TREK RIDE+ ELECTRIC BIKES ARRIVE!
If you have ever watched the Tour de France on telly, and thought I can do that, and then thought that maybe sweating and lycra isn’t quite you, well Trek have now produced a bike that opens up cycling to a whole new group.
If you have ever watched the Tour de France on telly, and thought I can do that, and then thought that maybe sweating and lycra isn’t quite you, well Trek have now produced a bike that opens up cycling to a whole new group.
The Trek Ride+ is a lightweight bike, ideal for the country lanes, canal towpaths or commute, with a hidden, secret weapon.
Built into the hub of the rear wheel is an electric motor! These are not mopeds though! The motor only works as you pedal. A switch on the handlebar gives you 4 different “assist” levels. Level 1 and the motor adds 50% of your effort, 2 gives 100% 3 -150% and 4 gives you an extra 200% power, imagine cycling with a strong tail wind! Or you spent all winter training, not watching Britain’s Got Talent and Coronation Street!
What does all this mean in the real world? Having ridden one of these I will tell you. You will come back from a ride grinning! You can cruise along at up to 25kph, in normal clothes. On the flat level 2 means effortless riding. Level 4 means the climb up the Cow and Calf is as easy as normal flat riding. And you’ll get no hotter than if you were walking!
Ahhh you say! It’ll be heavy and eat batteries. No it isn’t. It weighs 21kg and with the assist on it feels a good as a top of the line lightweight. As for the battery, it uses the latest in battery technology so that the charge it holds is good for 25 or so rolling miles. But here is the clever bit, every time you brake or coast along, the battery recharges! You can even take it a stage further, if you know you are at the top of a big hill you can switch the motor to recharge and as you roll down the hill, it will use the wheels movement to put extra “charge” into the battery! If you were cycling from Otley to Leeds and back every day you should only have to connect the battery to the charger 2 or 3 times a week. If you are prepared to come off the level 4 assist you’ll get even longer!
Apart from the handlebar display and the slim battery built into the rack, the Ride+ looks like a normal bike – because it is. All the mechanical bits are the s ame and can be looked after, serviced or upgraded as normal. The electronics are all sealed and UK weatherproof and only need checking every six months by our trained Ride+ mechanic. (There is also a 2 year guarantee on all the electrics!)
The only true way to understand how good these bikes are is to try one. We are one of the few selected Trek dealers to stock and sell these bikes and so we have our own demo bike available. However as demand is high, I would advise you book to avoid disappointment.
Electric bikes and the Law.
The most important point to note is this is an electrically “assisted” bike. If you stop pedalling then the motor stops. Bikes where you twist a throttle or push a button and go are now classed as motorbikes and are subject to insurance/tax/helmets etc that motorbikes and scooters are.
Because the Ride+ is a bike you can go anywhere a pedal bike can, there is no legal helmet requirement (although I would still recommend one), there is no minimum age requirement or license, and no road tax or insurance required.
Published Saturday 4 July 2009
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