The advantages of electric road bikes

Among the new bikes on the market, Gravel and road e-bikes are expanding manufacturers’ offerings while broadening consumers’ horizons. Sometimes criticized but mostly misunderstood, electric-assist bikes often spark controversy. However, their advantages can be numerous, which we list here, perhaps to encourage you to take the plunge.

By Jean-Yves Couput – Photos: @3bikes.fr / Cannondale / DR

My favorite question has always been, as long as I can remember: WHY? The why is magical. It allows you to ask the right questions and thereby understand better. Ask it several times, and you get to the heart of things, you find the real answers. But here, I decided to abandon the why in favor of WHY NOT? A simple addition, a symbol of letting go, of living in the present moment, of discovering the experience. Without prejudice, without bias.

Yet, in this new world of electrified cycling, judgments are numerous. From the haughty “Lazy!” thrown by the extremist-masochist-traditionalist of cycling culture, to the sarcastic “Look, a nuclear bike!“, not to mention the “Cheater!” launched by the Sunday morning rider, the one who only measures himself against those weaker than him. Everyone has their point of view. A brief return to the meaning of words, let’s dissect the expression point of view: this means an understanding, an interpretation, an opinion seen by someone about something. A point of view is not a truth, it is an opinion. It is therefore, by definition, biased.

When it comes to electric-assist bikes, there are two schools, two camps. Those who align with the e-bike tribe and those who call it VAM. E-bike, or Electric-Assist Bike, or VAM, Muscle-Assist Moped. I personally won’t prolong the suspense: I’m pro-e-bike. That said, I also like the notion of VAM, because after all, whether you put muscle fiber first or second, you still have to pedal, right?

Electric assist in question

There is no more polarizing subject than this in cycling today. Detractors consider those who ride e-bikes as sub-cyclists, a qualifier that would please Thomas Pidcock, the very recent e-MTB world champion, and let’s not forget multiple world champion on road, in time trial, in cyclo-cross, and in traditional MTB too. In short, when you pedal, you pedal…

While electric assist has become dominant on singletracks, in the mountains, and in the woods, and the concept of MTB cannot be imagined without a coexistence of muscle and assisted muscle, we are far from that on the road. Yet this type of bike, in its asphalt or more adventurous Gravel version, is becoming increasingly present in manufacturers’ catalogs.

For two years now, I’ve given in to curiosity, and I was quickly won over by the range of possibilities this type of machine offers. Its horizons are wide, whether it’s to keep pace on climbs with your younger and more sprightly Sunday riding companions, or to ride at your own pace in total control of your effort on difficult routes, to do a recovery ride without depriving yourself of riding in the cols, to recover from an injury, to get back into it after a long break, or even to challenge yourself with personal goals such as doing the most elevation gain or kilometers possible on a single charge. But in the end, whatever the motivation, none of that matters, because cycling is above all about getting from point A to point B with maximum pleasure. And there, the e-bike is unanimously praised, proving to be a true pleasure factory.

In the end, whatever the motivation, cycling is above all about getting from point A to point B with maximum pleasure. And there, the e-bike is unanimously praised, proving to be a true pleasure factory.

But why, then, when the offer is so abundant, is it still so uncommon on our asphalt ribbons, and would it be undesirable? The road cyclist species is rooted in tradition, that of a slender, light, silent machine. And the road e-bike does have some drawbacks. Slender? The assisted road bike is not, or let’s say that on its medical certificate it would say a tendency to be overweight. Light? Less than a road bike without a motor. Silent? Hmm… Okay, it could do better! But on each of these three subjects, modern e-bikes are progressing, to such an extent that today they handle almost like a traditional road bike, gradually closing the weight gap with the most streamlined racing bikes.

Breaking the codes

As for cycling itself, even more segregating, it is naturally rooted in the famous No pain no gain, an English adage that promotes suffering as the primary value of the practitioner. Cycling is more spartan than epicurean, more masochistic than lubricious. So you can imagine that the promise of fun, of pleasure from an electric-assist bike… You’ll have to wait, dear friends!

However, I have decided to shock you, to push you to your limits, to make you deny your Spartan religion, to make you swallow your inquisitorial WHY? and for a moment, a brief moment, to put a viral WHY NOT? into your narrow little brain.

Why then, you, fanatic of the square of fabric pinned to your back with four safety pins, why then you, lactate enthusiast, straight-line puller, Sunday morning MAMIL (Middle aged man in lycra), would you not for a moment, a brief moment, be ready to recognize and admit that after all, the e-bike isn’t so bad? Leave your pride in the locker room, and explore the roads and paths of riding pleasure. I succumbed, and I loved it! The e-bike is a fantastic tool for varying pleasures. Permissive, it allows me to pedal more often, further, higher, sometimes even faster. It allows me these high mountain escapades on days when my training program indicates recovery. It allows me to ease my effort between intense intervals on climbs. It allows me to do more difficult sessions by not using the assist. Samaritan, it allows my dear and tender to accompany me without constantly complaining.

Finally, it allows me to follow the young warriors of my club on certain climbs, and also to act as a pacemake when they decide to race each other. The first time they saw me at the Sunday morning meeting, I detected some inquisitive, even disdainful, glances. The following Sunday, I was just the big brother, and they called me Coach! Yep, on the same ride, I’m a cyclist, sports director, coach, and caring partner.

Further too, I told you. Yes, with the e-bike, I found a magnificent way to train for my new passion, ultra-distance cycling. I no longer hesitate to extend my distances, because I know that whatever happens, I can get back with a little help if needed. Thanks to the e-bike, I’ve reached incredible milestones! A formidable companion for metabolic adaptation, my nuclear bike has allowed me to push the limits of my fasted training, making hypoglycemic incapacity almost a joke.

The road e-bike is too often considered only a therapeutic bike, treating old age, injury, disability… What if it turned out to be the magic recipe for cycling pleasure? To go from point A to point B, enjoying the fresh air, the view, and the pleasure of controlled and natural cycling effort. My road e-bike isn’t leaving my stable anytime soon, because I’m worth it!

=> TO BE CONTINUED: Criteria for choosing a good electric-assist road bike

=> SEE ALSO: All our Gear articles