Electric Bike Updates and Diagnostics

As electric bikes have become more sophisticated it’s important to stay on top of updates. Just like your home computer or smart phone regular updates are now released for most electric bike systems. If you buy a bike from Cycles UK we will do electric bike updates and diagnostics you need free of charge.

Electric Bike Updates

Electric bike updates can help to improve battery life, tweak how the motor works and fix bugs and problems. Most systems will require you to plug your bike into some specialist software at an authorised dealer. At Cycles UK we are authorised dealers for top electric bike brands including Specialized, Trek, Orbea, Whyte, Cannondale and Raleigh. As a result our stores have the software and hardware to run updates on all the major electric bike systems including Bosch, Shimano and Ebikemotion.

Free Electric Bike Updates and Diagnostics

We now provide free updates and diagnostics for life on any electric bike purchased from Cycles UK.

Electric Bike Motors Explained

Electric bikes have really come into their own in the last couple of years. Thanks to advances in electric bike motors and batteries. A couple of bike manufacturers, most notably Specialized, are making their own electric bike motors. The vast majority of bike companies are using the same motors. So, you will find exactly the same electric motor being used on bikes from different brands and at different price points. In this guide, we’ll take you through the main types of electric bike motors. Look at the differences between the most commonly used brands.

Electric Bike Hub Motors vs Mid-Drive Motors

Electric bikes tend to either come with a hub motor or a mid-drive motor. Mid-drive motors sit where the cranks and bottom bracket are on a bike and drive the cranks and chain around. Hub drive motors sit in the middle of the wheel and drive the wheel directly. Hub drive electric bikes are cheaper but less efficient, and less smooth, to ride.

Read our guide to electric bike motors

Orbea Electric Bike Range Guide

The Orbea electric bike range covers everything from electric hybrids and mountain bikes, through to electric road bikes. Orbea use a range of electric bike systems according to different models. These include Bosch, Shimano and Mahle. Orbea are based in the Basque country and most of their electric bikes are developed and built in their factory there.

H or M?

A lot of Orbea bikes will have a model number such as H30 or M20. Any bike with a H model number will have an aluminium frame. Bikes with an M model number will have a carbon fibre frame. Carbon frames will typically be lighter and smoother to ride but will also be more expensive.

Read more about the Orbea Electric Bike Range

Who are Orbea?

Orbea pronounced Or-bay-ah is named after the brothers who founded the company in 1840. Initially, the company manufactured rifles and guns. The company has been making bikes since the early 1930s and winning Tour de France stages for just as long. All Orbea Bikes are assembled at the Orbea Factory based in the heart of the Basque country in Northern Spain or in their facility in Portugal.

Orbea does things a little differently from many of the big American bike brands. As the heart of Orbea's manufacturing is still in Spain and Portugal Orbea can offer much more customised service. This includes the ability to swap out colours and parts on most of their higher-end bikes to suit individual customers through their MyO program.

Although best known for their road bikes Orbea are increasingly making a name for themselves as a mountain bike brand.

Read More About Orbea Bikes

Please note: Manufacturers can sometimes change the specification of the products from time to time.