Welcome. We're your premier source for fun places to explore by bicycle or on foot. Offering guides, maps and articles on road and trail riding for the novice to seasoned cyclist - helping you find your #NextBikeAdventure
In this bike pic, we see more and more people around the world looking at and taking an e-bike out for a test ride. For those who may need a little electric assistance on their #NextBikeAdventure, it may be time to visit your favorite bike shop and test ride an e-bike.
So, adjust to the warmer temps, have your rain gear ready, and get into the zone when continuing your time outdoors for that #NextBikeAdventure. View all the great ideas and bike destinations in the latest Iowa or Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide. Then plan your next outing with family and friends, and check out more stories at Let’s Do MN.
Thanks for viewing today’s bike pic
Now, as we roll into our 21st year as an outdoor media, enjoy!
As we pedal forward, we aim to encourage more people to bike and have fun while highlighting all the unforgettable places you can ride. As we continue to showcase more places to have fun, we hope the photos we shoot are worth a grin. Enjoy the information and stories we have posted as you scroll through.
Do you have a fun bicycle-related photo of yourself or someone you may know we should post? If so, please send your picture(s) to [email protected]. Please Include a brief caption for the image, who shot it, and where. To be considered, the photo (s) sent to us should be a minimum of 1,000 pixels wide. If we use your photo, you will receive photo credit and acknowledgment on Facebook and Instagram.
As we continue encouraging more people to bike, please view our Destination section at HaveFunBiking.com for your #NextBikeAdventure. Also, check our 15th annual mobile-friendly MN Bike Guide, a handy booklet full of maps of fun places to bike and hike.
Bookmark HaveFunBiking.com on your cell phone and find your next adventure at your fingertips! Please share our pics with your friends, and don’t forget to smile. With one of our cameras ready to document your next cameo appearance while you are riding and having fun, we may be around the corner. You could be in one of our next Pic of the Day.
Hicle, Inc., organizers of large electric-assist bike expos in Europe, tied to bicycle tourism, brings back the E-bike Challenge Minneapolis. A place for consumers to test and compare electric bicycles on the huge indoor cycle track. In its inaugural event last year it was deemed a success with attendees of all ages and abilities test riding e-bikes. Now the E-bike Challenge returns to the Minneapolis Convention Center on April 2 & 3.
So many styles to choose from at the electric-assist bike expo
What exactly is a pedal-assist bike or e-bike?
An e-bike is a bicycle that has a battery and electric motor allowing a cyclist to ride farther and with greater ease. The bicycle doesn’t do all the work, it assists! The bicyclist must pedal for the motor to engage, enabling an easier ride. With a variety of vendors representing dozens of electric bicycle brands at the Challenge. This will allow attendees to ask questions and test ride many styles and types of e-bikes and e-trikes while visiting. Ride models best suited for commuting, recreation riding, hauling cargo, families, and more! You will also find e-fat-tire bikes for winter or off-road riding, along with many e-bike accessories.
E-bikes and E-trikes for the whole family
Start your E-bike Challenge visit with an e-bike parade
An e-bike runway fashion show will showcase the latest models of e-bikes and
accessories. Dozens of bicycle exhibitors include Bosch, Tern Bicycles, Riese & Müller,
Yuba, GoCycle, will show their latest and greatest in electric bike innovation.
Discover the Hike & Camp area
They’re also creating a Hike & Camp; Bike Xperience area in the exhibition hall for vendor
displays including tourism destinations, trekking, mountain biking, and fun activities for kids. Attendees will not only learn about e-bikes but also fun places to ride and routes across the United States and internationally.
Plus you will find an interactive Kid’s Area
This family-friendly event will also have an interactive kids’ bike test track for ages 16 and
under, a children’s scavenger hunt, a bicycle playground with activities, and more.
Admission
Tickets for the E-bike Challenge are $8. at the door, and $6. when purchased in advance, online. Children, 12 years and under are free.
Advance, online registration for the e-bike test track is also available.
For more information about the E-bike Challenge, including vendor information or to
purchase tickets, visit www.ebikechallenge.com.
About Hicle Inc.
Based in the Netherlands, Hicle, Inc. organizes some of the biggest European consumer fairs in the world for bicycles and cycling tourism. Theo Jorna, the owner of Hicle, has been active in bicycling since the early ’70s. At a recent E-bike Challenge in Europe, held in combination with Cycling Tourism and Cycling Sports, the event covered over million square feet and attracted more than 40,000 guests.
“Our 2019 event in Minneapolis was a huge success,” said Jorna. “We definitely
capitalized on serving a new and underserved market here in Minneapolis. People want to recreate, to commute, and to run errands via bicycle, and the electric bike allows them
to do all of this for the first time.”
Electric bike expo countdown – With an expanding selection of electric-assist bikes from around the world, the E-bike Challenge Minneapolis is returning in 56-days.
Thanks for viewing our electric bike expo countdown picture
From a recent article at HaveFunBiking, the E-bike Challenge will again be at the Minneapolis Convention Center, on March 28–29. Here consumers can test and compare electric-assist bicycles on the huge indoor cycle track. In its inaugural year, 2019, it was deemed a success with attendees of all ages and abilities test riding e-bikes. While visiting have fun learning:
What exactly is a pedal-assist bike or e-bike?
Hint – An e-bike is a bicycle that has a battery and electric motor to allow a cyclist to ride farther and with greater ease. However, the bicycle doesn’t do all the work by itself, it only assists! The bicyclist must be pedaled for the motor to engage, enabling an easier ride.
Start your E-bike Challenge visit with a 2020 Bike Guide and the daily E-bike parade
As you enter the bike expo hall and test track pick up your copy of the HaveFunBiking 2020 Bike/Hike Guide, hot off the press. Then attend the e-bike fashion show where you will find all the latest models of e-bikes you can ride, on the runway. Dozens of bicycle exhibitors, to name a few like Bosch, Tern Bicycles, Riese & Müller, Yuba, GoCycle will be there. With more brands signing up each day, you are sure to see the latest and greatest in electric bike innovations.
Find your next adventure in the Hike & Bike Xperience court area
When not test riding all the fun e-bikes, explore the Hike & Bike Camp area in the center of the exhibition hall. Here find information on tourism destinations, trekking, mountain biking, and fun activities.
Plus you will find an interactive Kid’s Area at the bike expo
This family-friendly event will also have an interactive kids’ bike test track for ages 16 and
under, a children’s scavenger hunt daily, a bicycle playground with activities, and more!
Have a great day and mark your calendar for the E-bike Challenge!
The idea of strapping a motor to a bicycle is nothing new. In fact, the first internal combustion engine bicycle was launched in 1885. As the bicycle industry moved forward into the next century, bikes with motors became motorcycles. But, the call for some sort of bicycle, powered by a motor, has never faded away. In recent years bicycles called E-bikes or electric-assist bikes have emerged to fill that void. Now as battery technology matures there are many options you can choose from when looking to buy an electric bike. Read on for some tips on choosing the right E-bike for you.
Motor options for E-bikes
At the heart of any E-bike is its motor. Motors usually break down into two types; Hub motors and Center motors.
Hub motor systems
These options replace either the front or rear hub with an electric motor. The front motor systems are usually an aftermarket system designed to change a standard bicycle into an electric bike. While these systems aren’t used commonly on stock E-bikes, they are another option if you have a bike you love and want to add some battery power. Rear motor systems replace the rear hub with a motor. Additionally, some rear hub systems incorporate the motor and battery into the rear wheel. Some of the benefits of a hub motor system are that they don’t put any additional strain on the chain or gears of a bicycle. The cost might also be a factor.
The GeoOrbital (bottom left) and Copenhagen (top left) wheels are aftermarket hub motor options, while the DHM (right) bicycle comes complete with a rear motor wheel.
The Center motor systems
This has become the most popular option for a completed E-bikes in today’s market. A center motor bicycle is purposely built to accept a motor in the center of the frame where a normal bikes pedal crank would go. With two major E-motor manufacturers, either Bosch or Shimano, most bicycle brands build their bikes around one of these two systems. Center motors are usually about 50% more efficient than hub motors and produce more torque. This allows the center motor to have a better range and ride quality. Also, when removing a wheel for transport or fixing a flat, a center motor system is far easier than a hub motor.
Here this center motor Raleigh E-MTB is perfect for the off-road trail.
The battery for an E-Bike
E-bikes usually use a battery located in one of two places, over the rear wheel or on/in the frame’s downtube. The batteries use a series of Lithium-ion cells to maximize motor power while keeping the system light. When comparing batteries, the power is measured in Watt Hours, with larger batteries having more Watt-Hours, equaling a longer mileage range.
Rear Battery (left) and a downtube mounted battery (center and right)
How the E-bikes works
Most E-bikes come equipped with pedal assist for added power when pedaling. However, there are few models that also offer a thumb or twist throttle for an added boost when you need it. With only the pedal-assist made most E-bikes only offer power when you need it. Therefore, if you are riding along a flat path or downhill, the E-bike will not offer much in the way of assistance. However, if you are riding against a headwind, along rolling terrain, or uphill, the E-bike’s motor will kick in and assist you when the going gets tough. Additionally, most systems are adjustable, allowing you to customize the level of assistance you may need.
Bosch and Shimano are the two E-bikes motor manufactures.
Range between charges
Determining the range of an E-bike is difficult due to the fact that the motor only engages when needed. As an example, someone riding a bike on a 45-mile trip that is half downhill and the other half on flat ground might finish their ride with plenty of battery left. On the other hand, a route selected that is 15 miles long but full of steep hills could burn through a fully charged battery sooner. So the published information for any E-bikes range is a bit of a guess. On the bright side, these guesses are consistent across most brands, so the range is still a good way to compare brands.
Buying an E-bike
The best place to start your E-bike buying education is at your favorite bike shop. Usually, I recommend doing some research about various brands before starting a search, but with E-bikes, the ride is more important than the stats. For E-bikes more than any other bike, the sum is greater than the parts, so ride the bikes! In fact, ride as many of the bikes as you can. They will all have drastically different ride qualities. Beyond the different ride qualities, there are also many different types of E-bikes. Those types can include Mountain bikes, Fat bikes, Road bikes, Trekking bikes, as well as trikes and recumbents.
Accessibility for E-bikes
Now that the market for E-bikes has become mature, there are many options to choose from.
The last thing to consider when buying an E-bike is your state’s laws on the subject. Will they legally allow you on non-motorized trails or road, or treat you as a motor scooter, requiring a license? Considering E-bikes are a relatively new development, the department of transportation in individual states haven’t all agreed on how to treat them. Additionally, your local trails could be off-limits to your new E-bike, so check the laws first. As the E-bike legislation matures, I think there will be more and more options for E-bike riding all states.
Hi all! Day two at Interbike’s dirt demo brought more fun in the sun. It gave me an opportunity to review a load of new folding and E-bikes. It seemed any direction you turned, there was an e-bike waiting for you as Tern showcased its latest folding bike model, the GSD.
Tern Bicycles is a relatively new company who burst onto the cycling scene a few years ago with a clean and hyper functional line of folding bikes. Over the past few years they have built a name for themselves through developing folding bikes that not only look great but ride more like a full size bike. In addition to making great bikes, their forward thinking design team has worked to solve problems that plague cyclist with limited storage space.
The Tern GSD folding bike stands for “Get Stuff Done”
Given Tern’s ability to make revolutionary products, I expected a lot from their new bike the GSD. Why GSD you may ask? Well, it stands for “Get Stuff Done” and given the wide capabilities of this bike, that’s exactly what it can do. You see, the GSD is what’s called a mid-tail e-bike. A Mid-tail bike has an extended rear triangle designed to carry additional cargo, people, or accessories. The typical problem with extending the rear triangle is that it can make the bike handle poorly. In the same vain, adding additional cargo to the bike makes pedaling difficult due to the weight.
How Tern gets around these issues and to keep the overall length low is by using the same 20” wheel size as their other folding bikes. They also add folding features to make storage of the bike easier. On top of that Tern also equips the bike with a robust motor and dual battery capable of powering the bike regardless of how much weight is on board.
The Tern GSD uses folding bike components and a keen rack design for upright storage
Other Tern features
If the GSD were just an Mid-tail ebike, it wouldn’t be that exceptional. However, it isn’t just any old electric assist bike. It seems that Tern has thought of nearly everything. To start, they have custom bags that mount onto the back, but if those don’t tickle your fancy, you can mount waterproof bags from Ortlieb as well. If it’s human cargo you want to carry, there are retractable foot pegs, and a cushioned seat that can mount to the back. As well as carrying people, the GSD also is available with cool stylized front and rear cargo baskets.
Several options for accessories for the GSD folding bike
How the GSD rides
The most impressive thing about the GSD is actually the ride and by that I mean how normal it is. Hop on, pedal away and you will immediately feel at home. The GSD doesn’t suffer from many of the idiosyncrasies typically associated with a mid tail bikes. There is no tiller feeling when you turn the bars. Additionally, the common feeling like you are dragging a trailer behind you is replaced by smooth, quick handling. Overall, the GSD is the most comfortable, maneuverable and capable mid tail bikes I have ridden.
Sizing
The GSD is designed for both the short and tallest of riders. They accommodate all those different sized riders by using a remarkably adjustable bar and seat post setup
The GSD folding bike with the saddle in its lowest and highest (inset) position.
Power
Tern went a step further to make the GSD capable by adding an E-motor from Bosch to the bike. This motor helps riders power through their duties with speed and confidence. Considering that the GSD will most likely be loaded with more weight than a standard bike, Turn accommodates for a second battery on the bike to extend its range.
Conclusion
While the “Get Stuff Done” model might not be for everyone. Although, it’s details, quality, and stunning ride quality speak volumes for the attention to detail, that Tern brings to all their bikes. Stay tuned for additional reviews of the amazingly well thought out Tern bicycles.
The Tern GSD uses folding bike components and a keen rack design for upright storage
