Categories: Bikes, News, Travel Planning

Let’s talk E-Bikes

by Jessie Beyer - Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Considering Touring With An E-Bike?

Things to know before you go

What exactly is an E-bike?

We are pleased to offer E-bikes, or pedal-assist bikes, on our tours. Here are a few things to keep in mind before deciding if an E-bike is right for you. Our hybrid and u-frame style E-bikes feature state of the art technology that provide a nice boost when your pedal stroke increases. In the simplest of terms, the more you’re pedaling, the more assistance the bike is providing (think uphill climbs!).

E-bikes provide greater access to bicycle touring for cyclists that are recovering from injuries (and have not fully regained previous fitness levels), less-experienced riders, and those desiring the opportunity to conquer more challenging tours.

Things to keep in mind when considering an E-Bike:

Weighing in around 53 pounds, these bikes are much heavier than a regular bike. As a result, they can be difficult to load and store on our vans. Ideally, you ride the E-bike from start to finish each day.
In general the average range of our battery packs is 85 km (53 miles). The operating range depends on many factors such as the assistance level, gear switching behavior, route profile, head wind, and temperatures.
The E-bike drive automatically switches off if speeds exceed 25 km per hour (15 mph).
Though the bikes are very quiet the electric engine does produce a light but constant noise.
Riding an E-bike is easy and we will offer you instructions at the bike fitting. It might take a day or so to reach maximum efficiency using the pedal assist. Before requesting an E-bike, please try riding one for a full day over a variety of terrain. Many bike shops have E-bikes available for rent. Because these bikes are heavier, they require both strength and balance particularly when mounting and dismounting and traveling at slow speeds. If you have trouble with stability, handling or balance, these bikes are not recommended for you.
E-bike rentals are not included in tour prices. Refer to this page for current fees.

Interested?

If an e-bike sounds like a good option for you, contact tours@ExperiencePlus.com for details and availability.

Tags: bicycles, e-bikes

Jessie Beyer - Originally from the suburbs of Washington, D.C., Jessie headed west for college and never looked back. She earned a Journalism and Technical Communications degree from Colorado State University, and has since worked in a variety of industries including radio, sustainability, and wine tourism. Jessie combines her passion for travel, cycling, and storytelling to help people understand the unique power of exploring the world from the seat of a bike. A self-proclaimed travel junkie, Jessie has found herself on many extended adventures. She spent 2015 exploring many corners of the world including tramping through New Zealand's mountains, cycling through Europe, and hitching a boat ride down the Mekong river from Laos into Thailand. At home in Colorado you'll likely find her singing her way up mountain trails, talking to strangers, and seeking restaurants with patios and Spanish wines.