E-bikes power up PressCamp

PARK CITY, Utah (BRAIN) — Wednesday’s slate of meetings with exhibitors at PressCamp was electrifying, literally. The number of e-bike brands showing their wares doubled compared with last year, from three to seven. In terms of total footprint, the e-bike category represented nearly a quarter of total exhibitors.

First-timers included Focus and Kalkhoff, both German brands owned by Derby Cycle, that brought their e-bikes to the U.S. in January, and BESV, a relative newcomer to the category. The Mountain View, Calif., company has been selling its e-bikes in Europe for two years and in the U.S. for one year. It is owned by Darfon Electronics, a global manufacturer of laptop keyboards and other consumer electronics.

Along with BionX, Izip, Raleigh and Bosch, the lineup offered a variety of e-bike systems and bikes for journalists to see and test ride, from full-suspension 27.5-inch mountain bikes to city, hybrid/fitness and fat bikes.

Lance Camisasca, VP of sports for ECRM, owner of PressCamp, said he felt less pushback from editors to meet with these companies compared with last year. “People were so dug in and anti-motor a year ago, but I’m seeing some who were greatly opposed to them coming around. I definitely think there’s a shift,” he said.

Still, with about 70 percent of attending media hailing from cycling publications and 30 percent from active lifestyle/non-endemic media, the e-bike category is a hard sell for some of the avid riders who would rather join the Wasatch Crest shuttle ride on the newest Pivot than pedal Bosch’s eShift automatic transmission on nearby roads.

“Editors are curious but don’t want to do demos here. Still, more are open to e-MTB than last year,” said Bosch’s Jonathan Weinert. “While it’s still difficult to get the hardcore (cycling) magazine editors on it, once they try it, their minds open up to it. But we’ll get more traction with non-cyclists and non-endemic media,” he said about e-bikes.

Thursday evening, PressCamp will host the Bosch Uphill E-Bike Challenge. The race will offer a $250 cash purse each for the male and female riders who complete the largest number of loops in one hour. The challenge is limited to pedal-assist models only, with 20 mph top speeds — no speed pedelecs. (Some brands are showing models with higher top speeds.)

Check the photo gallery below for details on some of the e-product on show.

For Day 1's PressCamp coverage, go here.

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The LX1 is BESV’s MotoGP-inspired flagship model, according to sales manager Chris Morgan. “We wanted to build a bike that didn’t look like an e-bike,” he said. It began shipping in April and features a direct-drive 500-watt hub motor, which Morgan says require less maintenance. The battery, an LED headlight and data display are integrated into the frame. It comes spec’d with hydraulic disc brakes and dual pedal torque sensors. A cross pattern on the wheels ensures no flexing. It comes with stock fenders and in red, gray or white. The 60-pound bike has a 50-mile range on a single charge. It retails for $5,300.
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The aluminum JS1 features European styling. It integrates the battery, LED headlight and data display, which shows assist mode level, battery life, speed, odometer, trip distance and trip time. BESV pegs it as its commuter model. It’s powered by a direct-drive 500-watt hub motor, and the rear lights are wired to the brakes to turn on automatically when brakes are applied. It also features remote-lock front suspension and mechanical disc brakes. It will retail for $3,700 and begins shipping next month.
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The Thron is Focus’ full-suspension 27.5-inch e-MTB. It features Focus’ proprietary mid-motor drive called Impulse that offers more than a 127-mile range on one charge. The Thron comes in both 20 mph and 28 mph (speed pedelec) top-speed models. It’s one of five models Focus is selling in the U.S. It’s complemented by the Aventura commuter model, offered in both standard 20 mph and speed pedelec, and the hardtail Jarifa. While a sister brand to Kalkhoff, Focus’ offerings in the U.S. will focus on mountain and touring.
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Kalkhoff’s range for the U.S. will consist of comfort and urban models like this Tasman Classic vintage-styled cruiser. Featuring the company’s Impulse mid-motor drive, it retails for $3,899. It’s one of five commuter/utility e-bikes available now in the U.S. Iris Bruschinski, e-bike manager for North America, said Kalkhoff will be adding three more models by the end of August.
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The Integrale S11 comes spec’d with Gates belt drive, Magura MT5 Speed hydraulic disc brakes, Shimano Alfine 11-speed rear hub and a suspension fork. It’s Bluetooth capable, allowing a rider’s smartphone to provide onboard navigation via the LCD display. It offers 127-mile range at a top speed of 28 mph. It retails for $5,899.
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Bosch offered up its eShift for demo. Launched this spring at Sea Otter, the automatic shifting transmission works with drivetrains from NuVinci, Shimano and SRAM to simplify shifting. It has been available in Europe but has yet to be adopted in the U.S. While it makes e-bike riding easier for the uninitiated, it adds $400-$500 to the cost of a bike, said Bosch’s Jonathan Weinert. Other introductions included Bosch’s new Speed system that offers a top speed of 28 mph. It’s available on the Haibike Xduro Super Race now, and other brands are expected to spec it on model-year 2016 bikes. Bosch also touted its new Active Line system intended for hybrids and casual bikes. Six brands currently spec Bosch’s Performance mid-motor system, and four more brands will come aboard for 2016 model year.