Does cycling sometimes feel like an uphill struggle? Do you wish you could go further faster? Would a boost be a bonus?
Let’s admit it. Not all of us have the youth, stamina, time, good health or lycra to cover miles upon miles of our city’s roads, parks and surrounding countryside with consummate ease. If that sounds like you, we have good news – you don’t need to hang up your cycle clips just yet because East Sheen has a new shop that offers a great alternative to traditional cycling. And it’s arguably the best way to get from A to B.
L-R: Tim, Innis, Harry
Enter 50cycles, purveyors of the finest electric bikes in the UK
So, what is an electric or e-bike? At first glance it looks pretty much like a regular bike but you’ll notice that it has something extra – a discreet battery that assists you, so that the harder you cycle, the faster you travel. We’re talking here about all the benefits of conventional cycling without the sweat.
Co-owner Tim Snaith, who founded the company with his brother back in 2003 in response to his own need for a boost on his uphill commute, chose East Sheen for 50cycles’s new shop precisely because it is an urban cyclist’s paradise. He feels confident that e-bikes have their place here.
“Our bikes have changed lives, improved health and collected glowing reviews from our customers; they’ve even won races!” he tells us.
“They are fun and fast. They make light work of hills and headwinds and cost very little to run. It’s similar to riding a regular bike but the effort needed is a lot less – on full power you can easily find yourself travelling at 15 miles an hour but feel as though you are making very little effort. Their range varies according to mode used, terrain and load but you can expect from 50 to over 100 miles. ”
50cycles is an award winning international stockist of German brand, Kalkhoff, who produce a range of innovative e-bikes engineered to achieve the highest standards of performance using state-of-the-art technology.
“We want to be the best and supply the best. In Kalkhoff we have found e-bikes of an incredible build quality that are reliable, safe, good looking and climb hills better than any others. It’s little wonder that some Kalkhoff models are now in their sixth and seventh generations and that we have thousands of happy customers.”
Quality doesn’t come cheap but e-bikes are cost effective to run and provide freedom from road tax, congestion and parking charges. In fact, with regular usage, your initial outlay could be recouped within a year. 50cycles can also help by offering 0% Electric Bike, too. Prices start from just shy of £2,000 for a new bike but pre-owned bikes are also available from 50cyles.
If this is the solution you’ve been looking for, then why not pop along to 50cylces for a free, no obligation test drive and feel the difference for yourself? You could also take advantage of their October sale with 15% off all L and XL bikes and 10% off selected 2015 models.
“We can almost guarantee you’ll come back with a smile on your face!” says Tim.
Please contact 50cycles’s East Sheen manager, Innis Looby for further information or to arrange a ride.
50cycles, 345 Upper Richmond Road West, East Sheen SW14 8QN
www.50cycles.com | 020 8876 4750
Twitter: @50cycles
Eight great reasons to upgrade to an electric bike:
- Ease. If you’ve ever struggled up Broomfield Hill you’ll know that hills can be tough. Just imagine being able to invoke a little motor power so that hills become easy to navigate! No arriving at work hot, sweaty and exhausted.
- Freedom. Tube strike, overcrowded train, congestion? No problem. You can get around easily and dodge the heavy traffic, even if you work on the other side of the city. No motorcycle licence required and the cycle lanes are all yours.
- Parking. No more expensive parking meters and time wasting hunts for parking spaces. You can lock up your e-bike wherever you would a traditional bike and it’s usually free.
- Safety. On an electric bike it’s easier to get out of trouble and you’re less likely to become an obstacle for everyone else on the road. Electric bikes make everyone a strong, confident cyclist.
- Cost. When you add up fuel, taxes, insurance, fares, congestion charges, parking and even shoe leather, owning and running an electric bike is cheaper per mile than any other form of transport.
- New horizons. If you can go further faster, there’s more time to explore your surroundings; so much better than sitting fuming in a traffic jam.
- Fitness. You still get a healthy dose of exercise on an e-bike. Whatever your fitness or experience, e-biking is great for your overall health and wellbeing.
- Speed. Electric bikes are faster than pedal cycles. Nice.
