How e-bikes have revolutionised commuting

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It’s clearly not a perfect world out there for those who want to hop on their bikes and cycle to work, but in places like London (with other cities, such as Leeds and Bristol, also making great strides) the tables are very definitely starting to turn in the bike’s favour. For many, it is simply more convenient to bike or e-bike than to take the car. Whilst safe-to-ride-in cycle lanes have been a huge contributor to this, the rise of the commuting e-bike has also contributed.

Estarli e20.X, by Richard Peace

British brand Estarli’s X range looks to make e-bike commuting even easier with all of these bikes boasting a uniquely low maintenance and easy to use drive system. The tech of the X range typifies the drive towards simple, intuitive, great value e-bikes that has been at the heart of the e-bike commuting revolution of recent years.    
 

The drivetrain revolution

Talk of gear ranges, sprocket sizes and the advantages of hub gears over derailleurs may be meat and drink to keen cyclists, but it’s highly likely to make eyes glaze over among those who merely want to get from A to B as quickly and easily as possible.

That latter constituency might be a little more interested to hear about ways in which gear changing and other technical faffery can be entirely avoided. Estarli’s X range bikes all feature Bafang’s auto-changing two-gear hub motor system that combines with a tough belt drive that needs no oiling or maintenance. When we tried the e28.X, we noted the sheer get-on-and-ride simplicity would make it the perfect bike for a lot of people.

The current Estarli X range includes both full-size and folding options so you can choose between the convenience of a bike that packs down for storage and train travel or a bike with full size wheels for a more stable and comfortable ride.

The folding e20.X is the latest addition to the X range and the adaptability offered by the ability to fold, together with the wide range of accessories available (which we will get to later in the article) take e-bike commuting convenience to new levels.
 

The power and battery revolution

Today’s e-bikes deliver power more efficiently and smoothly than ever before. Motor design, reductions in controller sizes and improvements in software algorithms together result in e-bikes that, kilogram for kilogram, offer greater range than ever before and which are, quite simply, more enjoyable to ride.   

Lithium ion batteries are also more power dense than in years gone by and – provided you stick to ones with high quality cells – safer too. It’s important here to make a distinction between a brand like Estarli that takes great care with its supply chains and safety certification, versus the kinds of products available from anonymous sellers via online marketplaces. The latter are associated with the overwhelming majority of e-bike fires (which are, nevertheless, far less common than some media reporting might suggest).

> Are e-bike batteries safe? What’s the difference between a safe battery and a fire risk?  

The Estarli e28.X employs a frame-integrated battery for a smooth look, but it is also quickly and easily removable and of a decent 360Wh capacity. Coupled with the efficient drive system, we found the bike had more than enough capacity for a typical length there-and-back commute (with charge to spare).  

The folding e20.X opts for a seatpost integrated battery of 250Wh and it’s an easy matter to fit a range extender to the top of the frame. The seatpost battery itself can be removed for safekeeping or charging elsewhere, but it can also be secured in the frame and locked in place with the use of a special key. Again, these sorts of touches, aimed at convenience and practicality, make an e-bike commuting lifestyle more attractive than it has ever been.  

But aren’t e-bikes heavy – especially for those who live in flats or have to lift them onto trains or other forms of transport for ‘multi-modal’ commuting? Certainly they are not as heavy as they once were with affordable bikes now boasting weights that were once only found at the rareified, expensive end of the market.

As examples of the above. Estarli’s e20.X is their lightest e-folder yet (in part because it features carbon fibre handlebars). We weighed it at 18kg with the battery and 16.2kg without. That’s the version pictured, with a rack, mudguards and a range extender mount (the most basic spec weighs around 17kg with the battery and 15kg without). 

The larger e28.X is also far from a heavyweight. Even with the optional rear rack and mudguards in place, it weighs just 19.4kg (which can be reduced to 17.4kg by removing the battery if you need to lift the bike). It is of course lighter still without those extras.

Weight is saved in part by using a combined hub motor and hub gear unit. And whilst it is true that – like many hub motor models – Estarli’s X range won’t match the hill climbing ability of multi-geared models with powerful mid-drive motors, our testing found them to be very capable. Hub drives in general are much more sophisticated and more adept at tackling hills than they once were. 
 

The quality and choice revolution 

Today’s e-bikes look far less like e-bikes than those of old. Clunky looking frames, bulky batteries and motors that look like afterthoughts are largely a thing of the past. Both the e28.X and e20.X demonstrate just how smoothly designed today’s commuter e-bikes are – both literally, in the form of smooth welds, but also through the addition of higher quality ‘extras’ such as alloy mudguards.

There is off-road commuting potential in the X range too. Gravel-capable tyres and suspension seatposts and forks can be specced on the e28.X that may well open up access to quiet, decent quality off-road routes. You may not see them when stuck in your car in a traffic jam, but there are dozens of these sorts of routes in most decent sized cities just waiting to be discovered.  

High quality lights are of course a must for commuting in the darker months and it’s great to see the hardwired mudguard-integrated rear light on the e20.X. This is the kind of highly practical feature that should never need any maintenance from the rider and which should keep doing its job, year after year.   

A handful of brands offer outstanding ‘pick and mix’ specs and Estarli are a case in point. As they build the bikes in-house, to order, customers have a lot of personalisation potential – like standard or dutch bars, tyres and range extender on the e20.X and front and/or seatpost suspension on the e28.x. The options on the two models are numerous.

Of course you may well need to carry a load of extra gear to work. (Some brands overlook carrying ability in an effort to be super sleek and super light so at the very least make sure any e-bike you buy with commuting in mind suits your carrying needs.) 

Estarli have several clever luggage options up their sleeve. We especially liked the pannier that doubles as a backpack. It’s full size, but it was good to see it fitted nicely on the rack of the small-wheeled e20.X without any danger of heel-catch.

Worried about bike theft? Whilst a strong and effective lock is always the first line of defence, more and more companies can integrate some form of GPS tracking within the e-bike. Estarli Cycle Security, which was brought in for the X range, is described as, “a 360 degree security package that includes GPS install and tracking plus e-bike recovery or replacement.”

Estarli bikes also come with a two-year guarantee that covers all components, including the battery – and it’s worth stressing again this is a UK-based company with a UK dealer network.
 

The fitness dividend

Just as with regular bikes, e-bike commuting can also bring health benefits. Whatever power level you choose to ride at on your commute you will be getting some exercise. And if you feel like you’ve excess energy to burn you can always turn the motor off and go for a truly calorie-burning spin. Don’t just take our word for it; plenty of studies show that e-bikes get used more than regular bikes and that means more physical activity. 

One particularly big bonus of e-bike commuting versus commuting on an unassisted bike is of course that there’s no need to work up a sweat if you don’t want to. This means you don’t need to worry about turning up to a meeting looking like you have just sprinted there. That’s what the power buttons are all about! This is especially the case in super-hot or super-windy weather when cycling uphill without electric assist can become a real physical challenge.

If both Estarli’s X range and bike infrastructure continue to develop, the e-bike commuting revolution can surely only gather pace.