What’s new in electric and hybrid bikes

Have you ever been pedaling up the hill or against the wind and desperately wished you had an electric bike?
Well, we’re here today to review some of the best hybrid electric bikes of 2021 in case some day you actually consider purchasing one, since one thing is undeniable - everything becomes more and more automatized and electrified, so it’s very possible that e-bikes become the future of leisure cyclists in the cities.
Humans on their own are, unfortunately, quite inefficient in moving a certain distance. But if you put them on a bicycle, they become the most efficiently moving objects on earth — far more efficient than a person in a car or a plane!
Humans on bicycles achieve speeds of four times faster than walking pedestrians while using five times less energy. The bicycle, in a manner of speech, gives humans wings.
Now imagine if you could make cycling even more efficient. That is where e-bikes come into play.

Let’s start with setting things straight - if you think you'll get to cruise around the city without pedaling, well, you’re not. Even for e-bikes that have a throttle, you'll need to pedal when going up the hills, but the trick is you won't have to pedal hard. Hence, pedaling is the essence of cycling and it will extend the range of your battery and motor, as well as it will be beneficial to you.
For hybrid bikes part of the power comes from the rider (exactly how much is up to you) and part of it from the motor. This applies up to around 25km/h (15.5 mph) which is the current legal limit for electric assistance. Once you are pedalling beyond that speed the motor will not assist you. Hybrid bicycles were originally conceived to provide the advantages of both road bikes and mountain bikes. Their large, padded seats and upright handlebars provide a comfortable riding position, and are best for casual riding around the neighborhood or bike paths, short-distance commuting, and errands around town.
And hybrid and electric bikes are a great alternative for people with knee or back problems, because the extra power will eliminate the struggle of getting up-hill and will allow you to ride a decent distance with 5x less energy.

Let’s get on to reviewing some of the best electric hybrid bikes of 2021. One of the best options would be Elby bike. 

With €3,299 you can purchase this beautiful and yet a little bit old-school looking modern bike.

PROS:

     ⦁ Easy to mount and dismount
     ⦁ 555 Whr Li-Ion cell battery
     ⦁ Has a bit of retro look, which is a winner for old fashioned folks.
     ⦁ Removable battery pack
     ⦁ The controls are easy to use
     ⦁ Integration with Elby’s smartphone app

CONS:

     ⦁ Reviews state that the range is a lot less than promised 135 km
     ⦁ Components can make creaky sounds

Some people still prejudice all hybrid bikes from their first generation, when they were quite heavy and chunky, times are changing and “Specialized” is here to prove it with their Turbo Vado SL model, that gives you 130km range in a 15kg package. Its E5 aluminium lightweight frame turns this bike into a stylish and sporty-looking ride. 

PROS:

     ⦁ Cheaper than the Elby bike, this beauty can be your’s for €2999
     ⦁ Well-tuned power delivery
     ⦁ 40% lighter than average bike
     ⦁ Lights included
     ⦁ 480Wh battery
     ⦁ 10-speed Shimano Deore transmission

CONS:

     ⦁ might feel a bit underpowered on the steepest climbs even in its top Turbo mode, which is probably because of it’s 35Nm torque output is lower than most ebike motors
     ⦁ No rack mounts

In a more budget-friendly class we have selected the Carrera Crossfuse bike.         It’s a great city and countryside bike which can surprise you with its power, great stability and a warranty for 2 years. This classy and elegant-looking bike with light alloy crossbar frame from Italy can be yours for  €2195.61.

PROS:
     ⦁ 400Wh Bosch Powerpack battery
     ⦁ Range up to 128 km
     ⦁ Shimano hydraulic disc brakes
     ⦁ Shimano Alvio 9-speed gears
     ⦁ 2 year warranty for battery from Bosch

CONS:
     ⦁ V-brakes are hampered by wet weather
     ⦁ Takes more time to assemble than other bikes
     ⦁ Comes in one size

But if you want to go fully electric, we’d suggest opting for VanMoof S3
With an updated motor, industry's first automatic electronic gear shifting, and integrated anti-theft tech, the VanMoof S3 & X3 are custom-tuned for the ultimate riding experience.
Effortless to use, useless to steal – onboard alarms and smart location tracking are specially designed to give bike thieves nightmares.
With the top speed of 20 miles per hour (31 km/h), the motor runs smoothly and effortlessly

So either you’re a fan of vintage looking bikes, or some sporty and dynamic silhouette bicycles or you enjoy a classic and elegant ride, the e-bike industry has come a long way to adjust to all needs and tastes and has made some impressive range hybrid bikes to ease your riding and allowing you to enjoy a careless stroll around the city or countryside.

And these bikes could be a great alternative if you’d like to become more friendly to the environment, but are not into heavy physical activities. In fact, the batteries that run e-bikes are also relatively environmentally friendly. They last long, are rechargeable, can be charged with renewable energy and can be charged after hours so you don’t stress the power grid.