No trail is too long, no mountain too high for the Reaction Hybrid HPA Race. Combining human power with the Bosch CX motor - delivered to the rear wheel via an aluminium Superlite frame and a Shimano XT 11-speed transmission - results in a riding experience in a class of its own. Available as a 29er or with 27.5in wheels for the perfect fit, whatever your height.
The double butted aluminium Superlite frame was developed specifically to match the requirements of the new Bosch system, and we've upgraded it for 2017 to include clean-looking, low-maintenance internal cable routing. The frame is extremely stiff despite being very light - and that means fantastic drivetrain efficiency and superb steering precision. That's a good start, but it's really the combination of our in-house Agile Ride Geometry (ARG) and the optimal positioning of the Bosch system (ODP) that transforms the Reaction Hybrid Race into a fleet-footed, fast-accelerating trail rocket with the kind of handling that most e-bikes can only dream of.
Bosch's new CX drive, with up to 75Nm of torque, sets the standards for MTB drive systems. It gives you the ultimate motor-driven support for longer rides, while taking you to impressive heights in exchance for relatively little effort. The standard battery is an impressive 500Wh for the best possible range. Shimano's 11-speed XT transmission - with XT ShadowPlus rear derailleur - has an exceptionally wide gear range, making it the perfect setup for an e-bike. It's the same story with the brakes, Shimano's BR-M315 hydraulic discs are powerful and providing reliable stopping in all weathers via 180mm rotors at both front and rear. Light, stiff wheels are built around Shimano XT hubs. The Rock Shox Recon Silver suspension fork features 100mm of smooth, controllable travel, stiff 32mm stanchions and adjustable rebound damping with remote lockout - perfect for clearing the path ahead and embarking on new trail adventures.
e-Bikes come in as many shapes and sizes as non-powered bikes, so you can have an electric road bike, mountain bike, city bike or general hybrid style. But, there are extra choices for you to make as well, so this is a brief guide to choosing the e-Bike best suited to your needs. For a more complete guide, please visit our Blog post on Choosing Your e-Bike.
Frame design
The primary choice is whether there is a top tube or you have a step-through frame. If you have any limitations in your hip flexibility and find it hard to raise your leg around the back wheel and saddle, then a step-through frame will be the better option for you. Given e-Bikes are heavier than other bikes, a step-through is also easier to handle if you're not very strong.
Battery power & capacity
"How far can I go between charges?" is the most common question, and the answer is "It depends", but here are some useful guidelines. Firstly, you control how quickly you deplete the battery. e-Bikes have power assist settings that you use to control acceleration and the amount of assist. If you choose "economy", it will take longer to get up to speed, and your top-end speed will be lower than if you select "turbo" mode. In addition, most e-Bikes are pedal assist, so you need to turn the pedals, and the more force you put in, the less you consume the battery charge. Finally, hills consume more power than flats, so your route selection makes a difference.
Batteries are rated in Watt hours (WH), and you can use this to compare the expected range between bikes. You simply multiply the voltage (V) by the amp hours (Ah) to calculate the Watt hours. On average, if you didn't pedal at all, each mile of flat travel will consume 15 WH. The e-Bikes we sell all have batteries with 300 - 400 WH, so that is 20 - 27 miles on a flat road with no pedaling.
Motor location and drive system
There are three primary positions for the drive system, the front wheel, the rear wheel and the crankset (to which the pedals are attached). By far the best is the crankset, as it is the most efficient, and it keeps the centre of gravity low. Motors in the wheel hubs are more common, as they are less expensive, and there are offsetting pros & cons for front versus rear wheel. drive.
Throttle or Pedal-assist
Our FreeGo e-Bikes have a throttle, so you can choose to be powered exclusively by the electric motor. Our other e-Bikes are all pedal-assist, which means the motor amplifies your own pedaling. The amount of power added by the electric motor in all cases is controlled by the setting, for example "economy" or "turbo".