Derbyshire-based Forme Bikes are the latest manufacturer to dip their toe into the e-bike market. Their new e-bike range complements the company's city bikes, and like the rest of the range they're staying close to home for the name. The e-bikes are all called Buxton, and there are two full-size models and one folder.
"Forme's debut range of e-bikes, the Buxton series offers unrestricted freedom and adventure, with hours of user-friendly and pleasurable riding as well as contributing towards a greener commute", the company says. "Forme's introduction to the e-bike market challenged them to create the very best all round city and leisure e-bikes at affordable price points."
What they've created is a three-bike range, and at the top of the pile is the £1,800 Buxton 1. Forme have opted for the tried-and-tested Bosch Active Line motor for this one, and mated it to an aluminium alloy frame that's available in diamond or low-step configuration.
The Buxton 1 (or Buxton 1FE for the low-step version) gets the full city package: mudguards, integrated lighting and a kickstand as well as a (fairly minimal) chain guard. You get a Shimano Alivio 9-speed transmission, and up front there's a Suntour NCX fork with 63mm of travel. The bike gets a 400Wh rack battery, and V-brakes to haul you to a halt.
Below the Buxton 1 there are two other models. The Buxton 2 is a £1,000 city bike that swaps the Bosch mid motor for a Bafang hub motor, and the Buxton folder is, as you might expect, a folding bike. It uses 20" wheels and gets a hub motor too. Both the cheaper bikes get a full city package of mudguards, rack and kickstand. We haven't seen those two yet but we'll post the pics here when we do.
Forme's new e-bikes will also come with free Cycle Recovery. "Cycle Recovery is a 24 hours a day and 365 days a year dedicated service to offer that extra peace of mind", says Forme. "With an e-bike, you can cycle further and faster, so it's nice to be reassured that should you be unfortunate enough to experience a puncture, accident, vandalism or irreparable breakdown at least one mile away from your home you can call Cycle Recovery. The policy offers up to three call-outs per policy year and a message service to notify family or employer of your situation, so no need to panic as it will all be in hand. You will be collected and taken to a cycle repair shop, railway station, car rental company, overnight accommodation or home address." So that's a bit of extra peace of mind.
For more information head over to the Forme website. At the moment only the Buxton 1 is on there, but we expect the others to break cover soon.
