What is a Crossover or Hybrid eBike
A crossover e-bike is an electric bicycle that combines the rugged build of an e-mountain bike (eMTB) with the efficiency / easy ride of a road bike making it equally at home on the road, on gravel or off the road
The terms "SUV", "Trekking" or "Hybrid" are also used to describe Crossover eBikes, however it is worth noting that there is no universally agreed technical distinction between these different terms. It is quite possible one manufacturer's crossover may be quite different to another manufacturer's hybrid although SUV & Crossover are pretty much always the same thing.
At PeakePedals we only use and sell Crossover eBikes as these are perfect for our tours of the Peak District which feature on and off road riding making us one of the UKs leading experts in this area
We further classify Crossover eBikes into the following sub categories for our tour and sales businesses
Crossover eBikes
Most like a standard eBike but with higher spec components
Crossover eTrikes
More accessible with increased storage and safety on the roads
Fat Tyre eBikes
Easier to transport & store with increased stability & comfort
Some of the cheaper Crossover eBikes (often called Hybrids) are a bit too much of a compromise and not particually good on or off road but the best in class bikes with the right components really are genuinely great to ride almost anywhere. Here are some important pointers to look out for
Bikes must have a high toque motor and long range battery to cope with the more robust heavier mountain-bike-inspired frame
The Bike computer is important and modes like "Auto" combined with a torque sensor really improve the ride and make hill climbing effortless
Well designed flat handlebars and supportive grips are essential to give you a comfortable riding positions on all terrains
Wider tyres are key for stability / grip but the bike needs good specification tyres that still roll well on the road like Schwalbe's Johnny Watts
Good quality well set up full suspension is a real bonus for extra comfort on rougher surfaces. Once experienced it is hard to go back to just front suspension
Hydralic disc brakes are vital to give you confidence down hills on the heavier bike and provide reliable performance on all surfaces
Stronger chains & larger flat pedals help with reliability and pedaling efficiency
Step through frames are no longer just for the ladies they make the heavier bikes eaier to handle and easier to mount when starting
Extra fittings on the frame for things like battery extenders, water bottles and on the handlebars for your smartphone are all essentials especially for touring
Finally mudguards, integrated lights and a MIK luggage rack are all standard requirements to make the bike useful for active transport and different weather conditions
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