18.03.2024 | Reading time - 36 min(s)

E Bike Reviews by Owners from UK

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Posted in: Customer Services, Electric Bikes

Cyclists follow Rio volunteer Ivo Siebert on the electric bike at the start of 2016 Olympics. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard

Electric bikes have gone from strength to strength following their introduction. There are a wide range of e bikes available now including road bikes, electric mountain bikes, e hybrid bikes, electric gravel bikes and even electric folding bikes. We are proud to stock a large number of ebikes for everyone and we have a large number of unisex electric bikes, women's Liv electric bikes for sale and men's electric bikes but don't let these categories pigeon hole you... the best electric bike is the one that is comfortable and efficient for you. If you are considering an electric bike or are a bit on the fence, we thought it would be useful to bring you real life experiences of electric bike owners and what they have found since jumping on to the electric craze. We have a large range of new 2024 bicycles available now.

Contents and Quick Links

Electric Bike Reviews
Overview of Electric Bikes and Jargon Buster
Top Electric Bike Brands We Stock
Specialized Overview
Best Specialized E-Bikes
Giant Overview
Best Giant E-Bikes
Liv Overview
Whyte Overview and Best Whyte E Bikes
Brompton Overview and Best Brompton E Bikes
Riese & Muller Overview and Best Riese & Muller e-Bikes
Kalkhoff Overview and Best Kalkhoff E Bikes
Gazelle Overview and Best Gazelle E Bikes
Tern Overview and Best Tern E Cargo Bikes

E Bike Reviews by E Bike Owners

We caught up with some of our electric bike Edinburgh customers over the past year to ask how they're getting on and what they think of their electric bikes. The only complaints among them were that people hadn't found the time to take the bikes out more often. Here are ten electric bike reviews by ten electric bike owners.

1. "How would it manage on the hills?"

"I'm a newcomer to electric cycling after many years (>50) as a touring cyclist. I got the Kalkhoff electric bike, which is a chunky looking beast but it handles beautifully, feeling very responsive and manoeuvrable. It's quiet, too.

On a litte 10-mile trip to from Glasgow to Mugdock I had a chance to find out the answer to my one big question: How would it manage on hills? There's one quite steep bit, about half a mile long, on Mugdock Road, above Tannoch Loch. I put the Kalkhoff in the next to highest power setting and... Sailed right up! The whole round trip of 20 miles used 17% of the battery charge so, a full a charge on a similar route should last for 117 miles.

I can't wait for my next ride." - Phil, Kalkhoff electric bike owner

2. "I enjoy the uphills as much as down now!"

"I bought a Giant electric hybrid bike from you and it revolutionised my mountain biking activities, as I have heart disease and was really struggling to keep up with my mates . I have now done 600km on the machine and enjoy the uphills as much as down now!

Also, the deal you had allowed me to put cash back into a road bike for my daughter." - Tim, Giant electric bike owner

3. "I've never seen so many smiling faces."

"I have not used it as much as I should have, but when I have it is fantastic. I took it to a paragliding event and let quite a few people have a go of it. I've never seen so many smiling faces and these were people in their 40s-50s. They also still give you a good workout without the pain." - Gary, Electric mountain bike owner

4. "I would recommend one to anybody."

"I bought an electric gravel bike. Riding an e-bike gave me the chance to approach hills that I wouldn't have been fit enough to get to the top of. It also gave a boost to my weekend adventures as I could go much farther away from my house and be confident I had a back up in case I was really tired on the ride back.

I would recommend an ebike to anybody. It puts your mind at ease if you are not a very expert cyclist or an extremely fit one." - Olga, Electric gravel bike owner

5. "The comfort is amazing."

Compared with my previous electric bike, it's incredibly light and can be ridden reasonably easily without power. Range is much less than on previous - perhaps a maximum of about 70 miles if you leave it on Eco and put lots of effort in yourself.

Assistance is delivered in a very satisfying way, in that it provides a proportion of what you give it; it doesn't do the work for you. The bike can be run via a phone app, which can log your rides, measure power etc, be tuned the way you want it, and be matched to your estimated length of ride.

The comfort is amazing. It has low, wide bars and I expected to have to adapt handlebar height. I didn't need to as it feels just right, especially helped by the dropper seat post, which is great.

The fat tyres are also very effective. I was afraid they'd provide too much resistance but they are actually fine on tarmac, and great on mud or sand.

Overall an expensive bike, but you can still easily pay more for a non-electric bike." - Geoff, Specialized Turbo Levo, Electric mountain bike owner.

b18-specialized-turbo-levo-fsr-comp-carbon-29-electric-mountain-bike-2018.jpg

Specialized Turbo Levo FSR Comp Carbon - See all Specialized Electric Mountain bike

6. "I have no problem going up hills."

"I purchased my hybrid electric bike about a month ago. To me the main attraction was that it was a 'step through' model which made it much easier to get aboard the machine. In my mid 80's I was finding it difficult to get my leg over the saddle of my Specialised Expedition model which I used for getting around the village but not attempting the steep hill out of the village. With the electric bike, I have no problem with the hill and the disc brakes do a great job when coming back down." - Geoff, Hybrid electric bike owner.

7. "It gives me a freedom I would not otherwise have."

"I live NW Sheffield on the edge of the hilly peak district I also have two hernias and hills and hernias are not best buddies. But with my Whyte Coniston I can go where no hernias have gone before!

It gives me a freedom I would not otherwise have." - Mark, Whyte Coniston electric bike owner

8. "It lets me cover a greater range over rough terrain in one ride."

"I bought a hardtail electric mountain bike specifically for use on trails on the Pentlands & Glentress, along with some use on the Water of Leith cycleways etc.

I wanted a fairly good specification hardtail mountain bike coupled with the high output Bosch electric motor & the larger 500W battery pack in order to provide a fairly high level of assist when needed during steeper climbs on rough terrain, but with the ease of control to reduce power assist levels on the go in order to conserve battery range. The bike is really enjoyable to ride & allows me to cover a greater range over fairly rough terrain in one ride as opposed to a more limited ride I would undertake on my non electric mountain bike. Like any battery powered unit you have to ride and control the assist levels effectively in order to extract the maximum range from the battery pack." - Bill, Hardtail electric mountain bike owner

9. "I couldn't believe the acceleration and the smooth changing of gears"

"I bought the Kalkhoff electric hybrid bike for my wife and I was very impressed when I took it for a ride. It was so easy to ride and I'm very tall at 2 meters with long legs. I could not believe the acceleration and the smooth changing of gears. Great bike and well built. This would have been a great bike to use when I used to commute. I can see this as the way forward in cycling and if we could get our local governments to help by creating dedicated cycle lanes we could make a great impact to the environment and to the health of the people living in Scotland." – David, Kalkhoff Electric hybrid bike (co)owner

10. "I don't feel guilty about having two electric bikes."

"After a few months with the Whyte Coniston electric hybrid bike, I found myself hankering after something more. If an e-bike could transform my commute, what, I wondered, would one be like off road? Although the Coniston could deal with light trail use, mine is fitted out for daily commuting with mudguards and a rack, so off-road was out of the question. So it was down to Edinburgh Bicycle Coop for their electric bike sale and I became the proud owner of a full suspension electric mountain bike. It has a huge grin factor and it's so different to the Coniston in terms of how it feels and what it can do that I don't feel at all guilty about having them both." - Nick, Whyte Coniston and full-sus e-mtb owner.

A quick Overview of Electric bikes and associated jargon

Before we go diving in to the best electric bikes and brands it might be useful too have a overview and jargon buster of the commonly used electric bike terms and what they mean as there are lots of numbers and symbols that, without context, don't mean very much.

General

All electric bikes sold in the UK are 'pedal assist' that means you have to be pedalling before the motor kicks in and all the electric bikes sold in the UK are also limited to 25 kph or 15.5 mph but that's not to say you can't go any faster, it just means you do not get motor assistance above this threshold. Electric bikes will usually come with one of three types of motor; A rear hub motor is a motor in the rear wheel that gives power to the rear wheel and propels you forwards; the second is a front hub motor where the motor powers the front wheel for your power and the last (but definitely not least) are mid drive motors that give the power through the bottom bracket. Front and rear hub motor systems will generally be the less expensive options while the mid drive motors give a more natural feel than the rear or front hub motor.

Motor Power

This is measured in ‘Nm’ or Newton Metres and will describe how much ‘Oompf’ you receive, particularly when riding up hill. This varies between 35Nm and 90Nm on the bikes we stock and will affect how much or how little work you are still required to do even in the highest mode of assistance. The higher the number, the less effort required by you and the more weight the bike will comfortably transport uphill.

Note: You will likely see ‘250W nominal power’ on some of the specification lists but this does not tell us anything about the performance of the bike. All e-bikes sold in the UK will be limited to 250W.

Mode of Assistance

All of our e-bikes will have a selection of different ‘modes’ which change the proportions of the work done by yourself and how much is done by the bike. For example - in the ‘eco’ mode (lowest) the bike will be doing 15-20% of the work and the rest is done by you. In ‘turbo’ mode (highest) the bike will be doing the vast majority of the work 75-90%. On some e-mountain bikes (e-MTB) there is a smart mode which will sense how much pressure you are putting into the pedals and amend the assistance level depending on this. The names of the modes will differ between brands but the principal is exactly the same.

Battery Capacity

This is measured in ‘Wh’ or ‘Watt hours’ and will tell you approximately how far the bike will go on a single charge. So, if you see 500Wh this tells you that this bike will travel an average of 50 miles (80 km) on a single charge. Generally, it is about 10 miles per 100Wh.

Our battery sizes start at 240Wh and go as high as 750Wh for single battery bikes. It is worth noting that on an e-MTB, the range you experience between charges can be less as you are climbing steeper hills more often.

Battery General

Most electric bike batteries have a removable battery for convenience of charging in the house or while in situ on your bike. This is also an excellent deterrant to would-be thieves if the battery is not left on the bike while locked.

It is worth noting that on some of the SL or 'super light' electric bikes, the bike's battery is not removable on a day to day basis so these batteries would have to be charged on the bike. It should be said that the battery can be removed by skilled mechanics in the event of the battery needing replaced or fixed but this is a complicated job that requires specific tools hence why the battery can not be removed on the fly.

A look at the top electric bikes we stock

Here, at Edinburgh Bike Coop, we only stock the best electric bikes from the world's top manufacturers. Here are all the brands we stock:-

Specialized - Californian company, Specialized Bikes, are responsible for some of the best bicycles, electric bikes, accessories and clothing in the cycling world.
Giant - A Giant electric bike offers great quality at an amazing price. This Taiwanese company are experts in frame building and make exceptional electric bikes, bikes, clothing and accessories. They also have a sister company...
Liv - Giant's sister company, Liv Bikes make women's specific bikes, electric bikes, clothing and accessories to the same high standard as Giant themselves.
Whyte - Whyte bikes is an award winning British bike company that is known for their spot-on geometry on their mountain bikes, electric mountain bikes, electric and non-electric hybrid bikes.
Brompton - Famous for their ingenious folding bikes that are the quickest and most compact fold. Also producing the hill-busting Brompton electric folding bike, they are one of the few companies to still design and manufacture all of their bicycles in the UK.
Riese & Muller - German efficiency that result in some of the best electric bikes. Riese & Muller bikes are the no-expense-spared e bikes for those that want reliability, quality and durability. Riese & Muller also produce a range of the increasingly popular electric cargo bikes.
Kalkhoff - Another German brand, Kalkhoff Bikes, that produce a wide range of electric bikes at a variety of prices. You can choose from step throughs, integrated batteries and more.
Gazelle - Gazelle electric bikes are from Dutch brand Gazelle and they offer a wide range of classic or step-through electric bikes with a large range of price points to suit most.
Tern - Tern Bikes are perhaps most known for their range of electric cargo bikes from the lower capacity Tern HSD to the full carrying capacity of the Tern HSD.

Specialized

As we mentioned above, Specialized Bikes are one of the powerhouses of the cycling world and they produce an incredible range of Specialized electric bikes which they call their 'Turbo' range. The produce electric hybrid, electric road bikes, electric mountain and electric gravel bikes. We will give a brief overview here but then look at some specific models of these also.

Specialized Turbo Levo

The Turbo Levo is Specialized's full-power (this will make more sense when you see the next section), full suspension electric mountain bike that offers '4 x you' power for flying uphill with ease while being designed in a way that the handling downhill is excellent despite the extra weight. Designed for trail riding with 160mm of front travel to take on all the rough stuff you like and available in a variety of specs depending on your requirements. Another excellent feature of these bikes is the customisability of the electric bike settings through the Specialized App where you can fine tune the battery and motor power to your specific needs.

Specialized Turbo Levo SL

The Specialized Turbo Levo SL range is for those that still want assistance up hill but require sharper handling and less bike weight. The SL stands for 'super-light' and this is achieved by fitting a less powerful motor with '2 x you' assistance and a smaller battery capacity to reduce weight further. The Sl version of the Turbo Levo can weight up to 9kg less than the full power version giving that sweet spot between uphill assistance and downhill handling. Also features 160mm travel and customisable battery and motor through the Specialized app.

Specialized Turbo Tero

The Turbo Tero range of electric bikes is for those that want comfort and capability on gravel and off-road terrain for touring, bikepacking or rough commutes. What makes these bikes incredible for bikepacking or touring is that you can load it up with luggage as each model is available as an 'EQ' version that come fully kitted up with mudguards, rear rack and lights for off-road touring or rough commutes. AS well as being available as an 'EQ' version, these are also available in a half step-through version for easy mounting and dismounting. There are a variety of motor and battery capacity combinations available in the various specifications from a 50Nm motor up to 90Nm for effortless climbing and up to 710Wh battery for all day adventuring.

Specialized Turbo Tero X

The Turbo Tero X follows on from the Turbo Tero in that it makes an excellent off-road adventure bike for bikepacking and touring.The X version means this comes as a full suspension bike to give the maximum comfort over long distances on rough off-road terrain. Also available in different motor and battery combinations with up to 710Wh battery and up to 90Nm powerful motor for taking on steep inclines.

Specialized Turbo Vado

The Specialized is a classic electric hybrid bike that is a perfect commuter bike or leisure bike for tarmac and gravel paths. Available as a classic or a step through frame and equipped with rear rack, mudguards, front and rear lights this is all you could need for commuting, leisure or even some touring with capacity on the frame to take significant luggage. To add to the versatility, these bikes have models with external derailleur gearing or the ultra low maintenance of an internal gear hub for all year riding with little to no maintenance. The different levels also offer different combinations or battery capacity or motor power with a choice or 50Nm, 70Nm or 90Nm of motor power and either 530Wh or 710Wh battery depending on how much range you require.

Specialized Turbo Vado SL

This bike is one of the most popular electric bikes of the last few years as this bike weighs in the region of 16kg and for an electric bike, that is quite exceptional. The Vado SL is the super light version of the above and to keep the weight down, it features a paired down motor and battery but the motor still offers 2 x you power assistance and a 320Wh battery stil gives you plenty of juice for those pesky hills. Again, as with most Specialized Turbo bikes, these bikes come in a step through option and an 'EQ' version that comes with rear rack, mudguards, front and rear lights and a kickstand. These are great electric bikes for those that want a lightweight, efficient commuter or leisure bike that has power assist when you meet a steep hill or a particularly persistant headwind.

Best electric bikes from Specialized

Here are some of the best bikes that Specialized has to offer.

Turbo Levo

Specialized Turbo Levo Alloy 2024 Electric Mountain Bike - £4900

Specialized Levo Alloy.jpg

The entry level of the Specialized Turbo Levo range but with the spec, it punches well above it's weight on the ascents and the descents. Here are the key points of the Specialized Turbo Levo Alloy 2024.

Turbo Full Power 2.2 motor with up to 90Nm of torque
A massive 700Wh battery for all day range
RockShox 35 Silver, 35mm stanchion, 160mm travel (150mm on the S1 size) for all round trail busting
Reliable, robust and wide ranging SRAM 12-speed gearing
Tubeless ready tyres and wheels
Precise and powerful SRAM Guide RE hydraulic brakes

Specialized Turbo Levo SL Comp Carbon 2024 Electric Mountain Bike - £5999 (reduced from £7000)

You would be forgiven for thinking this is a non electric bike from the looks of it but this is, indeed, the Specialized Turbo Levo SL Comp Carbon electric bike that offers assistance on the uphills and exceptional handling on the downhills thanks to its super low weight. Here are the key points-

All new Levo SL carbon Frame, Fact 11m carbon for lightweight efficiency
Fox 36 Rhythm, 29" 160mm travel front suspension fork (150mm on the S1 size)
Fully integrated, 320Wh battery but has the ability to accept the Specialized range extender that lengthens the battery life by 50% (available seperately)
Reliable, robust and wide ranging SRAM 12-speed gearing
Incredibly powerful and sensitive SRAM Code RS, 4-piston caliper, hydraulic disc brakes
Specialized MasterMind TCU display showing percentage of remaining charge, 120 possible display configurations, MicroTune assist adjustment, over-the-air updates, ANT+/Bluetooth, w/Handlebar remote
Advanced customissability with adjustable head angle, BB height, and is compatible with 27.5 or 29" wheels
Set up as a mullet - 29er front and 27.5" rear wheel set up

Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Carbon 2024 Electric Mountain Bike - £7000

This is the full power Levo platform but a few steps up on the specification tree. Coming with Specialized's Fact 11m Carbon frame and triangle and a step up in the suspension fork, gearing, brakes, wheels. Here is the breakdown of the Turbo Levo Comp Carbon-

Large 700Wh Integrated battery for long range riding
FACT 11m full carbon frame and triangle
Mullet set up, 29" front wheel, 27.5" rear wheel for the best of both worlds - stability and manoeuvrability
Fox 36 Rhythm, 29", 160mm travel (150mm on the S1) suspension fork and 150mm rear shock travel
Reliable, robust and wide ranging SRAM 12-speed gearing
Powerful and precise SRAM Code RS, 4-piston caliper, hydraulic disc brakes
Powerful Specialized 2.2 Custom Rx Trail Tuned Motor that gives up to 90Nm of torque for taming hills.
A massive 700Wh battery for all day range

Turbo Vado

Specialized Turbo Vado SL 4.0 2023 Electric Bike

Specialized Vado SL 4.0 Limestone.jpg

As mentioned, the Turbo Vado range of Specialized electric bikes have been some of, if not the, best electric bikes since they were released due to their lighter weight while still giving enough power to get you up the hills. Here are the key points of the Turbo Vado SL 4.0:

Fully integrated and secure Specialized 320Wh downtube battery w/optional Range Extender compatibility for up to 120 miles of range
Specialized SL 1.1 custom lightweight motor with 35Nm, 2x you rider amplification (180% assistance)
Premium lightweight E5 Aluminum frame
Clean internal cable routing, fender/rack mounts, and reflective graphics
Premium hydraulic disc brakes for maximum stopping power
Bright, integrated front and rear lighting to see and be seen
11-speed SRAM NX shifting for reliable performance for the long haul

Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0 Step Through 2023 Electric Bike

The full power version of the above with 70Nm of torque for the hills and a massive 710Wh battery for long range riding. The Turbo Vado 4.0 has more of an upright riding position than some electric hybrids - perfect for leisurely, long distance rides. Here's the main points-

Turbo Full Power 2.0 70Nm motor and 710Wh battery offer an unparalleled riding experience, providing a smooth, seamless, and shockingly quiet amplification of your efforts
An integrated torque sensor responds to your pedal inputs resulting in intuitive amplification of your efforts with an incredibly natural feel
MasterMind display reveals all relevant info about your ride, allows real-time tuning of support levels, and enables over-the-air updates so that your bike gets better over time
MasterMind seamlessly integrates with the Mission Control app for range optimization tools, advanced tuning, on-ride diagnostics, and more
Use the Mission Control app to disable your bike’s motor and activate the motion sensor alarm. Once locked, the motor cannot be enabled again except by the owner
Fully Integrated Removable and Lockable Downtube Battery - Easy to charge, easy to secure
Equipped with DryTech fenders, LED front and rear lights and a 27kg capacity rear HD Rack. The rear rack is compatible with child bike seats, and the bike is also rated to pull a thru-axle trailer

Giant Electric bikes

Giant electric bikes provide high performance bicycles at great value prices - one of the benefits of being recognized as the world’s biggest bike manufacturer. Giant make a great electric bike - fact! They make all types of electric bikes including electric mountain bikes, electric hybrid bikes and electric road bikes. In the hybrid electric bike range there are a number of different options including those with an upright sitting position for a more comfortable ride quality, front suspension forks for a smooth ride or step through frames for easier mounting and dismounting.

Best electric bikes from Giant

Giant Anytour E+ 3 2024 Electric Bike

This versatile and practical Giant Anytour E+3 is ideal for daily commuting and other adventures and has a nice upright riding position and step through frame. It has automatic pedaling support and all the built-in features you can think of, including a kickstand, integrated lights, fenders and racks.

Giant bikes with SyncDrive motor has a Smart Assist mode, which determines the support you need and automatically adjusts power output so you dont have to worry about changing the power assistance modes for care free cycling.

Giant Trance X Advanced E+ Elite 2023 Electric Bike

Giant Trance X Advanced E Elite.jpg

A supremely capable and confident bike, the Trance X Advanced E+ can take on all manner of trails and is as enjoyable on the uphills as well as the down thanks to the 85Nm motor taking you up even the steepest climbs and the Fox Float Performance 150mm forks and Fox DPS Performance rear suspension for mountain bike rides on all terrain.

Liv Electric bikes

Liv are the sister company of Giant and they produce women's bikes designed by women and this is also true for the Liv electric bike range. These are bikes that will have a shorter reach and a higher front end and will be finished off with female specific saddle, handlebars and crank arms.

From Liv's range, you can choose from electric hybrid bike, electric mountain bikes and electric road bikes in various different sizes specifically designed for the female rider. Here are some of our best Liv electric bikes.

Liv Rove E+ 2023 Women's Electric Bike

The Liv Rove E+ is the ideal off-road hybrid with the ability to take on tarmac and gravel paths with ease and the front suspension fork will provide a comfortable ride quality over British roads and forest paths. This bike can be used for commuting, leisure rides and can be fitted with mudguards to keep you and the bike clean, rear rack to carry work equipment or to go touring to explore new routes and a kick stand for practical storage at home or when you pop to the shops.

Liv Tempt E+ Sport 2023 Women's Electric MTB

The Tempt E+ Sport range is more towards the hardtail mountain biking end of the spectrum with a bike that can be used at trail centres but also can be an excellent commuter bike or leisure gravel bike. Front suspension fork gives smooth ride quality over rough terrain while the powerful 70Nm motor gives plenty of oompf to get you up the steepest hills.

Whyte Bikes

Whyte are a British company who are famed for producing bikes that are ideal for British cycling due to their geometry and specifications. British trails, for example, are more technical than some fast and flowing trails that you will find abroad and in the United States so Whyte's mountain bike geometry is designed to give the best ride characteristics for cycling in the UK. Whyte's electric hybrids are also designed with UK cycling in mind with all specs including hydraulic disc brakes and a fast and fun geometry so you get from A to B efficiently and have fun doing it too.

Best Whyte Electric Bikes

As Whyte produce exceptional electric mountain bikes and have a brand new hybrid electric bike range, we will take a look at some from each category of Whyte e bike.

Whyte Rheo 2 V1 2024 Electric Bike

There is a drive to make electric bikes lighter weight while still giving you plenty of power for getting up hills and a big battery for long days of cycling - the Whyte Rheo range gets this balance perfect by providing 45Nm of torque through the rear hub motor (A rear hub motor will feel like from then the quoted torque so this will give plenty of power uphill). and a 250Wh battery for the perfect commute or leisure hybrid electric bike all at approximately 17.5kg (depending on model ordered).

These bikes are unisex sizing and are available in different specifications which we will briefly give the differences below.

Whyte Rheo 2 - (Pictured) 45Nm Motor, 250Wh battery, hydraulic disc brakes, Shimano 9-speed gearing

Whyte Rheo 2 ST - Specced the same as the Rheo 2 above but comes as a half step through frame

Whyte Rheo 3 - Upgrades over Rheo 2 are: Mudguards, Pannier rack and integrated lights provided as well as dropper seatpost for easy mounting, dismounting and stopping.

Whyte Rheo 3 ST - AS per the Rheo 3 but as a half step through frame.

Whyte E-Lyte 150 RSX 2024 Electric MTB

Whyte E Lyte 150 RSX.jpg

The quest for lighter electric bikes also extends to electric mountain bikes which is where the Whyte E-Lyte range comes in. Whyte E-Lyte 150 RSX is fitted with the brand new and state-of-the-art Bosch Performance SX motor and battery which keeps the weight down but still packs an incredible punch on steep hills with 55Nm or torque and 400Wh battery for extended trail time.

Thats the uphills ticked off but what about the downhills? The Whyte E-Lyte keeps the centre of gravity exceptionally low to give precise and confident handling on even the gnarliest of trails and is supported with 29er wheels for stability and 150mm front + 142mm rear of custom-tuned suspension travel. Oh, and did we mention these weight in the region of 19kg (Size medium)?

Brompton Bikes

As we mentioned above, Brompton folding e bikes are the most ingenious folding bikes due to their easy and secure folding mechanism and design. Once folded (this can be done in 10 seconds by some) the seatpost holds everything together so you can carry the bike easily, unlike most folding bikes that require a bungee cord to hold everything together. Brompton are the city cyclists dream as they can be taken on public transport, stored under a desk at work and take up little space at home or in a flat. This makes Brompton folding Electric bikes a great choice for those that want assistance or live in hilly cities. The battery is easily removed and has a handy carry strap to transport is almost as straightforward as the non-electric Brompton. Here are some of the top Brompton folding electric bikes but we sell a massive range here.

Brompton folding e bikes are available with a low, mid and high handlebar setup depending on your height and what riding position you require.

Brompton Electric C Line Urban Mid Handlebar Pop Lilac 2024 Electric Folding Bike

The Electric C-line Urban is the entry into Brompton's folding electric bike range with steel used on the frame, rear frame and forks for a strong and comfortable bike that offers plenty of oompf for the hills and 4 speed gearing so you can spin up the hills. This one is available in the gorgeous limited edition 'Pop Lilac' colourway. This electric folding bike is the perfect city commuter bike.

The Brompton C Line Electric bike is also available in a 12-speed version for gearing more similar to a road bike for easy gears for steeper hills.

Brompton Electric P Line Explore High Handlebar 12-Speed 2024 Folding Electric Bike

The Electric P Line Explore - 12 Speed electric folding bike from Brompton is the ultimate bike perfect for adventurous individuals. Giving you the freedom to explore new horizons, expert engineering lets you experience complete mindfulness with nothing but the breeze on your skin to occupy your mind.

The original folding bike, loved by hundreds of thousands, with the added oomph and ease of electric. It's a real-life magic carpet ride. There when you need it, tucked away when you don't.

Brompton have been unlocking cities around the world,underground and overground, since 1975 - connecting people and places with their famous folding bikes. And for a bike that's given so much, would it be fair to ask for more? Well, why not? Because we could all use a little help, whether it's work or play. Here's the bike you've been waiting for.

Hills? Errands? Weekend adventures? With our Smart Pedal Assist, you can go further, faster and even higher. The compact motor does the hard work for you. And when it's time to go again, rest easy knowing the lightweight battery quickly detaches from its secure mount, so you can take it with you and charge wherever is convenient. With the most compact folding e-bike, you can do it all.

Brompton Electric P Line Explore Mid Handlebar 12-Speed 2024 Folding Bike

The next level up in Brompton bikes, the P-line Explore are characterised by the titanium rear triangle that adds comfort and keeps the weight down and is now available with the brand new 12-speed gives a massive gear range for even the steepest hills with the added boost of the motor and battery, of course. A combination of 3-speed internal hub gears and 4-speed external gears give you the range while keeping everything compact.

These are just two examples of quite a number of Brompton Electric folding Bikes we have in stock and there are other options with different gearing, handlebar heights and colours which you can view here - All Brompton Bikes.

Riese & Muller Electric Bikes

Riese & Muller are a German company that produce some of the best electric bikes from hybrids to all-terrain touring electric bikes. You can bank on Riese & Muller bikes to be very well specced with the best quality kit and they have lots of different options available in terms of battery sizes, seating position and expected terrain. There are so many to choose from, we can only put a few here but check them all out here - All Riese & Muller bikes.

Here is a useful glossary of terms that Riese & Muller use to determine the spec and shape of their bikes that will help you when you visit the page.

Mixte - If you see 'Mixte' in the title, this bike will come with a step through or half step through frame. The exception here is the 'Nevo' model which is a step through by default.
Touring - 'Touring' in the title means the bike will come with external, derailleur gears.
Vario - 'Vario' in the title means the bike will come with the stepless, internal hub gearing system for less maintenance.
Rohloff - 'Rohloff' in the title means the bike will come with the top-of-the-line 14-speed Rohloff internal gearing system for effortless shifting with little to no maintenance.

Best Riese and Muller Electric Bikes

Riese & Muller Charger4 GT Touring ABS 750wh 2024 Electric Bike

Riese & Muller Charger4.jpg

The Charger4 GT Touring is and electric bike that is designed for comfort over long distances with front suspension and rear suspension through a suspension seat post so you can cruise over tarmac or rough gravel tracks in pure comfort. The Bosch Performance Line CX motor gives incredible 85Nm of power for breezing up hills and a huge 750Wh battery keeps you going and going. Kitted out with kickstand, mudguards, rear rack and front and rear lights means it is kitted out with all you need for commuting, leisure cycling or touring.

Riese & Muller Multicharger2 Mixte GT Family 625wh 2024 Electric Bike

Riese & Muller Multicharger2 Mixte.jpg

In our stores and online, we are increasingly seeing people replacing car journeys with a cargo bike such as the Riese & Muller Multicharger2 Mixte that can easily carry a passenger up to 65kg on the rear or a load of luggage for shopping or for touring. The excellent handling of these bikes also makes them fun to take out for a leisure ride. Plenty of power supplied by the Bosch Performance Line CX 85Nm motor gets you and your (precious) cargo up hills and from A to B in style and comfort.

Riese & Muller Nevo4 GT Touring 750wh 2024 Electric Bike

Here's the Nevo4 GT Touring we mentioned earlier with it's deep step through frame for easy mounting and dismounting and a nice upright position for leisure riding or commuting on tarmac or on rougher gravel paths. As you are beginning to expect from Riese & Muller, this bike also comes well kitted out with the extremely powerful Bosch Performance Line CX provides max power for uphills and the battery is 750Wh for a long, long range.

Kalkhoff Bikes

Kalkhoff Bikes are another German Bike manufacturer that produce great electric bike at a lower price point than the Riese & Muller. They are still incredibly well specced for the money with most electric bikes coming with Shimano or Bosch motors and batteries and available with internal or external gearing systems. The frame shapes can come as step throughs, upright position or classic hybrid geometry with a slightly more agressive position.

Kalkhoff Entice 1.B Move INT 2023 Step Through Electric Bike

The Entice 1.B move is an excellent electric bike for those on a budget and comes with a comfortable frame with wide, low step-through for easy mounting and dismounting. To keep the costs down, this bike is supplied with a slightly less powerful, but still incredibly reliable Bosch Active Line Plus motor with 50 Nm for all but the steepest hills. The Bosch PowerPack battery with 400 Watt hour battery vices good range.

Kalkhoff Endeavour 5.B Advance+ (625Wh) 2022 Electric Bike

The Endeavour 5.B Advance + is more of a classic hybrid shape with a slightly longer and lower reach for those that want the sporty look although the handlabars are adjustable up and down to get your position dialled in. The integrated but still removable battery gives that sleek look and inside is the powerful Bosch Performance Line CX 85Nm motor for the steepest hills and a large 625Wh battery gives you a good, lonog range. Kalkhoff like to kit you out with everything a commuter or leisure cyclist needs with mudguards, rear rack, kickstand and front and rear lights included in the price.

Gazelle Bikes

Gazelle are a Dutch electric bike company who produce stylish and comfortable electric bikes for commuters or leisure cyclists. Available in various different specs, shapes and price points, we will have a look at some of Gazelle's best electric bikes.

Gazelle Chamonix C7 HMS (500WH) Low-Step Electric Bike

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Gazelle have ensured that the Chamonix C7 HMS is as comfortable as possible. Wide tyres, ergonomically shaped handlebar grips and suspension fork for optimal comfort. A unique adjustable handlebar stem with integrated cables ensures the correct and most comfortable sitting posture for every rider.

Reliable and smooth Shimano STEPS motor with 50Nm of power for inclines and Shimano STEPS 504Wh integrated battery for good range.

Gazelle Grenoble C8 HMB 2023 (400Wh) Low-Step Electric Bike

Gazelle Grenoble C8 HMB.jpg

On the Grenoble C8 HMB you can manoeuvre quickly through traffic. If you are approaching an incline, you will be at the top of it in no time. All thanks to its smooth, low-noise assistance.

Do you travel by bike regularly? Then the Grenoble C8 HMB is the right e-bike for you. The smooth, quiet, mid-drive motor gives you great assistance wherever you go, whether you're criss-crossing the city or touring the hills. The use of high-quality components — integrated LED lighting, leather handlebar grips, a gel seat and more — completes this e-bike.

Gazelle Ultimate C5 HMB 2024 (625Wh) Low-Step Electric Bike

Comfort, beautiful design, low maintenance and an excellent ride — what more could you ask of an e-bike? The first-rate Ultimate C5 HMB has it all.

Whether you're on a weekend recreational trip, your daily commute to work or simply riding into the city centre, the Ultimate C5 HMB is prepared for every scenario. The excellent road holding delivers an effortless ride. The Bosch Performance Line motor, electric bike specific Shimano Nexus 5-gear hub and the belt drive enhance comfort and require little maintenance.

Tern Bikes

Tern bikes are firmly in the electric cargo bike category and they produce four distinct models that offer more power and carryingcapacity as you go up through the range. First, there is the Tern NBD, Tern Quick Haul, Tern HSD and the incredible Tern HSD. We will have a look at these models and their main benefits.

Tern Quick Haul P9 Electric Bike

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An electric cargo bike with an extended rear rack to carry more groceries, touring equipment and more. It’s designed to help you carry passengers and cargo with ease, and it’s a joy to ride. A compact, space-saving design simplifies storage and transport.

Choose from a vast array of accessories to turn your Quick Haul into the ideal tool for all your jobs. The Quick Haul’s accessories ecosystem offers perfect-fit options for your commute, your kid’s school run, doggy playdates, errands, and lots more.

Motor - Bosch Performance Line Cruise motor provides up to 65 Nm
Battery - Bosch PowerPack 400Wh for moderate range
Max rack weight - 50kg
Gearing - Shimano 9-speed external gearing

Tern HSD P10 Gen.2 Electric Cargo Bike

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A higher capacity rear rack and more powerful motor on the Tern HSD P10 give you the option to carry an adult (up to 80kg) or a LOT of luggage on the rear of your bike. The Bosch Performance Line motor gives up to 75Nm of torque (it's their second most powerful) so you can glide up the hills. Reliable and robust Shimano 10-speed gears give confident and precise shifting on a cargo bike that's fun for passengers and rider alike.

Motor - Bosch Performance, 340% Assist, 75 Nm Torque
Battery - Bosch PowerPack 545 for good day range
Max rack weight - 80kg
Gearing - Shimano Deore 10-speed external gearing

Tern GSD S00 Electric Cargo Bike

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With a hefty 200kg (440lb) Maximum Gross Vehicle Weight, the Tern GSD S00 is ready to replace your car. It'll let you carry two kids plus the shopping, or a whole lot of cargo — but it's the same length as a regular bike.

Thanks to it's built-in dual-battery technology that allows it to take a second battery (available seperately), it lets you ride all day, while space-saving features like FlatFold and Vertical Parking make the GSD incredibly easy to own and use day to day.

The GSD has an adjustable cockpit that can be resized in seconds and without tools to accomodate riders from 150-195 cm tall (4'11" - 6'5"), so you can easily share it with your family.

The GSD's unique geometry allows for very stable riding, no matter what you're hauling (or how jumpy your kids are). The low centre of gravity lets smaller riders confidently manage heavy loads, and the step-thru frame makes getting on and off the bike a breeze.

Motor - Bosch Cargo Line, 400% Assist, 85 Nm Torque for ultimate power up hills
Battery - Bosch Dual Battery system, 500 Wh*
Max rack weight - 80kg
Gearing - Stepless, smooth Enviolo internal hub gearing

*Can be fitted with a second 500Wh battery to give incredible 1000Wh range.

We hope this has informed your decision in purchasing an electric bike or electric cargo bike and, as always, if you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to contact our online department or visit any of our stores where our friendly staff will always be happy to help. Our stores are located in:-

Author

Ross Howieson

Content Creator

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E Bike Reviews by Owners from UK

Cyclists follow Rio volunteer Ivo Siebert on the electric bike at the start of 2016 Olympics. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard

E Bike Reviews by E Bike Owners

1. "How would it manage on the hills?"

2. "I enjoy the uphills as much as down now!"

3. "I've never seen so many smiling faces."

4. "I would recommend one to anybody."

5. "The comfort is amazing."

Specialized Turbo Levo FSR Comp Carbon - See all Specialized Electric Mountain bike

6. "I have no problem going up hills."

7. "It gives me a freedom I would not otherwise have."

8. "It lets me cover a greater range over rough terrain in one ride."

9. "I couldn't believe the acceleration and the smooth changing of gears"

10. "I don't feel guilty about having two electric bikes."

A quick Overview of Electric bikes and associated jargon

General

Motor Power

Mode of Assistance

Battery Capacity

Battery General

A look at the top electric bikes we stock

Specialized

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Turbo Levo

Specialized Turbo Levo Alloy 2024 Electric Mountain Bike - £4900

Specialized Turbo Levo SL Comp Carbon 2024 Electric Mountain Bike - £5999 (reduced from £7000)