Since the beginning in 2016, MeloYelo has focused on the needs of senior 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 want a bike that they can ride around town or on paved urban cycleways only.
The Traverse MD and Ascent MD: For Longer, Steeper Trail Rides
If you’re going to be tackling longer, steeper, multi-day trail rides, then the answer is simple: Choose the Traverse MD or its step-through sibling, the Ascent MD. Both of these ebikes are equipped with the Bafang M400 mid-drive motor which offers the best combinations of torque (80 newton-metres of turning force) and peak power (792 watts of peak power). They also come with 630 watt-hour batteries that are significantly larger than most batteries on competitorso’ ebikes and will therefore eliminate any anxiety you might have about running out of power. Note also that these trail-ready bikes come standard with mudguards, carrier and lights. Dave Waugh uses the Traverse MD on Grade 4 trails on the West Coast. Read his story.
The Town’nTrail: For Trails up to Grade 3, and Around Town
Our Town’nTrail model is a proven performer on trails such as the Pureora Timber Trail, the Alps to Ocean, and Motu. The unique feature of this bike is its thumb throttle – some call it the turbo button – that can deliver full power to the wheels without pedaling.
Our Traverse MD and Ascent MD models have thumb throttles, but you need to reach 6km/hour under pedal power before they activate. Because it’s a hub-drive bike, the Town’nTrail is less expensive than our other models. But don’t be fooled. For most older ebike riders, this is all the bike they will ever need. It has our large, 630 watt-hour battery, torque sensor and hydraulic brakes.
The Tranzit MD: For Trails up to Grade 2 and Around Town
For those who maybe getting back into cycling after a multi-year hiatus; for those who are unable to apply a lot of pedal pressure with their legs; for those who are going to be riding mostly around town or on wine trails, rail trails, beach and lakeside trails, the Tranzit MD fits the bill. It has high torque (80 newton-metres of turning force), it is a cadence sensor system (versus torque sensor), meaning that once you’re going, it requires less pedal pressure to keep it going), and its swept-back handlebars deliver an upright seating position that some riders prefer.
You also have the choice of two battery sizes: A 522 watt-hour battery (which is still larger than most batteries on competitive models) or a 630 watt-hour battery. Consumer Reports NZ said: “Comfy & well-priced; Very good balance at low speed; Excellent on rough surfaces; Very good display & controls; Low step-through facilitates getting on and off.”
The Superlite: For Those Who Want the Lightest E-bike and the Smoothest Ride
If bike weight is of paramount importance to you, then consider the Superlite e-bike. 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 it in the same weight league as carbon fibre bikes.
Yet it comes with high-spec componentry for tackling trails up to grade 3. The Superlite is a highly efficient bike, (a) because of its light weight and (b) because of its 10-speed Shimano Deore gearset, which lets you get even more torque in lower gears than our other models. If you’re loading bikes onto the back of a caravan or motorhome, or if you’re looking for a bike that feels light and easy to ride, check out the Superlite. One of our agents, herself an avid cyclist, posted this review of the Superlite on YouTube.
Conclusion
Know how you will be using your electric bike before you go shopping for one. Will you use it:
- Around town only?
- Around town and on light, off-road trails?
- Around town and on more challenging and longer off-road trails
Knowing how you will be using your bike, and how far you will be riding, will help determine which model e-bike will suit you best.
