Cycling is a fantastic way to get to work or run your errands but let’s face it – if you’re not a regular cyclist the thought of commuting by bike can be pretty daunting. Fitness, time restraints and general logistics can be off-putting when trying to work out if it’s a feasible way to get from A to B.
However, many of the common commuting worries can be put to rest when you throw an electric bike into the mix. E-curious commuters of today are extremely lucky as there is a multitude of different brands, styles and specs available to suit the needs of every rider.
For those who plan to ride the city streets, an electric hybrid bike would be perfect. But should you go for a lightweight bike, or full-powered? What are the benefits of each?
Read on for more, or watch the video below!
Lightweight E-Hybrid Bikes
Lightweight e-hybrid bikes are, as you can imagine, light. The Specialized Turbo Vado SL shown here is roughly 40% lighter than your average e-bike, which if you’ve had any previous experience with electric bikes you will understand can be pretty heavy.
Not everyone has the luxury of a large ground floor storage area for their bikes (particularly in urban locations), so the reduction in weight is fantastic for riders who may have to navigate staircases, lifts or tighter storage locations. Basically anywhere you might have to manoeuvre the bike in a sub-optimal position. Especially handy if you are on the smaller, lighter side yourself!
The reduction in weight does usually come at a slight trade-off with power/range. The aforementioned Specialized Turbo Vado SL features a smaller battery/motor than it’s full-powered sibling the Turbo Vado – this is one of the reasons that it is so much lighter overall.
Being lighter in weight helps to offset the reduction of range that comes from the smaller battery however, and on many bikes you can add a range extender (usually an extra external battery) if desired.
If you are someone who wants to work on their fitness, but would like a bit of extra assistance for your daily journeys then the lightweight option could be the way to go. The smaller battery/motor does mean slightly less power but makes the bike feel overall far more like a non-electric bike and provides a great workout if that’s what you’re looking for. (Stick it in the highest assist mode though and we assure you it still packs plenty of punch).
Full-Powered E-Hybrid Bikes
The flip-side of the lightweight bike providing a great workout, is that with a full-powered (or full-fat as we sometimes refer to them) bike you can get from A to B without breaking a sweat if needed. Ideal for those who don’t have any showering facilities at work, or might be saving your legs for other things. Even the steepest of hills will be no problem in Turbo mode!
Yes, they may be slightly heavier (which is certainly a consideration if you need to lift the bike into storage, or onto a rack etc), but the range is unparalleled which means no worrying about running out of battery on a longer journey, and less having to remember to charge the bike if your journeys are shorter!
If you’re less concerned about weight and more about convenience, then a full-powered e-hybrid could be the way to go. Load up your bike with racks/panniers if compatible and take everything you might need along for the ride. Or get that shopping home in record speed! The powerful motor of the full-fat bike will allow you to still cruise home with ease.
We hope the above has given you a bit more of an idea which way you should go if you choose an electric hybrid bike. To shop our full range of e-hybrid bikes, click below and head over to our website
