Paul Post
By Paul Post
John Jacobs has just the thing for Baby Boomer cycling enthusiasts who find uphill climbs a bit more daunting than they used to be.
Velotric e-bikes allow people to keep pedaling their way to health and fitness with help from modern technology that takes the strain off tired muscles and achy joints.
Inside Edge in Queensbury has three different models that have been leaving the store as quickly as Jacobs can stock them, he said.
“I had no expectation that we’d be selling these as fast as we have,” he said. “A lot of ‘snowbirds’ with second homes up here have been coming in. They live up around North Creek where there’s hilly terrain. They like to ride, but they’re getting older. These bikes are all designed to assist you. What they really do is smooth out the hills. It allows you to go somewhere fairly quickly, still getting some exercise but not struggling against a big headwind or steep hill. You’re going to go right through.”
Jacobs is director of sales and development for Inside Edge’s parent company, Reliable Racing Supply, an industry leader in ski racing equipment founded by his late father, Tom, a 1952 Winter Olympian and National Skiing Hall of Fame member.
The company currently offers three different e-bike models. They are the Discover 1 (26-inch wheel), the Nomad 1 (26-inch fat tire) and the T1 ST (700 centimeter wheel) urban commuter. All three models are available in step-through and step-over frame designs.
“The step-through frames are by far the most popular as they accommodate anyone from 5-foot-1 to 6-foot-4,” Jacobs said. “The T1 ST weighs only 35 pounds, which is incredibly light for an E-bike.”
All three models may be ridden by pedal power alone or by pedaling with an electric-power assist, up to 20 miles per hour. Riders select the level of assistance they want.
But the Discover 1 and Nomad models may be driven by electric power alone, without pedaling, similar to a motor scooter.
Discover 1’s tires and wheels are light enough that it can be taken almost anywhere. This model is ideal for commuting, for example from one of the small towns surrounding Glens Falls into the city.
“It’s not meant to be off-road, but you can certainly take it on the Feeder Canal Trail, Champlain Canal or dirt road,” Jacobs said.
The Nomad’s fat tire makes this bike well-suited for more adventurous exploring.
“The fat tire was originally designed for winter cyclists,” Jacobs said. “You used to see a ton of them out in Aspen and places like that. But slowly they’ve become popular everywhere because you can take them so many places. They’re great for people who want to go out on a logging trail or mountain biking.”
Jacobs described the T1 ST model as fast and efficient. “If you run out of juice, it has eight speeds and you do have a climbing gear to ride like a bicycle,” he said.