STACK #202 Aug 2021

LIFE TECH FEATURE

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Benelli Prégo and Bravo With a rich history stretching back 110 years in Italy, Benelli initially started life in 1911 as a service station. Ambition pushed the company into motorbike and scooter production for the next 100 years, before it entered the burgeoning e-bike market in 2011. The two current models making an appearance in JB are the Prégo and the Bravo. Essentially, from a performance perspective, both bikes are the same. The difference is in the design and

OK, now that we've outlined all the exciting benefits of e-bike ownership, where to next?We've pulled together a collection of electric bicycles that cater to a variety of needs. HAVE BIKE, WILL TRAVEL

Himo Z20 For all intents and purposes, the Z20 is the e-bike all-rounder. Made from lightweight alloy, the bike weighs just 21.6kg, making it easy to handle. It folds in two places exceptionally quickly, above the forks of the front wheel and in the middle of the frame, which means you can stow it anywhere where space is at a premium. The Z20 will just as easily fit in the boot of a car as it would in the suitcase holder on a train – it was built for portability. Inside the main frame is a long lithium battery that can be extracted for easy charging. The manufacturer’s estimate on range lists 80km, but this is dependent on usage – if the rider is navigating hills, this would significantly ramp down that projection. The grunt comes in the form of a 240W brushless motor situated in the hub of the rear wheel, and there are three different levels of propulsion open to riders: 0 is nothing but pure pedal power, while 1 offers assistance from 30 to 70 per cent to take the load off the manual work. With the third setting, you twist the throttle on the grip like a motorbike and rely totally on the motor to propel the bike. A small LCD screen on the grip monitors speed, trip distance and battery life. There’s a front headlight for night excursions and a pump is cleverly situated in the seat stem. Shimano-6-speed gears provide more than enough for commutes or moderate use – you’d struggle taking it through the Alps, but as a practical e-bike for city or suburban dwellers looking to shave some dollars off living expenses and not having to deal with coagulated traffic jams, the Z20 is a

colour. The white Prégo offers a lower top tube step-through frame and would suit older riders that would struggle to lift a leg over the bar, or a rider wearing a skirt, while the Bravo adopts a more traditional shape and is black in colour. The Benelli pair is what we would describe as a city commuter bike designed for the streets and not for taking into the hills on a bush-bash. Both bikes are hub-drive and feature a 250W motor with plenty of torque. The battery can be charged in situ or removed if you don’t want to lug your bike indoors or upstairs. For night riders, a button on the display will activate both front and rear lights directly from the battery. Power assist comes in three modes – two levels of pedal assist with a max speed of 25km/h, and one that will propel the bike up to 6km/h without any pedalling required. The seat is quick release as are the wheels (another advantage of the hub-drive configuration), so both bikes can be easily stowed in the boot of a car. Complemented by front and rear hydraulic disc brakes, the entire package is rounded off with excellent Shimano Altus 1x8 gears. Range 90kms Charge Time 2-4 hours Weight 25kg

bona fide option you should be considering. Range 80km Charge Time 5 hours Weight 21.6kg

A survey conducted by

the Transport for London found that 20 per cent of London residents won’t use a traditional bicycle because they feel they’re too old or too unfit. In the same survey, 28 per cent of e-bike owners reported that they made the purchase to replace the need for a car.

50 AUGUST 2021

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