It was inevitable that eBikes would become an integral part of the South African cycling culture. Pockets of resistance remain, but the overall sentiment is widespread acceptance. Here’s a list of reasons to buy an eBike and where to find the best range.
Paid partnership with Cycle Lab
Every weekend on the trails and roads around South Africa, more and more people are pedalling eBikes. Each one has a different reason for investing in an eBike, some of which include:
Being overweight: Many once-fit people find it highly intimidating to spend months struggling to trim weight and regain fitness. So, they tend to avoid it. But an eBike gives them immediate access to riding with their friends or family members. With that comes enjoyment and motivation and they end up riding often and regaining reasonable riding condition – from a different angle…
Having a chronic illness: While they don’t feel sick or compromised all the time, many with a chronic illness must avoid over exertion, especially those with heart-related conditions. An eBike enables them to enjoy a ride with others but ensures they don’t go into that over-exertion zone.
Recovering from an injury: Mountain bikers crash from time to time and sometimes that means a long time off the bike. Getting back to pre-crash condition can be arduous and time-consuming, but an eBike makes it possible to regain form faster and have fun in the process.
Being elderly: Once strong and fast, many passionate cyclists yield reluctantly to the onset of ageing and stop riding. But an eBike allows them to continue enjoying their cycling into old age without being a burden on those around them.
Improving skills: Knowledge and repetition are the best ways to improve a skill on a mountain bike. But riding up a steep climb to come down the technical bits is limited on a regular bike. An eBike allows you to repeat that technical descent often in a single session so that you improve your skills faster. It’s like your own personal chair lift…
Being lonely: Humans are social creatures that need to connect regularly for mental and emotional stability. Lacking fitness or being put off by the months required to build it, can isolate people even further. But eBikes mean these are no longer reasons to prevent people from enjoying the social vibe of bicycle rides, be it with friends, family, or a club.
Couples bonding: Many couples have discovered that the non-riding or weaker-riding partner can join the stronger partner on rides with an eBike. This increases time together to share experiences and strengthen relationship bonds.
Commuting: The price of fuel and the volume of cars on the roads these days makes commuting by bicycle quite attractive. An eBike makes it a no-brainer really. If you do the maths on how much you will save on fuel and gain on fitness/happiness, an eBike is smart investment to make.
Time-constrained: Busy with work and family during the week and unable to fit in weekday rides, many find cycling freedom on weekends. An eBike allows you to ride your favourite routes or trails but eliminates the slog on the climbs.
LIGHTWEIGHT VS FULL EBIKE
In mountain bikes, there are two types of eBikes: Lightweight eBike and Full eBike. Full eBikes offer 4x the rider’s power and are heavier (22-27kg) because they incorporate a larger motor and larger battery more power and greater range.
Lightweight eBikes are obviously lighter (16-20kg) and offer 2x the rider’s power. They have less powerful motors and smaller batteries with shorter range than Full eBikes, but are more manoeuvrable and feel more
GRAVEL EBIKES
With the growth of gravel races, Gravel eBikes from brands like Orbea, Giant, Bianchi and SCOTT are making an impact in South Africa. Gravel eBikes offer the same features as an analogue gravel bike such as wider tyres, relaxed geometry and flared handlebars for increased comfort, but the pedal-assist motor ensures you can cover long distances with composure.
EBIKES AND SOUTH AFRICAN RACES
More and more South African cycling races are incorporating eBike categories. This presents enthusiastic eBike riders the opportunity to enjoy the structure and vibe of South Africa’s world-class bicycle races, such as Race to the Sun, Race to the Sea, Sani2c, Wines2Whales, Berg and Bush and the Glacier Waterberg and Storms River Traverses and many more.
COST
But what about the cost? Yes, eBikes tend to be more expensive than a similarly specced analogue bike. But here’s the thing. There’s bicycle finance available these days. If you really want something, you will make a plan to get it. There are also many stories where cycling groups have clubbed together to help a friend buy an eBike so that he/she can reconnect with their tribe and enjoy their bike-riding passion.
There’s no doubt that for many, investing in an eBike is their ticket to independence, freedom, fitness, a better social life or a better self-image. It could be you, or it could be someone you know that might enjoy the benefits of an eBike.
Cycle Lab stocks the widest range of eBikes in South Africa. From basic hardtail mountain bikes to gravel bikes, to road bikes and up to the highly sophisticated full-suspension mountain bikes. The price range is refreshing too, with aluminium hardtail mountain bikes starting at R23 999.
Cycle Lab also stocks eBikes from several brands including SCOTT, Giant, Liv, Silverback, Titan Racing, Cannondale and Orbea. See the range, prices and financing options here.
TRY BEFORE YOU BUY
As with test-driving before buying a new car, it makes sense to test-ride an eBike before making a buying decision. Cycle Lab regularly holds Demo Days where a range of eBikes and regular bikes from several brands can be ridden and considered.
