Since the beginning in 2016, MeloYelo has focused on the needs of older electric bike riders. We have done a great deal of research amongst those aged 55+ in NZ and have learned the following:
- The majority of older e-bike riders want a bike that they can ride around town and on light off-road trails.
- Some want a bike that they can take on more challenging off-road trails.
- Some are looking for the lightest possible ebike, because they need to lift it onto a rack on the back of their vehicle
- Battery life is a key issue. Older legs may not be as powerful as they once were, so a larger battery is needed to give riders the confidence of knowing that they won’t run out of juice on the trail.
- Most older riders – men and women – are looking for a step-through frame to make getting on and off the bike easier. This is particularly important for those with knee or hip issues.
Based on these learnings, MeloYelo has designed its range of ebikes to be particularly suitable for older riders. Let’s explore each of these models to help you identify which model might be best for you. Note too that MeloYelo agents offer comprehensive test rides, away from busy streets and that MeloYelo highly recommends you test-ride several of our models, as this will help you to choose the bike that not only best meets your needs, but which also feels the best for you, your size and stature, and your style of riding.
The Town’nTrail: A great choice for around town and light off-road trails
The motor on the Town’nTrail is in the rear wheel. This is often referred to as a hub-drive motor. And, while most bike shops try to steer you away from hub-drive bikes, they have their place and their advantages:
- Hub drive bikes are more affordable than mid-drive bikes.
- They are not only adequate for around-town and light off-road trails, they are a more efficient solution in these scenarios.
- They are the best option for riders who don’t like, or who are not comfortable with, changing gears frequently. This is because, while mid-drive motors have more torque (turning force), that superior torque can only be accessed by changing down into the lower gears when climbing hills.
The Ascent3: For Longer, Steeper Trail Rides
Owners of previous generation Ascents rave about how rugged and durable the bike is, how well it tackles steep hills, and the distances they can ride without running out of battery power. With the Ascent3, we have made some great improvements on what was already a highly-loved bike:
- A new, more powerful Bafang motor which delivers peak torque of up to 114Nm AND which allows the thumb throttle to be used from a standstill. (Previously, you had to get to 6 km/hour before the thumb throttle would engage).
- An even bigger battery. Most ebikes have a battery of around 500 watt-hours. Our prior generation Ascents had batteries of 630 watt-hours. The new Ascent3 has a 720 watt-hour battery, meaning that for those of you who love to ride longer distances or more challenging trails, you can rest assured that you will not suffer from range anxiety.
- A new drivetrain. The prior generation Ascents had 8-speed gearing with an 11-32 tooth cassette. The Ascent3 has 10-speed gearing with an 11-39 tooth cassette. This makes the Ascent3 an even better hill-climbing beast than its predecessor.
- A new colour display with improved contrast and more useful features, such as distance-to-empty and Bluetooth connectivity.
- USB-C charging port to charge devices as you ride.
The Superlite: For Those Who Want the Lightest E-bike and the Smoothest Ride
If bike weight is of paramount importance to you, then the SuperLite is a great choice. It weighs in at just 22kgs including the battery (19kg with battery removed/easy to remove). It is important to note that this weight also includes the carrier, mudguards, and lights. Many other brands don’t include these when specifying the weight of their bikes. This puts the SuperLite in the same weight league as carbon fibre bikes.
The SuperLite3 improves upon our widely acclaimed prior-generation SuperLite in the following ways:
- A new, more powerful Bafang motor which delivers peak torque of up to 114Nm AND which allows the thumb throttle to be used from a standstill. (Previously, you had to get to 6 km/hour before the thumb throttle would engage).
- A new colour display with improved contrast and more useful features, such as distance-to-empty and Bluetooth connectivity.
- Wider, more comfortable pedals.
- A new, ebike-specific drivetrain for improved durability and easier gear-shifting.
- USB-C charging port to charge devices as you ride (SuperLite 3 only).
There’s more to like about MeloYelo
MeloYelo constantly seeks feedback from its customers and uses that feedback to continuously improve its product line. MeloYelo is also unique in other important ways:
- Our 3-year warranty. No other ebike brand in NZ offers this;
- The extras we include, at no extra cost. Lights, mudguards and a carrier are all included, as are assembly, fitting of the bike to you, and the first service check;
- We have a nationwide network of agents who work together to solve customer issues. This means that if you bought your MeloYelo in Auckland but encounter a problem while touring the South Island, one of our many South Island agents will be happy and willing to assist;
- We have a private Facebook community where more than 1400 of our customers share stories, photos, questions and advice. This community is available for all MeloYelo customers to join, and many new friendships have been made through the network.
Conclusion
Hopefully this article has helped you identify which MeloYelo model will best suit your needs. However, we again stress the importance of booking a test ride with your nearest MeloYelo agent.
Even if you haven’t been on a bike in years, our agents are trained to help you slowly regain your riding confidence. You won’t be riding in some busy retail parking lot, you will be riding in a safe environment and will have ample time to assess the feel of our bikes, yet with a refreshing lack of sales pressure.
We hope to welcome you into the MeloYelo family soon.
