Ahead of Black Friday, Halfords have launched the brand new Assist Deluxe e-bike... which at just £379* appears to be absolute year-round bargain, and the most affordable electric bike in the UK according to Halfords themselves.
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It comes soon after Halfords launched the UK's cheapest e-road bike (read the Carrera Crossroad E review here) and the Assist Deluxe continues the retail giant's reputation for wallet-friendly prices. If you want a new bike on a cycle to work scheme and were concerned that an e-bike might be too pricey, then the Assist Deluxe firmly puts those worries to bed.
The steel-framed bike is compact with 20" wheels, and is based on Halfords' exisiting Assist 20" Hybrid e-bike - although they say this one has even more features and improved specifications for the same price. The removable battery has a maximum range of up to 30 miles, and the motor features 12 point pick up which means it's sensitive to pedal turns so the power kicks in fast. The motor is located in the front hub, and you get an LED display on the left side of the handlebars with which you can control the assistance. The Assist Deluxe has just a single gear to keep things simple with a double chainguard to fend off mud and grim off the road, and is equipped with v-brakes.
Other useful features include a bell, front and rear battery-operated lights and a rear luggage rack with bungees to keep your stuff secure. The battery recharge time is 3-4 hours, and there is also a walking mode feature to help you off the bike if the 18kg weight feels a bit heavy to lug around.
What do you think of the Assist Deluxe, and are there any e-bikes you know of that are anywhere near this sub-£400 price point? Let us know in the comments!
*The original price of the Assist Deluxe at launch was £398, but Halfords tell us they have cut the price further down to £379. The new price will go live on Saturday 23rd November.
