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quoteFancy going for a bike ride? Here’s how to make things that bit more relaxing – with an electric bike or e-bike
Pedal Power…!
We all need a bit of help from time to time – particularly when we’re out on our bikes. An electric bike, can literally give you extra pedal power exactly when you need it, for example when going up hills, or facing head winds, or even when you simply want to maintain steady speeds wherever you go.
There’s actually a European definition of an electric bike – also known as an e-bike or, increasingly, a pedelec (short for pedal bike with electric assistance). Specifically:
– The motor must not give more than 250W of powered assistance
– The powered assistance must cease at 15.6mph (25 KPH)
– You may only receive powered assistance when pedalling
E-bikes don’t start off cheap – and the usual “you get what you pay for” provisos apply – but they’re actually the perfect complement to a motorhome (or caravan), giving you the freedom to explore areas you might not want to take your motorhome or towcar.
And, with typical charging times of up to five hours, there’s no reason why you can’t get up and go – again and again!
You’ll get occasional bargains, as well. At the time of writing, for example, there were big reductions on the Viking range at E-Bikes Direct www.e-bikesdirect.co.uk.
Top Tips
- Range can be critical so think how far you’re likely to want to go. Batteries are mostly measured in Watt hours (Wh) and generally, the higher the figure, the further you can go between charges.
- Do think about how you are going to transport your bikes. Motorhomes with garages can be ideal, but there’s always a weight limit to consider as well as how easy it is to load bulky items into such locations. Likewise, if you opt for a rack, take into account its location and weight (as well as stress) factors. Caravan owners also need to consider transportation as a couple of bikes could take a hefty chunk of your payload. Carrying them on your tow car might be a better option.
- Think about extras. Most e-bikes come with handy accessories such as luggage carriers, but there’s always more. You can often upgrade key items of the original bike, too.
- Buy from a specialist. They can tell you more about the sheer choice of electric bikes out there, plus what size best suits you. If you’re really lucky, you’ll also get an electric bike expert who understands motorhomes or caravans!
- Note Caravan Guard’s motorhome or touring caravan insurance doesn’t extend to e-bikes so you’ll need specialist insurance to cover your electric bike.
- Former Caravan Guard customers Maggie and Mick Drury loved to take their electric bikes with them when they had their motorhome. Here’s a quick video…
Let’s take a look at a selection of electric bikes…
V’Lec Pocket+ – light on weight and price
Lighter weight shouldn’t mean a drop in quality. This single-speed, folding e-bike weighs some 10.6kg in total and can carry a weight of up to 100kg.
Its lithium Panasonic 24V 8Ah battery takes three to five hours to charge and can take you up to 18 miles before needing a recharge so is ideal for those wanting to travel short distances – note the e-bikes reviewed below let you travel much further but at a higher cost. The charger only draws 2amps, so can be used via a campsite mains hook-up or even an on-board inverter.
Clip on/off pedals are among the features, making it even slimmer and easier to carry when folded down to its compact 76cm x 16cm x 60cm dimensions.
Price from £999
Key features 160Watt front wheel motor, aluminium alloy frame, 16in tyres
More info www.batribike.com/vlec
Francis-Barnett – mixing modern and traditional
This can trace its roots back over half a century, when the first bike bearing the Francis-Barnett name was produced in Coventry.
The vintage design is a real head-turner, with these latest versions – in crossbar or step-through styles – offering five levels of pedal assist. Designed for comfort and a more leisurely way of cycling, it boasts a vintage-style sprung saddle.
Maximum range is 60 miles, and the standard specification even includes LED lighting and a built-in Datatag. Total weight is 25.9kg. Baskets are among the optional extras.
Price from £1,499
Key features 250Watt motor, seven-speed Shimano Nexus hub gears, 36V/10.4Ah battery, 26in puncture-resist tyres, 17.5in aluminium alloy frame
More info www.batribike.com/francis-barnett-electric
Winora Radius – when you want to go lightly
This isn’t just light (models start at less than 20kg), it’s also easy to store. It doesn’t fold, but you can tuck away the pedals and handlebars making it possible to put in a larger locker or under a bed/seat.
Frame size is 35cm and that triangular section in the frame is designed to act as a handle. Those chunky tyres help compensate for the lack of suspension.
The rear hub gears and protected chain promise easy maintenance. It’s motor can take you up to 170km (105 miles) when riding in its most economical mode. This model weighs 16.7kg.
Price from £1,800
Key features 20in wheels, folding pedals and handlebars, Yamaha 400Wh motor, hydraulic disc brakes, Schwalbe Big Ben tyres
More info www.winora.de/en
Raleigh Motus – bringing the best out of Bosch
Europe-made and already very popular with motorhomers, this is powered by the Bosh ebike system, and the 400Wh battery is good for as much as 180km (112 miles) between charges, when used in Eco mode.
Eco is one of four phases of assistance, going all the way up full-on turbo when you really need some extra oomph. It’s also particularly quiet.
Shown here is the Low Step model. There’s also a Cross Bar version, with the same starting price and specification. Accessories include full mud guards with cable guide and alloy rack rear carrier. A mini pump and kickstand are among the extras. The bike weighs just over 24kg.
Price from £2,000
Key features Alloy frame, 700c wheel size, Magura HS11 hydraulic rim brakes, Schwalbe Big Ben tyres, Bosch 400Wh battery
More info www.raleigh.co.uk
Koga e-Nova – the connoisseurs’ choice
Built to order only (expect a wait of at least three month’s from order), this Dutch model is hand-finished. Shown here is the Low Step version (a Crossbar variant is also available), which is actually the budget model in the e-Nova range.
It still has plenty of features, starting with a double-hardened aluminium frame with cabling routed through it, and using Koga’s own suspension system.
Weights start at just under 25kg. The Bosch motor and battery has a range of up to 175km in Eco mode.
You can also choose between 400Wh and 500Wh batteries, which slot away neatly into the rear rack and are easily removable.
Price from £2,199
Key features Bosch motor, choice of frame sizes, batteries and hub gears, enclosed chain, Magura rim brakes, Feather Shock front fork suspension, leather grips, Schwalbe Energizer 37mm tyres.
More info www.koga.com/en
Haibike XDuro Trekking RX – German quality to the fore
A German manufacturer offering a comprehensive range, and best known for its electric mountain bikes, with prices heading well over £10,000. Lower down the range the XDuro Trekking models still offer real premium qualities, including Bosch motor, battery and Intuvia display. Given all these features the bike still only weighs just over 23kg.
Also, the hybrid style of the RX makes it ideal for all kinds of trips – across campsites as well as out on the open road and designated paths.
Price from £3,000
Key features Bosch 250W motor with 500Wh battery, choice of frame sizes, men’s and women’s versions, Tektro Gemini brakes, Schwalbe Energizer tyres, SRAM nine-speed/Shimano 11-speed gears
More info www.haibike.de/en
Our thanks
Special thanks for helping with this article go to Graham Rowe, owner of Brighton-based Electric Bikes Sussex ( www.ElectricBikesSussex.co.uk Tel: 01273 625060) and Sue Coulson of Batribike (www.batribike.com). Both fully understand the extra needs of motorcaravanners when it comes to e-bikes.
Over to you
Got any advice on e-bikes or stories of your adventures on an electric bike to pass on to others? Feel free to add your comments below.
I had a newish hybrid bike so I purchased an ebike conversion kit from cycocity. Fitting it took a little head scratching as instructions were vague. But once up and running its amazing. 20 mile range which is enough for me, and hills/head winds are a doddle. Cost £300 +the old ice.
my advice would be to check out the cost of electric bikes in french supermarkets, as my wife and myself brought 2 bikes from decathlon in France about 5 years ago, there own brand they are still giving great service they cost £500 each when I compared them to English prices they were a £1000 each then.
it meant I had a trip to France a holiday 2 x bikes for less than I could buy the bikes in England.
Why are they so expensive here and not so on the continent.
Jim
We carry two adapted mountain bikes with 8Fun mid drive motors we paid £500 for each bike on Alibaba about 4 years ago and we use them every time we are abroad – France is geared up with lots of dedicated tracks some 10 miles long. As a transport engineer I looked carefully at the safety aspects of carrying on the back of the van. There is no effect from enertia by fitting them on the back as long as the weight is balanced at the front with a bias to the maximum allowed on the nose. There are no couples induced around the axles or noticable centripetal acceleration added in cornering – the physics calculations back this up. You can figure this out yourself by seeing the high wire artists using a long pole to effect stability on the wire. It’s harder to get the rotation going but remember it is also harder to stop once it starts. This is why I developed “Differential Stability” to prevent lateral instability from starting as opposed to a sensor that needs to detect an oscillation after it starts. I am not surprised that snaking still occurs even with ATC fitted and friction hitches are useless once movement takes place – Laws of friction, and expecting a 50mm ball to work against a 5/6 mtr long lever as with the van, is worthy of a place Alice in Wonderland.
We bought electric bikes earlier in the year and a bike carrier which sits on the tow ball. We were unable to take our bikes abroad as our van is too old for a carrier. We have just returned from Austria and the caravans there have Alko chassis which provide a bike rack on the A frame. Why no British caravans with this facility??
I have a Swift Conqueror 560 caravan that has the mountings for a bike rack on the back. Convention says adding weight to the rear of a van is not good for stability, what is the advice if we opted for two e-bikes? Are they safe mounted on the rear bike racks of caravans?
Hi Mike – it probably depends on the weight of the bikes. Swift or your supplying dealers should be able to give you the weight limits. And you might also want to think about security too.
Hi Mick, we’ve been in touch with Swift and they advise a maximum rear load of 60kg including the weight of the rack. Therefore for E-bikes they advise removing the batteries.
Hope this helps?
This is the web address for these bikes. = http://www.denverbike.com/index.php/bikes-by-denver/electric-bikes/26-electric-bike-e-bike.html
My resume above is short of full specs. After reading articles more fully something comes to mind. The assist is variable and may give a higher range than stated in my manual if you set power to lower settings. Have not had chance to put this bike through its paces to see how it actually performs. I reiterate that so far I am very pleased with its performance. My grand children think it’s great.
I purchased an electric bicycle in a Carrefour supermarket in Benidorm this March. I am extremely pleased with it. It cost 695 euro approx. equivalent to £560. It is a Denver E-BIKE mod. E-7000 of Italian make. Denver have a webpage showing my model it has orange mudguards. It is a rigid frame bicycle about the weight of an adult mountain bike with battery removed, battery can be removed without tools. It has Shimano six speed gearing. Max speed with electric assist 15mph can go faster if you pedal harder or going downhill. Max range fully charged bat. 15miles. Max power out of motor 250W.Hope this will be helpful to other Motor homers.
We have two Roodog Bliss folding bikes at 17kgs each. They go on a towbar mounted Thule compact carrier on our Hyundai i800 camper van. At £800 each they are at the cheaper end but very well spec’d up. They are a Uk company from Hornsea.
In reply to Frank: The new Pedelec legislation (EN15194) is not retrospective. Therefore, if you bought/converted your Bike prior to 01/01/2016, you can continue to enjoy your bike as previously. As an aside: Many manufacturers have unsold stock of Bikes that do not comply with current legislation – caveat emptor!
The weight of the Winora Radius is actually 16.7Kg, not 19.7Kg as quoted. Using the very well regarded and powerful Yamaha mid-mount motor, it offers a range of up to 105 miles, meaning you won’t always be looking for a hook-up to recharge your bike. Winora are a highly reputable German brand and it comes with a 5 year frame warranty. It’s compact dimensions and the beautiful ride quality make this a popular choice with motorhomers, caravanners and boat owners.
Thanks Graham for the weight update on the Radius – I’ve corrected that now.
My wife and I already had Dahon folding bikes and had them converted for electric assistance by CH White and Son of Malmesbury.
http://Www.foldingbike.biz Might be a more economical option worth exploring if you already own bikes
I should be interested in knowing more about more lightweight bikes especially the Gtech too. It would also be useful to hear more about the bike racks available for e-bikes. Interesting article though!
Thanks Catherine. Bike racks is something we’ll try to have a look into for you for a future article.
It is essential to try different makes. Weight and balance and motor assistance vary enormously. They can be quite heavy with the battery when stopped or walking with the bike. We went to Juicybikes in Leicester. Keith and Liam very generous with time, advice and trial rides on different makes. We bought two Freego bikes – very pleased with them.
I have an e bike with a throttle I adapted a mountain bike this was before the new regulations. have I got to throw it away?
I have asked for guidance from DVLA but no joy.
It seems that If owners had the bikes before the rule change there are no guidelines.
If I have to tax and insure the bikes ok but HOW.
Any help would be welcome
We’ll see if we can find out for you Frank. Pedelecs UK have a forum which might be of use. See Helen’s comment.
Hi Frank, Helen from pedelecs.co.uk is currently waiting on further clarification from the DfT and hopes to publish some information on this shortly on Pedelecs.
Always great to see pedelecs getting a mention. Camping and touring go hand in hand with taking an electric bike with you; they make it easier to pop to the shop for supplies (you can pack in a surprising amount in panniers) or take in the scenery and fresh air around where you’re staying. Folding electric bikes, those that are lighter in weight, eMTBs (even folding mountain bikes), Dutch upright styles – there’s a lot to choose from. I’m emailing from http://www.pedelecs.co.uk which aims to guide people on choosing their first pedelec, as well as UK road usage law and other guides plus a busy forum where people swap notes and experiences. I hope your readers might find the link to it useful..
Thanks Helen. Perhaps you can help Frank with his query?
My husband and I chose Pro Rider bikes and were extremely happy with them, well he was until his was stolen in Oliva, Spain last year. This despite having a really good lock on, they cut a 10mm steel cable and must have carried the bike away as the d lock was missing, still on the bike presumably.
Cops not too bothered, seemed like a common occurrence. Our insurance at the time wouldn’t cover the bikes abroad…..
Why no mention of the “Giant” elec. bikes ?
Surely they`re one of the best on the market.
The main aim of the article was to highlight the benefits of electric bikes when touring and we simply chose a selection recommended by a supplier. Thanks for the recommendation and shout out to Giant. Here’s a link if readers want to find out more: http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bike-catalogue/series/e-bikes/33/
MY problem is I grew up riding a triumph 20 bicycle and loved the upright position where the handle bars were much higher then the seat. I want to be able to cycle and see where I am going without crooking my neck upwards from such a front leaning position. The problem is now as a 6 foot 2 inch bloke I cannot seam to find a bike of that type big enough for me. !!
My wife and I really like our freego bikes which come in much cheaper and lighter than a lot in your article. Although there are many agents we bought directly from the importer where we had excellent service and a few trial rides. Take a look at http://freegoelectricbikes.com .
Incidentally we carry these inside our caravan to site and have a bike rack to fit to the tow ball for bigger exploration once there. We check caravan loading carefully of course, happy e biking!
Hi John
Thanks for adding the comment and the recommendation.
Sounds like you are well kitted out for electric bike rides! The bike rack to fit on the tow ball sounds a great addition. And great to hear you carefully load your caravan.
Nice article, but it would have been better if you had direct comparisons for each bike, especially the weight, yes I think a couple were mentioned but not all. This information is vital for motorhomers, knowing how much weight they will have to lift on to the bike rack! Also disappointed that the Gtech was never mentioned, extremely lightweight (16 kilos) and battery good for 30 miles or so. We own 2 of these fantastic machines and would recommend them all day long……….we have no vested interest!
Thanks for the comment Chris. We’ll see if we can add the weights at least. Thanks