Škoda’s model campaign continues through the expansion of the brand’s range of bicycles –Škoda’s 2014 bicycle range has new additions: a selection ranges from junior bikes, mountain bikes and trekking bikes to an electric bike.
This current range reconfirms the brand’s close relationship to cycling: Škoda’s success story began 119 years ago with the construction of bicycles at the company headquarters in Mladá Boleslav. The bicycle mechanic Václav Laurin and bookshop keeper Václav Klement founded a factory for the production of bicycles under the name Laurin & Klement (L&K).
The first bikes bore the name Slavia. Motorbikes were manufactured from 1899, and in 1905, the first automobile left the factory – the Voiturette A. L&K merged with Škoda in 1925. The brand’s Superior models serve as the basis for the current Škoda bicycle range.
After its premiere last year, the electric bike Green E Line is also part of this season’s Škoda collection. The 21.7 kg lightweight model is constructed as a Pedelec (pedal electric cycle). With this type of E-Bike, the motor is engaged, providing peddling assistance when you step on the pedal. Depending on the setting, the motor will add an additional 35, 75, 150 or 300 percent to the force you exert on the pedal. For licensing and insurance purposes, the motor will support a maximum speed of 25 km/h.
The brand’s BionX E-Motor, integrated into the rear wheel hub provides 250 W, with a range of up to 105 km. The battery will last up to four hours – the powertrain is equipped with recuperation technology, saving the energy expended when breaking or rolling and transferring it back to the motor. The battery mounted into the frame weighs a mere 2.6 kg. In just a few simple steps, the E-Bike can be converted into a normal trekking bike by exchanging the rear wheel. The battery is easily removed.
