Touring E-bike Review: Best E-bike For Long Distance Bike Touring
From Nervous Newbies to Seasoned E-Explorers:
Chris and I weren't your typical touring cyclists. We were weekend warriors at best, with only dusty memories of childhood bike rides. Europe, with its daunting hills and unfamiliar roads, seemed like a fantasy, not a feasible adventure. But fueled by a thirst for exploration and a touch of recklessness, we embarked on an odyssey across the continent. Our trusty steeds? The Radon Relate 9 e-bikes, powerful machines that would become our silent partners and unlikely heroes.
Choosing the Right E-bike:
Our quest for the perfect e-bike was nothing short of exhaustive. Prior to embarking on our journey, Chris and I scoured countless bike stores across Melbourne and the Gold Coast in pursuit of the ultimate touring ebikes. We immersed ourselves in the world of ebike technology, meticulously exploring bike reviews sites for explanations of different engine brands and specifications. Our exploration also led us to examine frame types such as E-Trekking, E-Mountain, E-City, E-Touring, and more. These variations are meticulously designed to meet specific customer needs, adding a layer of complexity as we sought the optimal electric bike for our requirements.
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It became increasingly apparent to us that the components of a bike play a pivotal role in shaping the overall touring experience. To facilitate transparent comparisons, we diligently created a spreadsheet, mindful of the tiered pricing structures adopted by many brands (Trekking, Trekking+, and Trekking 360 Ultimate), which often lead to confusion and the risk of overpaying.
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Through online bike review forums, we stumbled upon Radon and its Relate series, which instantly captivated us. We were particularly drawn to its combination of best-in-class engine with superior torque, a spacious battery pack, and an exceptional navigation system – all offered at a significantly lower price compared to its counterparts.
Who is Radon?
Radon is a German brand known for its direct-to-consumer online model, offering high-quality bicycles at competitive prices. Founded in 1997, they specialise in mountain bikes, road bikes, trekking bikes, and e-bikes, catering to a wide range of cyclists.
The Relate, A Hybrid Marvel:
The Relate model is a hybrid ebike that combines the agility of a sporty mountain bike with the versatility of a travel-ready trekking bike. The perfect fit for our requirement of versatile electric touring bikes.
What we Loved:
From the moment we embarked on our journey, the Relate 9 exceeded our expectations. As novice cycle tourists, the bike's powerful engine provided invaluable assistance, especially during grueling uphill climbs. Front and rear racks laden with panniers and a tent strapped to the back, we effortlessly tackled diverse terrain. We weren't just sticking to paved paths. Gravel tracks, dirt paths, even the occasional creek crossing – the Relate 9 embraced them all.
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The RockShox Recon Gold RL suspension fork soaked up bumps like a champ, while the Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires clung to the terrain with relentless grip. We even conquered sand and cobblestones without a hitch, feeling like sturdy tanks rolling through the countryside – thanks in part to the bike's titanium color scheme that turned heads wherever we went.
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One standout feature of the Relate 9 is its Bosch Nyon GPS device, which offers turn-by-turn navigation and accurate range estimates based on topographical data. This, coupled with the bike's impressive range, alleviated any concerns of range anxiety, allowing us to focus on enjoying the ride.
Tech that Empowered:
The Relate 9's 85 Nm Bosch CX Performance Line motor was our silent hero, effortlessly conquering climbs and diverse terrains.
Paired with the 625Wh Bosch battery, the largest on the market at the time, range anxiety became a distant memory. We'd typically cruise 60-80km per day, and as our fitness improved, we could even stretch it to 150km on a single charge using Eco mode.
The Nyon GPS was our digital guardian angel, providing guidance and eerily accurate range estimates. While the base model Bosch charger took 8-9 hours, overnight charging at campsites kept us rolling.
This tech trifecta – powerful engine, massive battery, and smart navigation – transformed us from nervous newbies to seasoned e-explorers.
Bikes, Boxes & Delivery:
Living in Australia, we had to get strategic about our bike purchase since they're mainly sold online or at a store in Bonn, Germany. We weighed two options: either ship them early to a family member in Tuscany or give Radon's service partner network a try for unboxing and testing (for a fee, of course).
Unfortunately, no luck with nearby partners, but luckily, the fam had our back! The bikes arrived a week later in enormous boxes and hung out in Tuscany, patiently waiting for us.
Setting them up ourselves turned out to be a breeze, way easier than we initially thought.
Built to Last: Minimal Maintenance, Stellar Support:
Despite nearly 5,000km across diverse terrain, the Relate 9's high-quality components kept maintenance to a minimum. Just one flat tire and a surprisingly resilient chain lasting two tours (almost 5,000km!) were all we faced.
To top it off, Radon's customer support impressed us. A quick email inquiry about a cassette replacement brought prompt and helpful assistance, further solidifying our positive experience.
Final Thoughts & Verdict:
The Relate 9 wasn't just about impressive specs and smooth rides. It was about the experiences it enabled. We conquered challenging climbs that would have left us defeated on traditional bikes, discovering hidden gems tucked away off the beaten path.
Thanks to the electric bikes we arrived at campsites with energy to spare, swapping stories of our journey. This wasn't just a bike; it was a gateway to freedom, a partner in creating memories.
Additional Accessories:
In addition to the e-bike itself, I have invested in several additional accessories to enhance our touring experience. These accessories are detailed in the table below, with links provided for further information.
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*Please note that we do not receive any commission for any products recommended in this review, including the e-bike and accessories. We have no affiliations with any of the brands mentioned. Just a passion for E-bike touring!
Ortlieb 40 Litre Pair (Rear)
We initially opted for the 40L bags and took them on our inaugural tour. They traversed gravel and rough roads with ease, offering ample storage space for a short to medium-term cycling adventure.
Radon Links:
Title | Description | URL |
|---|---|---|
Radon Bikes | The Radon webiste provides information on all their models and locations of service partners across Europe. | http://www.radon-bikes.de/en/e-bike/trekking/ |
Bike-Discount | Bike-Discount is the online retailer of Radon bikes there you will find all their models with pricing and delivery terms. | http://www.bike-discount.de/en/ |
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