Find the right e-bike to get you zooming from A to B.
City
Low step
The Benno eJoy can carry more load than most other models, the rear rack built in to the frame has a 40kg capacity and a matching front rack is an optional extra.
The bike looks relaxed but we found it rides efficiently at speed and up and down hills with confident handling - the ride position means it's not suited to a very long fast commute though. There's no suspension, but large-volume tyres and a plush saddle take the edge off bumps and make the ride comfortable.
Our testers thought the Bosch Active motor was a little under-powered, but 2020 model will come with the torquier Performance motor.
The attention to detail in this bike was exemplary - most testers agreed it would be a pleasure to own and ride an eJoy.
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Each e-bike was taken on a test route by two riders. The 5km route in and around Wellington’s CBD included city traffic, fast flat roads, hills, kerbs, wooden bridges and a busy waterfront path shared with pedestrians.
We also put the e-bikes through a gruelling 20km route around Wellington’s Wadestown and Northland suburbs. The main challenge was climbing a 2km-long hill five times at a steady 20km/h (a kilometre of vertical ascent) and descending the same twisty narrow road between climbs. It also included a short, steep section of rough path with a narrow barrier negotiated at walking pace, an undulating 5km of suburban streets, and a steep descent requiring brakes to keep the e-bike to the 50km/h speed limit.
Our riding tests, along with a static assessment of the features and functions of each e-bike, were used to score the performance of the motor system and the bike. Overall score includes:
Motor system (50% of overall score)
Bike (50% of overall score)
$4995
City
Low step
No
One size
Bosch
Active Plus
Mid
250W
50Nm
32km/h
4
400Wh
Seat tube
26"
60mm
Road
Metal
Rear mount
9 / Trigger
Disc (hydraulic)
2020 models will use the Bosch Performance motor, which should result in better hill climbing.