STACK #214 August 2022

LIFE TECH FEATURE

visit stack.com.au

continued

convenience to a broad demographic of cyclists not traditionally associated with riding bikes. And with climate concerns and budget-breaking bowser woes, there has never been a greater desire or a better time to own an e-bike. So, who is leading this e-bike charge? “E-bikes attract a variety of riders from mums with children, commuters, seniors looking for support, and couples with one partner wanting to ride with the other,” says BIA boss Peter Bourke. “Studies have shown that people with e-bikes ride further than they would’ve and more often than they would’ve. People get more health benefits, because they start a ride they would’ve never considered beforehand for fear of being unable to finish it. It gives you the confidence to start that ride.” Initial start-up costs will be the biggest challenge in beginning your e-bike journey. Once you’re up and running, there are no insurance, fuel, or parking charges to consider, and at just over ten cents to charge and minimal maintenance fees, using an e-bike to get around is a huge saving. It’s an absolute no-brainer, but where on earth do you start? Walk – or should we say ride – this way. Getting the best out of it Question number one: What do you want to use the e-bike for? It sounds obvious, but you’re not going to take a bike designed for a city commute down the side of a mountain trail and vice versa. It’s crucial to pick a bike that best suits your needs. Will you be taking it away on adventure weekends to the bush? Picking up groceries instead of using the car? Swapping the morning train ride for a road commute? This is your first step to becoming an e-bike owner. Frame it! You'll find the three dominant frame styles on an e-bike: crossbar, mixed frame, and step-through. A crossbar e-bike is the more familiar bike design – a cross tube that runs directly from beneath the handlebars, connects with

Commuter Electric Bike Daxys Lizard

Mountain Electric Bike DaxysWolf

the seat stem, and can be predominantly found on road and mountain bike styles. The mixed frame is a hybrid design between crossbar and a step-through; a style that keeps the rider almost upright, it is a great recreational or casual option, and perfectly suited to older riders or cyclists without a complete range of motion. The Commuter Electric Bike By far the most popular e-bike, the commuter is a versatile cycle designed to navigate city roads with aplomb. They come in several different designs and feature wider tyres to accommodate the array of surfaces you’ll likely find on any given trip. Commuter bikes can often be single-geared or fitted with fewer gears than their mountain counterparts, and are excellent choices to throw in the back of a caravan for the trip away. The Electric Mountain Bike The mountain bike needs no introduction. With the e-bike version, you get all the benefits of a bike crafted for the trails with the bonus of a motor thrown in. Why does that matter? Increased range is right at the top of the reasons to invest in one. Adding distance without burning all your energy is a great way to stay on the trails for longer. The Cargo Electric Bike For inner city living, the cargo e-bike is the best reason you’re likely to get for ditching that second car and kicking high fuel costs and parking fees into touch. Cargo bikes are sturdy machines designed to carry a load. Of course, that can be groceries, business supplies, or even the kids!

Cargo Electric Bike FiidoT1

Crossbar electric bike

Step-through electric bike

“Bicycling is a big part of the future. It has to be. There’s something wrong with a society that drives a car to work out in a gym.” – Bill Nye, US scientist

44 AUGUST 2022

jbhifi.com.au