Thursday, Octobr 5, 2017
HICKEYS Sport staff member Hedley Meacheam with an electrical-assist mountainbike that’s
available at the store. Behind him is another version of the e-bike. Photo Sven Carlsson OB3086-03
Sven Carlsson
BICYCLE riding can now be limited to downhill and coasting, with no further need for those gut-wrenching uphill slogs.
The removal of the uphill battle comes with the flick of a switch – at least if you own an e-bike.
A range of the electrical bikes are now available at Hickeys Sport where Brendan Hickey says the mountain e-bike they have in the show room is an entry-level version.
“A top-of-the line Scott e-bike costs $11,000,” he said.
Mr Hickey said the bikes should be thought of as “electric assist bicycles”.
This is because while you can choose to ride on full electric, without pedalling yourself, you can also mix the level of electrical power, and you can also turn it off.
“This means the rider can choose what effort they want to put in,” Mr Hickey said.
By stumping up $2300, bike riders can commute without “getting hot and bothered”.
“You can arrive at work without needing to take a shower.”
Mr Hickey said many motor home owners had gone for electric bikes.
Hunters and farmers are among the outdoors types that may find an electric bike fits their lifestyle well.
“E-bikes have opened up a whole new world of opportunity for many who want to enjoy biking as a leisure activity,” Mr Hickey said.
“They are enabling people of all ages and ability to either get into riding or continue riding well into their later years when otherwise they might have had to give up riding altogether.”
The evolution of electric bikes was the most significant development of biking since mountainbikes were first made commercially in the 1980s.
Affordability of the e-bike
BRENDAN Hickey says the typical range of an e-bike would be anywhere between 60 kilometres to 120km depending on weight of rider, terrain, battery power and the level of assistance required.
Batteries will usually quick charge – up to 80 per cent in two hours – or attain full charge in four hours.
Different configurations of e-bikes range from step-through leisure bikes, hardtail mountainbikes and even top-of-the-range carbon frame dual suspension mountainbikes which will take anyone anywhere.
Bikes range from about $2500 to $4500 for standard models, through to top-of-the-range Scott E-Genius 700 Tuned, which retails for $10,999.