E-bikes - staying fit with extra momentum

Only a few years ago, the well-trained cyclists with their high-performance bikes passed you by and you knew, ok, they are just fitter than you. As a consequence, you either had to train a lot and could thus also master challenging tours, or certain cycling excursions were denied to you purely because of your physical condition. Today, you have completely different options as a classic hobby cyclist, pleasure cyclist, but also as a semi-professional.

E-bikes are opening up new paths, literally. And they are clearly in line with the trend: After all, over 34 percent of the Swiss own an e-bike. This means that there are three times as many e-bikes on the road as there were 10 years ago. But you should choose the right e-bike for you.

What are the types of e-bikes?

We usually distinguish 5 types of e-bikes. Similar to the classic types of bicycles, a distinction is made according to certain criteria: type of use, surface, load, special additional functions.

• City E-Bike:

Our cities are becoming more and more crowded. That's why many use an e-bike to get to work or to do some quick shopping. Depending on the selected support level, you can do some everyday tasks quickly, without parking problems and without being completely sweaty afterwards. City e-bikes in particular are a popular choice because of their low step-in, which means that you can also use the e-bike with normal street clothes.

• Trekking e-bike:

These e-velos are the all-rounders. Robust and equally suitable for roads as well as uneven paths, they are perfect for hobby cyclists. Especially high-quality trekking e-bikes are equipped with hydraulic disc brakes, which promise safety even in bad weather.

• E-mountain bikes: 

They are suitable for all tours away from any comfortable surface. E-mountain bikes have suspension to absorb shocks and protect joints and the back. Especially uphill, you can also master challenging climbs with the e-bike without overexerting yourself.

• E-folding bikes:

For some time now, commuters have been relying on folding bikes, which not only look stylish in the city, but can also be folded in just a few steps and, above all, are so light that they can easily be taken on the subway, bus and, finally, to the office. Campers also rely on the handy e-bikes, with which they can easily get to the nearest city and are thus independent of cars or public transport.

• E-bikes: 

It was not so long ago that users of cargo bikes tended to be ridiculed. Today, the run on e-bikes is sometimes so great that you have to reckon with longer delivery times. Especially in the city, you can quickly buy heavy things, such as crates of drinks, and bring them home without any effort. E-bikes are usually not available for less than a 5-digit sum. However, quality is also available at a reasonable price, as with the E-bikes from Fischer.

What do you have to pay attention to with the battery?

It is difficult to make a general statement about the range of a battery. Basically, information on kilowatt hours tells you how far you can go. Current e-bike batteries range from 250 to 720 kilowatt hours. But other factors also count. For example, how old the battery is, which support level you choose, whether you're riding on a paved road or off-road, or how heavy the rider is. If you want a battery that is not visible from the outside but is hidden in the frame, the e-bikes of this design are usually much more expensive.

Store e-bikes properly in winter

• Always store e-bikes and especially the batteries at temperatures between 10 and 20 degrees plus. Humidity can damage the e-bike.
• Do not store batteries completely full or completely empty. A residual capacity of between 35 and 65 percent is good for getting the battery through the winter without damage. Every battery manufacturer provides precise information, which should be followed to keep the battery for a long time.

Conclusion

E-bikes are catching on in all age groups and have long since become an everyday bike. With e-bikes, however, it is important to remember that you can also travel much faster on these e-velos in road traffic and not all passers-by and car drivers expect to see a bicycle traveling at high speed. Therefore, a sturdy helmet is also an important and, in case of doubt, life-saving accessory. E-bikes, however, open up many new possibilities, to be environmentally aware and fit in everyday life on the road, even if the body is not yet, or no longer so efficient.