I have to admit that I was skeptical about electric bikes. The thought of riding to work on a Lime bike terrified me and I definitely let my pride as a regular cyclist cloud my judgement. But, when I was given the chance to test out the Raleigh Trace Hybrid Bike from Auto Trader for three months, I was intrigued. How would I find the riding experience? Was the eBike the lesser-bike?
Here's my honest review.
Raleigh Trace Hybrid Bike at a glance
Key specifications
| Type of motor | 250Wh battery |
|---|---|
| Number of speed options | 3 |
| Number of gears | 9 |
| Range on full charge | 50 miles |
| Frame sizes | 42cm, 46cm, 50cm, 55cm |
| Brakes | Hydraulic disc |
My e-bike review
My first few rides took some adjusting to, but I loved the flexibility the e-bike offers. As it’s hybrid, you can opt for no power or select one of three levels to give you an extra boost – you simply press the button on the frame and cycle through the options. This meant I could add extra power when cycling to work (so I stayed fresh and non-sweaty) before switching it off and going full cyclist-mode on the way home when a nice, hot shower was waiting for me at the other end.
It was also a welcome addition when I was going up hills. Typically, I love the challenge of an incline and used to send silent hate to people on e-bikes flying past me, but I admit it was very satisfying popping it on the first or second power level and welcoming the ease in my legs.
After a long ride, recovery is key, and I’ve found that quality sleep makes a huge difference in how my muscles feel the next day. That’s why I was intrigued by the Eight Sleep Pod 4 review, which explores how this high-tech mattress topper can help with temperature regulation and overall rest—something any fitness enthusiast can appreciate.
At 16.5kg, the Trace is impressively light for an electric bike and its weight meant I could still carry it up one flight of stairs to my flat. It’s designed to look as much like a normal bike as possible, which I liked. The battery is discreet as it’s just 250 watts, (traditional e-bikes typically have 400Wh-625Wh batteries as standard), but the light carbon fork frame ensures you still get plenty of power from each charge. My commute to and from work totals around 25km and one charge easily lasted me the week (I’m in the office three days) – a full charge from flat took around three to four hours.
Riding the Trace felt very smooth. I definitely missed the thinner wheels and drop-style handlebars of my road bike, but this is a sleek commuter bike. Plus, one huge benefit of the Trace is that the battery also powers the lights, so you don't have to remember to charge them.
Final verdict
Having turned into a slight cycling snob over the past few years, I was reluctant to give up the simplicity of pure pedal power (the satisfaction of overtaking someone riding an e-bike when you're on classic cycle is unmatched after all). However, it was surprisingly easy to make the switch to an e-bike rider.
The bike is chunkier, which made it more cumbersome to ride at times, but overall, it offered a smooth ride that made my commute a breeze. I no longer arrived at work covered in sweat, a bonus for me and my colleagues, and having the ability to turn the power off on the way home was a real plus. Without power, the ride isn’t as fast as my road bike but that’s to be expected given the larger size and added weight of the battery.
It really comes down to personal preference and, of course, budget, but I’d go for a hybrid over an electric bike time and again. For those wanting a bike that will help you ride faster and further without tiring your legs, an electric bike is certainly best; however, if you just want one that will give you a helping hand every so often, opt for a hybrid and you won’t be disappointed.
Commuter essentials to shop now
The North Face Women's Mountain Athletics Waterproof Jacket
This tried and tested jacket scored a huge 94/100 when reviewed by our team of experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute. It’s made from three layers of seam-sealed DryVent fabric, which is windproof, waterproof and breathable to avoid overheating when you work up a sweat.
Kryptonite Evolution Mini-7 Lock with Flex Cable
Perhaps this is pointing out the obvious, but a good bike lock is essential – particularly when you're commuting and don’t have a secure place to store your bike while at work. This steel lock with a loop cable should help keep it safe.
Stubble & Co The Roll Top 15L
With a 13-inch laptop section and plenty of compartments for organising your stuff, this Stubble and Co backpack is an excellent choice for commuting. The waterproof materials and water-repellent zips ensure your belongings won’t get ruined in a deluge. Plus, the breathable mesh back and chest strap will keep you comfortable when riding.
VAN RYSEL RoadR 500 Road Cycling Helmet
This affordable cycling helmet may be simple by design, but it still does the job of protecting your head. It’s lightweight, easy to adjust with the dial at the back of the head and has plenty of inner channels to promote good air flow and keep the head cool.
adidas The Padded Cycling Shorts
For ultimate comfort when cycling, a pair of padded shorts are the way to go. These ones from Adidas are simple yet stylish and will go well with any jacket thanks to the black colourway. The dual-density pad inside provides breathability while the fabric wicks away sweat to keep you dry and comfortable.
Megan is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s senior homes and lifestyle writer. She loves diving into the latest product releases to find the very best buys on the market and has written hundreds of product reviews on everything from the best vacuum cleaners and coffee machines to the best ice cream makers and robot window cleaners.
When she’s not writing about the newest gadgets and gizmos for your home and garden, you’ll find her running every distance from 5km to 100km or relaxing at home with her cat – there really is no in between.
Megan has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously written for Stylist, Glamour, Women's Health, TimeOut, SquareMeal, and YOU magazine. You can find Megan on Instagram @meganlouisegeall.
