On a 9-by-5-mile island where parking and petrol will set you back over £4500 a year, it’s easy to see the benefits of switching to an electric bike. It’s cheaper, you can cycle up hills with minimum effort, and – provided it’s not overly abused as a method of transport to the pub – it keeps you healthier and well less stressed than sitting in a driver’s seat. During the summer months, it’s idyllic, and the right model can carry the weight of a fully grown man on the back.
As it was Gallery’s delivery week, we reached out to Co-Op Bikes to see if we could take a couple of their electric bikes for a test ride. We explained our mission: find a more sustainable way of delivering magazines, without sacrificing too much efficiency. To achieve this, we needed one bike for carrying the load and another for speedy dispatches. They set us up with Estarli’s E28.X and eCargo Longtail L20 – a sleek, low-maintenance e-bike and a versatile electric cargo bike, respectively.
The former is perfect for travelling to work, college or simply to the shops, with a carbon belt drive that offers a smooth, clean, oil-free ride. The automatic 2-speed motor adjusts seamlessly to terrain changes, and a responsive torque sensor ensures intuitive power delivery, enhancing the riding experience. “It just felt really, really easy,” Flo commented. “It almost felt like driving an automatic car. It’s perfect for Jersey, and is a nice balance between feeling the benefits of an electric bike whilst still feeling like you’ve been on a cycle.” Comfort is ensured with a Selle Royal Vivo gel saddle, with handy mudguards for if the weather turns and lights that run off the slim lightweight battery. The puncture-resistant tyres offer durability and grip, and the E28.X is available in crossbar or step-through frames in bronze, pistachio, or midnight blue.
Estarli’s eCargo Longtail L20 is designed for families and urban commuters seeking a sustainable alternative to car travel. It’s impressively priced at £2000 less than the sea of Longtails on the market, without compromising on robust performance and practical features, such as the ability to carry up to 210kg including the rider. It’s powered by a 250W mid-drive motor offering 110 Nm of power, handling hills and heavy loads with ease, delivering up to 120km of smooth, low-maintenance rides. Like the E28.X, the eCargo features puncture-resistant tyres, complete with hydraulic disc brakes and front suspension for added stability and comfort. It also boasts Gates carbon belt drive and Enviolo Infinity gears – there’s even an assisted walk feature capped at 4mph, so if you have to get off the bike and push, the battery can take the burden off you.
Taking the bikes down the Five Mile was a dream, even with the mags loaded in the back. Despite the weight of the vehicle and cargo, pedalling the eCargo was easier than ever, travelling along with little effort involved. Even going uphill felt like pedalling a normal bike along a flat, making this the perfect transport option for a parent looking to get their child to school on time. If you prefer a challenge and want to put in a bit more effort, the bike easily switches between five levels of assistance at the press of a button.
The Estarli E28.X is ideal for solo riders who enjoy the extra push from electric assistance but still want to feel like they’ve been cycling. It’s the perfect vehicle for a one-person commute and will help you dodge rush hour traffic. Flo commented on the ease of the riding experience – from the automatic gears to the fact that it was considerably lighter than your average electric bike. Weighing just 16.9kg, the E28.X features a removable Samsung battery that provides a range of 60–90km and recharges in 3–5 hours. “I liked that you could choose the level of assistance you wanted,” she added. “I could ramp it up to five going up the hills, which were a bit harder on the legs, but drop it down to one or two if I wanted to challenge myself a bit more.”
Within a few hours, we’d covered St Peter’s, the Five Mile, Corbière, St Brelade’s Bay and Portelet – and still had time for a coffee break. By the end of it, we were both converted to the electric bike lifestyle. “It’s actually made me consider life in Jersey without a car,” said Flo. “I’d never really considered cycling as a possibility, because I’ve never been much of a cyclist. Seeing how easy it was and how good it felt has made me think again about how I get around the island – and that maybe an electric bike is my way forward.”
To find out more or take an Estarli on a test drive head up to Coop Bikes, The Barn, Route de L’eglise, St Peter or reach out to the team at Co-Op Bikes om 01534 861851 or email shaun@coopbikes.com
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