Electric bikes - are they worth it?

What an electric bike gives you

An electric bike (e-bike) keeps everything good about a conventional bike and adds motor assistance. On Tbilisi's climbs you no longer arrive soaked in sweat - the motor carries you through the hard sections. You still turn the pedals, so the exercise does not disappear.

What to check before buying

• Battery capacity - 400-750 Wh. More capacity means more range; expect 60-120 km in a mid assist mode.
• Motor type - a mid-drive is better in the hills, a hub motor is fine in the city.
• Weight - e-bikes are heavy (20-25 kg). Worth thinking about if you have to get it into a lift.
• Assist modes - Eco, Tour, Sport, Turbo. In Eco the battery lasts around three times longer.

Who is an e-bike for?

An electric bike is ideal for commuting: you arrive without sweating, you skip the traffic, and parking stops being a problem at all. It also suits older riders who need to take some load off but still want to get around by bike.