What is an E-Bike?

Like with normal pedal bicycles, electric bicycles come in many different shapes, colours, and sizes. It’s firstly important to make sure, when buying an ebike, that you are getting the right size for the rider. Different bodyweights and leg/arm length can mean that certain bikes will be better suited for you than others, although there are also practical considerations such as what terrain you will be riding on and whether you need to regularly transport the bike in your car or in a plane. Different wheel sizes, tyre fatness, frame size, seat height, handlebar orientation and electric power are all potential considerations when purchasing a bike for yourself or someone else.

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Step-Thrus

Step-through e-bikes, also known as ‘step-thrus’, have a dip in the frame so you can – as the name suggests – step through the frame to get onto the seat, instead of mounting the bike like a horse. Originally these bikes got the name ‘ladies bikes’, to accommodate for women wearing long dresses who would find it difficult to mount their bike in the traditional way. However, the bikes gained popularity across all demographics, perfect for people with limited flexibility, including people with injuries, older demographics, or even people who enjoy wearing tight jeans. Sometimes it’s just the preferable way to get onto a bike, requiring less room for the ol’ leg swing and making it easier to get on your seat in a tight space, like in a garage or hallway.

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Our popular step-through bikes include:

• The Evinci Tui – The Tui (available in Plus version also) is a versatile NZ-made e-bike that is best suited for city riding and long-distance comfort.

• NCM’s Munich and Milano – Both influenced by a modern European style, the Munich and Milano share a similar step-through design, but with different handlebars. The Milano is one of our best-selling ebikes, with its ergonomic handlebar and stylish appearance. The Munich has a lower step, great for easy mounting.

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Foldables

Foldable e-bikes are the modern solution for transporting and storing bikes when space is an issue. Often slightly smaller than typical bikes, foldables often have a step-through frame and can do exactly what the name suggests: fold. Instead of using a bike rack, putting your ebike on the back or top of your car, a foldable bike can fit more neatly in the back seat or boot of your car, out of the wind and rain.

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Our popular foldables include:

• The Evinci Robin Plus – a stylish NZ-made bike with a lot of colour and character. The Robin is a popular choice for those wanting a really compact, lightweight bike that can fit easily into the boot of your car.

• The ET.Cycle F-series – a powerful fat-tyre bike designed in Germany. Coming in both the F720 and F1000 models, the chunky F-series tyres can handle most terrains including sand and dirt, and is even suitable for riding on a golf course.
 

Electric MTBs

Mountain e-bikes (aka ‘electric mtbs’) are popularly sought as a means to get up hills easily as well as down them. Expecting some rough riding conditions, electric mtbs are usually equipped with tyres that can handle the dirt and mud, as well as having robust suspension to handle bumps and jumps.

Electric mountain bikes are often sought out for their ability to ‘handle anything’, suitable for city riding as well as offroad adventures. If you’re contemplating riding through grass and dirt, a mountain e-bike is a safe option.

While medium-priced mountain ebikes will handle rough terrain and steep hills well enough, serious riders taking their bikes off jumps may require more advanced suspension rigs. If you’re considering some real rough riding, speak with the team at Clycycles to see if our electric mtb range is suitable for your intended use.

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Our popular mountain e-bikes include:

• The NCM Aspen – With beautifully fat tyres, the Aspen is ready to handle sand, snow and mud. While the Aspen has been tricky to get hold of at times, it’s often worth the wait when anticipating some winter riding. (Aspen Plus model available)

• The NCM Moscow – The Moscow, and especially the Moscow Plus, is one of our most popular bikes, and for good reason. This all-terrain bike is great for trail riding as well as being a practical city rider. If in doubt about what kind of bike you need, the Moscow Plus is a great all-rounder ebike that can take you long distances.

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Trekking E-Bikes

Trekking E-Bikes are a kind of hybrid or middle ground between city bikes and offroad bikes, designed to be comfortable over long distances and able to transition between city cruising and light trails. Often the tyres will be sleeker, making for more efficient riding on smooth or hard-packed terrain, although there are also fat-tyre options available. Depending on whether the bike is designed for cruising or for riding through traffic, the seat elevation and handlebar positioning can mean you will be riding either more upright or more leaned-over, giving you different riding experiences and different benefits.

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Our popular trekking bikes include: 

 

• The ET.Cycle T-series – The T-series is a heavy-duty bike with a powerful, long-lasting electrics and fat, puncture-resistant tyres. With different watt-hours of battery power, the T720 and T1000 both offer a very cool riding experience.

• NCM's C5 and C7 – These brother bikes are great-looking road bikes that are best suited for time-efficient city commutes. With different features and components between them, one notable difference is the handlebar style, giving the rider the choice for how they will ride in style and speed.

 

• The Evinci Falcon – The Falcon (and Falcon Plus) is a classic-style, NZ-made ebike that’s both sturdy and ergonomic. This well-equipped bike has lots of great features for everyday use, and comes in a range of colours and battery sizes.