The electric world is revolutionizing transportation, especially on scooters and bicycles. According to Forbes, 40 percent of all bicycle sales in the Netherlands last year were eBikes, with revenues reaching dizzying heights of 823 million euros. So if you want to get rich quick, go to Amsterdam and connect an electric motor to a bicycle.
Gtech, the manufacturer of electric lawn mowers and vacuum cleaners, was one of the first to enter the e-bike game and their simple range of e-bikes was certainly among the most affordable.
Gtech ebike: two types of models
The eBike Gtech comes in two versions: Sport or City. The former is a vague homage to an urban hybrid or stripped down mountain bike, while the latter features a 17-inch stepped frame, an upright riding position, and a soft saddle for more relaxed riding around town.
It's a very simple thing to look at, with its color options limited to white and green. The electric motor is neatly stored in the rear hub, but the battery is the same as you'll find in the company's outdoor product range and is simply bolted to the frame.
It looks shoddy, particularly on the City variant, and we really wouldn't want to test the consequences of aggressively pulling on the front brake, sliding the saddle, and slicing through the delicate nether regions on that bulky plastic battery unit.
The low asking price means you don't have fancy built-in lights or a small digital display for speed, distance traveled, and remaining battery life, but you are presented with some pretty comfy handlebars, pants-saving fenders, and a small display. on battery with percentage reading.
Whichever model you choose, you're unlikely to turn heads, but that's not what we're really after. Instead, it's a stripped-down bike that should require very little care, even if you punish it every day.
Basic but sufficient technology
A motor in the rear hub, which is powered by the removable 200 Wh bottle-shaped battery pack, provides electrical assistance, which is activated when the sensor detects an input through the pedals.
There are two power output options , normal or eco, that determine how much the engine helps on the journey. Gtech claims that you can get around 50 kilometers on a single charge , but this is reduced if you choose to receive full power in standard mode.
The perfectly integrated motor doesn't get in the way like most of Gtech's outdoor products, the battery pops out of its case in the bike frame and inserted into a dedicated charging cradle, where it needs around 3 to 4 hours to get back to the 100 percent.
The technology lags somewhat behind the more expensive rivals, which offer much higher levels of assistance and feature more advanced torque sensing systems, but it works and is simply a case of pedaling smoothly to keep a good level of assistance flowing.
There is nothing in the way of a digital display, with just a small display on the battery giving a reading of the remaining charge. A display isn't required, but it's nice to see a live feed of assist levels, speed, and total miles covered.
Gtech eBike City is perfect for the city
Assist is pretty predictable and despite the lack of really smart sensing technology and Formula 1 derived algorithms like those found in the GoCycle G3, there is enough power where you need it for regular trips.
Hit the pedals and you'll receive a slight delay in delivery, but keep a good steady cadence and the Gtech will maintain a dribble of power to smooth out bumps and bumps on the road.
There are no gears, no chains to dirty the pants (a carbon fiber belt is used instead) and the rest of the experience will be familiar to anyone who has ridden a bike, regardless of level. Gearless means not much adjustability though.
The speed is capped at 25km / h , which is the regulated standard in the UK, but unlike other e-bikes the Gtech City only weighs 16kg, which is quite light for something with a battery and a motor. . The result is a machine that doesn't feel too difficult to navigate the plains, when the power assist is most miserable.
You can get it for just over € 1,000 on its official website .
