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LeMond Launches New Carbon eBikes

LeMond Bicycles has announced the release of their first electric bikes. The LeMond team has a meticulous approach to design, technology, and innovation which is reflected in the sleek design of their two new ebikes: the Daily and the Dutch. Both eBikes have carbon fiber frames and high-end components. The frames are clean and simple with the battery, motor, and lighting system fully integrated to retain the classic look of a traditional bike.

The Daily:

New Carbon Fiber Bike The LeMond Daily
The Daily is the result of years of work by LeMond to create the perfect ebike for daily use. The carbon fiber frame is sleek and fluid with impressive integration. The Daily integrates both the battery and MAHLE ebikemotion® X35 motor into the frame. A multiple mode light system is tucked into the barstem and seat stays, and charged by a single port. The Daily also features the Shimano GRX Hydraulic 1×11 drivetrain, tubeless compatible aluminum wheelset, and Spurcycle bell. Current retail price: $4500
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eBike Industry Leaders: An Interview w/ Don DiCostanzo of Pedego Electric Bikes

Here at ElectricBikeReport, we had the opportunity to sit down with Don DiCostanzo of Pedego Electric Bikes for an in depth discussion about Pedego, e-bikes, and the industry in general.

Don DiCostanzo of Pedego Bikes

Don is the CEO and founder of Pedego Electric Bikes, located in Fountain Valley, California. In 2006, Don purchased an ebike to help him ride up a large hill to his home. But after many frustrating experiences with several different ebikes, Don decided the only way to get the ebike he wanted would be to design it himself. So he set out to create a bike that was powerful, durable, stylish, and comfortable to ride. He and a partner began Pedego bikes in 2008 and Don has been learning from and influencing the ebike industry ever since then.

Pedego Logo

Today, Pedego is the number one brand of electric bikes in the US (according to Navigant Research) with over 140 stores and 30 more set to open soon.

We asked Don to tell us a little bit about Pedego, what makes this company unique, and to give us some insights into the history and evolution of the ebike industry.
[Read more…] about eBike Industry Leaders: An Interview w/ Don DiCostanzo of Pedego Electric Bikes

DOST Drop eBike Review 2020


In this Spec Review we will take a look at the build, design and components on the DOST Drop.

The Drop e-bike by DOST Bikes is a comfortable e-cruiser with a step-thru frame that comes in glacier white or space gray. It comes with a 48 volt, 10.4Ah battery with the option to add a dual battery system for just $350 more. The Drop is currently on backorder, but the Oct/Nov 2020 batch is available on the DOST Bikes website.

DOST Bikes is a new e-bike manufacturer located in Canada. This company is a collective of e-bike professionals who are now working together to provide high-end e-bikes at mid-range prices. DOST Bikes only produces two bikes currently, the Drop (reviewed here) and the Kope (high-step version of the Drop).

One of DOST Bikes main emphases is extending the range and quality of traditional e-bikes. The Drop has a 750W mid-drive motor and a throttle and will zip up to 28mph (throttle peaks at 20mph), so it classifies as a Class 3 ebike. According to DOST Bikes, the Drop has up to 120miles of range (on the dual battery) depending on your assist/throttle level and weight. The Drop is currently listed at $2799 for the single battery and $3148 for the dual system. DOST only sells the Drop on its website; all bikes are shipped from Canada.
[Read more…] about DOST Drop eBike Review 2020

BULLS Iconic EVO TR 1 Speed eBike Review 2020


In this Spec Review we will take a look at the build, design and components on the BULLS Iconic EVO TR 1 Speed. We haven’t included a Ride Test in this review — that will be posted later (though you can check out some other BULLS electric bikes we’ve ride testedin the meantime).

The BULLS Iconic EVO TR 1 Speed is a new e-bike from BULLS that is fully equipped with a Bosch Performance Speed (Gen 4) motor and the new Bosch Powertube 625Wh battery for more power and longer rides. This is a hybrid off road/commuter e-bike designed for comfort and performance. The EVO TR 1 Speed is full suspension to absorb shock from bumpy cobblestones on your way to the cafe while also reducing impact shock from rough terrain when you take the Iconic EVO out for a recreation ride on the weekend. This all-around bike boasts 75Nm of torque. The Bosch Purion onboard computer is easy to use with four riding modes and clear display metrics. This bike will zip up to 28mph which is plenty for around town and enough for riding through the hills. In this review we cover the specs and overall build of the Iconic EVO TR 1 Spd, more details about the handling and navigability of the bike will be covered in a separate Ride Review.

Bike Category: Class 3: Pedal assist to 28mph

Who It’s For: Riders looking for a comfortable and well-built all around bike for town, commuting and light recreation

The BULLS Iconic EVO TR 1 Spd has a wide range of features, making it a good choice for riders who:

  • What a quality bike from a reputable company
  • Are looking for extended range and a powerful drive system
  • Plan to ride varied surfaces and terrains
  • Want one good All-Around bike for ultimate adaptability
  • Are familiar with BULLS and Bosch products
  • Want a bit more suspension for comfort while retaining off road capabilities

[Read more…] about BULLS Iconic EVO TR 1 Speed eBike Review 2020

eBikes For Older Riders

Having a comfortable e-bike that is easy to control and that you feel safe on can make all the difference to how much you use it. This is doubly so as you begin to age – when it’s especially advisable for people to keep cycling to stave off the effects of age on muscles, motor coordination, and the immune system.

With this in mid EBR looks at some of the best e-bikes for older riders.

Get the Basics Right 

Comfort and controllability are of extra importance to older riders and a fairly upright riding position is usually the best way to attain this. If the e-bike has a traditional diamond frame (though see below for the advantages of step-thru frames), a short top tube means the seat and handlebars will be quite near each other, making it easy to sit upright. Sportier designs and e-road bikes in particular will have longer top tubes and are inherently hard if not impossible to ride in an upright posture. As with everything, it’s a case of pros and cons though.

This striking image from bike designer Mark Sanders shows how the spine, neck and wrists are forced out of their natural riding positions by sportier designs of bike but a natural and comfortable position is maintained on an upright bike.


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eBike News: Avalanche of New e-Bike Launches, CycleSight Safety, Huge UK eScooter Micromobility Project and Lots More [VIDEOS]

In this week’s electric bike news:

  • Huge range of new e-bike systems and e-bikes from BiMotal, Moustache, Ridgeback, Movea, Yoonit and Gogoro
  • Novel Cycling Accessories from CycleSight and BikerTop
  • People for Bikes Say Vote for Bikes
  • E-scooter Share Project in UK’s West Midlands ‘Western Europe’s Largest’

New eBikes & eBike Systems

Removable BiMotal Elevate Launched

The BiMotal Elevate retrofit system has just been announced. It features a unique motor that mounts around disk brake mounting points and has a claimed weight of 2lbs / sub 1kg with a 750W rating assisting ‘up to 28mph’!

It claims to remove in 20 seconds with only 200g of extra weight remaining on the bike.
[Read more…] about eBike News: Avalanche of New e-Bike Launches, CycleSight Safety, Huge UK eScooter Micromobility Project and Lots More [VIDEOS]

eBike News: New Jeep, EP8 e-mtbs, Virtual eBike Events and Much More! [VIDEOS]

In this week’s news:

  • Jeep eBike Now Available
  • More eMTBs Powered By Shimano’s Latest, Lightest Motor
  • BULLS Sponsors Sea Otter Play
  • eFondo at Mammoth Lakes
  • Pashley Reveal eCargo Trike
  • E-bike Biz Updates

New eBikes & eBike Systems

Jeep eBikes Now Available

Jeep’s new e-bike is designed to be a ‘go anywhere’ model

Back in a February news post we mentioned that an advert for a Jeep e-bike had appeared during the Superbowl but that more detail wasn’t available. Well now it is; as mentioned in the original news piece, it is in fact a rebranded Quietcat and the spec certainly looks in keeping with Jeep’s off-road automotive tradition.

  • Relatively unusual 160Nm Bafang mid-drive (check out EBR’s complete guide to mid-drives here).
  • 750w or 1000w Motor
  • 160nm Torque
  • Torque Sensor + 2 Speed Sensors
  • Removable Thumb Throttle
  • 10 Levels of Pedal Assist
  • 9 Speed Drivetrain
  • 4 Piston Hydraulic Disc Brakes
  • 150mm front and rear suspension
  • CST Roly Poly 26” x 4.8” Tires
  • 300lb Capacity

[Read more…] about eBike News: New Jeep, EP8 e-mtbs, Virtual eBike Events and Much More! [VIDEOS]

The Complete Guide to E-Bike Mid-Drive Motors

Mid-drives use a system of complex gears and a torque sensor for the motor to provide electric assist through to the pedal cranks

Mid-drives are electric-assist motors on e-bikes that drive through the pedal cranks (usually on turning the cranks – so-called pedelec power). They have become hugely popular in recent years as the technology has become more powerful, lighter, and more efficient, with every year bringing announcements of new mid-drive developments.

They are frequently used by some of the best electric bikes.

A typical mid-drive motor design that powers the bike along via the pedal cranks. Mid-drives are usually activated on pedalling with power both proportional to your pedal effort and dependent on what power level you have the motor set at. A few designs include an auxiliary throttle control in addition to ‘pedelec’ control.

[Read more…] about The Complete Guide to E-Bike Mid-Drive Motors

eBike News: Great American Outdoors Act, New Shimano Mid-drive, New Canyon Electric Vehicles and Lots More! [VIDEOS]

In this week’s news:

  • The Great American Outdoors Act and What it Means for eBikers
  • EP8 – Shimano’s New Powerful Mid Drive
  • Canyon City eBikes and its New Concept Light Electric Vehicle
  • Latest eMicromobility and Battery Tech News

Headline News

The Great American Outdoors Act Passed – What Does it Mean for eBikers?

The Great American Outdoors Act has just been signed into Law – but what exactly is it and what does it mean for e-bikers? The extra funding it secures means mountain bikers and electric mountain bikers could ultimately see more trails opening up for them to ride on.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund is now permanently funded at $900 million per year as of 2019, and the fund is divided into two separate parts—federal and stateside. Add that to new resources for maintenance backlog on federal public lands, and land agencies will have access to nearly $2 billion per year for the next five years. It has been described as the biggest land conservation legislation in a generation as well as being an unlikely success story that attracted bipartisan support from both major political parties. It is aimed at addressing, amongst other things, the US$12 billion backlog of maintenance to repair roads, trails, campgrounds, monuments, fire safety, utilities, and visitor infrastructure in National Parks.

Here’s a video from IMBA, the International Mountain Bicycling Association, that gives more detail on the implications for trail access:

 


[Read more…] about eBike News: Great American Outdoors Act, New Shimano Mid-drive, New Canyon Electric Vehicles and Lots More! [VIDEOS]

eBike News: Bikes & Racial Justice, Bike Boom, LOOK and Kellys New eBikes, Virginia eKickscooters & Much More! [VIDEOS]

In this week’s news:

  • Racial Justice & the Bike Industry
  • Covid-19 Bike Boom vs the Return of Motor Traffic
  • Carbon Fiber Framed eBikes from LOOK and Kellys
  • Fizik mtb Shoes
  • eKickscooters for Virginia
  • Cytronex Battery Guarantee

Headline News

People for Bikes – Putting Fighting Racial Injustice at the Heart of the Bike Industry

Bike and e-bike advocacy group People for Bikes say they are currently taking a number of steps to fight racial injustice both within the bike industry and at large. This webpage outlines their current programme and incudes steps such as:

  • Initiating an internal equity audit
  • Completing a staff survey
  • Implementing new hiring guidelines following best practices with the goal of increasing staff diversity
  • Identifying key areas for their research and data analysis programs to better support mobility justice
  • Issuing an industry-wide survey to understand how we can best support a more just, representative and equitable bicycle industry. If you are involved in the bike industry you are invited to take the survey here.

Will the Bike Boom Continue as Motor Traffic Returns?

Marker website has a great piece that gives an insight into the bike and e-bike boom consequent on Covid-19, seen particularly through the eyes of one of the US’s premier bike and e-bike brands, Trek. At the start of lockdown Trek believed a best case scenario would be a 50% sales fall in April, 20% in May then levels remaining remain flat through the rest of the year. In fact in April Trek CEO John Burke was starting to think the company would need to be making many many more bikes than usual as the sales curve headed upwards at an incredible rate.

‘According to NPD Group, a market-research firm, U.S. bicycle sales (including indoor bikes, helmets, and other accessories) hit $1 billion in April, up 75% from the previous year — and the first time ever that sales had reached such a height. Sales of bikes under $200 grew more than 200% and front-suspension mountain bikes were up 150%. Kids’ bikes spiked 107%’ says the Marker article.

Such a boom, of course, meant empty shelves and, with a typical bike or e-bike needing parts from literally dozens of suppliers around the world and taking several months to produce from the start of the order process to arrival in a shop, a scramble from manufacturers to place more orders at the same time with global capacity and supply chains severely disrupted by Covid-19 caused huge shortages.

Will the boom last? Trek’s Burke and the Marker article certainly seem to think that will be the case in the US at least: ‘Trek, which is privately held, does not disclose sales numbers, though the company reportedly sells about a million bikes a year. A company spokesperson says that it expects 2020 sales to be more than double those of 2019, and is expecting sales of kids bikes and e-bikes to surge this holiday season.’

European manufacturer Ampler saw a boom in its sales of lightweight e-bikes


[Read more…] about eBike News: Bikes & Racial Justice, Bike Boom, LOOK and Kellys New eBikes, Virginia eKickscooters & Much More! [VIDEOS]

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