only was the initial Gain launch a success, they've continued to develop the model and in 2018, after more than 6000 hours of testing, it won several accolades including a Design and Innovation award from several prestigious cycling magazines. Fielding questions such as "Are you sure its an eBike?", and "It doesn't look like it has a motor"?, it ushered in a wave of new articles about what the future has in store for electric road bikes. Not content with boosting the performance of their road bikes, Orbea started work on their mountain bike offering. The Orbea Wild FS range was born and in 2017, was launched to the world. It seems such a long time ago that this Shimano E8000 driven monster first started making waves. Offered with a choice of wheel size, a fully integrated battery, speed sensor mounted in the rear brake rotor and a reinforced skid plate the Wild FS 10 was already ahead of its time and has continued to be updated to keep it at the very top of its game. Orbea electric bikes in 2021 Orbea ebikes have come a long way in a comparatively very short space of time - a testament to their unwavering commitment to evolution, design and value from their products backed by a Lifetime frame warranty and outstanding dealer support package. Year on year, Orbea continue to innovate and increase the end user experience with the latest technology and components. The Orbea Gain range is still a hugely popular option for those looking for an assisted entry into the world of road cycling, with 13 model variants in Carbon and Alloy frame options. Offered 5 frame sizes, multiple colourways as well as the MyO option for Carbon models from their entry level Gain D50 at just £2,359, right the way up to the flagship Gain M10i at £8,199. Our most popular option is the Orbea Gain. The Gain isn't the only model to have received significant updates since launch. The Wild FS range is now offered in 8 different model/specification variants, 3 sizes, two frame materials, multiple factory colours and a MyO option for Carbon frame models making the Wild FS one of the most customisable electric mountain bikes on the market before it even leaves the factory with tens of thousands of specification combinations. Building on the success of the Wild FS electric mountain bikes, late in 2020 Orbea announced the Orbea Rise. One of the most exciting Orbea ebikes of the year, the Rise pushes right up to the edge of the boundaries on what's achievable with currently available components. Arguably one of the best looking trail bikes on the market (especially if you take advantage of the free MyO custom paint options like the model above), the Rise isn't just a looker. Orbea have, from the very beginning, sought to be at the forefront of development of ebike technology and weighing in at as little as 16.5Kg on the M-Ltd model while still managing to produce 60Nm of torque and more than 4 hours riding from their collaboration with Shimano on motor firmware, this is the bike that has many of its competitors on the back foot in 2021. Having previously held the titles for the lightest bikes, Specialized and Lapierre are likely to be paying very close attention to this model over the next few years, especially given that the Rise undercuts the price by a percentage that makes the Rise stand out as the true champion on value. For this reason, the Rise M10, with its perfect balance of spec against cost is currently our most popular from the Orbea ebikes range. As you can see from this history lesson, with 180 years of experience behind them Orbea are one of the most forward-thinking, design concept led and technically advanced cycle manufacturers in the world and continue apply this knowledge and experience in everything they do.Despite having a slightly longer than average lead time caused by (but more than made up for!) their attention to detail and quality of finish, Orbea continue to turn out industry leading products while remaining competitive on price, which is why they're one of our favourite manufacturers, and they should be yours too! You can see our full range of Orbea ebikes here.