There's no denying that electricity is the future. Whether it's cars or bikes, everything around us seems to be turning electric to help us get around. Here at Specialized, we recognise the importance of electric bikes and how they encourage more people to ride. In this article, we'll discuss why we think you should consider an e-bike as your next bicycle.
Possibly the most obvious benefit to an e-bike is that you can ride further than you might normally ride on an unassisted bike. The battery range varies depending on rider weight, gear choice, terrain and weather, but a lot of bikes will now get between 20-70 miles out of one charge.
If you live in a particularly hilly area for example, or perhaps have a health condition that requires you to keep your heart rate low, an electric bike can help to keep you fit and riding further than you might be able to under your own steam.
That’s not to say you don’t get a workout with an e-bike. On the contrary, these bikes are limited to a 250W motor and the assist cuts out at 15.5mph. If you ride above either of these metrics the bike acts like an unassisted bike.
Bikes like the S-Works Turbo Creo SL are ideal for helping you get the miles in on the road. A lightweight bike even compared to some unassisted bikes, it comes with our Specialized SL 1.1 custom-tuned motor for the ultimate in e-bike systems.
With public transport costs increasing and traffic levels at an all-time high, using your bike to get to and from work has never been a better option. Electric bikes offer all the benefits of a bike, from zipping through traffic to helping you to be healthy and arrive feeling happier and in a better headspace than if you drove, but with the added boost of the motor.
Bikes like the Turbo Como and Turbo Vado are ideal for urban or shorter rides with their upright riding styles combined with utility. Each bike comes with a pannier rack which gives riders the option to remove backpacks and avoid the dreaded sweat patch on their backs.
The Turbo Como features a step-through frame design, making it ideal for those who don’t want to wear stretchy clothes on their bikes. Choose from belt drive or chain drivetrain options, both of which have their own benefits.
The Turbo Como SL range is the lightweight version of the Turbo Como and these bikes come with front baskets and a larger battery with an optional Range Extender, which can extend the range to around 93 miles. Imagine only needing to charge your bike once a week for a short commute!
With climate change progressing and the fuel prices looking like they won’t drop anytime soon, driving is becoming increasingly unattractive. Specialized has understood this and we’ve been working hard on a new utility brand we’re calling Globe.
We're taking the idea of a bike that can do everything and implementing it into a utility-based bike that can help you to reduce your reliance on your cars. While the range is still under wraps and won't be available in the UK for a little while, we can say it's going to be an exciting development for Specialized breaking into the cargo e-bike market, and getting the kids to school or doing the food shop will be easy with our new range of bikes.
In the meantime, bikes like the Turbo Tero and Turbo Vado are perfect for replacing short car journeys with bike rides. The Turbo Tero is a blend of off-road and utility, providing a comfortable ride without limits. The Turbo Vado is more for urban environments but comes with a choice of a step-through or step-over frame for ultimate rider comfort.
If you want to find out more about e-bikes and the accompanying equipment that might come in handy, get on down to your local Concept Store. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will be ready to help you out and answer any queries you might have.
