What you should know about e-road bikes

Advantages, differences, challenges

To keep up with fitter riders in a group, to master strenuous climbs with less effort, or to continue riding despite health problems: There are many reasons to opt for an e-road bike. 

Find out who benefits from an e-road bike, what advantages these bikes offer, and what challenges the electric version of the classic road bike faces. 

Classic road bike vs. e-road bike

A classic road bike is purely a piece of sports equipment. Riding one is about speed, training, freedom and testing your own limits. The "motor" – the rider – sits on the saddle and produces watts and heat. What matters most about the bike is its weight. With an ultra-light carbon frame and lightweight components, a road bike only weighs a few kilos. Above all, it’s designed for speed. Care for an example? The SIMPLON Pride, for instance. 

And what’s the point of getting an e-road bike? Many would say that riding an e-road bike no longer has anything to do with sports. And yes, the electric support makes things easier for the rider – uphill, in headwinds, on long tours ... Its weight is only of secondary importance. With the drive unit and battery installed, the bikes hardly weigh less than 10 kilogrammes. And yet: An e-road bike such as the Kiaro Pmax definitely has its raison d'être. Because it usually appeals to an entirely different target group.

E-road bikes are suitable for ...

• cycling enthusiasts who would rather thoroughly enjoy the ride.
• anyone who likes to ride longer tours or mountain stages.
• beginners and older riders who want to keep up with fitter athletes.
• couples that don’t share the same level of fitness.
• cyclists who would like to ride in a group in which differences in performance may be vast.
• commuters who want to get to their destination as quickly as possible and without breaking a sweat.
• and many more.

What are the advantages of an e-road bike?

Acceleration from a standstill

A big advantage of the electric version of the road bike is the boost you receive when you start pedalling. It makes riding on roads with numerous traffic lights or climbs a lot more fun. 

Support when you need it 

With a motor, training can be much more precise and personalised. You can react spontaneously to the demands of the route and up the support level – or lower it again, as needed. 

Free choice of route

Less trained cyclists in particular are usually faced with unsolvable challenges before a long climb or on extended stages. With electrical support, even steep mountain stages are no longer a problem. This means you are less limited in your choice of routes.

Crossing the finish line together

Different fitness levels become secondary with an e-road bike. If the distance to the rider in front becomes too great, the motor can be switched on. This not only prevents you from getting tired too quickly but also from getting frustrated. 

What challenges do e-road bikes face, ...

... and how are they solved by SIMPLON?

1. Design: Aesthetics and aerodynamics play a major role for many road cyclists. This makes the integration of the battery and control unit extremely important. On the Kiaro Pmax or Inissio Pmax, the motor and battery are so well hidden within the frame that you can hardly tell they’re there.  

2. Safety & handling: More weight due to the drive unit naturally also means a higher overall load on the e-road bike – the frame and the components. SIMPLON's wheels, tyres, fork and cockpit are designed accordingly. Equally important: the bike’s handling. Because an e-road bike is heavier, the weight distribution must be spot-on, and the geometry must be well balanced. 

3. Range: Only a larger battery can provide a longer range. And with that comes: more weight. A sporty performance is important to SIMPLON. That’s why the 2 kg rear-hub motor by Ebikemotion and a 250 Wh battery are installed on all SIMPLON e-road bikes. The motor only comes on when the rider actually needs the support – on steep mountain stages or when riding into headwinds. By the way: For even more range, SIMPLON offers an optional range extender with 209 Wh!

4. Motor support: A natural riding experience, even if the motor does not provide any additional support above a speed of 25 km/h – that’s the wish of many e-road cyclists. And SIMPLON fulfils it: with the minimalist smooth-running motor by Ebikemotion. Without motor support, you hardly feel any resistance. 

Mid-mounted or rear-hub motor: Which motor is suitable for e-road bikes?

The heart of the e-road bike is its motor. Like the battery, it is usually installed within the frame. Generally speaking, both mid-drive and rear-hub motors are a viable option. The latter are easier to integrate. What’s more, rear-hub motors are also convincing in the long term because – in contrast to mid-drive motors – power is not transmitted via the chain. This extends the service life of the shifting system.

The currently popular mid-drive motors are rather unsuitable for road bikes. The drive systems are very large, more difficult to integrate and still create a noticeable resistance at speeds above 25 km/h. 

Do you want to know more about the different motors for e-bikes? In our article "Mid-drive vs. rear-hub motors for e-bikes", you can find out how these types of drive units differ from each other and learn more about their advantages and disadvantages.

What is the range of an electric road bike?

The range of an electric bike depends on numerous factors. They include, for instance: the weight of the rider, their cadence and riding style, the rolling resistance, the altitude profile of the route, the temperature, and more. In addition to the battery, riders and the way they use their bike play a major role, so there is no simple and straightforward answer.