Apart from the thick down tube (which houses the battery) there’s little difference between the Neo Cross and a standard road bike. At any power setting above 50 per cent the bike pulled away sharply and could cruise at 27kph. The Tektro disc brakes provide plenty of stopping power.

Learn more about the BH Emotion Volt.

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When you first see the Neo Cross your brain is telling you that this is not an electric bicycle as there is no bulky battery visible but then you look closer and notice the substantial rear hub, the thicker bottom frame rail and the sleek handle bar mounted display. Setting off after switching on the display unit with eco mode selected is absolutely effortless with the motor assisting you as you pedal you along. Before long you have changed up and are cruising in top gear at 20-25 kmh, suddenly cycling makes perfect sense. Why weren’t bicycles invented with electric assistance?

The handling of this bike is nothing short of spectacular, light weight, nimble and with brakes that put some motorbikes to shame. All in all 5 km s of pure fun.

The Offroad 650 is a very exciting bike – the Panasonic crank drive system is well known in the ebike world for its reliability and performance. Most bikes using the Panasonic system though are conventional city bikes with the traditional sit up and beg type geometry. The Offroad 650 is a much more sporty model – it is essentially a recreational mountainbike. It is aimed at those wanting to ride on dirt tracks and trails who need the help of the battery and motor on the hills. It is really fun to ride in the woods and on the dirt tracks where some of the hills can be surprisingly steep! The motor kicked in at these times and made the going a lot easier. On the way back down the hills the motor is not doing anything as we were easily over the 15mph limit.

We would certainly recommend people consider this bike if they are looking for something to ride on the dirt. Other models to look at include the Xenion 650 which uses the Bosch crank drive system and the Neo Xtrem which uses a rear drive system.

This award is very important because it was granted at Eurobike, a show where all the brands enter their best products. The best products in the bicycle industry are showcased here, and the judges have considered the NEO technology as the most innovative and original in the ebike sector.

Did you know that…?

What makes the NEO so special is its innovative design, integrating the battery into the down tube and making it totally removable –a unique, patented innovation. As a result, it is an ebike that does not look as an ebike.

According to BH Marketing and Communication Manager Alex Zuloaga “We’ve got a patent for the integration of two big parts: the battery and the control unit. It’s a simple, comfortable design that helps conceal much of the battery. The E-motion NEO has nothing to do with the other assist-pedal bikes on the market, for it boasts many technical and design advantages and almost looks like an ordinary bike.” In addition, the NEO bikes weigh as little 21 to 24kg and have an autonomy of up to 90km in eco mode.

At EUROBIKE 2011 pedelecs and e-bikes will be in the spotlight more than ever before. As last year, exhibitors with their product focus on pedelecs and e-bikes will be presenting their bikes in the Zeppelin Hall and on the open-air grounds East. With the test track in the Zeppelin Hall and a new spacious outdoor test track starting at the open-air park East, Messe Friedrichshafen is extending on its focus on pedelec and e-bikes.

Test tracks have been a tradition at EUROBIKE for more than 10 years now. They give the EUROBIKE visitors the possibility of testing pedelecs and e-bikes of several manufacturers. This direct comparison of different bikes is the easiest way to find out which bike fits your needs best. Ascents integrated in the test course make the decision easier, as it demonstrates which bikes can cope with the hill easily and which are better for the flat country.