ExperiencePlus! has a wide variety of pedal assist e-bikes available for rent on almost all* tours in Europe and South America. As implied by name, an e-bike uses a rechargeable electric battery that supplies power to a motor that gives the bike a boost when you pedal. In the simplest of terms, the more you pedal, the more assistance the bike provides – up to 25 km per hour (15 mph). There is no throttle involved.
If you’re contemplating using an e-bike on an ExperiencePlus! tour, be sure you know what to expect from the bike and how to best leverage its power for optimum performance. And, if you have never ridden an e-bike, we recommend you try riding one for a full day over a variety of terrain, before requesting one. 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.
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Continue reading and learn more about what to keep in mind as you explore the option of renting an e-bike on your bicycle tour.
E-bikes typically offer at least three levels of assistance, such as eco, normal, and turbo mode. As the e-bike comparison chart shows, the maximum distance an e-bike can travel under power depends on its battery size and motor. Poor management of the interplay between terrain, gearing and speed can quickly drain the battery, affecting range. Here are some of the most common, yet overlooked human and environmental variables to consider:
Pedal assistance level:
Higher assistance levels use more battery power, reducing range.
Maintaining a moderate speed can help increase range.
Terrain:
Hills and rough surfaces decrease range.
Flat and smooth paths increase range.
Wind and Weather:
Headwinds and adverse weather conditions reduce range.
Tailwinds and favorable weather conditions can extend range.
Rider Weight:
Heavier riders will experience a shorter range.
Lighter riders can achieve a longer range.
On the fence about whether or not you want to rent an e-bike? These are the most-often discussed scenarios and circumstances that we go over with folks questioning whether or not they should rent an e-bike, or when deciding what kind of e-bike to rent.
You think you might need an e-bike for just one or two days on tour. . .
Save the money and forego rental until you know you’d want an e-bike for the majority of days on tour. Put some time and energy into training for the hardest day on tour.
Since you can’t rent an e-bike to use for a few days and then switch back to a non-assist bike, rely on getting into the van to shuttle over the hard parts if you don’t think you have the time or energy to train.
If you can’t decide whether or not to rent an e-bike, we suggest you request an e-bike when you first book your tour. Then, if you decide on a different bike later, you may request a change up to 90 days prior to your departure date.
Your riding partner’s speed and tour level interest is different than your own. . .
Adding an e-bike to the mix can help equalize the playing field for riders if varying abilities and interests. Take inspiration from Larry and Janice’s story of cycling the Dolomites!
The daily distance exceeds or is just at the maximum range listed for the bike. . .
If your heart is set on an e-road bike, then conservatively manage power use to increase the range by only using the assist on climbs and staying in the lowest level and turning the power off on the flats and downhills.
You injure yourself 90 or more days before your tour departure . . .
Don’t let a strained leg muscle or still recovering joint keep you away from the trip you planned more than one year ago. If you are more than 90 days out from departure and you didn’t originally request an e-bike, submit a request ASAP and we’ll follow-up.
You’re worried about the weight of the bike . . .
Make sure you are comfortable handling the weight of an e-bike before you go on tour. Some folks find it very difficult to get on and off heavier bikes, especially when starting or stopping in the middle of a hill (whether going up or down).
You don’t want to stop cycling . . .
Maybe you’ve sworn you’ll never get on an e-bike. But, you might swear if you can’t get up those hills on your own. Could an e-bike change your game?
