Have you got the electric bike bug yet? Electric bikes continue to grow in popularity and are an excellent option for all those looking for efficient, positive ways to benefit the planet and their health. At The Edge, we are big fans of eBikes and we love to help our customers find the right bike for their lifestyles. Whether you are looking to commute to work without the stress of sitting in traffic, or want to explore your local area with ease, we’ll help you find the best fit for you and your riding habits.
There are many things to consider when you’re looking to buy an electric bike and one of the most important things to think about is where you will be riding. The type of bike you choose will depend on whether you are riding on roads or trails, as well as practical considerations such as how you will charge your eBike and how far you will be able to ride on one charge. Electric bikes can be divided into four categories, each designed for a different purpose, and finding out as much as you can before you invest is a good way to ensure you make the right choice.
Different Types of Electric Bikes
Our top ten is made up of eBikes from the different categories, so you can see the best options for the type of riding you do most often. Comparing the types of bikes and working out which will be best suited to your lifestyle is a good place to start, and then you can get into the specifications you need. The four categories of EBike are:
Full Suspension E-Mountain Bikes
Full Suspension E-Mountain Bikes or E-MTBs are ideal for riders wishing to get out on the trails and benefit from an extra boost of power on off-road adventures. They offer a full suspension ride with electric assistance for extra power and versatility so you can handle any terrain with ease. Riders who love E-MTBs are often thrill seekers who want to access challenging trails and don’t want to compromise on control or speed.
E-MTBs are designed to provide reliability and flexibility, prioritising traction and support with adjustable settings, front and back suspension and long-lasting batteries. Our range of full-suspension mountain bikes includes batteries ranging from 249kWh to 649kWh so you can match your bike’s power to your lifestyle and preferences, and they’re all designed to be lightweight and easy to recharge. We will only recommend eBikes we know we can trust, and our E-MTB range includes bikes from Orbea and Trek, both brands renowned for excellence.
Our top ten has to include the Rail 7 Deore, a high-powered trail-specific e-mountain bike which is designed to cope with even the most challenging terrain and ensures a smooth ride with an extra power boost whenever you need it. It features a smooth-shifting drivetrain and powerful brakes so that you can confidently navigate trails and descents, and the motor will assist up to 20mph when needed.
We also love the Orbea Rise M20, designed for the smoothest ride on all-terrain trails. The Rise offers around 8 hours of riding and over 4,000m of climbing in Eco mode, so you won’t have to cut your adventures short. This bike gives you one of the lightest and slimmest batteries available on the market today, ensuring you have full flexibility and control, and it looks great too, so you’ll be the envy of the other riders on the trails.
Hardtail E-MTBs
A hardtail electric mountain bike is a mountain bike with a suspension fork at the front but not at the rear. This creates a rigid frame that is lightweight and easy to handle, and this is an extremely popular option for off-roaders, especially those who are new to mountain biking. Hardtail E-MTBs are designed to handle even the roughest terrain without skimping on agility and control.
Hardtails e-MTBs are a great option for exploring natural trails and woodlands, combining smooth handling and reliable control. The Bianchi T-Tronik Sport 9.1 is a good example, featuring a superb 1×10 Deore Drive train and Shimano Steps E7000 motor system. It’s designed to ride like a regular bike and has the excellent handling and comfort you need on the trails as well as the option of extra power when you want to increase your distance and speed.
You’ll love the Orbea Wild HT, a Spanish-designed bike that gives you a great ride, whatever the terrain. The Bosch Performance CX Gen4 drive unit packs a punch and there’s up to 625kWh capacity in the integrated batteries to ensure you can keep riding for longer. This model, like the rest of our top ten, provides a reliably smooth, high-quality ride, and we can’t wait to show you what it can do.
Road eBikes
Electric road bikes are the perfect choice for cyclists who are commuting to work the greener way or cycling on road surfaces most of the time. These bikes have powerful motors to help you up hills and maintain efficient speeds, and you can use this to assist your pedalling whenever you need to.
We have options in our range for road cyclists of all abilities and we can help you to consider your requirements carefully so that you can choose the best fit for you. In our top ten list of excellent eBikes, the road eBikes that make the cut include the Bianchi Aria e-Road Ultegra, a lightweight option that has a powerful motor when you need it and scores well for manoeuvrability and control.
The Orbea Gain D30 is another excellent road bike, exceptionally light, sporty and great to ride. We love the Shimano R7070 Hydraulic Disc brakes and Gain Hydro carbon fork, and the combination of comfort, speed and style makes for a perfectly balanced ride. You can be the envy of everyone you pass as you commute to work each day, or turn heads on the roads and cycle paths as you explore your local area.
Hybrid eBikes
Hybrid eBikes provide the perfect combination of versatility and efficiency, enabling you to transition between urban streets and forest trails. If your lifestyle sees you exploring a variety of terrains and wanting to make the most of your eBike as a mode of transport as well as a hobby, a hybrid eBike could be the perfect solution for you.
A hybrid eBike should be comfortable and easy to control and we recommend trying a few different models to see what will work best for you. You may prefer a bigger motor that gives you a real power boost on the uphill sections of your ride, for instance, or you might opt for a smaller motor that makes the bike lighter overall but gives you extra power when you need it.
Several great hybrids make it into our top ten, including the Orbea Keram SUV 20, a fantastic all-round transport option. It’s designed to give you the freedom and mobility to move around the streets and the trails with ease, and it’s got the cargo capacity to make light work of your commute and chores. We love the smooth, powerful motor and the ability to customise your hybrid is a real perk of this reliable and impressive eBike.
Another great hybrid is the Cube Supreme Hybrid Pro 500, which sports a powerful Bosch Performance Line motor and Shimano 8-speed hub to give you the best of both worlds. You can rely on the Continental tires and Shimano hydraulic disc brakes to give you great grip, instant stopping power and a safe ride, whatever the weather. It’s got plenty of handy features, such as mudguards, a kickstand and an integrated rear light, to make sure you’re ready for anything.
The Trek Allant+ 8 Stagger Electric Hybrid Bike and the Verve+2 Lowstep Hybrid eBike in Blue are also well worth their spots in our top ten, and we recommend trying as many models as you can and talking with an expert before you make your decision about which eBike to go for.
Electric Bikes from The Edge
Here at The Edge, we have a great range of electric and non-electric bikes in store and we can help you find exactly what you’re looking for. Whether you are looking for an electric mountain bike that will be your trusty companion on extended cycle trips or a reliable electric road bike to make your commute easier every day, we have a solution that will work for you. We also stock an excellent range of cycling equipment, including all the clothing, safety equipment and charging options you need.
We are specialists in cycling, running and swimming equipment, as well as triathlon, and we are always on hand to discuss these and show you our extensive range of products and equipment. Pop into our store in Cork or visit our website for our full range, safety advice and more.
