Our e-bikes

FORZA BOLOGNA PLATINO

Until recently, our two trusty folding bikes were tucked away in the garage. For years, they have done their job and covered countless kilometres, either being pedalled or sitting on the bike rack at the back of the car or motorhome. Now, they make way for two proper e-bikes.

Popping out for a quick errand or a short ride through a village is never an issue when we are parked at a motorhome stopover. However, now that we are planning our next trips through Western Europe, we notice our ambitions are growing. We want to go further, higher, and spend longer in the saddle. Switching to a more serious e-bike is a logical next step in our travel adventure.

Even so, we do not rush into things. We decide to test first whether tackling the bigger stuff really suits us. In Jávea, on the Spanish coast, we hire two e-bikes for a proper test ride mapped out by friends. They are experienced mountain bikers who show us the ropes in this new world. They plot a special route for us, and together we head into the coastal hills.

Initially, we find the track along the rugged coastline quite tough, but a sense of freedom soon takes over. Especially when we experience the ease with which we conquer the slopes. For us, as inexperienced cyclists, it is an eye-opener. Not for a single moment does the effort feel too heavy; we simply enjoy the view. Even before finishing our introduction to a proper e-bike, we are completely sold.

Power and endurance

When you have the Pyrenees on the horizon or want to explore the vast coastlines of Western Europe, your requirements for a bicycle change. Abroad, where roads are rarely truly flat, you need a robust motor. A motor with high torque ensures you make it to the top effortlessly, even when the road climbs steeply.

However, a powerful motor also demands a lot of energy. That is why a heavy-duty battery with a high storage capacity is crucial, as it ultimately determines your range. Nothing is more frustrating than running out of assistance halfway up a Spanish mountain pass. Solid build quality and innovative technology are not a luxury then, but a necessity for ultimate riding pleasure.

Bologna Platino, mint green

Once back in the Netherlands, we find our way straight to Forza in Nunspeet. Our choice falls on the Bologna Platino Mid-motor, which is now available in a beautiful, contemporary mint colour. The design is minimalistic and sleek, yet the bike comes with every luxury.

What makes this bike so perfect for our travels is the impressive specifications:

• Power: the 75 Nm Motinova mid-motor laughs in the face of any mountain, hill, or headwind. We effortlessly tackle 9 per cent gradients with it.
• Range: the 720 Wh (19.2 Ah) battery guarantees a substantial number of kilometres, ideal for our day trips. Even in hilly terrain, we cover about 100 kilometres on a single charge.
• Comfort: with the Shimano Nexus 8 gears and 5 assistance levels, you always pedal at the right cadence. There is even a 0-setting and a handy walk-assist feature.
• Lightweight: weighing approximately 21.5 kg (excluding battery), the bikes are easy to handle. We easily take them with us on the car’s bike rack or the trailer tent.

The e-bikes are ready, the batteries are fully charged, and our new mint-green companions are gleaming in the sun. Read here how our first trips through the hills around Pego turned out.