Searching for meaning: 6 reasons for e-road bikes & e-gravel bikes
"You can ride faster than 25 even if you're not trained." - "You might as well buy a normal pedelec." - "That has nothing to do with cycling." These are typical statements from conservative cyclists and e-bike critics that we regularly receive in letters to the editor. Racing bikes and gravel bikes with electric assistance polarise, without question. But there are people - and road cyclists - who are really interested in them and who see a clear benefit for themselves. What is an e-road bike suitable for - and for whom? Based on our own experience and the stories of actual users, we outline six different possible uses.
E-gravel bikes in the test
E-road bikes in the test
- Canyon Endurance:Onfly CF 7: minimalist in camouflage clothing
- Giant Defy Advanced E+ Elite 2: Endurance athlete
- Rose Reveal Plus 105: Doppelgänger
1. in everyday life
Gravel bikes have long since established themselves as sporty, speedy city and everyday bikes, and pedelecs have also long been part of the everyday street scene. There is a lot to be said for combining the two, especially the weight: gravel bikes and road bikes weigh up to 50 per cent less than a typical city pedelec. This doesn't necessarily make you faster, but it helps immensely if you have to carry the bike out of the cellar or into a rented flat every day. Many e-road bikes and gravel bikes already come with lights as standard, which are easily powered by the main battery, or they can be easily retrofitted. Mudguards and pannier racks are also usually included.
2. entry into cycling
A road bike or gravel bike with a motor can certainly be a stepping stone for overcoming the initial hurdle to a new hobby. After all, riding a road bike is only really fun if your motor works well. Not everyone has the confidence to tackle the distances and climbs that beautiful excursions and landscapes often entail under their own steam. However, with measured support, you can build up a basic level of fitness so that you can do real sport later on.
3. in case of complaints and after injuries
Injuries can be serious setbacks that require a high level of motivation to get back on track. In this case, the motor can help you find your pedalling rhythm again. In the case of knee or hip problems, when the high load on climbs is the biggest problem, the pedelec provides support in exactly the right place. If you have heart or circulatory problems, the motor can also help to keep your heart rate under control and in a healthy range.
4. sport in old age
Most people interested in an e-road bike are long-time cyclists of an older age: their performance is declining, but the time has come. They are reluctant to give up the enjoyable tours that were still easy to manage when they were younger. As we all know, you can ride a road bike well into old age, and with a pedelec you can now also ride in the mountains.
5. travelling in groups
Riding in stronger bike groups with a power deficit thanks to an e-road bike only works to a limited extent. This is most likely to be the case if the terrain is hilly and there are as few flat stretches as possible, because then the motor helps. On the flat, you will struggle to keep up if the group is easily travelling at 30 or 35 km/h.
6. equalise performance differences
If both (or more) partners adjust to each other and discipline themselves a little, this can work very well: Because the greatest frustration usually arises on the mountain. The stronger partner can power up without the motor, while the weaker partner can switch on the motor if necessary. With different levels of assistance, the differences in performance can be well balanced. Only on flat terrain do you need to be considerate so that the e-road bike doesn't go too fast. For off-road gravel bikes, this hardly matters.
Jens Klötzer
Editor
