With an electric bike, you can enjoy cycling again
Up hills and mountains and driving home in headwind. Actually, cycling would be much too tiring if it weren’t for the electric bike. An electric motor makes cycling fun again. The breeze and freedom on the bike can be enjoyed without too much effort.
Easily mastering difficult routes with an electric bike
Do you sometimes feel the same?
The sun is slowly rising outside and it’s not so cold anymore. There is basically nothing to stop you riding your biobike to work. My initial motivation quickly vanishes as I sit at the kitchen table and imagine my commute to work. After 40 kilometers, I get to the office out of breath and sweaty. Due to the lack of time/shower, I have to make do with just quickly wiping myself down. If I then start to think about the 10 kilometers uphill, I almost have the car key in my hand.
Shortly after the turn of the year and having made my New Year’s resolutions, I gave myself a 45 km/h model (Upstreet 7.23 HS). After all, I have decided to do more exercise this year. Now there are no more excuses. Especially because my partner would remind me of this every day. He’s not yet infected with the e-bike virus, and sort of made fun of both my intentions and my purchase.
I made it my mission to commute to work on my electric bike at least twice a week. In the morning, I take it easy. I choose the highest assistance level, enjoy it and arrive at the office without a single bead of perspiration. In the evening, I use my electric bike as a piece of sports equipment. My challenge on the way home: Set a new best time every day. In doing so, I rely on the lowest assistance level and work with a lot of muscle power – after all, the well-deserved shower is waiting for me at home.
If you still feel your hand reaching for the car key, these six tips may motivate you to switch to an electric bike.
Control and stability while riding
Modern e-bikes offer a balanced geometry that provides a great deal of control and stability when riding. Powerful disc brakes and bright front and rear lights provide additional safety. This is also important as electric bikes are often used at high speeds. And that is precisely why it is important to have complete control over your vehicle and its surroundings. You can make sure you have more control by taking the following small measures.
Have your e-bike adjusted to your needs by a specialist dealer. For example, we are talking about setting the right seat height, aligning the handlebars or adjusting the tire pressure individually to your needs. After all, you can only have the necessary control and stability if you are sitting correctly and comfortably on your bike.
Predictive riding allows you to react to changes in road traffic early on. Keep in mind that many motorists have not yet gotten used to the fast racers and the braking distance with an electric bike is considerably longer than with a normal bike due to your speed.
An indispensable feature of cars is also becoming increasingly popular with electric bikes: the anti-lock braking system. This monitors the speed of the two wheels via sensors and intervenes in the event of difficult braking maneuvers. This involves regulating the brake pressure of the front brake.
When purchasing a new product, it is definitely worth trying out models with this feature.
Unless you feel completely comfortable on your e-bike, the most suitable model is useless. E-bike or mountain e-bike safe riding and riding skills courses can help. You will learn how to start and stop safely, how to keep your balance and how to sit correctly on an electric bike. You will also practice the correct braking technique as well as cornering and going round traffic circles. In the case of a mountain e-bike, the course also includes training for off-road and trail rides.
Up the mountain – on an electric bike
Now that you feel completely at home on your e-bike, it’s time to get a little wilder. Crossover and mountain e-bike models in particular are perfect for riding in the mountains or on trails. With modern mountain bikes, nothing will stand in the way of your spirit of discovery. The powerful motors allow you to overcome even the steepest inclines and steps – provided you have the necessary basic riding skills.
Various technical aids will help you climb mountains. You will particularly appreciate the adjustable seat post, the different assistance levels and sometimes the pushing aid.
An adjustable seat post is particularly recommended for trails. This gives you more freedom of movement at the touch of a button, enabling you to position yourself ideally on the bike on downhill descents. Even in the technical uphill, it helps to have more freedom of movement by lowering the seat post. But it’s not only useful for mountain biking. It also makes getting on and off easier on other models, for example.
The pushing aid is a great help when the mountain is too steep or your legs are too weak. At the touch of a button, this helps you set the electric bike in motion while walking. The motor of the e-bike drives the rear wheel at up to 6 kilometers per hour. A feature that can also be useful at home, for example, for pushing the e-bike up a garage driveway.
What do you prefer? A sporty ride or a little more comfort? Thanks to various assistance levels, you can choose how much assistance the motor should provide. This means that you can either be very sporty and use a lot of muscle power, or ride at a more leisurely pace and, above all, let the motor work.
Cycling and enjoying nature
Have you ever thought about going on a bike tour on an electric bike? On a bike tour, you are closer to nature than you are with any other means of transport. And if you prefer to relax on holiday, an electric bike means a bike trip is no longer something only for sporty people. With an e-bike, even the less sporty among us can relax on a bike tour. As you will see, a cycling trip on an electric bike is something unique and great fun.
Sounds good, but the difficult bit is actually doing it? Below are some useful tips for your journey:
Planning a bike tour
Of course, a trip on an e-bike requires careful planning, as you are sometimes reliant on a power outlet. You'll not be wanting to worry about finding accommodation late in the evening after many kilometers of cycling. You will also be glad if you know where your tour will take you and which regions you should avoid. The more your travel planning takes on form, the greater the excitement gets. If you can share it with someone, it’s even better.
Our “MUSTS” that are part of good preparation:
- Define your route
- Determine the number of kilometers you want to travel every day
- Pre-reserve accommodation
- Hire e-bike or additional battery
- Purchase any additional equipment (e.g.: bags/panniers)
- Have your electric bike checked by a dealer you trust
Our tip: If you are new to bike tours, we recommend the Swiss Herzroute (Heart Route). The approximately 700 km long, well-signposted cycle route takes you from Lausanne to Romanshorn in 13 stages. At any stage location, you can obtain or return a FLYER e-bike from our partner Rent a Bike. Battery exchange stations ensure that you never run out of power on the go. And of course, you can also complete the route (Heart Route) with your own electric bike. Then we would recommend that you pack an extra battery or charge your bike over lunch at a restaurant.
Bikepacking – avoiding unnecessary baggage
When it comes to bikepacking, less is more. The lighter the luggage, the more agile you are and the more space you can find for a souvenir or two. So keep your equipment to a minimum. What may initially be a big challenge gets easier from one trip to the next.
Our “MUSTS” that are indispensable on a bike journey:
Rider equipment
- Cycling pants
- Functional shirts
- Rain pants/jacket
- Sweater
- Underwear
- Clothes suitable for wearing in a restaurant
- Pajamas
- Toiletries
- Swimwear
- Microfiber towel
- Sun protection
E-bike equipment
- Helmet
- Lock
- Charger / additional batteries
- Mobile phone and cable (e.g.: for navigation)
- Drinking bottle
- First aid kit
- Repair set / pump*
If you want to get even closer to nature, a tent, a sleeping bag and outdoor cooking equipment are also a must.
*Don’t worry if you don’t have bike repair skills yourself. A repair course in advance helps, and if not, you’re sure to find a specialist dealer along the way.
