Road Bike vs E-Bike: Do They Make Cycling Too Easy? | Head to Head | Cycling Weekly

We pitted the Scott Addict analog bike against the Scott Addict eRide in this head to head to see if electric bikes really do make cycling too easy.

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[dennissleney]

At 82 years old and a lifelong touring cyclist I find that an e bike takes the strain out of climbing hills.
All our local rides are in the Peak District where we climb 800 to 1000 feet for every 10 miles cycled
We average around 12 mph and cover up to 40 miles on a ride. My e bike ( Boardman Adv gravel bike )
Has given me a new lease of life.

[caillou]

Question presumes that cycling HAS to be tough or difficult?! My take is that riding just has to be fun. So if an eRide adds to the fun... well, good! ;-)

[mddah]

I think this video is correct - the secret is finding that 'sweet spot' in the level of assist. Cycling around with 250 watts of support is excessive and empties the battery quickly. To each their own, but at 74 years I find around 60 watts of support gets me out on runs and up hills when I otherwise wouldn't bother, I get a good workout, and the battery will last for 100 Km.

[jroysdon]

Each year when the weather gets better I get back into cycling. Having an ebike helps me get into biking shape faster as I can take longer and more difficult rides. I warm up with electric power to get to the local bike trail, and then ride with no power for as long as I can go, and then use the electric power to make it back home. I wouldn't ride as hard or as far without the electric part. Approximately 90% of my ebike riding each year is without electric power.

[nl_]

On some of my rides I wish I could kick in some assistance for steep climbs. Getting dropped by an e-bike seems annoying but after you ride one... ya get it 😂

[herbertwaugh]

Been cycling ( and racing ) and a club member since 1950. Now 85 and the EBike is perfect. Can still ride with mates although not so fast or long. No complaints.

[gregalbert]

For health reasons I recently was forced to keep my max bpm in the 120 range. Consequently in the hills I’d drop off the back of my group rides. We rarely go over 18 mph on the flats so my Pinarello Dyodo, which has the same motor as the Scott e Bike in this video has been perfect for me. A couple of side benefits are the disc brakes compared to my rim brakes on my other analog road bike and the Pinarello Dyodo feels more stable on the descent giving me more confidence at higher descent speeds. I’m sold.

[bikeman]

Centrally mounted motors seem a better idea because the load on the motor can vary with the gearing. Sympathetic use of the gears can extend range. I like the idea of an ebike: i think it would less restricting on where I go. Far too many times I go the long way to avoid a steep hill. It would also be nice to help me home when I'm knackered.

[neelsduplessis]

Hallo got multiple sclerosis, and bought a mountain e bike. Must say, it helped me a lot! can ride with my son again!. the biggest downside for me is on the flats. You really have to work harder because after the cutout of power, you are on your own, inthis case a giant ebike of 21kg. so my max speed avg on flats is about 25km per/h. but considering my limits. it is still fantastic! the main thing to understand is that MS limit your energy levels. so to ride 90min, is the same workout of a normal person on a normal bike.thank you for this video

[c]

I live in a very hilly area and at 64 years old my ebike has transformed my cycling, I'm not afraid of tackling any hill, no matter how steep. Once on the flat I can still get a decent workout by simply riding faster so the assistance cuts out and I have to do all the work myself. Although my bike (Cube Kathmandu) is a lot heavier than this type of e-roadbike, it does have the advantage of being able to carry a lot of weight, so it's great for popping to the shops on as well.

[jaselikesbikes]

Nice Vid. It won't be easier if you ride at the same watts it should be slightly harder as the bike is heavier and the battery cuts out once the restricted speed it met. It will be faster and faster = more fun!

[johncarothers]

Look at 6:46, 8:13, and especially 8:32 and 8:38. He is climbing cross-shifted (largest cog but largest chain ring). Oops - obviously our of practice. I imagine that would influence the results, unless he did it the same on all three rides. BTW, I just got a Scott eRide 3 weeks ago - love it!

[spencerlemon]

rollerblades. do they make running TOO easy?
Personally I don't care if more people are riding ebikes around rodies. I just want to see something that can convince americans to start commuting and making cities more walkable/bikeable. I want to normalize riding a bike to work

[OGLobster]

I have an e bike motion bike an orbea gain. The best way to use the ebike is to ride it on lowest power setting. Then when you come to steep hills up the power to level 3. Saves the battery for long rides

[nigelh]

Emphatically No! Esp. with restricted systems, as they don't help you above 15.5mph. But they do make hills much easier. "Too easy" would be a phrase used by people who have not tried one yet.

[oneeleven]

I’m 55 with a dodgy ticker if I didn’t use an e-bike I wouldn’t be able to ride….it’s all about being able to ride, enjoy & keep fit…you asked the wrong question in my mind🤔

[ks]

If the ebike gets him on the bike more then it's a win! Some bikes allow you to map assistance to heart rate, specialized and trek for example!

[bd]

Perfect video, thank you. Finally someone tests e road bikes. There are many interesting bikes on the market right now like, BMC, TREK, ORBEA, Wilier, Pinarello, Canyon etc but no one is reviewing them. Everybody is reviewing just eMTB bikes. It would be nice to see reviews of road and fitness ebikes. There is a huge market out there and we don't know anything about those bikes.
Thank you

[laddie-]

Surely there has to come a time when the silly max 15.5mph motor assistance limit is removed. To give a rider the option of being able to ride at say 20mph on the flat utilising 100 watts of assisted in addition to pedal power and still have the option of using motor assistance on the toughest climbs will open up a whole new world for the ebike rider, particular the older road rider who wants to prolong their ability to ride with a group

[PRWilson]

I love my orbea gain. I sort of wish I had a method of tuning the motor to give me the feel of a lighter normal road bike. But, it’s still fun riding it with no help.