Interbike goes electric: the best e-bikes from this year's show
I have zero issues with this retro scooter-inspired, runabout e-bike
Vintage Electric makes a range of stylish e-bikes that reach back to mid-20th century motorcycles
E-bikes are coming, including the road variety
Yamaha’s new e-bike battery and motor have been fitted to all sorts of bikes
The Yamaha system consists of a mid-drive motor and down tube-mounted battery
Fat bikes are a smart application of electric motors
Utility and urban bikes make a lot of sense for electric assistance
If you have a big, heavy battery, you might as well have a cool light
Raleigh’s urban e-bike is smartly spec’d with fenders, rack, front and rear lights and a kickstand
Have some ideas? Options are waiting in the Asian section of Interbike
Can you see me?
This brand name might be a tough sell in English-speaking countries
Even without a motor and battery, this retro moto cruiser would still be a heavyweight with the fat wheels, springer fork, monster saddle and large headlight
Moto bars and a springer fork. Yes and yes
How many niches can you hit? Folding, fat, electric, mountain bike
Is that RealTree, bro?
Your bike can be electrified with the not quite correctly-named Hidden Power system
The battery straps to the top tube, the powering arm pivots off of the seat tube, and a tiny throttle controls it all
This little knob controls the Hidden Power system
Tern’s GSD is a foldable cargo bike with dual batteries for a huge range
Tern and other companies offer accessories to make the GSD a viable car alternative
Cargo is easily hauled in the optional basket or panniers
Like mountain bikes in the 1990s, the current state of the bicycle industry is like the wild west when it comes to electric bikes. Within the battery-powered realm, all styles and niches could be peeped throughout the halls and booths of Interbike: road, mountain, hybrid, urban, folding, fat, cargo, cruisers, kids, you name it.
Vintage Electric makes a range of stylish e-bikes that reach back to mid 20th century motorcyclesRussell Eich / Immediate Media
Retro and stylish
A fine-looking and useful implementation of electric power are the classic motorcycle-inspired e-bikes. They avoid the sometimes bulbous and tacked-on looks displayed by certain e-bikes through the use of swoopy, decorative frame tubes that hinting back towards their styling cues.
These bikes rely more on their looks and vintage aesthetic, than on sheer performance or low weight. Along those perimeters, the seating position is typically low, with the pedals slung forward, built for cruising and easy rolling rather than speed.
Cargo and utility
The other standout application of electric power on display at Interbike was cargo bikes. With a range of bags, kid seats, panniers and more, these unique bikes are aimed as viable alternatives to the daily car drive.
Tern and other companies offer accessories to make the GSD a viable car alternativeRussell Eich / Immediate Media
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Like it or not, e-bikes are coming, and right now the bike industry is casting a wide net, encompassing every discipline, including a few that are proprietary to the electric bike market itself. Check out the gallery above to get an idea.
