What is an electric bicycle?

Electric Bicycles

The keys to the city, freedom on two wheels, the antidote to Auckland's problems and (probably) the best purchase you've ever made!

Electric bicycles sound too good to be true - you have fun, get healthier and happier while getting around. You leave when you want and know exactly when you're going to arrive. The environmental impact is very low and rather than creating congestion, noise and danger, you enhance community connection.  Electric bikes can combine with trains and ferries (and the occasional bus) or go on the back of a car and there's a world class selection of off-road cycle touring trails around the country. They have no registration or licensing requirements (insurance is advisable) and are amongst the cheapest forms of transport around. 

Types of Electric Bicycles in New Zealand

Electric bicycles or e-bikes under 300W motor power have their own classification that is treated much the same as bicycles. All of the e-bikes we sell are street legal at 300W motor power or under. The battery capacity, measured in Wh, has no limit. 

Pedal Assist (non-throttle) e-bikes with Bosch/Shimano mid-drive motors

The largest market for modern electric bicycles is found in Europe where e-bikes are not permitted to have throttles. Their physical build characteristics closely match the non-electric counterparts and the feeling of riding them is uncannily similar to riding a standard bike (except that you're a superhuman up any hill) - you just get on and pedal as normal and the e-bike just does what you want it to do without you asking. 

This style of e-bike in our range is most often seen with mid-drive motors by Bosch and Shimano and make up the majority of our range in all categories and basically all of the recreational and off-road category. Thanks to their popularity in the discerning and high-end (and highly regulated) e-bike market in Europe, they are generally built to a high level of finish. 

E-bikes with throttles and (usually) hub motors

We also have a range of e-bikes with throttles (hand controlled accelerators like on a motorbike). These e-bikes are on average more generous with the power delivery and often come with larger batteries and are usually heavier overall. Although there are e-bikes with mid-drive motors with throttles, the most natural match for a throttle is a bike with a hub motor (in the front or rear wheel). 

This style is generally offered only on the transport-oriented e-bikes in our selection as their strong points are that they are physically less demanding for the rider to get around on and maintenance per 1,000km is generally lower. These e-bikes also cost less upfront on average. 

Choosing the best electric bicycle for you

The best bike for you will depend on a range of factors, including where you live, your personal preferences, riding history and intended riding patterns and needs. For these reasons, online research in the forms of reviews, forums and videos while useful, should only inform part of the decision making process. It's not uncommon for our customers to visit with their mind already made up on a particular model which does not fit them in any of its available sizes.  

Test riding an e-bike is highly recommended covering low and high speed and hills. In the case of a cargo bike, trying with your actual cargo/passengers is best. There's a range of gear systems on e-bikes and it pays to try these out thoroughly during your rides. 

We invite you to view our range of e-bikes and book a test ride. We also have options for those outside Auckland.