Ebike Industry Updates

European e-bike maker Ampler has introduced a new model, theCurt Anyroad. This is a variation of their existing Curt superlight city e-bike. The basics of the two models are similar, but a handful of changes give the new Curt Anyroad some go-anywhere abilities that the Curt superlight city e-bike lacks.

Like the Curt, the Curt Anyroad begins with an aluminum frame. The frame comes in two versions, a low-step (not quite a step-thru) and a step-over (or traditional) frame. The low-step comes in two different sizes that are truly different sizes, while the step-over comes in three sizes. It’s nice to see an e-bike that really can give a broad range of riders a comfortable fit.

Like the Curt, the Curt Anyroad features a 250W brushless, geared hub motor with torque sensor powered by a 336Wh battery, a 60cm-wide flat bar, hydraulic disc brakes, seatpost with integrated light, front headlight, fenders and kickstand. Where it differs is that the carbon fiber fork is replaced with an aluminum one that includes rack mounts and the single speed drivetrain takes an exit in favor of a 10-speed drivetrain and the 40mm-wide semi-slick Panaracer tires and replaced with a low-profile knobby Panaracer GravelKing SK that is 43mm wide.

The weight jumps from 32 lbs. to 37 lbs. This is a decidedly premium e-bike and comes in near the $4000 price point.

In a first for the bike industry, e-bikes outsold regular bikes in Germany in 2023. With sales numbers for the calendar year compiled, 2.1 million e-bikes were sold, as compared to 1.9 million bicycles.

Such a shift in sales was already predicted as sales trends were clearly headed that way. In 2022, e-bikes represented 48 percent of total sales, while back in 2013, e-bike sales comprised just 10 percent of the total bike market in Germany.

Despite the increase in the percentage of total sales going to e-bikes, e-bike sales were down relative to 2022. Total bike sales have been dropping in Germany as well. After topping out at 5 million bikes and e-bikes in 2020, sales have dropped each year, with 4.7 million sold in 2021, 4.6M in 2022 and now a drop to 4M in 2023.

Not all markets and companies are seeing a drop. Swiss brand Stromer saw growth in 2023.

Of the many opportunities that e-bikes have created for people, one of the most exciting is how adaptive e-bikes and e-cycles have enabled riders with special needs to explore places that were once out of reach. A trail system in Vermont, called the Driving Range, recently opened and its trails were built to accommodate adaptive e-bikes.

Most singletrack trails are too narrow for adaptive e-bikes, so even in places where Class 1 eMTBs are allowed, adaptive cycles with three or four wheels are too wide to fit on the trail. The trails at the Driving Range, however, are wide enough for adaptive e-bikes that have wheels in parallel.

The key to making the trails at the Driving Range wide enough was the use of a trackhoe, a kind of pint-sized bucket loader. More and more, trails are being “machine-built”—created with the help of motorized devices such as trackhoes and bobcats. This allows trail builders to exert greater control over the terrain, building features and smoothing transitions in terrain to create flowy lines that are the juice of what this sort of riding is about. The trackhoe, due to the width of its tracks, naturally cuts a path wide enough to accommodate adaptive e-cycles.

QuietKatjust announced a new model and one that is sure to put the all-terrain e-bike segment on notice. The QuietKat Ranger All Wheel Drive does just what it says: It gives riders power at both wheels.

All-wheel-drive e-bikes have intrigued riders ever since the first hub motors were devised. Traditionally, though, all-wheel-drive designs have suffered from what is called “front wheel tug.” This is a phenomenon where the front and rear wheels don’t feel like they are cooperating in a turn. The QuietKat Ranger AWD solves this with a unique controller that they say improves both traction and power and, ultimately, fun.

Riders can toggle between traditional rear-wheel drive, front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. Peak power output can hit 2000W, making it one of the most powerful e-bikes on the market.

The QuietKat Ranger AWD begins with 750W brushless, geared hub motors front and rear, powered by an 828Wh battery which QuietKat estimates will offer riders a range of up to 52 mi.

The 6000-series aluminum frame comes in two sizes (medium and large) and features an integrated rear rack and is paired with a 120mm suspension fork. The drivetrain offers but one gear, presumably because with so much power on tap it won’t need any help from the rider getting up to speed or climbing hills.

Gazelle, the Dutch bike maker, makes a varied array of e-bikes, but until now, they haven’t had much of a presence in the US. That may be about to change. The brand has announced that they will be importing the first Class 3 commuter (28 mph max assist speed) into the US that employs Bosch’s Smart System. Thenew model is called the Eclipseand is available at two price points.

Previouslywe liked their Medeo T9 City when we reviewed it.

The Bosch Smart System is an integrated suite of products that includes the Bosch motor, battery, display and controller as well as their eFlow app.

Smart System changes what the rider sees on the Kiox display based on how they are riding. When climbing, the display shows cadence, power and elevation, but when descending, it switches to focus on speed. When stopped, the Kiox switches to show summary information such as maximum speed, distance ridden and, importantly, remaining range.

The Gazelle Eclipse is made in both a high-step and a low-step frame. Both editions of the Eclipse retail in the $5000-$6000 range. Both versions include a Bosch Active Line motor that produces 85Nm of torque, a 750Wh Bosch battery, 4-piston Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, 60mm-wide (2.2 in.) tires and an MIK rear rack.

In their ongoing quest to cut down on the number of fires caused by faulty e-mobility devices, the NY State Assembly has passed a bill that would prohibit the sale of an e-bike unless it is equipped with a UL-certified battery.

Should the bill (A.4389C) be signed by Governor Kathy Hochul, sales of used e-bikes could be expected to all but halt. Owners of e-bikes—even those from reputable manufacturers—would be forced to replace the battery in order to sell it. If the e-bike manufacturer has yet to offer a UL-certified replacement, then they would be prohibited from selling the e-bike in the state.

Some Assembly members voted against the bill. Assemblyman Andrew Goodell (R—Jamestown) noted that there are 65,000 e-bikes being used for deliveries in New York City and most of those batteries would need to be replaced to sell those e-bikes.

Should someone be found to be selling an e-bike with an uncertified battery, they would be fined $500—roughly the cost of a new battery. Should they repeat the violation within two years, the fine would jump to $1000.

The Assembly has also passed a bill (A.6811) that would require the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority (NYSERDA) to create a program that would provide new UL-certified e-bike batteries to current e-bike owners whose e-bikes lack a UL-certified battery. The program would provide the new batteries at no cost or at a reduced cost.

The Basque bike brand Orbea has introduced a new high-end commuter e-bike. This new model, called theDiem—as in “Day”—features a creative new frame design intended to offer the rider increased comfort.

Orbea offers the Diem in six different builds, running from a bit less than $4000 to not quite $6000, depending on the rider’s needs, and budget.

What makes the Diem unusual is its “Diamond Glide” frame design. This is an aluminum frame that features a shortened seat tube and chainstays that take a downward turn after reaching the seat tube and continue to the down tube. Think of it as an inverted suspension bridge design, the idea being that the frame will offer the rider a small degree of flex to soften the ride.

Orbea’s six configurations of the Diem include both Class 1 (20 mph max assist) and Class 3 (28 mph max assist) versions based on either Shimano’s EP6 or EP8 motors and with several different drivetrain options, including one version with an Enviolo internally geared hub combined with a Gates belt.

Canyon, the German manufacturer that brought consumer-direct e-bike buying to the masses, has introduced a new gravel e-bike, theGrizl:ON. It will come in two different builds, the Grizl:ON CF 7 and the Grizl:ON CF 9, priced around the $5000 and $6000 price points, respectively.

As a gravel e-bike, the Grizl:ON looks like a road e-bike, just with big tires. It has the drop bar and forward-slung rider position of a road e-bike and comes in five sizes (XS through XL). Where it differs is in handling, tire width, drivetrain and suspension.

The Grizl:ON is built with a lightweight carbon fiber frame and Bosch Performance Line SX mid-drive motor, which provides 250W of power and 55Nm of torque. The 400Wh battery will provide hours of riding.

Gravel e-bikes tend to have calmer handling that road e-bikes so that they ease into turns more and are more likely to track straight if the riding surface is soft. And where a road e-bike might have a tire that’s 1-1.25 in. wide, the Grizl:ON has a tire that’s 1.8 in. wide, which will offer a more comfortable ride and better traction on unpaved surfaces. The drivetrain also features a wider gear range because the places that gravel e-bikes go often feature hills steeper than are typically paved. And, where road e-bikes almost never have suspension, the Canyon Grizl:ON comes with a RockShox Rudy suspension fork with 40mm of travel—enough to take the sting out of the roughest roads.

Most of the parts come from Shimano’s GRX group, which is made specifically for gravel e-bikes. It’s durable and precise stuff, reliable in a way you need if you’re 50 mi. from home and in the woods. In a move that’s unusual for gravel and road e-bikes alike, Canyon worked with Lupine to include lights integrated into the front and rear of the Grizl:ON.

Himiwayhas introduced several new models and one of them is what they are calling an e-motorcycle. We call it an e-moped for a couple of reasons. First is the fact that an actual e-motorcycle needs to be registered and you need to license it. Also, e-motorcycles never have pedals. That said, this is a pretty cool new model and it’s well-suited to riders who prioritize comfort.

Thanks to a bench-style seat and both front and rear suspension, this will give riders a smooth ride even on rough roads. We will explain why in our Himiway C5 review.

Providing the muscle for the Himiway C5 is a 750W brushless, geared hub motor, which is powered by a whopping 960Wh battery. Considering most riders are likely to spend their time using the throttle instead of the pedals, that was a terrific choice.

Let’s have a look at the Himiway C5’s other details.

Electronics maker Orbic has introduced the world’s first 5G-enable e-bike. Among its many features it includes a new technology that would allow for crash detection and emergency alerts for e-bikes. Of course, the technology will do much more than that, but that’s the most headline-grabbing feature.

Orbic is an electronics manufacturer that makes smartphones, laptops, tablets and wearables, and now e-bikes.

The Orbic 5G e-bike is equipped with a forward-facing and rear-racing cameras. The 2MP rear-facing camera has a 140-degree view and its feed is both recorded and sent to an AI-powered object detection system that will alert riders with both audio and visual signals to increase their safety. The 64MP front-facing camera’s feed is recorded so riders can play back their adventures after the fact.

The U.K.’s government is considering proposals that would allow more powerful e-bikes to be sold in England, Scotland and Wales. At issue are e-bikes with 500W motors. As the law currently stands, e-bike motors are limited to a nominal (average, not max) output of 250W.

The government is forming a consultancy of which the Department of Transportation will be a member. Reports indicate that e-bike makers will be solicited for input as well. In addition to the current 250W limit, e-bikes in the U.K. does not permit e-bikes to be equipped with throttles. New legislation could potentially see wattage doubled and throttles normalized.

In a move that may seem surprising, the Bicycle Association, a U.K. e-bike trade group made up of suppliers and retailers, has previously lobbied against increasing the power in e-bikes. Their concern stemmed from a fear that more powerful e-bikes would result in the government reclassifying them as something other than bicycles. A change in the classification of e-bikes could see them required to be registered, carry insurance and banned from bike paths and the bike industry is concerned that reclassification could hurt further adoption of e-bikes.

So while the bike industry worries that more powerful e-bikes could result in new legal constraints that could hurt e-bike sales, the government worries that a 15.5 mph maximum assist speed may be an underwhelming speed to drivers who might be more interested in e-bikes … if only they went faster.

Notably absent from the current proposals is any reconsideration of that 15.5 mph maximum assist speed, though. Practically speaking, moving from a 250W nominal limit to 500W would result in e-bikes that simply accelerate more quickly. It would likely also result in an increased presence of e-bikes with hub motors. An e-bike with a 250W mid-drive motor is plenty powerful, but a 250W hub motor is decidedly underpowered. A jump to a maximum nominal rating of 500W would make hub motors more practical and could aid adoption of e-bikes by bringing more affordable e-bikes to the market in the U.K.

As the use of e-mobility devices has risen, the number of low-quality products circulating has risen as well. The number of fires has also risen. As a result, the city of San Francisco is preparing to enact new rules regarding how e-mobility devices can be charged and stored.

From 2017 to 2022, the number of fires caused by e-mobility devices in San Francisco rose each year, culminating in a high for the city of 58 fires in 2022. During that time period, the city has seen eight injuries and one fatality caused by those fires.

Beginning in March, new rules will go into effect that will specify how e-mobility devices can be charged in multi-unit housing.

Multi-unit buildings will now be limited to a maximum of four lithium-ion-battery-powered e-mobility devices per household. Additionally, there must be at least three feet between each device when they are charging. Also, each charger must be plugged into its own outlet, not a power strip.

E-bike maker Frey has just released their updated design for their eMTB, the Dopamine. The Dopamine 2.0 is a full-suspension eMTB of a different feather. It contains all the features we expect to see in a high-end eMTB: full-suspension, mid-drive motor, 11-speed drivetrain, 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes, dropper post and long-travel suspension fork. It also includes two features we don’t usually expect to see: a throttle and a maximum assist speed of 28 mph.

The Frey Dopamine 2.0 offers riders hoping to knock out long rides as quickly as possible a novel option. With a 500W mid-drive motor from Bafang, the Frey Dopamine 2.0 has the muscle necessary to go a full 28 mph. This Class 3 eMTB (28 mph maximum assist speed plus a throttle) is powered by a 720Wh battery.

One novel feature of the Frey Dopamine 2.0 is its ability to run several different wheel setups, depending on the size of frame the rider needs. It comes in three sizes: medium, large and XL. Frey says that the Dopamine 2.0 can be run with 29-in. wheels front and rear, or 27.5-in. wheels front and rear or as a mullet setup with 29 front and 27.5 rear. The medium can be set up with a 27.5 wheel in front and a 26-in. wheel in the rear to serve as a small size.

Wheel size affects the suspension options; with 29-in. wheels or configured as a mullet, it has 160mm of travel front and rear, while with 27.5-in. wheels it sports 180mm front and 170mm rear. If there was any doubt about how aggressive a rider for whom Frey made Dopamine 2.0, the 63.5-degree head tube angle is half a degree (or more) slacker than what we see in many eMTBs.