Setting the pace for e-bikes

This story first appeared in the March issue of EVtalk – CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE

The Pacer GT certainly lives up to its name. The electric bicycle from Smartmotion goes quicker than a scalded cat and makes a mockery of mountains – well, steep hills anyway.

The 250W/300W Bafang mid-drive electric motor powers a belt drive system that eliminates issues around chain drive systems and provides a smooth ride.

There’s much about this bike to like – including the speed. You can rachet up the pedal assist to provide the power you want. But even short of full assist, the Pacer GT gets along flat sections of road and pathways at well over 30kmh.
It will do 40kmh without the rider straining on pedal assist and even clocks up 50kmh to 60kmh downhill.

Designed as a commuter bike, tourer or daily get around, the Pacer GT can easily keep up with traffic and proves a blast on the cycleways.

Even with a belting headwind the Pacer keeps its pace – providing a Godsend for road cyclists wanting to draft.

“I just love e-bikes,” one said while tucking in behind on a long stretch into the wind.

You can easily see the speed, how much power assist is dialled up, remaining battery power and even torque and cadence on a colour LCD display incorporated into the frame just behind the handlebars.

A torque sensor measures your pedal pressure and multiplies your input for a super smooth ride.
The inset screen avoids handlebar clutter and means it’s pretty much crash-proof too. The frame display includes a USB port and another charging point.

A 36-volt frame-mounted Panasonic battery provides 504Wh and its range from one full charge is easily around 50km. Taking it on a 35km-plus journey over hills, dips, flat stretches and some rough sealed roads around the Kumeu district in Auckland still left three battery bars lit out of 10 at the finish.

And that was with just below full pedal assist, a headwind in many places and pushing it hard.
A similar situation applies on the 23km one-way commute to work with a heavy backpack, featuring several steep sections. The battery bars barely dip to under seven.
The alloy head shock front fork and reasonably big tyres mean a comfortable ride even on rough stretches where a road cycle with high pressure tyres would shudder and shake.

You can have the bike light up like a Christmas tree with LED strip lighting down the front frame and on the carrier’s two rear bars.

They’re coupled with powerful front and rear lights. The front light alone is 900 lumen with an 80-metre throw and a wide beam. Dubbed “Lightsaver”, the system ensures you will be seen while also lighting your path.

Gear changes are very different from a normal chain-driven bike.

There’s no throttle but the gear-changing system is very throttle-like.

A small handlebar display shows a stick-figure rider and bike on a line which goes from flat to a steep up and down hill as you wind the handlebar control toward or away from you.

Once you get used to it, the gearing is easily adjustable and kicks in quickly.

Other features include full-sized alloy guards, a high capacity rear carrier (useful for a good-sized bag, panniers or a child seat), kick stand and a drink holder behind the seat.

It’s 24kg weight is similar to many other e-bikes and can be easily manoeuvred into lifts.
The Pacer GT costs $4799 (RRP) compared with the standard Pacer at $3599 and comes with a six-year warranty on the frame and two years on the motor.

Mercury customers can get $250 off the price of this and any other Smartmotion or selected e-bikes.

*Thanks to Chris Speedy of Electric Bikes NZ for the use of the New Zealand designed Pacer GT.

Electric Bikes NZ at 28 Arrenway Drive in Albany, Auckland, also stocks other Smartmotion e-bikes like the popular e-city step-through.

Speedy supplies e-bikes to 55 dealers from Kerikeri to Invercargill.
Visit www.electricbikes.co.nz for more information.