A common question relates to how long does an electric bike battery take to charge? We discuss the 3 most popular systems including Bosch, Yamaha & Shimano eBikes. Modern lithium batteries on eBikes recharge in a matter of hours, rather than having to leave them overnight. The charge time depends on how flat the battery was when you put it on charge, sounds obvious, right? Most newer style batteries have a BMS (Battery Management System) on board that controls lots of parameters in the cell. In most circumstances, if the battery is partially charged and you just top it up, it will top up really quickly. Whereas, if the battery is completely flat it could do an 80% fast charge and leave a slower trickle charge for the last 20% to condition the eBike battery. How long does a Bosch battery take to charge? Bosch batteries will charge in 4.5 hrs on a 500Wh and 3.5 hrs on a 400Wh battery from flat. This is using the standard 4A charger. Bosch also offer a compact charger which offers a slightly smaller shell and overall lighter build, this charger in on a 2A system so batteries will take a little longer to charge, about double the time in most circumstances. Expect a 500Wh battery to fully charge in around 7.5 hrs and a 400Wh to charge in about 6.5 hrs. The same applies to Bosch's travel charger which is designed for 12v systems (i.e car cigarette lighter), also running on a 2A system you can expect similar times as the compact charger. How long does a Shimano battery take to charge? Shimano electric bike batteries recharge from flat in 5 hrs. The partial charge terminology we mention at the start of this article also applies to Shimano eBikes, in fact on the E8000 system, Shimano quote: Charging: 80% after 2,5 hrs / 5 hrs from 0 to 100%. The Shimano E8000 batteries only come in 500Wh but are offered in 2 styles depending on which bike you purchase, one is integrated into the downtube and the other is mounted externally. Although different shapes, both styles offer the same capacity and thus take the same time to recharge. How long does a Yamaha battery take to charge? Like Bosch, the Yamaha electric bike batteries come in 2 sizes 400Wh and 500Wh. The system just uses one type of Yamaha charger. The 500Wh battery will recharge in 4 hrs and the 400Wh battery will charge in approx 3.5 hrs from flat. The Yamaha battery can be charged both on and off the bike. It uses the same charger port in both circumstances. Again the Yamaha battery will top up much quicker as it doesn't need to do a slow part charge when not charging from completely flat. To Conclude Electric Bike Battery Charge Times Both Bosch, Yamaha and Shimano all offer similar charge times on the same capacity cells. Bosch is the only one to offer different charger types. But based on the standard charger this table highlights the charging times: Bosch Yamaha Shimano 500 Wh 4.5 hrs 4 hrs 5 hrs 400 Wh 3.5 hrs 3.5 hrs X You can learn how to extend your battery life in our dedicated electric bike battery care guide. Or alternatively, learn more about preserving life and charging in our extended battery care article here. Want to learn how far an eBike battery can assist you? Use our simple eBike battery range tool here.
To kick start the season, the E-Bikeshop owners Club visited Bedgebury Forest trail centre. For an action packed day of trail riding on electric mountain bikes on 26th February 2017. This was the first ride of the season and a good turnout for a cold winters ride. We had 15 riders in total to ride Bedgebury forest trail centre. We've visited this site once before about 12 months ago and it was great, so decided to include it in the 2017 calendar. After a short de-brief, we hit the trails, although it had been raining the night before the trails are well drained, which made for great riding and fast flowing trails. In total, we completed a full lap including both Red, Blue and a little Black section. We also had a break in the middle with a short stint of messing about in the bomb holes and did the famous 'Cake Run' a couple of times before committing to the cafe for hot drinks and cake! The next ride is up and live now on the Owners Club page. So take a look and click 'Join' to confirm attendance. We will, of course, publish all the photos of this ride on the ebikeshop club page in the next few days, don’t forget to tag yourself in them. The E-Bikeshop Owners Club is a closed group of riders, if you have purchased an eBike from us and want to get involved, please get in touch.
We take a look at the 2017 electric mountain bike ranges & select the top 5 best looking eMTB out there for the year. Not taking into consideration spec or price, just pure looks! Following a visit to EuroBike it's clear every manufacturer is now on board with a Bosch powered eBike. Selecting the range for 2017 was about summing up many different characteristics including specification, price, components and the also important - Visuals! In this article, we sum up the top 5 best looking (in our opinion) Bosch powered electric mountain bikes for 2017. So spec, use, and price aside here goes: No 1: Haibike xDuro DownHill 9.0 An electric assisted downhill bike? Yes! Now you can forget the uplifts and get back to the top quicker, ready to come back down. More ride time = more fun! With slack angles, triple clamps and DH specific components, the xDuro DownHill 9.0 remains at the top of the list for looks! No 2: Moustache Samedi Race 8 The Moustache Samedi Race 8 for 2017 get's big hits as they are the only manufacturer to fully integrate the battery into the frame. The 'Hidden Power' setup has already received prestigious awards to date and gets voted no 2 on our list. It looks, feels and rides great! No 3: Lapierre AM 700+ Carbon Lapierre took a totally different approach for 2017 on the AM 700. Their GLP system brings the battery centrally within the eBike & lowers the overall centre of gravity. As we are going by design, it looks amazing & the carbon frame brings out the smooth lines with no welds. Nice! No 4: Haibike xDuro FullSeven Carbon What could you not love about the xDuro Full Carbon 10.0? This full suss, fully carbon XC bike is well spec'd but looks the part too. The wheels really set this bike apart. It's the ultimate boy's toy! Ride it or hang it on your wall and don't stop staring, either way, it's great! No 5: Scott E-Genius 700 PLUS TUNED The brand new Scott E-Genius 700 TUNED has certainly gained a lot of momentum for 2017. It's sleek lines, internal cable routeing and high spec components make it look sweet. If that's not enough, the Factory FOX Kashima coated gold components really finish it off! Conclusion Have eBikes become sexy for 2017? You decide! What we do know is, there are some great looking electric mountain bikes out there, with lots of different designs and styles. Many of the above models have also been backed with prestigious awards including the EuroBike Awards and the more recent Design & Innovation 2017 awards. Ready to ride longer, harder & faster? Click to begin your eBike journey now »
We blogged about the Lapierre Overvolt Carbon 2017 eBikes on release when they won the Eurobike award. Now the model wins the prestigious Design & Innovation Award 2017. What Makes Lapierre? For over 70 years, Lapierre has combined technological innovation, aesthetics, attention to detail and its experience in racing to offer the most beautiful and efficient bikes. Whatever your ride, road or MTB, competition, leisure, sport or fitness, you will find the bike of your dreams in the Lapierre collection, be it a mountain bike, road bike, city or all-road bike, designed and created in France. Already the leader in high-end MTB on the French market, the Lapierre brand is conquering the rest of the world. For 2017 Lapierre completely went back to the drawing board with the Carbon Overvolt eBike range. Rather than adapt a MTB to be an eMTB, they decided to start again and built an electric mountain bike around its heart - The Bosch Performance CX system. Developed in-house by 10 times world champion Nico Vouilloz to offer a Bosch eBike 500Wh battery at the lowest possible point in the centre of the Overvolt frame. Lapierre's GLP (Gravity Logic Project) centralises the mass in the eBike frame and allows for greater manoeuvrability and handling. Also now on an even lighter full carbon chassis for 2017! Following on from the Eurobike Award received in late August 2016, the Lapierre Overvolt AM Carbon 900+ has once again been recognised as an outstanding innovative E-Bike. Design & Innovation Award 2017 This time by the 40 leading industry experts, journalists and engineers who gathered in San Vigilio, Dolomites to put outstanding products through their paces. Some of those products that rise above are awarded the Design & Innovation Award. The judges said:- When Lapierre set about developing the Overvolt AM Carbon, they were adamant: no compromises. Consequently, as a bike’s centre of gravity is a decisive parameter on how it handles, the French brand took a radical, new approach with their carbon lay-up to create a wholly unique frame. They were able to split the downtube and house the battery between the two sides, essentially directly above the motor, which has knocked off a full 600 g whencompared to its predecessor. In its fifth year, the Design & Innovation Award brought together over 40 industry experts, journalists & engineers to celebrate the most ground breaking innovations within the industry. Design & Innovation Award 2017 | Highlight Video from Design & Innovation Award on Vimeo. This year the Design & Innovation Award returned to Kronplatz/San Vigilio – Dolomites, and was bigger, better, more exciting and more varied than ever. With new categories and a pioneering industry congress with decision- makers and opinion leaders from within the world of cycling, it’s actively shaping the future. Lapierre Awarded Design & Innovation The judges concluded:- The battery is removable, but can also be charged while on the bike. The Overvolt’s geometry is bang on point, allowing the bike to hurl confidently down trails with composure and great suspension. While the aesthetics did split opinion, the spec list reads promisingly and doesn’t disappoint when riding, making it a win-win for functionality. Following an interview with Gilles Lapierre (CEO of Lapierre Bikes), he stated:- We are delighted to receive another award for the Overvolt Carbon, especially from the rigorous judges of the D&I Award. This recognises the hard work put in by our R&D team to develop an electric bike that stands out from the competition. By rethinking the design around the Bosch motor we have revolutionised the ride feel and the judges recognised that. We are lucky enough to have the full range of 2017 Overvolt Carbon eBikes in stock now.
Between Christmas and New Years, the E-Bikeshop Owners Club re-visited Swinley Forest in Bracknell. A great day out riding electric mountain bikes around UK trails. We've been to Swinley Forest a few times over the years with the E-Bikeshop Owners Club. It's one of the favourites amongst fellow owners. Every time we visit it has trails changed, diversions and something new to offer, this time was no exception. We met on Friday 30th December 2016 in the main car park at 10:30am. Once everyone was huddled together and following a short briefing we set off onto the Blue trail. It was good to see so many out on a cold December between Xmas and new years, including some new faces and some new riders with fresh bikes, keen to put their new eBike through it's paces. It was a misty morning, but fortunately completely dry and not windy, almost perfect conditions for riding. The trails were tacky and thus not dusty or dry, it kept things fast & smooth! Following from the Blue we entered the Red route with a break in the middle to take advantage of some of the downhill runs in the middle of the trail centre. Some new sections of the Red proved to be exciting. In all, we covered around 15 miles of riding, with a couple of mechanicals along the way. Unfortunately, we had 2 punctures and one chain problem during the day. All rectified promptly! The next 6 rides have been published on the Owners Club page. So take a look and join up to whichever ones you can attend. This year we will be skipping January to start the season end of Feb for our first ride out. We will, of course, publish all the photos of this ride on the ebikeshop club page in the next few days, don’t forget to tag yourself in them. The E-Bikeshop Owners Club is a closed group of riders, if you have purchased an eBike from us and want to get involved, please get in touch.
Here we take a look at the brand new Haibike 2017 sDuro electric bike range. Powered by the mighty Yamaha eBike system. Let's review the sDuro 2017 range of electric bikes. We saw the introduction of the Yamaha PW equipped eBikes in the Haibike sDuro range in 2015. Comprising of many variants including Trekking, Cross, All Mountain, Enduro, XC, Hard Tails, Fat Bikes & even a kids bike! Now the range has expanded further to offer something for everyone. New Features? The Yamaha PW series runs through for many models in 2017. With the introduction of a higher performance motor to run alongside on select models, code-named the PW-X. Yamaha PW-X System The PW-X offers increased torque and assistance over the PW series, mainly for harsher mountain bike terrain. You can read more about that here - Yamaha PW-X features. The PW-X will feature exclusively on the HardSeven 7.0, FullSeven 7.0, AllMtn 7.0 / 8.0 and the NDURO 7.0 / 8.0 for 2017. The rest of the range will feature the standard PW series. All models have uprated battery to 500Wh power packs for 2017 with the exclusion of the entry level HardSeven / HardLife / HardFour 4.0, AllMtn 5.0, FatSix 6.0 & Cross 4.0 models. Haibike eConnect We also see a new 'eConnect' system featuring a special system developed by Haibike for certain sDuro 8.0 models which will link your eBike to the digital world by use of a GPS control module inside the bike. It has some cool new features, which you can access on your smart phone via Bluetooth. Offering functions including GPS theft control, Crash detection, Bike locator & Route recording. You can learn more about this on either the AllMtn 8.0 or NDURO 8.0 electric bike pages. Model Spec Varients As with the xDuro 2017 range we see the sDuro eBikes also taking an overhaul when it comes to the model spec. Previously sDuro RC, RX and PRO for example, the 2017 range now follows their standard bike range in numbered spec grades. The sDuro range starts at 4.0 and works up to 8.0, note that not all models are specified at all 1-10 grades. Haibike Integrated Display Haibike cleverly integrate the new Yamaha PW-X display into the stem of the bike! A clean cut finish & streamline cockpit for the rider. Such a neat idea and of course exclusive to Haibike as it's their in-house design. Notice how the cables are neatly tucked away and the display is less prone to damage as it sits lower than the bars and is entirely surrounded. This clever integrated display is offered exclusively on the models above that feature the Yamaha PW-X system. The other models in the range either offer the standard PW series LCD display or the smaller LED display on the entry-level, base models. Component Highlights New product highlights also include Maguras WP upside-down fork specifically designed for eBikes along with SRAM’s new EX1 system, again specifically designed to work in tandem with eMTB’s drive system, certain models feature these new components in the 2017 range. Along with completely new models, refined geometry on some models and refined spec base. Let’s check out the complete 2017 sDuro electric bike range: Haibike sDuro NDURO 8.0 2017 The top spec NDURO 8.0 features a 180mm Lyric fork and Super Deluxe RC3 shock, Full Sram X1 11 speed drivetrain, eConnect, Magura twin pot brakes & a DT Swiss 27.5 wheelset. Price: £5999 | System: PW-X | Battery: 500Wh | Display: Integrated Stem LCD Learn the full spec here --> NDURO 8.0 2017 eBike Haibike sDuro NDURO 7.0 2017 The mid-range NDURO 7.0 features a 180mm Yari RC fork and Super Deluxe RC3 shock, Shimano XT 2x20 drivetrain, Magura twin pot brakes & an XLC Evo 27.5 wheelset. Price: £4999 | System: PW-X | Battery: 500Wh | Display: Integrated Stem LCD Learn the full spec here --> NDURO 7.0 2017 eBike Haibike sDuro NDURO 6.0 2017 The entry level NDURO 6.0 offers Yari RC fork and Monarch shock, Shimano XT 2x20 drivetrain, Magura MT5 brakes & XLC Evo 27.5 wheels. This time with the standard PW series motor. Price: £3999 | System: PW | Battery: 500Wh | Display: Standard LCD Learn the full spec here --> NDURO 6.0 2017 eBike Haibike sDuro AllMtn 8.0 2017 The top spec AllMtn 8.0 features Magura's Bolton eBike specific 150mm travel fork, eConnect, Full XT drivetrain, Fox at the rear, Magura twin pot brakes & new 27.5+ wheelset. Price: £5499 | System: PW-X | Battery: 500Wh | Display: Integrated Stem LCD Learn the full spec here --> AllMtn 8.0 2017 eBike Haibike sDuro AllMtn 7.0 2017 The younger brother to the above, the sDuro AllMtn 7.0 offers the same chassis, PW-X motor, integrated display, but with 34's up front, Deore / XT mix, DPS rear shock & 27.5+ wheels. Price: £4299 | System: PW-X | Battery: 500Wh | Display: Integrated Stem LCD Learn the full spec here --> AllMtn 7.0 2017 eBike Haibike sDuro AllMtn 6.0 2017 The AllMtn 6.0 still offers the 500Wh battery, this time spec'd with the PW series and standard LCD display. RockShox front and rear, 2 x 10 drivetrain and 27.5+ Wheels. Price: £3699 | System: PW | Battery: 500Wh | Display: Standard LCD Learn the full spec here --> AllMtn 6.0 2017 eBike Haibike sDuro AllMtn 5.0 2017 The entry level All Mountain, offering a good spec base at an affordable price level. Suntour front / rear, 400Wh battery, PW motor and a 2x10 Shimano SLX setup on standard 27.5" wheels. Price: £2799 | System: PW | Battery: 400Wh | Display: Standard LCD Learn the full spec here --> AllMtn 5.0 2017 eBike Haibike sDuro Full FatSix 7.0 2017 The world's only FULL Fat electric bike. Equipped with Yamaha PW series motor and 500Wh battery. Now with Full XT 11 speed, Bluto fat bike forks, Monarch rear and Shimano XT brakes. Price: £4399 | System: PW | Battery: 500Wh | Display: Standard LCD Learn the full spec here --> Full FatSix 7.0 2017 eBike Haibike sDuro FatSix 6.0 2017 A new model for 2017, the FatSix bike offered in a hardtail variant with Yamaha PW series motor and 400Wh battery. Offering RST forks, Sram NX 11 speed drivetrain and Magura MT4 brakes. Price: £2999 | System: PW | Battery: 400Wh | Display: Standard LCD Learn the full spec here --> FatSix 6.0 2017 eBike Haibike sDuro FullSeven 7.0 2017 Another new model for 2017, the FullSeven offers 120mm of trail travel on a 27.5+ tyre. Fox 34's at the front and a DPS rear shock. With a Shimano XT 2x10 speed drivetrain & MT4 brakes. Price: £3999 | System: PW-X | Battery: 500Wh | Display: Integrated Stem LCD Learn the full spec here --> FullSeven 7.0 2017 eBike Haibike sDuro HardSeven 7.0 2017 The popular HardSeven is available in a 27.5+ sized tyre with uprated spec all round! Featuring PW-X, 500Wh battery, 120mm Raidon fork, Magura MT4's & a 2x10 speed XT drivetrain. Price: £3299 | System: PW-X | Battery: 500Wh | Display: Integrated Stem LCD Learn the full spec here --> HardSeven 7.0 2017 eBike Haibike sDuro HardSeven 4.0 2017 The sDuro HardSeven 4.0 is the entry level Haibike MTB with Yamaha PW series motor, 400Wh battery & LED control panel. This model offers a good setup at a great price in 2 colour ways. Price: £1999 | System: PW | Battery: 400Wh | Display: Basic LED Panel Learn the full spec here --> HardSeven 4.0 2017 eBike Haibike sDuro HardLife 4.0 2017 Exactly the same price and spec as the model above, but now in a ladies specific variant too! The sDuro HardLife has revised geometry and styling. Great for all round trail riding. Price: £1999 | System: PW | Battery: 400Wh | Display: Basic LED Panel Learn the full spec here --> HardLife 4.0 2017 eBike Haibike sDuro HardFour 4.0 Kids 2017 Now the kids can keep up too and ride for longer durations in the saddle. The Haibike sDuro HardFour is the world's only true focussed children's eBike. With 24" wheels & kids controls. Price: £1999 | System: PW | Battery: 400Wh | Display: Basic LED Panel Learn the full spec here --> HardFour 4.0 2017 eBike Haibike sDuro Trekking 5.0 2017 The Trekking 5.0 is fully equipped for days out in the saddle. Offered in both Unisex and Crossbar frame variants it comes as standard with mudguards, pannier rack, side stand & lights. Price: £2699 | System: PW | Battery: 500Wh | Display: Standard LCD Learn the full spec here --> Trekking 5.0 2017 eBike Haibike sDuro Cross 4.0 2017 The Cross is effectively a clutter free version of the Trekking above, on a more basic component set. Great for commuting / leisure, also offered in both Crossbar & Unisex frame variants. Price: £2099 | System: PW | Battery: 400Wh | Display: Basic LED Panel Learn the full spec here --> Cross 4.0 2017 eBike What do we think? The new sDuro line up looks great and the new additions of the FullSeven and the Hardtail Fat Bike pretty much complete this range. We expect the top end sDuro's featuring the PW-X motor and integrated display to be popular indeed. Here's a quick blast of the AllMtn 8.0 in action at the launch earlier this year to wet your whistle:- It's worth noting that we will be offering the Yamaha 500Wh battery as an upgrade option during 2017, so those looking for extra range will be able to interchange the power packs. We like that many of the models including a hardTail and the AllMountain bikes have moved over to 27.5+ wheels and tyres, this offers greater grip, control and comfort on the trails. The FullFat bike was one of the most popular models last year and the change over to PW-X, larger 500Wh battery and full 1 x 11 speed Shimano will make it ever so popular again for 2017. When can you get one? The 2017 sDuro bikes are available from the new year, with pre-orders now open. Select models have already sold out with Haibike so we'd suggest to secure yours as soon as you are ready. The standard PW series bikes wills tart to flow through in January onwards for those on the list. With the PW-X models starting to arrive slightly later on in March / April onwards. As usual pre-orders are based on a first come first served basis. Don’t want to wait? We have small numbers on 2016 sDuro Haibike’s in stock today. Find the full 2017 Haibike range here.
On Sunday 27th November the E-Bikeshop Owners Club had a fantastic ride out at Hadleigh Park AKA The Olympic Mountain Bike Course. Great fun on the electric mountain bikes. Over 20 of us met in the main car park on Sunday morning to gather for a coffee and pre-ride brief. It was great to see so many faces, old and new, this ride including the UK's Bosch eBike Representative. Also the Haibike UK brand manager with some goodies & new 2017 demo's! We set off promptly to play in the skills area before starting the main course, a combination of Red, Blue and some gnarly Black sections for those feeling ambitious enough. In all, we covered about 15 miles switching between many routes across around 5-7 laps. It was a great place to ride as we all started together as a group but could dart off onto various ability sections before meeting back at the top of the hill each time. A fun filled day on the electric mountain bikes covering drops, rocks, jumps, berms, switchbacks, skills area and even the pump track at the end. No mechanicals, great weather and a great all round bunch of riders. Perfect! Hopefully, the pictures tell the story: The next electric bike ride will be at Swinley Forest between Christmas and New Years Eve. Already live on the club events section, you can sign up now. We, will of course, publish all the photos of this ride on the ebikeshop club page in the next few days, don’t forget to tag yourself in them. The E-Bikeshop Owners Club is a closed group of riders, if you have purchased an eBike from us and want to get involved, please get in touch.
A few months ago we blogged live from the Haibike 2017 electric bike launch event in Germany. We are excited to expand on the complete range of 2017 Haibike xDuro eBikes. Remember back in 2009 when Haibike launched the first ever Bosch powered electric mountain bike? Everyone said they were crazy! Look at the market now as Haibike take the lead. We are excited to talk about the complete new range of 2017 Haibike xDuro eBikes. What's new? The Haibike xDuro range features the very latest Bosch CX motor, 500Wh battery, with a mix across the board on Intuvia and Purion display control units. We are now offering the Bosch Nyon as an optional upgrade across all 2017 Haibike xDuro models. For 2017 we see the complete range taking an overhaul, firstly when it comes to the model spec. Previously xDuro RC, RX and PRO for example, the 2017 range now follows their standard bike range in spec grades from 1.0 all the way up to 10.0. With 1.0 being base spec and 10.0 being, of course, the best possible spec money can buy. The xDuro range actually starts at 4.0 and works up to 10.0, note that not all models are specified at all 1-10 grades. New product highlights also include Maguras WP upside-down fork specifically designed for eBikes along with SRAM's new EX1 system, again specifically designed to work in tandem with eMTB's drive system, certain models feature these new components in the 2017 range. Along with completely new models, refined geometry on some models and refined spec base. Let's check out the complete 2017 xDuro electric bike range: Haibike xDuro All Mountain The Haibike All Mountain bikes are all based on a 150mm travel platform with 27.5+ wheels. Focussed on a mountain biker looking for a bike to tackle both light and harsher off road. Haibike xDuro AllMtn 8.0 2017 The top spec AllMtn 8.0 features Maguras Bolton eBike specific 150mm travel fork, Sram's EX1 specific drivetrain, Fox at the rear, Magura twin pot brakes and new 27.5+ wheelset. Price: £6499 | Read the full specification here – xDuro AllMtn 8.0 2017 eBike Haibike xDuro AllMtn 7.0 2017 The mid-spec AllMtn 7.0 features full Shimano XT 11 speed, coupled with MT4 / 5 brakes, a RockShox Monarch at the rear & Lyric's up front. Finished with wide bars & KS dropper post. Price: £4699 | Read the full specification here – xDuro AllMtn 7.0 2017 eBike Haibike xDuro AllMtn 6.0 2017 The entry spec AllMtn 6.0 is built on the same chassis as the 2 above, including the same Bosch CX & 500Wh battery. Suntour suspension front and rear on a Sram NX 11 speed drivetrain. Price: £3999 | Read the full specification here – xDuro AllMtn 6.0 2017 eBike Haibike xDuro Downhill & Enduro The Enduro range is built on a 180mm travel frame with single crown forks and top spec components, whilst the Downhill bikes are full 200mm downhill travel on triple clamp forks. Haibike xDuro DownHill 9.0 2017 The top spec xDuro downhill bike featuring full race ready 200mm Fox 40's up front with a Float Factory X2 at the back. Full Saint drivetrain & brakes, finished with Mavic Deemax wheels. Price: £7999 | Read the full specification here – xDuro DownHill 9.0 2017 eBike Haibike xDuro DownHill 8.0 2017 A new entry spec model for 2017 in the Downhill range, built on the same platform above but offering Boxxer's up the front, Vivid Air at the rear and full Shimano Zee brakes & drivetrain. Price: £5299 | Read the full specification here – xDuro DownHill 8.0 2017 eBike Haibike xDuro NDURO 9.0 2017 The top spec NDURO 9.0 on a full 180mm chassis with Fox 36's and Float X2 air rear shock. Built on Deemax wheels and Sram's new EX1 groupset. Finished with dropper & MT7 brakes. Price: £6999 | Read the full specification here – xDuro NDURO 9.0 2017 eBike Haibike xDuro NDURO 8.0 2017 Built on the same frame as it's bigger brother, the NDURO 8.0 offers a good spec at a more affordable price point. Including Float 36's, Magura MT5's and Sram's NX 11 speed drivetrain. Price: £5299 | Read the full specification here – xDuro NDURO 8.0 2017 eBike Haibike xDuro FullSeven Trail The FullSeven range of bikes are built on a 120mm travel base for your everyday trail biker, looking for riding XC, singletrack and trail centers. The range offers both 27.5 & 27.5+ wheels. Haibike xDuro FullSeven Carbon 10.0 2017 The truly incredible FullSeven Carbon 10.0 is not just the best spec in the Haibike range, but it's also the best possible spec money can buy! Too much to summarize, check the spec in the link. Price: £14,999 | Read the full specification here – xDuro FullSeven Carbon 10.0 2017 eBike Haibike xDuro FullSeven Carbon 9.0 2017 Not ready for the Carbon 10.0? The FullSeven Carbon 9.0 comes in just below with a great spec including carbon wheels, Sram X0 11 speed & Guide brakes all on the lightweight carbon frame. Price: £9999 | Read the full specification here – xDuro FullSeven Carbon 9.0 2017 eBike Haibike xDuro FullSeven Carbon 8.0 2017 The FulSeven Carbon 8.0 is the start point Carbon framed 120mm travel eMTB. With a lightweight Mavic wheelset, Sram X01 drivetrain, Magura brakes & Fox Float factory shock. Price: £7499 | Read the full specification here – xDuro FullSeven Carbon 8.0 2017 eBike Haibike xDuro FullSeven 6.0 2017 The 6.0 is based on the popular FullSeven chassis, but a new model for 2017 with 27.5+ wheels for extra grip, control & comfort. With Fox suspension, Sram NX 11 speed & Magura brakes. Price: £4399 | Read the full specification here – xDuro FullSeven 6.0 2017 eBike Haibike xDuro FullSeven 5.0 2017 The FullSeven 5.0 is the classic 120mm travel full suspension bike for your everyday cross country mountain bike rider. With 27.5 wheels and all round good component spec. Price: £3399 | Read the full specification here – xDuro FullSeven 5.0 2017 eBike Haibike xDuro FullLife 5.0 2017 Based on the above popular model, but new for 2017 a ladies specific version! With refined geometry, new colour scheme and ladies specific components. A great ladies all-rounder! Price: £3399 | Read the full specification here – xDuro FullLife 5.0 2017 eBike Haibike xDuro Hard Tail The Haibike hardtail range is built around your everyday trail biker looking to ride the local trail centres at the weekend or explore the many track and cycle routes across the country. Haibike xDuro HardSeven 6.0 2017 Another new model for 2017, the HardSeven 6.0 on 27.5+ tyres, uprated components including RockShox Yari RC forks, a Sram NX 11 speed drivetrain and Magura MT4 brakes. Price: £3599 | Read the full specification here – xDuro HardSeven 6.0 2017 eBike Haibike xDuro HardNine 6.0 2017 Based on exactly the same component set as the HardSeven 6.0 but available in a 29" format. Not only will the larger wheel roll faster but it too is also in a new 29+ format for 2017! Price: £3599 | Read the full specification here – xDuro HardNine 6.0 2017 eBike Haibike xDuro HardSeven 4.0 2017 A new base spec 27.5" hardtail for 2017. The HardSeven 4.0 offers a perfect way into eMountain Biking whilst being easier on the pocket. With Bosch Performance & 400Wh battery. Price: £2399 | Read the full specification here – xDuro HardSeven 4.0 2017 eBike Haibike xDuro FatSix 6.0 2017 The ever popular FatSix 6.0 with super wide 4" tyres, built for all conditions, be it sand, snow, mud or just pure fun on the trails! Now on Bluto forks, Sram NX 11 speed and Jumbo Jim tyres. Price: £3999 | Read the full specification here – xDuro FatSix 6.0 2017 eBike Haibike xDuro Urban, Trekking & Cross The Haibike trekking and Cross range are all available in both 700c & 27.5+. The frames come in a crossbar variant & a unisex version too. Whilst the Urban is a fast rolling road bike. Haibike xDuro Trekking 4.0 2017 New for 2017, the Trekking 4.0 on 27.5+ tyres! Built as a do-it-all trekking bike for touring, leisure, but now with the PLUS tyres capable of harsher paths too. Expect it to be popular. Price: £3599 | Read the full specification here – xDuro Trekking 4.0 2017 eBike Haibike xDuro Trekking 3.0 2017 The all popular Trekking 3.0 built on traditional 700c tyres. Great for road, town, leisure and commuting use too. Specified with a comfortable trekking fork & Sram's NX 11 speed drivetrain. Price: £2999 | Read the full specification here – xDuro Trekking 3.0 2017 eBike Haibike xDuro Cross 4.0 2017 Like the Trekking 4.0 above, Haibike has equipped a Cross bike in the 27.5+ format too! On a clutter free build for light off-road & track use. The Cross now also features the 500Wh battery. Price: £3299 | Read the full specification here – xDuro Cross 4.0 2017 eBike Haibike xDuro Cross 3.0 2017 Like the trekking bike the Cross is available with traditional 700c wheel setup and base spec grade. Still comes with rack and mudguard mounts should you ever wish to add them. Price: £2899 | Read the full specification here – xDuro Cross 3.0 2017 eBike Haibike xDuro Urban 4.0 2017 The fastest going road bike, the Haibike Urban 4.0 is built on a lightweight frame and clutter free base. With fast rolling wheels & tarmac tyres, this eBike is perfect for faster road riding. Price: £3699 | Read the full specification here – xDuro Urban 4.0 2017 eBike What do we think? The new Haibike xDuro line-up offers something for everyone from city / trekking bikes, road bikes, to full-on downhill, all mountain and enduro eBikes. As the xDuro eBike range grows, so does the popularity. Haibike offers one of the neatest installations of the Bosch Performance CX system on the market. Here's Guido dropping in on the Downhill Bike to wet your whistle: As usual, the Enduro and All Mountain ranges go down really well. With the 120mm travel FullSeven bikes popular for your everyday cross country, trail rider. The FatSix will be popular again this year, it really makes sense to implement full assistance on a wider tyre'd bike. More traction and grip = more fun than ever before! The fact that many of the mountain bikes have moved over to 27.5+ tyre's, adds enhanced grip & trail comfort too. This is certainly the year for 27 PLUS. The fact that many of the all mountain and FullSeven electric bikes have moved over to 27.5+ tyres, adds enhanced grip & trail comfort too. This is certainly the year for 27 PLUS. We expect the entry level HardSeven 4.0 to be popular on a price point, whilst some will opt for the higher capacity 500Wh, Performance CX & the Plus sized tyres on the HardSeven 6.0. Another model to take note on is the Trekking PLUS bike, which will feature as a do-it-all trekking bike capable both on road, touring and harsher cycle paths too. Whilst the new ladies specific FullLife will give a good base for ladies looking for an all round 120mm travel full suspension mountain bike on a ladies geometry and component build. When can you get one? Pre-orders are open now on our site, you can click the links on each model above to learn more. With most landing early new year, just in time for the summer. As usual pre-orders are based on a first come first served basis. Don't want to wait? We have small numbers on 2016 xDuro Haibike's in stock today. Find the full 2017 Haibike range here.
Just over 2 years from opening a new site in Farnham, Surrey - E-Bikeshop announce their latest expansion, part of an on-going plan to cater for cycling's fastest growing sector. In early 2014 E-Bikeshop expanded from 2 regular bike shops into a new Sales & Distribution centre based in Surrey UK. Built specifically around electric bikes and located centrally in the UK as a hub, offering large showroom facilities, a specialist workshop, warehousing and parts centre. Within 12 months it was clear that they had already outgrown the new site, which was initially setup with 25% more space than required to allow growth. This set the stage for further expansion plans. Now another year on and months in the planning, the new site is complete. The UK Electric Bike Company's director Martin Brown, commented :- We are really excited about our new expansion and are confident we are set up as the UK's leading independent electric bike supplier to cater for this ever growing market. We actually started with a range of 4 bikes and now offer more than 80! We want an electric bike to suit anyone, hence the product base has grown rapidly and with our recent expansion, we can continue to be more focused on our clients' needs. As part of a 5,000 sq ft expansion, the new sales and distribution centre is now offering: larger demonstration areas, a bigger range, double the workshop facilities, built in specialist workshop equipment, a larger selection of spare parts held in stock and more room for warehousing. Mr Brown, continued :- Having everything to hand in one central site means we can offer the fastest and most efficient solution when it comes to holding stock and supporting the products we offer by having a full supply of spares to hand and the knowledge to back it up. It's really exciting to watch something grow so fast, in fact, we are already planning further ideas! New larger workshop bays mean E-Bikeshop can prepare bikes faster than ever before, often offering set up and delivery within 24 hours from the time of ordering. It also means that any further service and support time is cut, with a turnaround window of just 1 hour on most workshop bookings. E-Bikeshop continues to operate strictly by appointment. With product ranges now split into categories including Mountain Biking, Road, Town & Trekking in what's said to be the largest eBike display in the UK. Even the accessories area has been expanded to fit with the new company image with more options tailored specifically for the client's requirements. Other areas include a filming studio, packaging bays and a bar / chill out area. Not all the excitement's happening on-site either, the Surrey-based company has also expanded their website with new features, enhanced product lines and more informative guides. They completed a new world record this year (20,000km+ on eBikes around Europe) and their exclusive eBike Owners Club expands at a huge rate with the monthly meets proving popular and more members than ever. To find out what electric bikes are all about, go here and click 'Begin Learning Now'.
We take a look at the new Lapierre Overvolt Carbon Electric Mountain Bikes for 2017. This new design from Lapierre houses the Bosch electric bike battery centrally over the eBike motor. We have been dealing with Lapierre for many years now, the brand is popular amongst the regular bike crowd, but now a huge jump in eBikes has set the R&D dept to work on a mega new design! Last year Lapierre produced some excellent eBikes, with great integration, good spec and adopting the popular OST+ linkage of their regular Zesty and Spicy range of bikes. For 2017 Lapierre go one step further to create the ultimate electric mountain bike, developed in-house by Lapierre's very own Nico Voulliouz (10 x World Champion!) the new 2017 Lapierre eBike range has some awesome new features: Gravity Logic Project Firstly you'll notice the centrally mounted Bosch battery, the GLP (Gravity Logic Project) set out to centralise the mass in the eBike frame which offers greater manoeuvrability and ride handling. Lapierre are the only eBike brand to take a new look at how eMTB integration takes place and concentrate on the actual ride characteristics. Over time the GLP developed this system and the new Overvolt was born. Fully integrating the 2016 Bosch electric bike system, the Bosch Performance CX motor is self-contained in the frame and the larger 500Wh battery is located centrally, evening out the weight of the bike. Carbon eBike Frames Next, you'll notice the new ultra light-weight eBike frames, full carbon top to bottom! Lapierre has developed the UD (Uni-Directional) carbon chassis, so the overall weight is heavily reduced (pun intended!) but the frame also offers increased stiffness in certain places. Not to mention that it looks ace and also a masterpiece of engineering with no welds, smooth lines and sleek looks, perfect for any electric bike. Also, the carbon chassis allows a shorter chain stay, in fact, 5mm shorter compared to Aluminium frames. It's a win-win all round... Dual Wheel System The DWS (Dual Wheel System) is another huge development and rather unique for Lapierre and eBikes. For the first time ever the user can switch between the wider and broader 27.5+ to standard 27.5" wheels on the same electric mountain bike! This clever system offers a hanger that can be flipped to allow either size wheel in the DWS. Depending on the terrain, conditions or rider preference they can choose either size wheel, neat huh? The new 2017 Carbon Overvolt electric mountain bikes offer 140R / 150Fmm travel perfect for all mountain, trail and enduro use. The range consists of 3 (+1 LTD edition 70th Anniversary bike) models as follows: Lapierre Overvolt 700 Carbon 2017 The AM 700 is the base model in the new Carbon eBike range, offering Pike's at the front, Monarch at the rear, Guide brakes, 11spd Sram NX gearing and a 27.5" Mavic wheelset. Price: £5599 | Read the full specification here – Lapierre Overvolt AM 700 2017 Lapierre Overvolt 800 Carbon 2017 The AM 800 is the mid-spec carbon electric mountain bike, offering RockShox Pike RC forks, Deluxe RT shock, Guide R+ brakes, 11spd Shimano XT gearing & a 27.5" Shimano wheelset. Price: £5799 | Read the full specification here – Lapierre Overvolt AM 800 2017 Lapierre Overvolt 900+ Carbon 2017 The AM 900+ is the top of the range model, offering Pike RC forks, Deluxe RT shock, Guide R+ brakes, a wider 27.5+ wheelset as standard & a new Sram EX1 8spd eBike specific drivetrain. Price: £6399 | Read the full specification here – Lapierre Overvolt AM 900+ 2017 What do we think? We actually had the privilege of riding a new Overvolt a couple months ago at EuroBike. The new GLP system was noticeable and the even weight distribution made for a great ride. The overall weight of the bike felt nimble and easier to handle. In all a nice fluent and nippy ride. The new Overvolts are easier to throw around and tackle the trail well. We really like the Dual Wheel System, the fact that you can switch out the wheel is a great idea and for anyone on the fence between standard 27.5" wheels and PLUS, this system offers a great advantage, where you can have either. We expect the 900+ model to be most popular in 2017 as it comes specified as standard with the PLUS wheels and tyres. It also features the EX1 system, specifically developed by Sram for eBikes with wider ratios across a narrower cassette to work in harmony with the extra power and torque offered by the Bosch CX Performance eBike system. There's also a Limited Edition 70th Anniversary carbon model @ £7199, we don't have stock of this, but if you're after one, please get in contact and we may be able to special request one for you. When can you get one? We actually have stock of the AM 700 right now, albeit limited on these special models! With the AM 800 and the 900+ to roll in the next couple of weeks. Exciting times! Lapierre has already seen a huge demand following the initial release of the bikes. With the design, in particular, winning a prestigious Gold award at the 2016 EuroBike Design Awards. The Jury Statement:- The ingenious frame design places the battery low down in the centre of the bike, thus using the weight to good effect: a well thought-out and inspired solution. You can view the complete specs and models on our website here – Lapierre 2017 eBikes.
On Sunday 25th September the E-Bikeshop Owners Club Ride took place at Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Petersfield. Another action packed event with lots of great eBike riding. We met at the main car park for 10:30am and set off to tackle the Red and Blue route across QE Park. In all a great ride with no mechanicals. A couple of falls, but everyone got back up! The next electric bike ride will be at Woburn Bike Trails at the end of October. Already live on the club events section, you can sign up now. We will of course publish all the photos of this ride on the ebikeshop club page in the next few days, don’t forget to tag yourself in them. The E-Bikeshop Owners Club is a closed group of riders, if you have purchased a eBike from us and want to get involved, please get in touch.
We take a first look at the new Scott range of Shimano Steps E-Spark 2017 eBikes. Built on a whole new chassis and equipped with the very latest electric bike components. What's new? Scott worked closely with Shimano to completely and radically re-design the E-Spark range for 2017. The new Shimano Steps E8000 system, to summarise the Shimano system benefits: + Higher assist torque in low cadences for improved support when climbing steep sections + Faster cut off when the rider stops pedalling, ensuring better control in technical sections + Smoother power-assist that allows for more natural riding + Increased assist at specific cadences The new Shimano eMTB 2017 system has been designed specifically for electric mountain bikes, you can learn more about the system in our complete article here: Shimano Steps eMTB Scott has cleverly integrated the bigger 500Wh battery into the 2017 E-Spark downtube. New Range Scott focussed on the E-Spark range of electric mountain bikes and refined it to just 3 key models for 2017 depending on what level of specification the rider prefers. All built on trail friendly 130mm of travel to make the all round mountain bike. Scott also gave all the new E-Spark 2017 eBikes the new 27.5+ setup. PLUS. What's this all about? The new revelation hitting the cycling industry by storm is the 27.5+ tyres for ultimate traction and grip, without compromising on rolling resistance. All the plus's are there! Scott E-Spark 720 Plus The entry-level model in the new E-Spark range for 2017. A great way into the new Shimano Steps system and sharing the same frame as it's bigger brothers. A good mix of Fox & Shimano! Price: £3999 | Read the full specification here – Scott E-Spark 720 Plus 2017 Scott E-Spark 710 Plus The E-Spark 710 is the mid-range model with a great spec including full Shimano XT drivetrain & brakes. Fox 34 Elite's up front, custom tuned shock on the rear & a decent finishing kit. Price: £4999 | Read the full specification here – Scott E-Spark 710 Plus 2017 Scott E-Spark 700 Plus TUNED The top spec model in the new 2017 E-Spark range. The 700 Plus TUNED offers a riders dream of components whilst fully integrating Shimano Di2 gear system with the Shimano Steps system. Price: £6099 | Read the full specification here – Scott E-Spark 700 Plus TUNED 2017 What do we think? We think a big bonus of the Shimano eMTB Steps system is the fully integrated Di2 system, so we expect the limited edition E-Spark 700 Plus to be very popular! The other 2 models offer a good spec grade depending on what you are after, the E-Spark 720 is a nice price point without breaking the bank and is great for your eMTB beginner. Scott have already told us that the demand has been huge for these 3 bikes, the 700 TUNED in particular. We love the way Scott have integrated the Battery into the E-Spark downtube, it makes for a nice overall look and of course bring the centre of gravity low too, so the bike handles well. When can you get one? The new Scott E-Spark bikes will be available in Spring 2017. You can already pre-order your eBike model on our website here - Scott 2017 eBikes. Expect some models to sell out before arrival.
We are excited to take a look at the new 2017 Moustache electric mountain bike range. Now with redesigned alloy and carbon eBike frames fully integrating the Bosch CX eMTB system. Moustache pride themselves in producing quality Bosch powered electric bikes, now for 2017 we introduce the world's first fully integrated Bosch CX powered electric mountain bikes. A big step forward in the eMTB game and certainly a game changer for Moustache bikes. What's new? Moustache has been secretly working on the eMTBs 'Hidden Power' project for two years now. Testing and developing revised frame geometries that integrate the Bosch 500Wh battery into the downtube whilst keeping the centre of gravity low and improving overall visuals. The challenge was not only to integrate the battery, but also to minimise volumes for 2017. They had to optimise every angle, every radius, every millimetre. They also had to overcome the limitations of hydroforming technology by increasing the pressure beyond what was previously possible in order to control each cm2 of tube! Greg Sand, Director of Moustache Bikes said: We worked hard at integration & aesthetics, aesthetics that we wanted both neat & dynamic as well as a great ride feeling. An impossible project, hard work for 2 years. How to fit a Bosch battery in a tube? Difficult, almost impossible. But we did it! Since Moustache started developing Bosch electric mountain bikes they have always paid special attention to the bikes centre of gravity. Already low on previous models, they have been able to lower it further still for 2017 and also to move the centre of gravity backwards, thanks to the new battery integration and rear shock linkage. On top of all of this Moustache went one step further by introducing the new 27.5+ wheel size into all of the Trail and Race series eBikes. Moustache also designed their own new 35mm wide PLUS wheel rim for 2017 allowing further refined levels of grip and comfort meaning for a smoother and more fun overall ride. Couple this with new gear setup's where Moustache use a 14t front sprocket and chain guide to optimise both climbing and descending ratios and a revised crank set for a stiffer ride, the overall machine is really fun to ride! Oh, one last thing. They made 2 full carbon models too! Enough chat, let's take a look: Trail Series The new Trail series for 2017 consists of 3 models built for everyday mountain biking, with 140mm travel and tight frame geometry. Built for efficiency for both climbs and descents! Moustache Samedi 27 Trail 6 2017 The Trail 6 is the entry-level model within the new Samedi Trail range. Built on base spec with 140mm travel, hidden power technology integrating the Bosch CX and 500Wh battery pack. Price: £3749 | Read the full specification here - Samedi Trail 6 2017 eBike Moustache Samedi 27 Trail 8 2017 The next model up in the Samedi series is the Trail 8. Built on the same chassis but with an updated Sram GX 11 speed drivetrain and Fox Float 34 140mm travel front forks. Price: £4249 | Read the full specification here - Samedi Trail 8 2017 eBike Moustache Samedi 27 Trail 9 2017 The Carbon model in the Moustache Samedi Trail range. Built on similar components as the model above, but now on a new lighter weight full carbon chassis and uprated groupset. Price: £5499 | Read the full specification here - Samedi Trail 9 2017 eBike Moustache Samedi Trail Limited 2017 The Trail limited is exactly what it says on the tin! The top spec limited edition model comes kitted up with a Carbon frame, RockShox Carbon RS1 forks & Sram Eagle 12 speed drive train. Price: £7599 | Read the full specification here - Samedi Trail Limited 2017 eBike Race Series The new Race series also consists of 3 models, 2 alloy frame and of course a top spec model in the newly formed carbon chassis, built on 160mm travel for all-mountain, trail & enduro. Moustache Samedi 27 Race 6 2017 The entry level Race bike in the Samedi series. The Race 6 is built on a 160mm alloy frame with the Bosch Performance CX motor and 500Wh integrated Bosch battery. All for sub £4k! Price: £3999 | Read the full specification here - Samedi Race 6 2017 eBike Moustache Samedi 27 Race 8 2017 The new Samedi Race 8 is built on the same system and frame as the Race 6 model, but now with upgraded front Fox 36 160mm travel suspension forks and improved 11-speed gearing. Price: £4599 | Read the full specification here - Samedi Race 8 2017 eBike Moustache Samedi 27 Race 9 2017 The top spec model in the Moustache Samedi Race range. Built on similar components as the model above, but now on a new lighter weight full carbon chassis and uprated group set. Price: £5749 | Read the full specification here - Samedi Race 9 2017 eBike What do we think? We had the exclusive chance to ride these bikes 10 days ago on the continent and we can honestly say that out of all the bikes we rode that day the Moustache felt the most balanced and manoeuvrable. The Plus size tyres certainly makes for a really fun and comfortable ride. The bikes handled well, considering we are used to riding eBikes, the Moustache range come up on top when it came to riding feel. In fact, they look great too... It's perfect! We expect the carbon frame models to be most popular with the reduced weight and considering the component build the pricing is a lot less than we thought it'd be. When can you get one? Pre-orders are open now on our site, you can click the links on each model above to learn more. Moustache is now already sold out of particular models pre-production, so we'd suggest to get in quick to reserve yours. Most landing early new year, just in time for the summer. Find the full 2017 Moustache range here.
Thinking of buying a Haibike Full Carbon Ultimate electric bike? A really good review here from one of our customers (Peter) who has a few Haibike eBikes, this actually sums up the experience of the xDuro FullSeven RC, NDURO PRO & the Full Carbon Ultimate. Read on.. A little history I purchased my first Haibike from Martin when he was in Alton, it was a 2012 Xduro, the bike was excellent never had any problems, the only minor issue for me was it was very fast in turn and I prefer a lazy front end. I sold it to fund my next Haibike a 2014 Xduro Nduro pro which I still have and love it, this ticked all the boxes for me. Again this has been reliable with only a bearing replaced at a cost of £5, not bad for 2 years use. Read Peter's previous review on the Haibike xDuro NDURO PRO 2015. Present day I made an appointment with Martin to purchase an E-bike for my wife. Martin recommended an Xduro Fullseven RC. While she was deciding I saw the full carbon (a customers bike Martin had in stock), memories came flooding back from my Marin days when Carbon was something very special and I said one day….. My wife being the understanding person she is (or can’t stand me going on and on and on) told me to purchase the Carbon, I was in the lucky position of having the money without having to raise a mortgage. We purchased two bikes, the RC for my wife and the Carbon. The RC was in stock so we were able to collect a few days later, the Carbon was about a month away but as I had another E-bike time was not an issue. Martin kept me updated on expected delivery times. Our first ride out With my wife on RC and me on Nduro, she is not experienced on E-bikes and has not ridden for quite a few years, so she took it nice and easy. The ride near Salisbury was mostly tarmac with some steep hills. She loved everything about the bike apart from the saddle. A short 6 mile trip finished with a very steep climb and some green lanes. She lead the return journey, as I did not want to show off and leave her miles behind. I got that wrong - by the time we reached the top of a steep hill she was a good 70 ft ahead of me - Have the bikes changed or did I forget to connect the battery on my bike? The bikes must have changed. Second ride - again near Salisbury - about 12 miles mainly tarmac. I am faster downhill, she is faster uphill (it’s the bike). She loves the bike but for some reason does not want to ride it without a pillow tied to the saddle!! After a few delays the Carbon arrived Wow what a bike, very understated (which is a good thing), I was a little unsure about the riding position as the bars drop slightly but give it time… I opted for a dropper post and new saddle, the saddle and seat post that are supplied with the bike are carbon and weigh about the same as a coffee cup (empty) and probably about as comfortable to sit on as a coffee cup. Martin has a device for measuring sitting bones to ensure the saddle size is correct (highly recommended), I also changed the front sprocket for a larger one (more top speed, about 17mph assisted). I have done this on all my bikes, I never use 1st gear so happy to lose a bit on the climbs. It was also recommended that I fit protective tape over the Carbon parts of the bike that may suffer from stone chips, a very simple process at a cost of about £7 for a meter (I have used about 11 inches in total). First ride on the carbon was about 16 miles, bridal way, beach, hard mud and tarmac. Initial thoughts - this bike just rolls and rolls, maybe the tyres maybe the 27.5inch wheels, maybe better bearings, all I can confirm is it never came out of ECO mode. The assist was in the OFF position for a fair bit of the ride, this is a major difference between the Carbon and the Nduro. The xDuro Carbon Ultimate feels lighter, after 16 miles the riding position is fine, however the gear selector is driving me nuts. Haibike have moved the levers, every gear change is wrong, I want to go up a gear, I go down, I want to go down I go up, just a case of getting used to it I guess. (Update: After seeking e-bikeshops advice, I have since found out I can actually invert the shifting lever using the cable and software Martin supplied me with the bike. Neat!) While on gears the electric gear change is quick and is accompanied by a audible clunk, you know the gear has changed. It’s a shame the shifter has its own re-chargeable battery that has to be charged via USB and is not powered from bike battery. I have been told about 25 hours between charges so maybe not a big deal, time will tell. How does the Carbon eBike ride? We have just completed Queen Elizabeth Park (QEP,Butser Hill) to Petersfield and back - a brief description for anyone who does not know the area - starts in the main carpark at QECP, short tarmac road to start of climb, gentle path through woodland, bit more gravel track then back through wooded section full of tree roots, a horrible descent on hard uneven gravel that was very overgrown to the lower carpark, then another descent through the old chalk pits at Buriton followed by country lanes to Petersfield pond and the cafe. The return was a similar route until we left the main track and hit the blue route (the easier ride), ending back at the Cafe at QEP visitor centre and the car. Both bikes performed as they should, the biggest surprise for me was the amount of braking I had to do. As I previously said the bike just rolls, on a steepish decent a release of the brakes saw the bike accelerate from standstill to 26mph in less that 100 ft. I regularly see over 30mph on downhill tarmac (on the same road the Nduro would max at 22mph). On to the Blue section, this is what the bikes are designed to do. Select sport mode, lower the saddle and begin the zigzag climb, fantastic. I have done this section on many bikes and the carbon was best by a mile, I was hitting 16+mph in the uphill sections, I would speed ahead then wait for my wife to catch up, making sure she was OK before I zipped away. She was fine and loved every minute of the ride, for someone that has not ridden for some time her bike made it possible to enjoy a route that would not have been possible for her on a non E-bike (I did change her saddle for a touring one). Final thoughts Was the RC worth the money? Yes every penny, my wife keeps asking where to next, she loves it. Was the Carbon worth it? Probably not, I will never be a good enough rider to really get the best out of the bike but I don’t care. I was told to keep the bike in mint condition as it will probably increase in value but I can’t do that. I will clean, polish and maintain it to the best I can, but it will be used, as much as possible. I believe if you buy something it should be used, if you don’t use it you don’t need it so sell it. Do I prefer my Carbon to my Nduro? Yes and no, they are very different bikes. The Nduro will always be better downhill, 180mm travel does that, the Carbon will be better overall. Will I keep both bikes? I don’t know. If I enjoy the carbon so much I don’t use the Nduro, it will go - then I would regret it and want another. Special thanks to Martin for his help and support. It is great to be able to make an appointment and have 60 minutes of one to one time with someone that is passionate about what he sells. The only negative aspect about Martin and his warehouse full of goodies is the hit on my wallet when ever I visit Thanks so much to Peter for his words on the – Haibike xDuro Carbon Ultimate 2016