E-Bikes: Your Guide To The Best Buys in SA

If you haven’t ridden an e-bike yet… don’t. Because you’ll want one. The extra power, the ability to keep up with fitter riding buddies, the massive rides you’ll be able to do… it’s addictive! Here are 11 of the best e-bikes available right now.

from trail-friendly MTBs to road and adventure bikes, here are the best powered steeds you can get.

Last year, at the age of 69, my dad bought an e-bike – an entry-level Specialized Turbo Levo.

We’d been mountain biking together for years, but it had started becoming tough for him, especially on Table Mountain’s merciless climbs. He wasn’t enjoying his rides anymore, or he’d politely decline my invitations, especially if we were riding in a group. He was plagued by the thought of slowing everyone down, or riding beyond his limit and doing himself damage.

And now? It’s been life-changing. I chase him up the hills. He gets a workout, I get a workout, and there’s no more anxiety about being slow or making others wait. But most importantly, I still get to ride with my dad. You don’t get that time back.

His decision to buy the bike wasn’t an easy one. A decent e-bike is as expensive as a motorbike – or a second-hand car – and he was worried about the extra maintenance, being bamboozled by overcomplicated tech, and the hassle of charging a battery.

But he needn’t have worried. The tech is amazingly simple and user-friendly, and the battery charging has become as routine as charging a bike light or a cell phone.

The main issue has been adapting to a heavier bike and how the power of the motor affects handling, especially when the trail gets technical. Also, giving himself an extra second or two to slow down...

So don’t just jump on your new e-bike and rocket off into the sunset – start with easy routes, so you can dial in the suspension, get to grips with the braking and practise using the different power modes. Pretty soon you’ll also have an idea of the range of the bike, which will allow you to start planning more ambitious rides.

The e-bike market is booming, with new models released every few months. The major manufacturers haven’t forgotten about us down here at the southern end of Africa; anything you want to ride, you can get it with a motor: gravel bike, road bike, trail bike or cross-country bike.

It’s a big financial investment, though, and you don’t want to make the wrong decision. We went shopping for the best e-bikes in all categories, to suit most budgets.

What’s the limit on the credit card again?