Electra Loft Go! 7D EQ

A great value option for anyone looking to return to cycling or just after an e-bike to use around town

Electra majors in creating sleek-looking cruiser bikes with a definite laid-back attitude. Now the company has tempered its designs slightly with the introduction of the Loft Go! 7D EQ. It’s a mildly more conventional electric hybrid that still manages a high degree of quirky charm.

But before we get onto that, let’s talk about the price. At less than £2,000, the Electra Loft Go! 7D EQ sits at the more affordable end of the e-bike spectrum.

Its price should make it an option for the e-bike-curious, particularly those who have perhaps not ridden any sort of bicycle for years but want to sample the benefits of cycling with electric assistance as an alternative to a car for short urban journeys.

The Loft Go! 7D EQ is offered in two frame options: a regular double-diamond or an open frame. This should help it suit as many riders as possible because the latter benefits those who would otherwise struggle to swing a leg up and over the seat – precisely the sort of rider who is most likely to want electrical assistance when cycling around town.

Obviously, some compromises have had to be made to keep the price low. This is apparent in the bike’s 21kg weight. Then again, with an electric motor to help the rider, this shouldn’t be much of an issue. The low price is also doubtless why a generic hub motor is used in the rear wheel. The battery is on the smaller side, although it should be fine for the shorter back-and-forth journeys to which the bike is likely to be applied. Electra has included a seven-speed Shimano derailleur gear system to help get the most from both items, while the bike also benefits from the inclusion of disc brakes.

Despite the budget price, you’ll find fulllength mudguards and integrated front and rear lighting as standard. These cut down additional costs and mean the bike lives up to its name by arriving ready to go.

▶ £1,850

▶ electrabikes.com