Reviews and Press
February 2012
Batribike Breeze – Folding Electric Bike Review
Review: The “Breeze” exceeded all my expectations – the dealer I purchased it from said I would be pleasantly surprised at it’s performance and he was so right – I weigh 17 stone and have a disability for which I normally use a mobility scooter but I miss the trips out to our local park (The largest in Europe) which has some steep hill climbs – I used the “Breeze” for the first time and it covered all surfaces and gradients without hesitation – the folding aspect means I can carry it in the car along with my scooter – fantastic build quality along with a great design I am more than impressed and very very satisfied – at last I have freedom to get around safely and without effort.
Alan – via website review form
May 2011
BikeRadar
Batribike Granite electric bike review
- BikeRadar verdict 4.5/5
“Good value, decent weight and good range.”
The Granite gives a dose of electric acceleration without even pedalling. So why bother, you might ask, if a twist of the motorbike-like handlebar throttle is all you need to get moving? The answer is that despite being named after one of the heaviest stones on the planet, the Granite is actually pretty light for an e-bike and not half bad to pedal.
Style-wise, the Granite looks like an aluminium hardtail mountain bike with a battery on the back, full mudguards and a chain protector, plus a pointless suspension fork. You also get a dynamo- or battery-ready front light, a battery-ready rear light, kickstand and a suspension seatpost.
Why you’d need any extra suspension for the road with fat tyres like these is anyone’s guess. What’s more, the first thing on the bike to show signs of stress during our test was the fork, whose stanchions rocked alarmingly front to back in the legs.
With its seven-speed cassette, the Granite is no slouch on moderate hills. Up to that pesky UK legal limit of 15.5mph, that is. We’d have preferred more gears, which could unlock spinning up proper climbs. A really nice touch is that by pedalling backwards for two turns of the pedal – such as on a long, fast descent – the bike cleverly brakes with the electric motor, and regenerates charge for the battery.
The twist-and-go nature of the Granite was a fun gimmick in the start. But it quickly became apparent that for town riding this meant you could get a clean, wobble-free getaway from traffic lights and junctions, before taking up the slack with your pedal power. Just remember to turn it off before pushing it through your front door – otherwise you might end up twisting the throttle and shooting the bike into the back of your legs, like one of our testers did.”
April 2011
Camping and Caravanning Magazine
“The Batribike Quartz is a folding bike with superb battery capacity. The bike has the best range of our test group and pleasant pedal assist and control. The Batribike Granite uses the same running gear as the Quartz but has a conventional frame. The bike folds easily and rides well. It would be great for local journeys but has the battery capacity for longer rides”
July 2010
Gainsborough Standard
“MP gets on his bike to help firm”
“Gainsborough MP Edward Leigh joined parliamentary colleagues, Lords and an Olympic Gold medallist to show support for a local business and green moves to beat traffic congestion.
Mr Leigh rode one of Sturton by Stow – based Batribike’s battery powered bicycles through the streets of London in the All Party Parliamentary Bike Ride which was organised by the All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group.
Sue Coulson from Batribike said the firm was delighted that Mr Leigh took part.
“He was very keen to try the paces of the Batribike Diamond when the group stopped to watch some school children demonstrate their cycling safety skills. Mr Leigh enjoyed a fast lap of the square.”
Cycling athlete and Olympic winner Victoria Pendleton headed the ride which was held during Bike Week and involved members of the British Electric Bicycle Association.”
June 2010
Lincolnshire Echo
“MP uses Pedal Power”
“A county MP will ride an electric bicycle as part of a Parliamentary ride.
Edward Leigh, MP for Gainsborough, will use a cycle from Batribike, a Sturton by Stow company specialising in electric bicycles.
The All Party Parliamentary Bike Ride takes place from tomorrow to Sunday, June 27th, and marks national Bike Week.
Batribike is a family run company specialising in electric bicycles.
Conservative Mr Leigh, 59, held on to his seat in the recent General Election.”
June 2010
BikeRadar
BikeRadar Live: Batribike to launch new electric bikes
We’re pleased to announce the attendance of Batribike at this year’s BikeRadar Live on 10-11 July, where they’ll launch two new electric bikes as well as offering the other models in their range to demo.
The new Diamond and Granite feature regenerative braking – ie. power generated when going downhill is used to recharge the battery – and a choice of four levels of motorised pedalling assistance, which can be selected using a handlebar-mounted display. So, you can use more power on the hills and less on the flat.
Batribike’s Sue Coulson says electric bikes are becoming more mainstream. “Electric bikes make cycling more inclusive,” she says. “Whatever your ability there is a chance to get out there and enjoy a bike ride. BikeRadar Live will be an excellent opportunity for consumers to test our bikes.
“Nothing compares to actually riding an electric bike. They all have different characteristics and it’s important to ‘try before you buy’ to check that the one you like the look of is also the one you like to ride.
“The Brands Hatch test track at BikeRadar Live will give you the chance to try a Batribike on a gradient, which is exactly what all our customers want to know – what’s it like on a hill? A ride on a Batribike electric bike has a definite ‘grin factor’. We look forward to seeing lots of smiling faces.”
April 2010
Sailing Today
“The Quartz is a step-through aluminium design in silver. Thanks to suspension on the front forks and saddle, the ride is smooth. Whilst all the bikes in the test had comfortable saddles, the Quartz had the best.
The wheels are 20” diameter with seven gears and rim brakes. The mudguards have flexible rubber ends and there’s a full length chain guard.”
“Summary: comfortable ride, comprehensive power control. Coped well with steep hills”